Photo Overload and Other Updates

Ever misplace your camera adapter for over two months (eeeek!)? Good, me neither! Here are some extremely overdue photos from the holidays and my trip home. 

Downtown Salem, Massachusetts.

Freshly roasted coffee beans ready to be ground. I can almost smell them just from looking at this picture!

Raisin-studded brioche from Seven Stars sliced for French toast.

Thistle + tulips from the Thanksgiving table.

Orange + dark chocolate chip scones sliced and ready to go into the oven. These made a great take-home favor at a Christmas get together with friends.

Our Christmas tree that we tagged and cut down from a local tree farm. I miss the holiday decorations!

My favorite vintage ornament from the 1950s that was gifted to my by my grandma.

Santa's suit + matching sparkly nails.

Newest s'more obsession from Brooklyn's S'more Bakery.

My family's hand-stitched stockings lined up on the mantle.

Colorful wrapping paper + glittery ornaments.

The best ombré birthday cake ever (made by Tiane's talented sorority sister). 

Fun joint birthday celebration with Tiane and Alex.

The decadent oreo in a blanket cookie from Bakeshop.

Spiky NYE decorations on my mom's table.

Lighter-than-air homemade doughnuts for brunch on New Year's Day.

Colorful tassel garland hanging over my Washington, DC poster in the guest room.

So that's what's been going around in these parts over the past few months. I can't believe Christmas has come and gone once again and I'm another year older. I actually forget how old I am sometimes now. If that's what happens when you're officially 'old' then I'm there! I have been hard at work on my 30 before 30 list. There are some simple things I'd like to accomplish (ahem, getting the courage to chop my hair) and of course some loftier goals (like take a trip outside of the country and brush up on my French skills). I think 2013 came so fast that I haven't had enough time to fully process all that went on in 2012. I'm still working on reflecting on last year's resolutions and building from there. I hope you all had a great end to the year and that 2013 is starting out strong for you!  

New Year, New Ventures

I'm so excited about my new Lumix camera that arrived on Sunday (from Santa, of course). I spent some time this morning with my mom tinkering with the settings and testing out the features. I'm looking forward to finally learning how to really understand the basics of photography (and stop relying 100% on my iPhone) If anyone has any recommendations for blogs about photography basics, let me know!

Merry Merry, Happy Happy

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful Christmas filled with loved ones and laughter!

Matching PJ's and Cookie Overload

After all, that's what Christmas Eve is all about, right?

Kneading in Action

Excited for oodles of homemade Christmas cookies when I get home on Friday. The rolled out sugar sand tarts are a family favorite.

Oh Christmas Tree!

I always love coming across new ornaments to add to my collection.

Deck the Halls

My first new ornament of the season!

I'm Not Ready!

I enjoyed having today off and made the most of it by waking up early and making pumpkin spiced pancakes, running errands, meeting a friend for a Pinkberry date, and catching up on Grey's Anatomy. I may have even snuck in a couple of work reports, too! I was so surprised to see a huge table of Christmas ornaments on display at Nordstrom. Usually, they wait until after Thanksgiving to put all of their decorations out. I spotted a few that I'd like to add to my tree this year, though! I can't believe the holidays are already upon us.

A special thank you to all of the veterans today, especially my Pop-Pop and good friends Bill and Devin.
Your service to our country is much appreciated.

New Beauty Bff

I received this magical elixir in my Christmas stocking and have been obsessively applying it twice a day ever since. It's a miracle product, especially for the type of dry, frigid winter we've been having in the Northeast.

Further proof that Oprah really does know everything.
Run out and stock up. Thank me later.

Toy Poodle

This is pretty much the cutest ornament ever. I love that it resembles a balloon animal!

seen at A Piece of Toast