Tuesday, December 24, 2013

{Merry Christmas Eve}

It's Christmas Eve! Eeee! I love the eve's of holidays. Everything is so exciting and the magic is bubbling over! We've already crammed in tons of family fun, and now we're ready for our last few Christmas dinners, then we leave for Florida on Saturday! Woo hoo! 

I think it's a tad late, but here's a look at the Christmas magic that happens around our house. 

I like to pick a few focal points to focus on instead and spreading things all around the house. 

The shelves of course got a little makeover! This post shows some of the ways we're decorated these little cuties! 


Alex's parents gave me a piece or two of this nativity set while we were dating. It helps us to bring it all back to the ready meaning of Christmas.


I know this looks like a crazy mess, but I kind of love it. So many special people are around that frame! 


I'm that weirdo that saves all of her Christmas cards, and here is how I do it. A whole punch and a ring clip...easy enough, right?


The bookcase is probably one of my favorite places. It's just so magical and super hard to take a picture of. But just take my word for it! 




Lelia via second grade-ish?


I just think this ornament is too darn cute! 



Meet Chester...I actually change his name every time I talk about him, but I love this little guy a lot! 



There is just something magical about seeing a Christmas tree through doors...am I alone in that?


Merry, Merry Christmas everyone! 

Friday, December 20, 2013

{I Hope You Know...}

So it's taken me a long time to hit publish on this one...but here it is!

After reading this post recently...I have been feeling convicted to the same. 







I feel like people have a perception of my little family. 

A perception that we live a perfect little life...

And I'm afraid I've built into that perception. 

But here's what on my heart right now! 


- I hope you know that this blog is the best of us...I should share the worse too...but who wants to do that?

- I hope you know that I clean on Thursdays and by Friday our house is usually messy again.

- I hope you know that I struggle with being inadequate. Yes...Miss Overachiever feels like she should do more at times

- I hope you know that our marriage takes a lot of work. A. Lot. Of. Work. 

- I hope you know that I have insecurities...{hello I will always and probably forever hate my legs}

- I hope you know that there are days that I just want to curl up and pretend I don't have responsibilities

I hope that you know that even though I lost 43 lbs...I struggle to keep it off every single day

- I hope you know that I will always be insecure that I didn't get a full-time teaching position. Always

- I hope you know that there are days when Wendel is a saint and deals with way more than he should

- I hope you know that there are days that I want to punch Wendel in the face...love you dear :) 

- I hope you know that I decorated our Christmas tree for a second time because "I hated it"

- I hope you know that I've totally done therapy...not my thing

- I hope you know that calling me "perfect" is as bad as calling me fat because I am so so not perfect

- I hope you know that last Easter I ate four whole bags of peanut butter M&Ms...by myself

- I hope you know that I still cry in front of my closet because I can't find anything to wear

- I hope you know that this blog drains me at times because I don't want to let anyone down

- I hope you know that my perfectionism is really freaking draining

- I hope you know that this year had been a really tough one for me

-I hope you know that your sweet comments mean the world to me

- I hope you know that I feel blessed for my incredible life and wouldn't trade anything


{All pictures via the incredible Amanda Mera with Sunny Studios}

Sorry for the intense post...hope you feel better about yourself :) 

And I really hope you're thinking "okay...she really doesn't have it all together"

Have a great weekend doing Christmas-y things...I know we will! 

Monday, December 16, 2013

{An Advent Update}

We have been terrible about doing our advent fun this year! With Wendel finishing up another semester of his masters, and me finishing up things for our Christmas festivities at school, we've really been slacking. I mean...check out how terrible we've done: 

1st: Going to see How The Grinch Stole Christmas the musical with Wendel's parents! Best way to kick off the season! {Pretty simple...we had tickets so yes...we did this}

2nd: Watch Elf while making paper snowflakes. Wendel family tradition...and Wendel always wins! {Nope...}

3rd: Alex has class, but when he gets home we're going to have "fancy" hot cocoa {with whipped cream and sprinkles} while we watch some shows on our DVR! {Nope...}

4th: Leave Starbucks gift cards in unexpected places {ATM's, gas pumps, stop signs, etc.}{Didn't do this one either, and I'm bummed about it. But I'm hoping to do this soon!}

5th: Lelia's off school so have lunch together and finish decorating the house that night. {We actually did this...woo hoo!}

6th: Make a snowman shaped pizza and watch Christmas movies next to the fireplace. {Nope}

7th: Wendel planned date night...do you see that Wendel? {Nope...Auburn Game...I backed off for this one!}
8th: Our city's Holiday Walk {Did it! Woo hoo!}

9th: Annual Gingerbread Decorating War {Miraculously fit this in-between Wendel studying for finals} 

10th: Christmas Caroling With My Class {Snow day...so nope}

11th: Get hot cocoa and check out the Christmas lights around town {Nope}

12th: Bake Christmas goodies for our friends {We were scrambling to finish house stuff for our party so nope}

13th: We're hosting a Christmas party with our small group...woo hoo! You know there will be lots of Christmas fun going on! {Did this and it was a blast! Scroll down for pictures}

14th: Brunch with Santa with the littles then going to see our church's Christmas show! {Had the best, most fun day of Christmasy magic ever so it made up for all of the missing events!}

15th: We are volunteering at our church's Christmas show...love serving together! {Had a blast volunteering together and then saw The Hunger Games so that was fun!}

16th: My class's Christmas show/party and then we'll do date night to celebrate being done! {The party was today and we did dinner out because I didn't feel like cooking so we can check a big yes for this!}

And that has us up to date! So woo hoo! Wendel is done with class until next semester so we should be able to get everything else done! Woo hoo!

Here are a few pictures for our Christmas party this past Friday!

I borrowed my mom's Christmas china, so we had ourselves a fancy little sit down dinner!



Then after dinner we made some fancy hot cocoa and headed to the basement for fireplace s'mores and games.



Oh yeah...and our basement is pretty much finished! I'm hoping to take some pictures this week! 


I painted this little short table with chalkboard paint, which was a fun way to label all of the s'mores fixings {which really didn't need labeling...but when you can, you do!}


And our lovely little tree! 


Here's what we have planned for the rest of Christmas time! Fingers crossed!

17th: Wrap Christmas presents and bake Christmas cookies

18th: Alex's work Christmas party

19th: Make cake pops for our neighbors and a themed Christmas dinner

20th: Go shopping for Christmas stocking stuffers and have a themed Christmas dinner

21st: Christmas ladies lunch and Wendel's family Christmas party

22nd: Annual Snowman Breakfast

23rd: Having dinner with my brother who lives in San Fran and having Christmas with Wendel's family. 

24th: Make Christmas breakfast and watch movies until Shipp Christmas that evening

25th: Christmas brunch at my brother's then Dinner with The Haas family

Ah Christmas time...I love you! 

Monday, December 9, 2013

{Lumberjack}

I like to call this my lumberjack outfit...

Because this is what all lumberjacks wear to chop down wood, right? 

Sweater: Loft {old}
Shirt: J.Crew Factory {old}
Pants: Loft {can you tell I love these?}
Shoes: Target {sold out}
Belt: Madewell
Purse: Philip Lim for Target {sold out}



We took these pictures a few weeks ago when the leaves were just starting to fall! 

This tree had my heart! 



Have a fabulous day! 

Sunday, December 8, 2013

{Christmas Card 2013}

Our Christmas cards went out this weekend so I can finally share! 

We went pretty simple with this year's Christmas card. And I love it! 



And here are our past Christmas Cards: 

2012


2011



We've always ordered from Tinyprints. The quality is amazing and they are pretty quick! 

Who else has there's done? Send me a link to yours so I can check it out! 

Friday, December 6, 2013

{Let It Snow...}

Holy Moly did we get some snow today! 

We currently have quite a few inches and I'm loving it! 

I made chili for dinner, we frolicked about a bit, and finally put up our Christmas tree! 




Blurry...but this was the best we got :) 


Have a fabulous weekend! 

{Holiday Outfit Inspiration #1}

I don't know about you, but the Holidays are always paired with lots of opportunities to get more dressed up than normal. This typically ends with me in tears {am I alone in this?}

So to help lessen the tears {and Wendel's nerves} I'm putting together a few outfits to inspire me for the holiday season. 

Warning: If you are going to see me at a holiday party...I probably will be wearing one of the options I put together in the next few weeks...no judgement :) 

Here's the first look with a recent Target purchase...like yesterday!

This skirt was $13...yes...run and get it before they're gone! 


Skirt: Target
Shirt: Loft {a favorite!}
Tights: Target
Shoes: Target
Bag: Forever 21 {I think..}
Earrings: Silver Mountain {they have the cutest earrings right now...these were $16}



I mean...hello...these earrings are stunning! 


Skirt: Target
Shirt: Loft {old old old}
Blazer: Target
Tights: Target
Boots: Target
Earrings: Target



So what have we learned? I shop at Target a lot :) 



I'll be doing a few more of these so keep an eye out! 

Happy Friday! I'm making chili because we're getting some snow tonight. Who can say, chili and movie night?