Christmas, Cameras and Closets

cardigan: downeast, tank: old navy, skirt: gap (circa 2007?) leggings: anthro, flats: old navy, necklace: wal-mart

Happy belated Christmas! How were your holidays? We had a jam packed one-we might need a post holiday vacation.

Since my family is across country, we woke up extra early Christmas morning and had Christmas Skype! It was awesome. Except for the fact that my little brother had to wait until 8:30 to open presents! Poor guy; this is literally the first year to my knowledge that he has woken up and couldn't go back to sleep. I always had to go wake him up! So this year, the one year he had to wait until we woke up 2 hours before him, he wakes up a 3 and can't go back to sleep. Sorry Moo! It was still a great time once we got on there; hours and hours of present opening and laughing and chocolate eating.

Among my gifts was a new camera! YIPEE! I've been taking photos with our little 6 megapixel camera we bought when we first got married (that was a lot when we got it!), and my parents kindly upgraded us to a 14 megapixel! YES!

Now that my in-laws enormous outdoor fire pit gift is out of the garage, I can be a little bit warm in photos again! Don't mind my rudolph nose-it doesn't know Christmas has ended and is being festive. My whole brain might be forgetting that though-there are still Christmas movies to be watched and I am still good with hearing Christmas music. I really like Christmas, okay?

You need to check out Kendi's series on creating a working wardrobe part 1 and part 2. I'm still on the purging stage, but oh how it's working wonders already. There are growing piles at the bottom of my closet..very exciting.

2/30

today I used: 1 // 11 // 20 // 22

When ordering these boots a few weeks ago, I noticed Target had Christmas trees. For allergy related reasons, our house does not subscribe to real trees. So when we first got married I thought, well, if it's going to be fake, it's going to be fake.

We have a brilliantly white tree that I love and cover with white and silver ornaments. Over the years we've gotten some ornaments color though, and they mess with my beautiful white tree plans. So when I was looking at the Target trees, I added a sweet $25 green one to the cart. And we put it up monday.

!!!

Not sorry. :) Don't worry, we don't decorate it or anything. And the white tree will come out the day after Thanksgiving, per family tradition. Our living room is just a tab bit closer to a forest right now. And I love it. We even pulled the couch next to the fire, turned off the lights and listened to Christmas music. I'm breaking a lot of rules, I know.

Yesterday was not a model day for me, but I really loved this outfit. After I take in the pants a little...it'll be even better.

When are you putting up your tree, you normal folk?

More to Savor

Here are some lovely gingerbread images and ideas that have been floating around me. I can't get enough of them! Gingerbread makes everything feel warm and inviting.

This is a remake of someone's house! I love the dusts of snow on the sides.

gingerbread house via apartment therapy

A fun and simple craft when little (or big) hands are frozen from the snow.

lottakind via creaturecomforts

The heart shapes make them even sweeter!

Gingerbread Waffles at Martha Stewart

Adorable postcards your mailman might not want to give up.

set of 10 postcards at calobee doodles

Gingery Good

While we were at an Aunt and Uncle's last week, one of my ever talented cousins declared it was time for a gingerbread cake. She is completely at home in the kitchen and is always making new and delicious things. We used the Joy of Cooking recipe (with high altitude edits) and it was so good. Moist and warm with a little bit of cream cheese frosting on top made it perfection. Try making it this weekend and invite your next door neighbors over! You won't regret it.

Note: We put in all the ginger, dark molasses, plus black and white pepper. There was some definite kick after!

gingerbread image by tonyadoughty

Covered in goodness

Not all gingerbread is that delicious, warm brown. This house is still sweet as can be covered in fondant! The rickrack edging is adorable. Wouldn't you like to live here?

neviepiecakes at the Gingerbread House Showcase

textiles

Holidays are at Ikea with some beautifully traditional elements. I'm particularly swooning over their textiles section...the gray, white and red in linen? So pretty!

ikea holidays

Gingerbread

I know it's not even Thanksgiving, but don't cast me out for mentioning Christmas just yet! Martha Stewart's having a holiday workshop via email that I thought you might like. They'll send out a new project every day, starting November 16th. The shopping list was sent out today for all the projects and they sound wonderful, as always. Go here to sign up. I'm so excited!