resolutions

2012 wins the award for the fastest year gone by... like poof! it's january again. so much happened this past year: pete and i celebrated our one year anniversary, we moved back to Connecticut, i had my tailbone removed, our indoor cats became outside cats, i went blonde/brunette/blonde in less than a month, took two trips to california, and i started this blog.

image via Mikasawa here

2013 brings the hope of great things to come.

 some of my new year's resolutions are as follows:

blog more: ideally i would love to post everyday, but more than anything my goal is to become more educated on photography, photoshop, etc... & redesign the blog with a much needed facelift.

stop biting my nails: i literally say this every year.

drink more water: i am so guilty of not drinking enough & when i chugged water like it was my job before my wedding, the difference in my skin was amazing.

travel to europe: i have always wanted to explore europe and with my in laws moving to Switzerland for two years, we are hoping to take the flight over there and travel for a bit while we can.

stay positive: life can throw things your way that can be hard to handle sometimes.  i am striving to stay positive this new year along with incorporating random acts of kindness into my everyday life.

start a journal: i am known for my lists, but this year i vow to start a journal. i think it is an excellent way to get your thoughts and feelings out.

encourage more to start blogging: i love to brag about my friends and other people. i think that there are so many talented people in this world and i truly believe their opinions and talents should be heard and seen. some of my friends are so educated in health, fitness, food, etc... and my mission is to have them share their knowledge with the world by blogging. 

what are your New Year's resolutions?

snow day

yesterday we watched the snowflakes fall for hours on end... when we woke up this morning there was a foot of fresh snow just waiting to be jumped in. pete and i threw on our boots and watched the kittens have their first encounter with the white, cold, wet stuff while shoveling our cars out... the snow is still powder, not right for snowmen or igloos just yet, but perfect for throwing up in the air. 

 COAT: H&M

SCARF: Eddie Bauer (on sale!) here

LEGGINGS: Victoria's Secret here

BOOTS: Hunter here

GLOVES + KNEE HIGH SOCKS: Kohls 

over the past week

 we decorated for Christmas,

 hung our favorite ornaments on the tree,

(this year's tree had really weak branches so only the best ornaments made the cut)

husband and i rocked our trench coats to Christmas Eve Mass,

and we had our extended family over afterwards for Christmas Eve celebrations,

where we sang carols while my grandma played the piano.

the next morning we all opened presents by the fire

(my mom gave me this bumble bee Alex & Ani bracelet)

and husband surprised me with a camera!

(since i take almost ALL of the pics for the blog on my iphone)

to which i immediately started running around the house trying it out

taking pics of the bedroom,

and this happened shortly after...

(my little brother Liam thinks he is pretty clever)

and even Leo posed for the camera

pretty, pretty boy.

wayward nation

these are the men behind Wayward Nation. what is Wayward Nation you ask? oh, just a genius idea that our generation's version of The American Dream is no longer what it used to be. that there is more to just getting married, buying a house, having two kids, and a job. it is a cross country journey to experience and define the NEW American Dream and they are starting a very real and inspiring movement that i urge all of you to join and be a part of. below is the link to their first of many videos:

WAYWARD NATION

pretty amazing huh? visit their website here for more regarding this incredible movement.

wardrobe: toggle coat + stripes

COAT: Anthropologie here

SHIRT: Anthropologie (old)

JEANS: J.Crew here

BOOTS: Forever 21 

so, husband totally surprised me at Christmas with a Nikon camera and this is the first wardrobe post using it. holy clear, but we totally need to pick a different time of day because the sun is shining way too bright on my face! but here is my new coat in all its toggle glory as pete and i were off to do a little after-the-holiday sale shopping :) i hope you all had a very merry Christmas full of relaxation, family, & good food! see ya in the new year!!

over the past week

the tree quickly became the permanent cat napping location 

 see what i mean?

 the stockings were hung with care

i FINALLY figured out the perfect way to curl my new haircut:

the trick is to curl one side NOT away from your face

 kairos wanted to get in on the wardrobe post

 rachael & my cousin came over for a marathon baking session

 we had a flour fight while sipping on daiquiris

 we made santa brownies... recipe here

 while using the most random assortment of cookie cutters ever for the sugar cookies

batman? a cross? & lots of animals came out to play

 & cookie pressed the cutest little trees of all.

merry night-before-christmas eve!

xox.

wardrobe: cardigan + purple

 PEPLUM CARDIGAN: Anthropologie here

CORDUROYS: J.Crew here

BOOTS: Kohls

TOP: Gap

'tis the season

 the cutest, and i mean cutest, holly jolly print via: A Cultured Pearl

 old ice skates with new peppermint laces from: Wet Paint

holiday pancakes + candy cane & chocolate syrup from: The Glitter Guide

 the most whimsical fireplace of all via: The House of Belonging

 the prettiest mint cups + candy cane accents from: Seasonal-Love

 another darling fireplace + mantle from: Young House Love

& words of wisdom from this holiday tag via: Thunder and Starlight

Take it easy. Relax. Eat, drink & be merry. Do NOT diet. Smile. 

happy holidays!

love, LA

these images are for inspiration only. all images are properly credited & links to sources in turquoise.

manly wish list: Christmas

1.) hockey Precious Moment ornament from here +  2.) a book that all men should own from here

3.) a favorite hoodie from here +  4.) the best backpacks in town from here

5.) the man can from here + 6.) an engraved golfing flask from here

*i take pride in picking the items for all my silly little wish lists. when it comes to this Christmas list, these are the actual gifts i purchased for husband this year... i hope it gives some (affordable) ideas to all you ladies... enjoy!

1.) we get each other an ornament every year & since he played hockey in college, i let out an "eek!" when i saw this darling Precious Moment.

2.) i thought this book would be hysterical for him to have & i am kind of excited to see what it's all about!

3.) these Urban Outfitters hoodies are the BOMB. Pete has worn them for years. perfect fit, a whole selection of colors... my brothers always steal them from him so my mom got each of my three brothers one as well.

4.) when we were in the airport on our way to California this past November, we saw two stylish people in the airport with these backpacks and we both fell in love with them. i actually purchased the green version of this backpack for pete, but it is now sadly sold out. 

5.) pete specifically asked for the "man can" this year. i said "the man what?!" ... turns out it is the perfect gift for those who have to keep a clean shaven face (like my military husband)

6.) this flask not only holds any liquid you want, it has storage for all your little golfing essentials and can be engraved!