Pieces of a day-Christmas edition

The pieces of Christmas day.

I spent Christmas eve celebrating with my dad and little brother. Since Adam is 9, his tastes change yearly so I'm never without ideas of what to get him.   This year it's Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. Both things I approve of and both things that are easy to buy for.

After Christmas eve I came home to Virginia and Shaun and I spent Christmas day with his family. First at his parents house and then at his aunt and uncles. It's hard to believe I've been a part of his families holidays for five whole years, my how the time flies. Every year I enjoy getting together with his family and sharing hugs, laughs, food and gifts. They always remark about how much they love my gift wrapping and as much as I am humble about it I really do appreciate the compliments. I love wrapping things. I think presentation is equally as important when you are sharing something with people as the actual item! Shaun's dad even made an excellent suggestion! (He is really really amazing at anything business related and both of his parents have been so sweet to take such an interest in my etsy shop and encourage me to keep going with it!) His dad said why don't I offer a gift wrap option on the etsy shop? It's easy, quick money and adds a whole new facet of business to what people can do with the treasures they buy! I think this is probably a genius idea seeing as the first item I sold was a birthday present for someones sister!

The key now is to stock up on pretty ribbon and paper, wrap boxes and photograph them and then figure out pricing. The weather has been too crazy the past couple days for me to even think about braving the cold and stopping at Michaels but Friday on my way back to Maryland I'll stop and stock up on all the holiday items for next year and see what other pretty wrapping things I can stock up on.   The more I think about the idea, the more excited I get!  I do love to present things in a nice, pretty way. As un-utilitarian as it is, I think it's important to add things to life that exist simply to look nice and put a smile on someones day. It's amazing how much a pretty wrapped box can brighten someones day!


1/2/3. Shaun's sister and her fiance got a brand new black lab puppy named Sampson. Needless to say, the first thing I photographed after opening my amazing new camera from Shaun, was this little sleeping angel!
4. Shaun also hooked me up with the coolest 300mm telephoto lens and all night I kept telling him to go far away so I could take pictures with it.
5/6. This is their other dog, Lola. The fluffiest, chubbiest husky you will ever meet. (also the hungriest, she will sit her face on your lap until you give her food when you're eating)
7. Every year Shaun and his sisters get their mother a nice present that's from all the kids. This year he picked up a macbook air for her. I remember getting a little dizzy in the apple store when he bought it, I might have laptop fever and as much as I say I hate apple, I might need to get myself a macbook!
7/8. Shaun's youngest sister, Sam with little Sampson. I was incredibly proud of the action shot I got of the puppy!
9. Getting ready to leave for Judy and Ricks house
10. Shaun's dads best of a car.  I'd be a little bitter that I haven't gotten to drive it yet if I wasn't so scared of losing control and ending up in a ditch somewhere.  So amazing!
11. The wreath on Judys door
12. Shaun's sweet southern Grandma, Grandma Whitt. She no longer grabs my face and tell me to behave, so I think she is starting to like me ; )
13. Their huge Christmas tree. This one wasn't as huge as last year, but still a monstrosity!
14. Aunt Judy and Shaun's Momma in the kitchen, cookin up some delicious food!
15. Little Christmas town
16. Shaun's cousin, Tim, posing like a supermodel in front of the fireplace.
17.  Someone looks a little suspect of my shutter fever
18. Family shot of Shauns sister, Stephanie, her fiance Jason and the newest puppy member Sampson!
19. a close up of the sweet pup
20. The fire is finally roaring
21. Setting up the dinner table with Steph and Jason canoodling in the background
22. Everyone sitting down to dinner
23. Shaun's sister Sam, cousin Tim, cousin Alicia and Sampson
24. Playing with my awesome new lens!
25. snuggling up to the fire after dinner.
26. puppy kisses!
27. little reindeer at Momma Hicks' house. I cannot WAIT to have a mantle of my own to decorate!
28. Grandpa Whitt petting the Lola
29. Shaun and his dad sharing a bro hug ; )
30. Momma Hicks and Shaun
31. a little leftover pile of holiday ribbon from the unwrapping.

oh and did I mention Shaun's mom gave me vintage pyrex for Christmas! She is the sweetest! I can't wait to go on many antiquing adventures with her while she's here from Singapore!

Happy Happy holidays to you and yours!

Pieces of a day

This post brought to you by the windy Virginia winter weather and a last second java chip frapucino.

This is my first official theme post. I'd like to capture more pieces of my day as I continue along with this blog and make it a running theme at least once every 2 weeks. (Once a week if I'm feeling a bit motivated).  This one is actually pieces of 2 days because, quite frankly, not much has happened the past couple days. After the whirlwind of excitement and stress of the holidays, a quick bout of the flu and accomplishing cleaning the house, I've finally been able to sit and do absolutely nothing.

and it...is...nice.

Although I'm already feeling restless, I'll have plenty of time to do things the next few days. Tomorrow I head back to MD and I'll be doing a bit of rock climbing at the gym, possibly dinner with some friends and also stopping by my neighbors house to do a little gift exchange and say hello. Saturday morning I pick up Aiyshen and we head down to North Carolina to visit Kristi at her new house! We'll be back Sunday night (hopefully) and then it's NYE in Baltimore to see Louis C.K. with Kim, then back to work followed by girls night and Shauns work Christmas party next weekend. Yep. After this nice little break of 2 days doing nothing but taking baths, listening to brazillian jazz, reading the latest Martha Stewart Living, watching Property Brothers and baking and cooking things with my shiny new green mixer and crockpot, it will be back to the craziness of life again. Hopefully I'll be able to get a little thrifting, staging, photographing and listing in the etsy shop once again since I've been totally slacking in that department this past week.  I'll admit it took me a bit longer than it should have to get up off the couch to run the few errands I had today since all these amazing house shows are on and with our recent house hunting I've been having the itch to move into my own space.  But I'm sure waiting and being patient will pay off in the long run and we will find the perfect house for us, and the 2 new dogs we'll be getting quite soon after! : )


1. I got a little possessed by the holiday spirit when I first got wrapping paper this year and ended up wrapping the paintings behind the couch. I never liked them much anyway
2. After Meatwad smelled all the puppies on us from Christmas he was extra jealous and cuddly yesterday.
3. bins upon bins of Christmas stuff to be put away fairly soon. I'm trying to delay the process as much as possible due to laziness and also the sadness of the end of the year and holiday
4. I finally managed to clean the house and realize that there is basically no room for any of my stuff here. Can't wait until we'er in a bigger space.
5. My boo came home around 6 last night and we ate Christmas leftovers and vegged in front of the tv. It was quite nice.
6.Bed time. It will be sad no longer seeing the Christmas tree aglow in the living room when we wake up in the morning
7. Shaun hiding from my camera under the covers. He bought me a brand new Nikon 5100 which I've been using to snap photos of literally everything around me.
8,9,10.  A new day and a decision whether to sell or give this wonderful vintage childrens book to my neighbors. It's so sweet it's hard to part with either way.
11. a chubby, fluffy, grumpy bunny.
12, 13. A grey, blustery day. Not a good one for thrifting but I did discover a couple new places today and at least one of them I will be visiting again soon!
14. Found this pretty mug, listing it in the shop although I think it would probably make a gorgeous birthday gift for someone special.
15,16. Having serious house/life envy from this gorgeous european woman and her amazing house/adorable baby/insanely good looking husband. I'm in no rush to get married and pop out some kids but I am definitely nesting and dying for a larger, craftier space that I can actually decorate to my liking soon



Happy Holidays! I hope you get to relax a bit as I did, it's good for the soul.

Musical Monday

Arcade Fire-Keep the Car Running

Because Monday mornings require a little bit of a kick-start and what better way than with some Win Butler goodness?

Tis the Season!

It's the holidays once again! I am madly in love with the changing of seasons. As much as I say I want to quit my life and move to Bali I would miss the smell of snow, the beauty of fall and the excitement of spring as the weather warms.

Don't get me wrong, summertime is pretty much my favorite thing ever. I love pool days and tank tops, flip flops and bbqs.

But now Christmas is upon us and it gives me an excuse to go a little bit crazy with shopping (like I need an excuse)

I've been trying to limit myself and using a budget spreadsheet that Natalie created seems like it should help but I really do get carried away. I think I enjoy wrapping things more than anything in the world.

I have come to the sad realization that I must budget myself during the holidays especially if I am going to be buying a home, furniture and getting my etsy shop off the ground!

I am also trying to shop local, handmade, homemade and vintage this holiday season for several reasons. First of all, I always believe in keeping money in the local economy. As someone who is striving for a growing small business myself I can appreciate the hard work and passion that people put into their businesses. Also, you know the item was made, found or used with love. You can tell the quality of an item made by a small business vs the factory made Walmart items that sell for cheap. Lastly, it decreases your carbon footprint and since I've always been a little bit of a hippie, that appeals to me.

I've compiled a short 5 under $50 list of items I wouldn't mind receiving for Christmas (wink wink) and I'm sure someone special on your list would adore as well! I tried to keep it small/hand made but I'm an Anthro girl and absolutely in LOVE with baths with LUSH products. Here it is, happy holidays!

1. Mrs Frosty from LUSH $21.95

I am in LA-HOVE with Lush. The smells, the way my skin feels, the natural ingredients and no animal testing is enough for anyone to fall in love with! This adorable little set comes with the Comforter. The most bubbly bubble bar that can be broken up and used on several occasions. The butterball bath bomb that makes everything smell like soft vanilla and makes my skin and hair feel amazing and So White which smells like delicious apples and fizzes turning your bath a pretty pink. I won't tell if you buy one for someone else and one for yourself!

2. Simpatico hobnail candle in Marine $28

Ok, so I know that $28 for one candle seems a bit silly but this. Candle. Smells. Amazing. It also lasts forever and once it's done you have a beautiful studded teal jar to use as a vase, pencil holder, decor or whatever! Think of it as a 2-in-1. I love multipurpose items

3. Ivory White detachable collar $15

So I've bought maybe a few too many coats for myself this season, but i have found the perfect accessory to change up the look in case I get tired of them and try to get another! This beautiful lace collar can go with almost any outfit, not only adding a fantastic accessory but changing the whole look!  I think being able to spruce up several outfits for only $15 is a pretty fantastic deal!

4. Mustard lace earrings $20

Can you tell I've recently fallen in love with lace?  These earrings are big, but not heavy. In a lovely mustard shade that can carry through the seasons. Same as the collar, they can be used to dress up or down. Such a fun, unexpected accessory!

5. Twig branch hair clips $20.59

I find something so special about opening up a tiny package and finding a precious, detailed gift inside. I love that you can choose 2 colors from silver, bronze and gold. Put together they make an updo look stunning. Functional and fabulous!

That's enough cheesiness for me, I'm off to do some online shopping and then dream of sugarplums and ugly Christmas sweaters in preparation for the tacky holiday sweater party tomorrow at the gym.  Good night and happy holiday shopping!

My Review of R&B

Originally submitted at LUSH USA

While we love listening to rhythm and blues, R&B actually refers to 'revive and balance'. A supreme hair softener perfect for dry, brittle or split ends, R&B was created to keep coarse hair in check with deeply moisturizing olive, avocado and coconut oils. Smooth some through dry ha...

R&B

deliciousness for your hair

By Rachel from Maryland on 8/28/2012

 

5out of 5

When you survey your stash, you label this product: Must-Have

Pros: Smell, Frizz control, Moisturizing

I bought this because I wanted a leave-in conditioner. I didn't care much for the scent when I first came in but bought it because when the girl put it in my hair it looked AMAZING. Ever since then. I'm completely addicted to it! I've been told my hair smells like heaven and the scent lingers for much longer than just my regular shampoo and conditioner! Also, for those days when it's really humid and your hairs gone wild, it's perfect to run through your tresses with your fingertips and smooth all the frizz! Pretty much my favorite product ever!

love this stuff!

(legalese)