"No I'm not color blind, I know the world is black and white"
- John Mayer

Thursday, December 29, 2011

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:

Saturday, December 24, 2011

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

Monday, December 19, 2011

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.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

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.

Friday, December 16, 2011

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