Hello, 2012!

So happy to see you!

2011 was a year of ups and downs, the very exciting and the very scary. And sometimes a little mix of the two. Hey you gotta have some balance, right?

2012 seems to be starting off on the right foot and here's to hoping that it stays that way.

I managed to wrangle a whole week off of work for Christmas, and what a lovely week it was. Once I finally managed to get on a bus (I overslept for the Megabus and ended up buying a last minute greyhound ticket that actually ended up being more convenient) the start of my week was chalk full of family time. My mom and I finished up some shopping on the 22nd then I headed over to my dad's house to set up the tree with him (he always waits until I'm in town to put the tree up, it's tradition) while watching Miracle on 34th Street. The 23rd consisted of quiche, presents, and a trip to the Pabst theater in Milwaukee to see A Christmas Carol. All such wonderful things. The Pabst is one of my favorite theaters. I managed to get a photo of the stage, but an usher quickly scolded me for trying to take pictures. so I didn't manage to get many good ones of the rest of the theater.  I got to sleep in on Christmas Eve day and I pretty much stayed in my pjs for the entire day drinking Bailey's and coffee with my mom and watching HGTV.

My mom's family's Christmas is always held on Christmas day and it's always filled with lots and lots of food, games, and noise. My mother has 13 brothers and sisters, about 10 of which live in the area and bring their families to Christmas lunch. It's a lot of fun, and a lot of loud. Especially when we exchange gifts. We play gift take away which can get rowdy with a normal group of people, and my mother's family is much rowdier than a normal group of people.

I hope everyone had as charming a holiday break as I did, I feel fully restored and ready to start off a new year full of new challenges and adventures.

Coming soon: 3 days in Chicago: Lots of museums, lots of shopping, lots of FOOD.

Mango for JCP

MNG by Mango dolman sleeve top, $36 | MNG by Mango ruffle blouse, $22|MNG by Mango tote handbag, $104 | MNG by Mango brown tote bag, $40 | MNG by Mango gold chain necklace, $20 | MNG by Mango® Lace Ruffle Dress or Bracelet or Bag, $28

Ohmygoshyouguys! Mango has come out with a line for JCPenny! I am beyond over the moon about this. 

I first encountered Mango while studying abroad. Lunches al fresco with the girls turned into afternoons of window shopping at least once a week. Mango was the only store where my wallet practically jumped out of my purse and paid for things of it's own accord. My will power was no match. Coming back to the states, I was sad to learn Mango only existed in Chicago and New York (they've since expanded to other states, but still not a single one in MN). 

On a (one of many) gift shopping trip last week, I practically squealed with excitement when I spotted the MNG by Mango logo above the racks of party dresses. Honestly, I was a little surprised that JCP is hosting the line but my oh my, I sure wasn't disappointed in the clothes. And I was ECSTATIC to find the above brown tote and gold necklace under the tree this evening (the bf and I opened presents with his family tonight). I wonder how he knew they'd go over well? It couldn't have been my constant ooohing and ahhhing or my inability to walk away with out picking up every single item on display...could it?

Start the week right.

It's not quite time for New Year's resolutions, but I saw this quote while blog-hopping (is that a term?) and it struck a cord.

Expect the people you love to be better. It helps them to become better. But don't get upset when they fail. It helps them keep trying.--Anonymous

We're all thinking about how to show our loved ones we really care around this time of year, but the very best gift of all is support and compassion. Don't forget though, to be kind to yourself as well when you're not quite as good as you want to be. Half the fun in life is the mistakes we make. 

In a completely unrelated note: This is my breakfast today. Pumpkin blueberry cobbler. Oh my, my favorite things! Unfortunately, I don't own ramekins so I used a muffin pan instead. Mine aren't quite as pretty as the ones in the recipe photo, but they sure are tasty! 

Blogger's Block

I've hit a little wall on what to write about. I think that this is because my free time has mostly consisted of Christmas shopping. Both in real life, and on the internets. I have a love/hate relationship with gift giving. I LOVE it when I find the absolute perrrrrrrrfect gift for someone. So much so, that it's really difficult to wait until Christmas and more than once I've ended up letting people unwrap their gifts a few days before December 25th. However, that perfect gift is so rare that most holiday gift shopping causes me lots of anxiety.
I always have an idea in my head of what I'd like to get everyone on my list, but for some reason stores just don't carry exactly what's in my head. If some small detail is off, I scrap the idea and usually end up looking for something different. I then realize how silly I'm being but by that time the item I want is usually sold out in the size/style/color I was looking for and then I'm back to square one. I've been shopping for weeks and only have 2 people on my list completed. This is the reason I'm always scrambling with the last minute shoppers. I suppose it's a good thing I don't have an aversion to shopping or going to the mall, as I've been spending quite a bit of time there lately.

It's the Holiday Season

The last three months of the year are undoubtedly my favorite.  October is full of fall, and pumpkins, and warm colors. And don't forget Halloween. November marks the start of colder weather, which always kicks my home body tendencies into high gear. Then comes Thanksgiving with the great food and family time. Then the Christmas Season. Not gonna lie, I've been known to listen to Christmas music in July. Or even watch Elf in September. December means I can openly show my Holiday Love in stead of closeting my festiveness.
Last week bf and I went on the hunt for a Christmas tree! For the past three years I've had a 3.5 foot tree that fit nicely on a table top, but this year I had my heart set on a full size tree. Target pulls through again, and we bought a 7ft slim tree absolutely perfect for the spot right in front of the window.

My favorite ornaments: the pine cones

Cozying up on the couch with a book and some hot tea in the glow of the Christmas tree is one of my favorite feelings in the world. 

Close your eyes and breathe. I smell snow.

Lorelai: Wait, close your eyes and breathe. I smell snow. 

Rory: Ah, it's that time of year. 

Lorelai: Can't you smell it? 

Rory: You know, it's like dogs and high-pitched noises. I think it's something only you can smell. 

(From Gilmore Girls episode "Love and War and Snow")

Snow guys! Snow! The first real snow is a worthy holiday in my book. I love snow. I love how it makes the world look like a Christmas card. I love how it gets me into the holiday spirit (not that I need much assistance in that area). I love how it makes the trees and the road sparkle and how pretty holiday lights look under a nice healthy blanket of snow.

I celebrated the first snowfall with my aunt creating a holiday surprise for my grandparents' Christmas decorations, sipping coffee and chatting away while the snow steadily fell outside. It was lovely. The ride home took about three times as long as normal due to the roads being pretty slick but I didn't mind one bit. Driving through big fluffy snow flakes and listening to carols is one of my favorite past times.

After a nice hearty dinner ("meatloaf muffins, baked potato and corn), I've settled in with Elf and a giant mug of mint hot chocolate. Do you love the first snow, or does it just stress you out?

Harvest colors

Seriously you guys, I can't stop making boards on Polyvore. I've made one for what I would wear on NYE if I were going somewhere fancy, one with colored skinny jeans (I desperately want a pair), and one for my ideal living room. I won't subject you to all of the boards I've created, but I thought I'd share this one.
 

Surya ART81-23 Artist Studio Small Rug, Spa Blue - Home Furniture..., $113, Ferm Living Power Birds Wall Sticker – Black, $110, KARMA LIVING Pom Pom Blanket Yellow, $60, Product Detail - Bright Fringe Pillow, $17, Highbury Fall Garden Dupioni Pillow, $29, Cinnamon Chai 22oz Soy Candle: Home & Garden, $15, IKEA Rotera, $3.99, View All Candles - Candles - Bath & Body Works, $2.50

I'll be working this Thanksgiving, so I won't be headed back to Wisconsin for the holiday. I briefly considered making a small Thanksgiving feast and hosting a few friends but since I'll be working third shift the night before I just don't see myself having the time or energy to do all of that cooking. Especially since I've never even attempted to make that much food at once before. If I had decided to have friends over for the holiday meal, I'd want all of these things making my apartment festive and cozy. 

PS- Have you tried Woodwick candles yet? They are fabulous! Not only do they smell wonderful, but the wood wick crackles as it burns and creates the coziest atmosphere.