photo courtesy of oO-Rein-Oo
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Well my friends, Christmas has come and gone as has another year. Just a few more days until the new year is upon us. It seems every year about this time, I come up with New Year's resolutions that never seem to last through the end of January. I know quite a few people with the same problem.
This year, instead of setting yourself up for disappointment by trying to lose 20 pounds by March or getting straight A's in school, make a resolution you know you can reach. During my holiday break, I've done a lot of talking with my mom and she pointed out to me that I have a tendency to give up when something doesn't go right from the start. After a lot of reflecting, I've realized this has kept me from experiencing a lot of really great things.
So here is my New Year's resolution: To live life to it's fullest! To get out of my safe little bubble of a world and open myself to failure, so that I can try again. (Well, except the school kind.) To experience everything life has to offer and try new things. To be adventurous, artistic, and more in touch with myself.
Father Time may be working his magic, but I'm going to use the most of the time he's giving us. To start living! How will you use yours?
photo courtesy of mi4
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Came across this lovely Coldplay song and it's definitely been on repeat for the past two days. Firstly, I would like to say this song is amazing because 1. Coldplay...nuff said, 2. I loooove looking at Christmas lights, 3. I had Jingle Bell Rock coming out of my ears, and 4. good lyrics + pretty melody = instant win. I thought this picture kind of captured the mood of the song (or what it means to me anyways). I came across an assortment of very pretty pictures with Christmas lights, but they were all so lonely. Christmas is about being with the people you love. Walking down the street, hand in hand, underneath the Christmas lights.
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I'm not one for watching tv, but thanks to Elsie at A Beautiful Mess, I've gotten into the fabulous show, Pushing Daisies. It's got a little bit of everything; comedy, murder mysteries, and a fairy-tale romance. Not to mention her adorable outfits and delicious looking pie-filled episodes. I will warn you, it may make you hungry. I crave something sweet every time I watch it.
So on this (rainy) day of relaxation, sit back, grab a piece of pie, and watch away!
Holidays + Lots of Sparkle & Shine = Silver Cloud Dress from Anthropologie
I've been eyeing this dress for quite a while. I imagined wearing it at a Christmas party (and then re-using it on New Years Eve!) But alas, it was quite a pretty penny. Apparently, Santa heard my wishes and marked it down $100. On top of it, Anthropologie is offering an extra 25% off all their sale items. Ho Ho Ho!
Happy Friday my friends :)
photo courtesy of charlie-aux-fraises
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For storage purposes, I was forced to leave my acoustic guitar at school for Christmas break. My last couple of weeks there, I played that thing every day, so I've been feeling a little sad without my baby.
As I walked through the house the other day, I remembered that big black box piled high with papers was a thing known as a piano, and I could once play it. So I dusted it off and began banging away at the keys. It's amazing how it all came back so quickly!
"Boston" by Augustana has been my song of choice, since it's one of the only ones I can remember or sing to. Pretty sure my family is already annoyed, but hey, what's a daughter/sister for?
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This weekend, I kind of went holiday baking crazy.
It all began on Saturday, when I had the urge to make my holiday special (and family's favorite), chocolate covered pretzels. My grandmother was throwing her annual Christmas/Birthday Party later that night, so I decided to make a double batch for her and her friends. There was quite a bit more than what you see in the picture. And with all the 60/70/80 year olds a few champagne's in, those went pretty fast.
On Sunday, I was really in the mood for a lemon pound cake. So, having never made one before, I decided to give it a shot. I used this recipe, found on the Food Network website. Umm....YUM. For my first lemon pound cake, it turned out delicious. The glaze was a little on the lemon-y side, but you live and learn!
Last night, I went out to Indian with an old friend from high school and she surprised me with homemade chocolate peanut butter cups. So what did I make today? You guessed it! I also made some rocky road cups too. Used this for inspiration.
Basically, I am on a sugar high. Good way to start to the week :)
photo courtesy of Bloddroppe
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YAY YAY YAY! I AM FREE! I literally just got back from my last final, and I couldn't be feeling any better! (Well, sleep and a shower wouldn't hurt.) Seriously though, freedom is the best thing ever. In a couple hours, I'll be heading back home to my loving family and holiday joy. I am so ready for the Christmas festivities to begin.
Laser tag tonight with my sister (yes, we are still five year olds inside), snowboarding tomorrow, swing dancing in the eve, and a weekend of being artsy/crafty. YES. Here's to a lovely three weeks of freedom!
P.S. I've always wanted to dye my hair that burgundy color or like this one, but am too chicken. See, I would want to be able to go back to my hair color when I'm tired of it. I've never dyed my hair. Suggestions?
photo courtesy of DreamerSeven
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December is finally here! And with it the loveliness of winter and a month of holiday joy. I'm actually not very fond of the winter. Besides hot cocoa, snowboarding, and Christmas festivities, I quite detest it. I'm more of a fall/summer person. However, for the next month, I will be quite cheery. Come January 2nd, the winter blues will set in.
Until then, I am going to enjoy every minute of this festive month. Holiday shopping, carol singing, ice skating, chestnut roasting, hot cocoa/peppermint mocha drinking, book reading, classic movie watching, family snuggling, tree/house decorating, and hopefully some craft time are what I have in store.
So I actually have finals next week, meaning that until they are over, I may go into hiding. But Thursday, December 9th at 12:30 pm, I am a free woman! I'll be going back home and the holiday festivities can begin. Here's to a lovely month!
P.S. Found the song in this lovely video from Naomi.
