california here we come

Hello from beautiful Palm Springs, California. I'm here on vacation with my family and we are having an absolutely wonderful time. The weather is perfect, the food delicious, the shopping perfection.... what more could a girl ask for? The view from our house is amazing, with a glorious view of the mountains. I love being surrounded by them, and also the luscious landscape. Here are some more photos of the beautiful scenery and yard:

be my date this christmas eve

Merry Christmas Eve!! I can't believe this day is already here... it seems like it was just Halloween! I spent my week this week running tons of errands for my mom and being her little elf doing all sorts of odds and ends. I also spent a wonderful evening with my friends going out for a festive pre-Christmas dinner and then later catching up on our lives away at school. Last night I went to my sister's house and spent the evening with my sisters, brother-in-laws, and my brother-in-law's siblings, quite the enjoyable evening if I do say so myself. I love love love being home and being able to spend this precious time with my family and friends. Here's some of the highlights to my week:

I just bought a new perfume, and I was so delighted to see this little message when I opened it. 

 I love the bottle it comes in!

 For my upcoming trip to Palm Springs, I bought Amerika by Franz Kafka. I'm looking forward to reading it while laying in the glorious sunshine.

 My sister gave me Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's Influences. The book has several quotes on some of the pages, but this is by far my favorite.

 I was obsessed with this photo shoot of Ashley when it first came out, and of course I was excited to see it reprinted in the book!

 I am obsessed with this fabulous page in the book.

 Annnnd this one too!

 My Nana gave me this garland to add to my Christmas tree in my room, it was on my mom's tree when she was a kid.

 Of course I am loving being able to light candles again!

Have a very merry Christmas! I hope everyone is able to spend this special time with their loved ones. 

xoxo

put my love on top

Today was cookie baking day at my house. My Nana, aunt, mom, cousins and sisters were all over to partake in the baking extravaganza in our kitchen. We made a few different types of cookies, and I must say they were all delish! It was so nice to spend the day together for the festive occasion.

 My aunt's recipe that she brought was for these yummy almond and lemon cookies that have a Hershey kiss inside. Once they came out of the oven we sprinkled them with powdered sugar.

To finnish them off we drizzled them with melted chocolate!

 My Nana brought over a bunch of her cookie cutters to use for her shortbread cookies. I loved how vintage this one was!

 She ended up using this classic shape for the majority of them. 

They came out perfectly golden brown.

Of course we had to make peanut butter kiss cookies! They are always a favorite in our household.

with all of your lies, you are still loveable

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend! I got the rest of my Christmas shopping done today and also decorated my Christmas tree with my sister. She came home from school today; I am so happy to be reunited with her!


Please enjoy my new obsession from 8tracks, A brief history of Bon Iver. My sister and I have been jamming out to it this evening while decorating and baking some delicious holiday brownies.

home this christmas

I'm finally home for break! I've never been so happy to be home. Yesterday I literally went straight to the mall with my mom and sister on my way home from school, and I also went to another mall with my parents today. I must say, I'm feeling the holiday spirit immensely while being out and about. Here are some of my favorite things about being home so far:

1. My mom's Christmas decorations that are all over my house
2. The opening of Madewell at the mall, and the holiday sales that are accompanying it. I went in to the store today, and it definitely lived up to my online stalking love
3. Driving around and seeing my town lit with Christmas lights
4. Christmas dishes and glasses at my house
5. The plethora of Christmas attire that was left at home in my closet
6. Home cooked meals and freshly baked cookies
7. Sleeping in my cozy bed with Christmas flannel sheets
8. My mom's coffee in a festive mug

it's the most beautiful time of the year

It's almost winter break! I'm so excited to be home and spend lots of time with my family and friends. I've been doing some Christmas shopping for my family, but of course I have seen some items that I would just love to add to my wardrobe. Here are my winter break must haves for all of the events that are to come:

1. Sequin top to add tons of festivity to any look. It could also be styled as a skirt, as I have seen in the UO window on campus. It would be perfect for New Years!
2. Lace top to throw on under a blazer for a holiday party.
3. Velvet leggings to stay comfy and cute paired with boots and a sweater for a low key evening with my friends.
4. Cashmere hoodie to keep warm for a casual movie night.
5. Bathing Suit for my trip to Palm Springs two days after Christmas with my family. I'm so excited to be in the warm California sunshine!
6. Braided headband to add a little bit of sparkle to a bland outfit
7. Bejeweled earrings paired with a black sweater and boots for a festive day time look

you are a cinema

Prepare to cry. I just watched the best wedding video I have ever seen. Literally, I am not even kidding. I cried my eyes out. This video shows so much love that I can't even contain it. Don't even get me started on those vows, all I can say is wow. This is just perfect.

true love

at least you lived to talk about it

My finals study grind is under way, yet I currently can't seem to get myself to focus. I am done with my finals on Thursday, so all I can think about is going home. To help myself buckle down I created a new playlist. It's a completely random mix of songs, greatly reflecting my attention span when it comes to studying right now. Hopefully it helps... enjoy!

Love and Some Verses, Iron & Wine
Perth, Bon Iver
The Motto, Drake featuring Lil Wayne
On Your Porch, The Format
Valley, Zach Berkman
Heart Like Mine, Miranda Lambert
For You To Notice, Dashboard Confessional
Jack and Diane, John Mellencamp
We Found Love, Boyce Avenue
Towers, Bon Iver
The Nightlife, The Starting Line
Mr. Tambourine Man, Bob Dylan
1,000 Faces, Randy Montana
Marvins Room, Drake
Edelwiess, The Sound of Music Cast
Old Man, Neil Young
Remember to Breath, Dashboard Confessional
Levels, Avicii
Remind Me, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood
Goodnight, William Fitzsimmons
Lisbon, OH, Bon Iver
My Direction, Alexis Babini

in the jingle jangle morning i'll come following you

Le Love

Happy Monday! I spent entirely too much time last night browsing through Le Love while avoiding my homework... it's just so addicting! I saved a bunch of my favorite pictures, as follows:

the worst is over, you can have the best of me

I can't believe it's already December! I had a wonderful weekend of being initiated in Delta Gamma on Saturday and also lots of time spent relaxing. Finals are creeping up on me so I've tried to buckle down with my paper writing and studying. I get to go home in less than two weeks and I am SO excited. I can't wait to be home for the holiday season and do some of my favorite Christmas activities. Here's my planned list:

1. attend an ugly sweater party
2. drink about 15 more Peppermint Mochas from Starbucks in red cups while they are still there
3. help my mom put up the last of our decorations
4. wear Christmas socks the entire week leading up to the big day
5. bake tons and tons of Christmas cookies
6. spend quality time with my family
7. build a snowman and make snow angels
8. cuddle up by a fire
9. pick out my gifts for my family and friends
10. watch A Charlie Brown Christmas, my all time favorite Christmas movie.
11. drive around looking at lights
12. sing to my favorite Christmas songs in my kitchen with my sisters