welcoming a new year

it is hard for me to believe that this blog was started almost one year ago on a weather induced vacation from work (thanks mother nature!)..looking back, i am so happy that i have a "diary" of sorts to remember all that happened in 2011. i know that 2012 has some big shoes to fill, but i'm feeling pretty good that great things are going to happen. .

wishing you a happy, healthy new year!  i'm ready to welcome in 2012!

xo,

birthday recap & christmas right around the corner..

i find that the holidays are the craziest time of the year along with the best time of the year.  my birthday is on the 19th, which to me, is the perfect way to start off the christmas celebrations! and the best way to round out the celebrations? with shawn's birthday on new year's! yes, that's a lot of celebrating in a very short period of time, but i know of no other way to do it so i absolutely love it!

with my birthday being on this past monday, shawn & i decided to have a little celebration, just the two of us, on saturday.  we started the day off with a little bit of shopping around town.  it was the perfect way to get into the spirit. we walked along main street, in and out of the little boutiques...which were perfectly adorned for the holidays. i love seeing strings of lights and holiday wreaths all around.  i found some perfect gifts for my brother & mom, as well as the perfect stocking stuffer for shawn. thankfully, he was outside on a phone call when i made that purchase! after our afternoon stroll, we headed home to wrap up some gifts & relax for a little bit before readying and heading out for the evening.

one thing we both love is a good bottle of champagne.  lately, we have decided that champagne doesn't need to be saved for special occasions, but rather enjoyed for all occasions that you want to make special! so we sipped on some bubbly while we got ready.

then we headed out to partake in...BOWLING! if you can believe it, in the 5 and a half years we have been together, we have NEVER gone bowling together!

after our game that went by way too quick, and shawn beat me so pathetically, we headed to the bar upstairs and enjoyed a drink or 2! then we played air hockey, where shawn may or may not have pathetically beaten me again ;)

it was the most fun!

on monday, we met with my mom & brother for some amazing sushi.
mom brought  my favorite wine: cupcake savignon blanc & a new one that i have been wanting to try: cupcake red velvet. which was perfect in every way!

 my brother's creatively wrapped gift (above) & its contents (below!!!)

 yes, all of that was consumed..

all in all, it was one fabulous birthday & i can't think of a better way to start my year!

*****

christmas eve is tomorrow,  i can hardly believe it! today will be filled with wrapping & baking. the rest of the weekend? family, friends, food, laughs, love & a few presents :) i can't wait!

merry christmas to all!

xo,

weekend wishes

friday is here & christmas is NEXT weekend. therefore, go on & get that shopping done. drive around town & admire the lights. snuggle up a little closer to your hunnie & watch your favorite holiday movie..or two. drink something warm & eat a cookie & be thankful for another year.  all things i plan to do this weekend!

enjoy it..

xo,

mix & a mingle

one of my favorite things about the 2011 holiday season is the ever present: glitz, glam & glitter. it's everywhere, there's no avoiding it, & i think it's fabulous! it's quite festive . .

whether it be:

 on the top..

or on the bottom. ..

 in the home. ..

 on the toes. ..

 on the finger tips. ..

 on the wrist. ..

 or in the ears. ..

 or in the accessories. ..

are you sporting some glitz & glitter this season?

all images via pinterest.

xo,

9 MONTHS!

that's 275 days til we say, "i do!"

this week, my mind has been concerned with registry items, among other things! do i want fine china? new bedding? crystal ware? yes, yes, & yes!! :)

also on my mind:
rehearsal dinner attire: here are some images i've pinned..

ahh loving the last two the most<3

now, where to find these beauties?!

xo,

{citylove gift giving guide} for the guy in your life

in the past, i have had the most difficult time finding the perfect present for the men in my life: more specifically fiance (then boyfriend) & brother.
but this year was slightly easier..have not quite figured out why. here are some ideas:

sperry top-sider cloud logo

for the reading man in your life

i know not many guys wear designated pjs, but there is something so handsome about these

i love these nike tops for men for trips to the gym, lounging around, or running errands.

i love this half zip patagonia fleece & this is a great color.

this scent makes me melt...this one is definitely for the fiancee!

happy shopping;)

xo,

{wedding} more engagement photos

what a treat it was to arrive home from work on tuesday evening to find a disc in my mailbox from my photographer with our engagement proofs! i was able to view some of the photos through his website but the disc contains so much more...eeeks! i love every single photo & choosing a favorite is absolutely impossible. here are a few that i just adore... be warned..slight overload :)

xo,