{Life Lately}

 {pretty ornaments}

 {cocktails}

{catching up with my wonderful sister and best friend}

 {a hearty breakfast}

 {Trevor's family Christmas tree}

 {cookie decorating}

 {Granny's Christmas decorations}

 {fabulous stocking stuffers from my amazing mother}

 {my new years dress} (I think)

 {perfect lazy day}

 {browsing Restoration Hardware with my madre}

{quick stop for a beer at Onion Creek in The Heights with madre}

Thanks for sticking with me through this last week of me being a bad blogger! The break has certainly gotten the best of me. Lots of food, wine, daydreaming, friends, and family. I'm sad that it's coming to an end, but also excited to start a new quarter and keep moving forward with a great new year. I have a few aspirations scoped out for 2012 (mostly in accordance with my 25 before 25 list) which I'll update all of you on very soon. For now, I'm going to finish my glass of wine and hit the hay. All this wining and dining has worn me out ;).

 I hope you all had a beautiful holiday. Thanks so much for stopping by. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Christmastime is here }

The craze of the holidays has officially commenced. I'm heading over to my aunt and cousin's house today to help prepare for Christmas Eve festivities and fit in some last minute christmas shopping. My trip to Baltimore was wonderful, and I'm already missing Trevor and the wonderful Charm City. I did snap some photos thanks to instagram, so I'll be posting those ASAP. In the meantime, I hope you're all enjoying the holiday season. Thanks for stopping in today :)

lovelovelove.

-C

{ Dreaming of a White Christmas }

My Aunt Patsy always has the most beautiful Christmas Tree. It's a faux tree (which usually goes against everything I believe in, y'all)  but it's flocked with beautiful, soft white snow. Flocked trees are definitely on my radar this year, and when I "grow up", I will definitely plan to have one in my own home. And heres a bonus: you can get REAL trees flocked, too! Perfection.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you all have a wonderful Thursday. lovelovelove.

-C

source 1, 2, 3, 4

{ Holiday Truths }

The holidays make me awfully reflective. Here are some of my very own Holiday Truths, from my blog to yours:

1. Last year I started thinking about leaving UC and transferring to New York School of Interior Design to study their Basic Design Program. I ended up deciding to stay put because I didn't want to be irrational. But sometimes I wish I would have just done it. 

2. I used to be a lot more fearless. I don't know when that changed. I had no problem taking a year off before college, even when people thought it was strange. But suddenly I don't trust myself to make any decisions or hold up against people's judgements. Maybe that's something that happens when you grow up. Maybe that's something I need to work on. Life was a lot easier when I didn't care so much.

3. I think flower shops are magical.

4. I get tired by 9:30. I'm an old lady.

5. I still believe in Santa Claus.

6. I think I would eat just about anything if it was covered in dark chocolate (within reason, y'all)

7. The beautiful smell of Christmas trees is one of my ultimate simple pleasures.

8. The hot chocolate from Starbucks tickles my throat.

9. I am never ever ever caught up with my laundry. ever.

10. I believe that a hot shower, a good candle, and a glass of wine can make any situation a heck of a lot better.

Thanks for stopping by today, guys. As soon as I finish this 10 page paper due tomorrow, we'll be back to our regularly scheduled programming. lovelovelove. 

-C

Photo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

{ Life Lately}

I started getting my apartment gussied up for Christmas, and it feels wonderful. There's nothing like a home for the holidays.

(next time I'll take a picture with my real camera so it's better quality. Iphones are just too dang convenient)

I'm terribly sorry for my silence here on the blogster lately. Life is officially crazy as I prepare for finals, write papers, work, and get ready for a benefit that I've been organizing this quarter (more on that in another post) that will finally be going up this Friday. In the midst of the craziness, I'm finding it calming to come home, light a candle, and listen to some Christmas tunes.

I hope you are all enjoying the holiday season so far. lovelovelove.

-C

{ Thanks }

I've always dreamed of hosting Thanksgiving. 

One day, I will. Until then, I will just drool over pictures and dream. The gold flatware and color palette in the first photo makes me all giddy, and I love the sweet mismatched chairs and pumpkins and gourds of the latter. It would be nice to host dinner outside if you're lucky to be somewhere warm enough. Though I'm pretty sure all of the warm places won't have lovely color changed leaves like they do in that photo.

I'm not going home for Thanksgiving this year, and while I'm really going to miss my family, I'm also a bit relieved to not have to deal with crazy airports and the stress of making sure I get to see everyone in such a limited period of time. I am excited to wake up with friends, watch the Thanksgiving Parade in my PJs with some coffee, and attempt to bake and cook without burning the house down. It won't be traditional, but it will be a much needed break and the perfect time to reflect on all that I'm blessed with, nonetheless.

What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Thanks for stopping by, all. lovelovelove.

-C

via

{Truth be told...}

I've always dreamt of a winter wedding.

I can feel the cozy fire, taste the hot cocoa, see the strings of white lights, smell the Christmas trees, and envision the toasty color palette of browns, grays and whites. Wouldn't it be loverly?

And don't even get me started on that wedding dress. It's so elegant and perfect that I'm about to buy it just to wear to school. I love the way the lace echos the shape of a snowflake, and the way the back dips down into a V.

Would any of you consider a winter wedding? I think there are lots of ways to make holiday weddings classy and timeless instead of tacky or cheesy. What do you all think?

source 1, 2