Goodbye and good riddance!

2010 was not my favorite year. We definitely experienced a few hiccups along the way. I do have a feeling that 2011 will be a better one.

That said, things weren't all bad.

A few highlights: our friends got married, we went skiing, we went to PV for the 2nd time, we boated on Lake Livingston, we celebrated a surprise pink birthday, we celebrated a 40th birthday, our cousin got married, we celebrated a 40th birthday in NYC, we said goodbye to Grandpa K, we watched a lot of Project Runway, we had Thanksgiving and Christmas at home.

Have a safe and happy New Year's celebration!

Now, there's no looking back!

One of the true joys I had this year was watching my baby nephew grow from a tiny little infant to a wee toddler, walking and babbling like nobody's business! He really is the sweetest baby and has made me appreciate life in a new way.

Endless possibilities come with the new year. Bring it!

Top Ten

I thought I'd step on the list-making bandwagon going around the bloggy-world with my top 10 favorite looks from this year.


1. From February. I love the layers, the colors, the sunnies and the boots!


2. Also from Feb. Um, pink and black, sign me up!


3. From March and November. This is the one maxi dress I own and I absolutely adore, especially because I tend to wear in when on vacation at the beach.


4. From April. I like the cool vibe and drapiness here.


5. Also from April. My favorite top paired with my favorite pants. I have a lot of hair here!


6. From May. Using a summer dress for work. I love that this dress is over 10 years old but still looks good.


7. From June. Nothing makes me happier than head-to-toe pink!


8. From July. A great dress from Loft.


9. From October. A great dress from Anthro.


10. From December. Vintage jewelery, Gucci platforms, and a hot hubby. What more could a girl need?

All shopped out

I just spent the better half of this afternoon shopping at the Galleria and, even with all the extra 30-50% off sale prices, came home with nothing! One, I didn't have the patience to try everything on or wait in line to pay for anything and Two, I didn't find anything that was so amazing I had to have it. Don't worry though, I did make up for it before Christmas with the extra 25% Anthro sale and my ever favorite Lululemon. But I think I am done shopping for 2010 :)

With that, here are some December Daily pics:

Life is sweet - candy canes always remind me of the holidays.


Enchantment - I love snow, when it's sunny and I don't have to shovel!


This magic moment - you are never too old to enjoy Christmas.


The day after - my pile of Christmas hats, waiting to be put away until next year.


A breath of fresh air - outside in Maine after the blizzard.


Through the looking glass - we had a yummy treat waiting in our fridge when we arrived home yesterday!

Week in photos

I'm baaaa-ck! Being offline for the past almost-week has been quite refreshing. I'm also thinking the outfit posts will probably not resume until the new year, unless I get motivated some time this week. We were super lucky this holiday as far as travel goes - flew out of Logan at the crack of dawn this morning with no delays. I feel bad for those stuck in the airport still!


My sweet peanut was having a moment last week. We think he is teething some more.


December to January are usually our favorite months to watch movies because that's when most of the Oscar contenders are out. We saw 127 hours last week at the River Oaks Theater, the last independent movie place in town. Highly recommend.


Packing for our trip.


Our first night in Boston we stayed with our dear friends B&G. They are are super cool couple who used to live in Texas but moved up north to be closer to his family. You can't tell from the photo, but it's extremely cold outside! And they were good sports to don the Christmas hats I brought.


For brunch they took us to this delicious crepe place. I think I gained 10 pounds over the holidays between the delicious dinners, cookies and all-around holiday noshing.


Merry Christmas! This is the first time in quite a few years that we got the spend the holidays with all of Joe's siblings.


What do you do the day after Christmas when it's 20-degrees outside? Take lots of pics through a Slinky!

You are Getting Sleepy

The hubs got out of work early to start his holiday break. So natural he take a nap to celebrate!

Happy holidays to you and yours.

Seriously?

all items remix'd
top: Uniqlo
shorts: Loft
sandals: J. Crew

I was sweating in my jeans today. Luckily I didn't pack all my shorts away with the rest of my spring/summer clothes. What the...?


However, the holidays are not about the temperature but about the attitude. So I am trying to stay in the spirit.

Christmas is coming!

all items remix'd
top: old
sweater: Old Navy
pants: J. Crew
boots: Old Navy
shades: D2

Our weekend had perfect cold weather - sunny but brisk, good enough for layers but not uncomfortable. Of course that has changed today - highs in the upper 70s and lots of humidity. And we are travelling to the New England area over the holidays, which will give us a 50+ degree temperature shift. I'm not even sure how to pack for that kind of weather!


On Sunday, the hubs was making his list and checking it twice.


Yesterday I hung out with the peanut and his mom - he was in an unusually fussy mood.

Week in photos

A bit of everyday life:

Our neighbors decorate their fence with wreaths every year. I love it - so festive!


I met the hubs for lunch and we took a selfie.


The hubs made breakfast for us.


Baby J wondering why his auntie always has this black contraption in front of her.


Our annual girls' Christmas dinner and ornament exchange.


We went to this hole in the wall Chinese restaurant with our friends little J and Brookers for some duck!


The tree in our front yard has an endless supply of leaves. We raked then yesterday, only to be covered in more today.

A quickie

all items remix'd
sweater: Gap
dress: Gap
boots: Anthro
jewelery: Collingnon Designs
tights: Anthro (ok, these are new, bought them with the boots)

This is what I wore on Friday night for our annual girls' Christmas dinner. I hate taking outfit photos in our house because we don't have good lighting, so sorry about the crappy photo!


I am lucky that the hubs likes to humor me with photo shots. What better way to recharge from holiday madness with a little fun?

It's all about the angle

Sometimes a straight on shot can be less than flattering: a loose, shapeless top can make a belly look bigger; muscular thighs can look more like thunder thighs!


all items remix'd
top: Gap
sweater: H&M
pants: J. Crew
booties: Old Navy
earrings: Bitten by SJP

Do a little turn and voila! Looking a bit more shapely is much more flattering. {I'm not sure why these pants are so baggy - they fit when I first put them on but get looser during the day.}


I would light many more candles if the hubs didn't think they were such a fire hazard!

Bare legs in December

all items remix'd
tank, top, skirt: Gap
shoes: Geox
shades: D2
necklace: Collingnon Designs

I used to shop at Gap exclusively; lately I haven't been as inspired by them. Not that you can tell by what I am wearing today. Each item was purchased at a different time, the skirt being the oldest. I think I've had it forever. At least it lasts!


Nothing more versatile than a black jersey skirt! I like that my hair looks different in every outfit. I obviously get bored easily.


The weather may not feel like Christmas but Christmas bokeh helps!

I can't believe...

...this year is almost over.
...it's over 70 degrees in the middle of December.
...I won't be the house mouse come January (looks like I'm starting my old position on a part time basis).
...I am also going to India!

I kept the outfit simple today.

all items remix'd
top: Gap
jeans: J. Crew
shoes: Converse
shades: D2
earrings: gift'd


These J. Crew Matchstick jeans are super comfy and flattering. I highly recommend!


Giving and receiving gifts is another part of the holidays that I love.

Where did the day go?

all items remix'd except sweater
tank: Gap
top: Target
sweater: Gap
jeans: Citizens
boots: Anthro
shades: D2
scarf: Old Navy
belt: Gap

Today the hubs and I walked around downtown H-town to have lunch and pretend we live in a big cool city. The weather couldn't be more perfect for it!

I got this sweater at the end of the winter this year but this is the first time I have worn it. It's almost as fun as going shopping :).


I love these jeans.


One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is receiving cards in the mail. I really adore snail mail.