merry christmas 2013

{Bear is growing up quick!  Look at Matt photobombing the background}

 

 

 

 



 

 

mom brined a turkey overnight with lemon, brown sugar, rosemary and seasonings.  it made the turkey moist and flavorful and gave it a zesty almost wine-like taste.  i took it easy this year and only made a broccoli casserole.  everything was so good and i was happy to spend some time with my loved ones.  when you get out of retail, it makes you so much more grateful for the time you get to relax and spend with your friends and family that the retail life normally takes away from you during this season.

 

 

 

 

Matt got me this great breakfast tray from West Elm I've been pining over.  it is just as great as I thought it would be....except that it just encourages my laziness!  here i am already enjoying it Christmas night, eating leftovers in bed like a slob.  it supports my laptop perfectly too for when i just want to literally lay around all day.....gotta squeeze out two more days at work and then it will be the weekend again!  *phew*

 

 





hello, my name is Bear

a collage of images of my mom's new teacup Pomeranian, Bear.  what a dang cutie!  he's a fluffy ball of cuteness and was actually really well-behaved too.  I loved doggie-sitting him for a couple of weeks while they were in Vietnam.  Missing him already!

{making himself comfortable on my new quilt}

 

 

 

{his favorite place to nap: squished between two flannel pillows}

 

 

 

{hiding under the Christmas tree}

 

 

 

{hello there!}

 

 

home sweet home

Finally got the apartment clean after watching my mom's new teacup Pomeranian for a couple weeks.  I loved that lil dude, but it was nice to get the apartment nice and clean again the way I like to keep it. 

 

 





I finally splurged and bought the Rivulets quilt I've been lusting over because I needed a cozy quilt now that the weather was beginning to get cold.  I'm in love with this fall-ish berry color, it goes well with the darker look I'm going for in my bedroom.  It is pretty with my navy blue ikat curtains.  I love the heart string lights I picked up at Ikea, it leaves a warm glow at night while I sleep.



a cozy holiday

 

 

My first holiday living on my own in my own cozy apartment has been so sweet and nice.  It is strange how you begin to crave alone time once you are spoiled with it.  I made this lil collage with my #abeautifulmess app of my favorite wintertime cozy things:  knitting with a thick yarn, a huge mug of pumpkin spice coffee, a well-lit brick fireplace, colorful tights with oxfords.

buy handmade

since I am a crafty girl myself with my own Etsy shop, I try to buy handmade whenever I can.  most of my  most cherished items are handmade pieces of jewelry, art, or pottery from fellow crafters.  here are some of my personal picks from my Etsy wish list this year.  buy local and handmade when you can, it is more personal and you're supporting small business!  happy shopping y'all!

 

 

 

 

black Italian leather tote $205

 

 

best of beauty 2013

this year was definitely a big year for beauty products for me this year!  last year, i decided it was time to amp up my beauty routine and start taking better care of my aging skin.  i'd always been pretty lazy about my daily routine so it was beginning to catch up with me.  here are some of my favorite products I've discovered this year and added to my ever-expanding collection and what I think of them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil $32

Josie Maran Argan Oil $48



 

i'd been anxious to try Josie Maran's Argan Oil products since I'd been seeing it pop up in magazines everywhere.  and as always, natural is always better!  if you are unsure, purchase the mini set show here that includes a small size of the Argan Cleansing Oil and the matching Argan Oil which comes with a dropper for $18.  this product is great for aging skin that could use a boost of moisture.  the reviews online are great for this product and I loved it as well.  i am nervous that my current breakouts could be from over-use of the product, since I am bad about slathering products on without thought.  use the Argan oil on spots that need that extra-moisture boost: under and around eyes, dry cheeks, elbows, etc.

 

 

 

getting there

warm beet salad with honeyed goat cheese

 

my new favorite salad!  I racked up at the farmer's market yesterday morning.  it will definitely be my new Saturday morning routine to load up on seasonal veggies.  I spent $20 and got a ridiculously huge box of vegetables including a huge amount of beets with the stems and beet greens attached!  what is awesome about owning a juicer is that you really don't waste anything.  I juice the stems and the skins of most of my veggies.  my new favorite salad I will definitely be making regularly, feel free to add some walnuts, chicken, or avocado for added protein and healthy fats.