getting in the spirit

Thanksgiving came a week early this year so technically we had an extra week in November to prepare for the holidays, but they are creeping up so quickly anyways!


We decorated the tree last night. I love finding little treasures, like this ornament my sister made me for Christmas last year, that I forgot about.


All the ornaments on our tree this year are either handmade, gifts, or medals from past races we have participated in. It's actually a great way to display those things.

How is the holiday spirit going in your house?

working wardrobe | the brighter, the better

top&shoes: Anthro / cardi: Jonathan Sanders for Target / pants: Gap / sunnies: Dsquared
I go through phases where I am very good and don't shop for months at a time.


And when I buy, I try to buy things I love and will wear over and over again.


top: Ann Taylor / pants: Gap / shoes: BOC / sunnies: Dsquared / jewelery: gift'd
But the last few weeks has seen a sharp increase in my spending and acquiring - like both the red and pink pair of cropped pants bought on sale. I love their fit, comfort and color so couldn't resist. I may have gotten other packages from Loft and Anthro as well; couldn't resist the call of Cyber Monday. I have made a promise not to spend any more $$ on myself in December (or at least until the after Christmas sales!).


I do like having evidence that I wear the clothes I own :)

project life | week 48

{Nov 25 - Dec 1}

full spread
I can't believe we are coming up on the close of 2012. I am patting my back on keeping this project current and really can't believe that I will be doing it again next year (it's a bit addicting, you know).


left side
I finished up my month of gratitude. This was a great challenge for the month, but I am glad I didn't worry about putting in a photo-per-day this whole year. Some days just have more things going on and some days are just like yesterday - Monday.


right side
I included school photos of the boys because my sister gave them to me last week, not because they were taken last week. Otherwise they probably would have gotten lost in the shuffle; now I have a perfect place to put them.

We also put up our tree on Saturday - our first artificial one. I like that it is pre-lit (once I figured out how all the plugs went, at least). We still haven't decorated it yet; one thing at a time. I also started my December Daily/Journal your Christmas album already but will probably be posting pages once a week, kind of like this. Got too much going on to do it everyday.


flip page on right side
I actually had one extra photo and wanted to use it so I made a "flip" page with some patterned paper. Got this inspiration from somewhere on Instagram. I'm thinking I will be doing more of this in the future - fun way to add more photos and use up some stuff!

weekend casual | happy december

Our December has certainly started off with a bang.

One of our dear friends who moved to London about 6 years ago invited us to spend a late Thanksgiving dinner with his family. Besides seeing him of course, the big draw was that he opened up his wine cellar and generously shared his delicious wine. Nothing compares to the Silver Oak!


And yesterday we helped celebrate the birthday of a new dear friend. P&S are the coolest couple and we are glad to have gotten to know them better this year.


dress: Anthro / bangles: Loft / shoes (unseen): Sam Edelman
And while December is here in spirit, the weather tells you other wise. Both days have had highs in the upper 80s. Global warming, anyone?

And I mistakenly got caught up with watching The Walking Dead and had a difficult time falling asleep last night, so no yoga for me this morning. Oh well, stuff happens.

a month of gratitude | the end

As we head into December and holiday festivities (and memory keeping!), just a couple thoughts. My December Daily album this year is a small and manageable size. My plan is to keep it fairly simple with one holiday-related story per day while keeping Project Life regular day-to-day stuff (with more holiday events as well I am sure).


{photo taken at work; we haven't put up our tree yet!}
The holidays are so great yet so stressful so I want to remind myself to not sweat the small stuff. And to remember that the number of presents given does NOT equal the love that is there. Sometimes less is more.

Happy December and happy weekend!

working wardrobe | case of the pink sweater(s)

sweater: Old Navy / vest: Uniqlo / skirt&tights: Loft / boots: Anthro
These 20+ degree weather difference we've been having lately has really been doing a number on my system. I pride myself never getting sick but I've had something twice already this year.


top&boots: Anthro / sweater: Uniqlo / skirt: gift'd / tights: Hue / necklace: M+O
This time around no hacking cough - just lots and lots and lots of congestion and an overall tired/run-down feeling, that seems to be helped by Dayquil/Nyquil.


top: Loft / sweater: Gap / skirt: F21 / sunnies: Dsquared / belt: Anthro / shoes: Tory Burch
So I decided to go with a theme for dressing this week. Obviously I have more pink sweaters that one person really should have.


But I probably wear pink more than one person should so it all works out.

This week has seriously flown by - how can December be starting tomorrow! Gotta get the tree up ASAP stat! Hope you had a fabulous week and have an even more fabulous weekend :)

a month of gratitude | stop and smell the cinnamon

As I was slowly waking up this morning, I suddenly realized today is already Thursday. Where the heck did the week go?


Being a bit under the weather this week has made me a bit lazy (well, how about lazier than usual). Now I feel like the week "grace period" between November and December is all but gone and I am way behind in my holiday preparations!


I am glad I managed to help celebrate this little man's birthday (again). I can't call him Baby J anymore, as he is clearly no longer a baby. Sigh.


I am still trying to take things day by day. Enjoy the little moments. Do one thing at a time...and not stress. The holidays are supposed to be fun and enjoyable. I think we just invent things to be stressed about when it's really not that big a deal.

project life | week 47

{Nov 10-24}

full spread
We are coming to the final stretch of the year. I am still loving this project but keeping things really simple to make it easier on myself to get finished.


left side
Thanksgiving was a good day, filled with friends, family and food!


right side
And more things to be thankful for during the week. The overlays I used are freebies from mswhittaker. She is very generous with her free digital goodies so go take a look, if you are so inclined.

I seem to have caught some mild bug on Sunday night and am feeling a bit blah to posting will probably be sporadic this week. Have a good one!

a month of gratitude | giving thanks

I am thankful for the love of my life, even though he can drive me bananas some times :)


I am thankful that I have our holiday cards all printed!


I am thankful to spend time with my fabulous family.


I am thankful to catch funny little moments like this one - luckily we got the cupcakes out of his reach in time!


I am thankful that a turkey feast includes lots of sides that don't involve any kind of animal product at all!

Happy day after Thanksgiving. Hope your holiday was full of family, friends and food!

project life | week 46

{Nov 11-17}

full spread no inserts
Only 6 weeks left in 2012 - lord, time flies!


full spread inserts right side
While the week was fairly quiet, I ended up with more photos than normal because of a busy Saturday.


left side
Still continuing my month of gratitude in the album as well as on the blog.


insert 1, front and back
On Saturday afternoon we attended a street art festival called Via Colori. It is a big fundraiser for one of my friend's work and we were happy to show our support and see some amazing art.


insert 2
Saturday morning was my nephew's 3rd birthday party and I wanted to include the party invitation as well as some superhero favors in the album.


insert 3
I can't believe our little boy is (almost) 3! He really is the sweetest little dude around.


right side
My 12 photos for 11.12.12. This has been a fun photo challenge for this year, but I don't think I will be attempting it next year!


full spread inserts left side
Although I had lots of extra photos this year, the week was actually easy to complete since I didn't really add that much extra "stuff." Photos + words = all good.

working wardrobe | easy come, easy go

top&skirt: Anthro / cardi: Target / shoes: MarcJacobs / earrings: gift'd
We were having such perfect fall weather last week but now back into the 80s for Thanksgiving. Oh well, I would rather be a bit on the balmy side than shoveling snow.


If you had told me a few years ago I would be wearing a ruffled skirt to work on a regular basis, I would have thought you were crazy, but apparently this works for me :)


And I have finished my Project Life spread for the week but unfortunately haven't been able to photograph it properly. When the sun goes down around 5 pm, many photo opportunities are lost!

working wardrobe | what happened to the weekend?

top: Anthro / cardi: Target / skirt: Uniqlo / shoes: Jeffrey Campbell / sunnies: Dsquared / necklace: gift'd
This weekend went by in a whirlwind of activity and I could use another weekend to recover! Fortunately the work week will be shorter (unfortunately Friday is a work day for me, but I don't think we'll be super busy). I'm looking forward to spending some QT with the fam :)


We gave one of our friends a GC to the Apple store for his bday and he finally bought his new iPhone 5. I love the panoramic function on its camera - so fun!