Merry Christmas

(photo source unknown)

Wishing you and yours a lovely Christmas celebration with your family and friends. It is a such a magical time to remember our many blessings and spend time with loved ones.

Philip and I are heading to Jersey to see some of his family, and then heading to NC to visit with my sister and her family. I cannot wait to squeeze my little nephews.

Merry Christmas dahlings! 

We did it!

I volunteer with the group, Many Hopes, and we concluded our monthlong, annual fundraiser a few weeks ago. All the donations were just tallied, and we came in well over our goal (!!!). So, what does this mean exactly?

Counting my Blessings

Boy and I have been married a month (from yesterday- Nov 18). I ashamedly did not realize this until a friend informed me- thanks Ash. Gosh, it doesn't seem like a month, and I'm not even sure that "marriage" has hit us yet. Sure, we've had out little squabbles, and instead of one of us driving to our respective apartment for some space, we've had to stay right in that room to duke it out. Let's just say that long-term grudges are not a factor in our relationship; one of us usually melts down in the first few minutes . . . I won't say who is more likely :)

Blog Crush: miss elaini ous'

I met miss elaini ous' via email after becoming an avid reader of her blog. Last year, Elaini (author of miss elaini ous') set out to replicate the Uniform Project by wearing a little black dress for 100 days to raise awareness and support for orphans in India. Elaini has an incredible story, and I was so excited about her little project that I sought out and sent items to accessorize her LBD - my accessories here.

Gift Guide: For Him

 (photo via Man Candy)

Let's do the 'for him' gift guide, shall we? Straying away from just Etsy on this one, I have some finds that I'm excited to share with you. So without further ado, here are some ideas for your boyfriend, friend, brother, husband, dad, grandfather, boy crush or whomever . . .

A Mad Men inspired cocktail glass set from Zest Vintage. 

A letterpress poster by Joey Roth to place above his desk. 

My Wishlist

If Santa were to visit our little apartment this season, these would be my wishes . . .

This aztec cape from Spanish Moss. Perfect for Saturday brunch, wouldn't you say?

Christmas Tunes

(photo source unknown) 

Do you like Christmas music? Do you burst with excitement when the Friday after Thanksgiving finally arrives, and you can unashamedly play your favorite holiday tunes?! Because I sure do! When we arrived in the D.C. airport after our honeymoon, I heard my first carol of the season, and needless to say, I was elated. Philip mockingly asked if I had just orgasmed when I heard that (TMI? Sorry P’s mom). It’s true though; I can’t get enough of Bing, Mariah, Perry, Mormon Tabernacle Choir and so many others around the holidays. Some of my favorites include . . .

Traditions

Boy and I are getting our Christmas tree tonight, and this will be my first real tree since living in my parents’ home.  Now don’t get me wrong, I had my fair share of fake trees in college dorms and community houses, but a real tree in my own home . . . to say I’m ecstatic would be an understatement.  Growing up, my mom put up eight (that’s right, 8!) Christmas trees in our home. When I told Philip this, his jaw dropped, and I think he was slightly terrified of what traditions could transpire in the coming years.  I don’t plan on setting up eight Christmas trees, but I do love many of the traditions my parents introduced to us children, and I am so looking forward to creating traditions of our own. Here are some traditions from my childhood . . .