Tacky Lights Date

First of all, I want to apologize for not posting in 12 days! I am sooooo sorry but I hope that you won't be disappointed for what is to come. I have a lot to share in the new year and I can't wait. The first few posts will be recapping the Christmas 2012 season. This was our first married Christmas together and it was a little crazy. I felt like I couldn't get settled before we had to leave again but I'm glad that we got to visit with everyone. I didn't actually take any pictures myself (bad blogger) but hopefully I can round up some that my family members took.

For today's post I want to share our little date night we took before Christmas. The hubby and I went on the Tacky Lights tour here in Richmond and I have NEVER seen anything like it before! I fixed us some hot cocoa for the road and we drove all around the west end. So without further ado:

And I got these adorable cake pops at our CLI Christmas luncheon! 

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a wonderful New Year! Please keep checking back because I will be doing a lot of posts in the next few days! And finally I can share our Christmas card for 2012! What do you think?

P.S. I got a new look over the holidays... will post a picture later!

And my friend Erin had her baby boy Caden :) Congrats Erin and Brandon!

J.Crew Wishlist

IM BACKKKKK! I know you are just ooozing with excitement, right?? Well I have a pretty cool post to share today so you should be!!! First of all I want to mention that I received an email from Shabby Apple to be an affiliate of theirs. I love their products so I am more than happy to introduce it to you! So check out my left sidebar for the button that leads to their online store! I will do another post on this later, but you can go check it out now!! 

On a second note: I am wayyyy behind on the photo challenge so all of those images are at the end of this post!

Third: There are only 5 DAYS until Christmas!!! 

Fourth: I passed my views from last month :) and I have gotten about 20 more followers via GFC!! So grateful for you readers!!

And now on to the real post: MY J.Crew wishlist 2012!! Are you thinking "You're crazy girl! That stuff is too expensive." Probably, but if you live near central VA or western NC then you are in luck because you can go to the warehouse sales in Lynchburg Va or Asheville NC and get some AWESOME deals on J.Crew merchandise!!! But even if you aren't, it's always fun to dream!! Plus you can sometimes get great deals at the retail shops or outlets.

Shoes: It was hard for me to narrow it down to only 4 pairs but I tried to pick one in each style. I think they are all screaming my name! Which are your favorite??

Tan Suede Ankle Boots, Leopard Pumps, Bright Yellow Gold Dipped Ballet Flats, Pink Sperry Shearwater Boots

Accessories: A girls best friend :) I really want the chain link bracelet. I am also considering some similar ones that are much cheaper on Etsy.

Braided Fabric Bracelet, Navy Leather Hobo Bag, Colorblock Zip Wallet, Rhinestone Chain Link Bracelet

Outerwear: Gotta keep warm in style...no better way to do that then wear these!

Orange Schoolboy Blazer, Quilted Vest in Herringbone, Gray Peplum Jacket, Double Cloth Coat in Retro Jade

Tops and Bottoms: These are some great every day staples for my closet. Especially loving cardi's and cords this winter!

Tippi Cardigan in Vintage Kelly, Chiffon Dot Top in Navy, Classic Felted Wool Mini in Navy, Matchstick Cord in Sand

What's on your J.Crew wishlist?? 

Day 14: I tried out this recipe...Hashbrown soup from Pinterest and it was sooo yummy! I would definitely recommend it!

Day 15: Ashley and I Christmas shopping! (she actually took these with her iphone but I wanted to include them)

Day 16: Leopard ornament...I got this beauty at Pier One! I also love these: here, here, here and here!

Day 17: my stocking- also leopard (do you see a pattern here??) Had to hang them on the bookshelves...no fireplace :(

Day 18: gingerbread cookies! We went over to Anna and Ryan's new home to hang out and decorate gingerbread cookies! Thanks for having us :) 

Day 19: Christmas cards!! Finally came in and I'm sending them out in the am!!

Silence

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Rachel D'Avino, 29

Olivia Engel, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung, 47

Jesse Lewis, 6

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Anne Marie Murphy, 52

Emilie Parker, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Mary Sherlach, 56

Lauren Rousseau, 30

Victoria Soto, 27

Daniel Barden, 7

Josephine Gay, 7

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

James Mattioli, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6.

No words

I realize that I have not posted or mentioned the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting yet and that is because before now I have had no words. What do you say to families who have been involved in this? The whole country is grieving but no one can truly feel their pain. I was really hit hard yesterday at church as the pastor was praying for them. He talked about how these children and teachers have gifts under the tree that will never get opened. This somehow put into perspective for me that these loved ones will not be celebrating Christmas this year like I will. The families will be mourning and the lost ones will be in heaven looking down on them. I do not know what else to say other than to not take any day or moment for granted. I believe that this letter says it best. 

Tomorrow is a blogging day of silence. Love you blog friends and I will be back on Wednesday! 

God Bless

Passion, Pink and Pearls!

Today, I am FEATURED over on my friend Veronica's blog Passion, Pink and Pearls! You definitely need to go check it out. She is so sweet and wanted to highlight all of the bloggers that have swapped buttons with her :) Go on over NOW (please) and learn more about me and all of the other awesome ladies!

To anyone stopping by from Veronica's blog: Welcome! I am so glad you are here :)

Side note: ITS FRIDAY :) and I'm finishing up my Christmas shopping tomorrow!!

Since I don't have any new pictures to share yet, I thought I would do a quick post on what to wear for the holidays! I've seen lots of other cute outfits on other blogs and I want to attempt to put one together myself. So I present to you Fashion Friday! The goal is 2 fun, reasonably priced outfits to wear to holiday parties/ family gatherings/ date night. So here we go....

if you are interested in the glitter text, check out Sweet C's Designs!

Forever 21- black top
Target- scarf, sequin clutch, flats, red coat
Gap- red cords
Kohls- sequin dress, necklace, black pumps
J.Crew- leopard clutch, chain bracelet

What do you think? Which do you prefer?

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Have a great weekend!

We "Decked the Halls"

After envying many bloggers homes decorated for Christmas I have finally decided to share mine :) I've already shown glimpses of our apartment in it's Christmas spirit, but I want to show the whole shebang together. I love that I can document this so that next year I can see how I had it and make changes/add new things. Do you have any special traditions for decorating your home/tree? Any sentimental ornaments? I love that its our first married Christmas and we get to start new traditions and memories! So here we go...

First up is the kitchen:

Love my penguin from Pier One! Buy it here

This worked out perfectly for my teal dishes!

Can you see me??

Next is the tree!

attempting to be artsy...haha

The topper!

 EEEEKKK!! Its sooo pretty :)

And for the rest of the living room:

transitioning from fall to winter!

my beautiful velvet Target tree!

 For the doors:

Happy Holidays sign-get a similar one here

My beautiful wreath that Olivia made me!

Still missing pictures of a few things such as the stockings and I want to do a pretty christmas tablescape (not sure if that will happen??)

Days 12 & 13 of Photo Challenge:

Day 12:

YAY! We finally started watching Season 6 last which means new episodes!!!

Day 13:

One of my favorite decorations! It's actually an ornament but I like to hang it on the door :)

and p.s. I made a new signature for the blog (see it below)

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