nye.

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I hope to look this chic tonight but after battling through a pretty bad stomach flu yesterday I don't know if its going to happen.  I'll be spending my New Years with the boy and some of our friends, with me slowly recovering I think we are going to take it pretty easy tonight but I'm hoping to catch a Journey cover band and make it through midnight!  This has been an amazing year and I am excited to start fresh in 2013.  It could just be my favorite one yet!

xo

holiday break.

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How have your holidays been?  Mine were fabulous and it always makes me a little bittersweet when they are coming to an end.  I have been enjoying the extra time I have off this year spending time with family and staying at the beach (where half of my family lives) a little longer than usual.  I'm going to spend the rest of my break being lazy and spending time at home.  I'll be back next year with a lot of new content and hopefully a fresh outlook on the blog.  See you all next year!

xo

reflection.

I have yet to post on the tragedy that our nation saw last week in any way as I did not yet have the words to speak of this unimaginable act.  The heart breaking news that started pouring in early Friday morning was devastating and the continuing coverage only got worse.  My heart breaks for the victims and their families, with two parents who both work in education this really hit home with me as it could easily have been my mom or dad's schools that were attacked. 

I think as a nation we are all now asking why and what can be done to stop these extreme acts of violence.  For the families of twenty-six victims a piece will always been missing from their lives, a child, brother, sister, parent, friend, loved one.  Always remember this.  The answer is not yelling at each other over social media about what you feel is right or wrong.  Its simply finding an answer.  We are not there yet.  It may take a long time to get there.  But always remember in your haste for finding an answer there are people that are suffering extreme losses and they should always be in our hearts first and foremost.

xo    

i scream, you scream.

 

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Someone had on Twitter that it was National Ice Cream Day...wrong.  It's in July but lo and behold after reading that all I've wanted all day is some delicious marble slab ice cream.  You know the real stuff they make with milk and cream and you have to literally use all your might to get out of the box.  Yumm.  I know what your thinking and yes I do know that its December.  But I hate hot chocolate.

p.s. I know I've had a lot of random posts as of late.  I blame myself and lack of planning.  Of course I could do the infamous holiday gift guides but they are in abundance all over the blogosphere so I'm going to opt out this year.  See you tomorrow!

xo   

holiday season.

Life has been pretty busy lately.  It always seems no matter how much you plan ahead everything is always busier around the holidays.  I love it though.  The holiday cheer gets to me.  That being said my weeks lately have been incredibly busy.

The boy was in town for a full week and cooked me dinner.  The most complete meal I’ve had probably since Thanksgiving.  Delish!

George acting like a human at my grandparents’ house over Thanksgiving.

The tulle skirt that I cannot stop thinking about. #wishingandhopingandthinkingandpraying

I have finally gotten my act together and am getting some things done around the house.  I was saying in the future I need to throw a house warming party a few weeks after moving into a new place so that a year later I am not just getting around to finishing up decorations.  The mood board is covering up the office nook shelving that I’ve hated and never used.  It’s a nice solution to cover up the area as well as bring some color into our otherwise very monochromatic living area.

Attended the Jingle Ball and had an amazing time.  It’s a great cause and they had so many toys, check out the picture at the bottom, they were piled to the ceiling.

Decided the chalk board wall needed an awesome large scale tree, saw this and thought I can do that.  My roommate did not have faith in my artistic abilities and about an hour into the project I was doubting myself as well.  It turned out amazing and is one of my favorite decorations in the house. #monetinthemaking

Did a little Christmas shopping with the boy and he got some extremely dapper shoes. #dondraper?  

What have you been up to lately?

xo

party dresses.

kate spade // j. crew // j. crew // asos

Having a few options as far as party dresses go during the holiday season is crucial .  You never know when you might have an event pop up that you need something pretty.  I love these options.  They could all work at a number of different events and can easily be dressed up or down.  The J. Crew sequined dress is to die for!

I did find the perfect holiday staple while shopping last week.  

How pretty is that skirt.  What do you think?  Worth the splurge?  

xo 

tgif.

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Its the weekend finally.  I plan on sleeping in late, going to the flea market, doing a little Christmas shopping, and going to see a movie.  What are your plans?

xo

so fetch.

 

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Things have been pretty boring around here lately.  Just the usual Christmas rush of decorating and trying to find the perfect gift for everyone.  I've done very little shopping as of late and normally would be in panic mode but for some reason this year I just haven't been as excited about the season.

I did come across this today and love that its an inexpensive way to do holiday cards.

I also found this gem which is perfect for printing Instagram photos and for $1, yes please!

Tomorrow I'll be attending the annual Jingle Ball here is Raleigh for the first time.  Its an event to benefit the Salvation Army and anyone can attend.  Basically each guest brings a $20 toy to the event which gets you into the event where you are able to eat, drink and dance the night away!  If your in the area you should think about attending.  Details can be found here.

Daria, Pogs, Lunchables, & Furby (All lovingly part of my childhood)  If you miss the 90s as much as I do, check it out. 

Why are zebras so "in" right now or in the words of Gretchen Weiners "fetch"?  They are everywhere and I know this photo is threading everywhere and all over Pinterest but I mean she is so fab so she must be included.  I wonder how they got that crown to stay on?

I've read about this being a true problem in relationships, and by read I mean, I've being completely engrossed in multiple Emily Giffin books but hey, home girl writes some pretty legit fiction.  I know that when reading her books most women are like, "How did she know my life story?"  I've been on both sides of the issue and I do believe that it is a problem that is very prevalent in many relationships.

xo

favorite moments.

These are a few leftover pictures from New Orleans.  Also three of my favorite experiences from the trip.  As you can see above I'm drinking cafe au lait and eating beignets, this all occurred at the famous Cafe du Monde which no matter what anyone tells you has the best beignets in New Orleans.  We tried some at other places and they were not up to par.

If you go to New Orleans and don't go to Brennan's your doing yourself a disservice.  Its amazing, the service is amazing, and the food is amazing.  That's our waiter making banana's foster.  I had never had it before and its a new favorite.  

The signs from the road trip there.  I really loved driving into each state and being able to see some of the country along the way.

xo