dear santa

via Etsy

My family always asks for a small Christmas list from us every year, so I thought I'd share a few of the things I've had my eye on this holiday season. 

Does anyone notice that as we get older, it gets harder to come up with these lists? I find that most things we just buy ourselves, and the things we really want (i.e. for the house mainly) are way too expensive to put on a Christmas list ;)

1 // Michael Kors Kempton Crossbody Purse

2 // Silver Buddha head decoration

3 // Ikea Ofelia Vass bedding set

4 // Coldplay's new CD

5 // Illustrated Harry Potter book

6 // Simple Human LED makeup mirror

7 // Naked Smokey eye shadow palette

8 // Adele's new CD (Target version - 3 bonus songs!)

9 // Marble iPhone case

10 // Victoria's Secret Long Jane pajamas (so festive and Christmas-y!)

What's on your list this year?? xx

engagment photos - outfit planning

Our engagement photos have been booked for the end of January, and I've recently started putting together my outfits for them. The photographer allows 2-3 outfit changes, so even though I only planned on two (one casual, one dressy)...I planned three just in case I felt like using the last one on the day of the shoot.

I had originally thought I wanted to do the engagement pictures in the fall, but once I had seen a couple shoots done in the snow, I changed my mind ;)

Outfit #1 - Casual 

Henley from H&M

Cardigan from Abercrombie & Fitch

Jeggings from Old Navy

Booties from Target

Earrings from Express

Outfit #2 - Dressy 

 Tulle Maxi Skirt from Etsy

White Sweater from Target

Earrings from Express

Winter Flower Crown - Homemade (my project over Christmas break!)

Outfit #3 - Backup if needed

 Jeggings from Old Navy

Coat from Old Navy

Booties from Target

Blanket Scarf from Target

I'm so excited to get these pictures taken! But also a little nervous, as we've never really been the main focus in front of a camera before lol - any tips from you married ladies out there who have done these photo sessions before?? 

Can't wait to share all the pictures with you! xx 

home furnishings

Sorry for the lack of posts the past couple weeks! Things have changed quite a bit at work and it has been consuming a lot more of my time than I would honestly like it to. Hopefully it's starting to slow back down again ;)

The other day Aaron and I spontaneously decided that we were tired of having certain rooms in the house sitting unfinished. We have lived in our home for 3 and a half years now and there are certain projects that have just never been completed. I'm sure all of you home owners out there understand...despite your best intentions, life gets in the way and things just get pushed to the side. So, the other night, we did a little online furniture shopping on overstock.com!

We have had our master bedroom mattress and box spring sitting directly on the floor without a proper bed frame since we moved in...man that was embarrassing even to type haha. You see, our bedroom set was purchased from a individual who collects Mid-Century Modern pieces, and in that era, king size beds were not common...so the frame that came with our set was for a full mattress actually. Not going to work. This couple needs all the space they can get - Aaron is a big guy, we both spread out when we sleep, and we have two 80lb dogs that insist on laying with us from time to time (or almost always lol). King size is the only option.

So we have casually been keeping our eye out for something the might work, and match with what we already have. The other night we found this Nixon frame, both liked it, and basically decided on the spot to order it!

Nixon Mid-Century Beige Linen Bed

It's a beige linen frame with wooden legs - which will match our bedroom set perfectly. I can't wait for it to arrive! (Minus the hideous orange sheets...those can stay away forever ;)

Once we got started, we couldn't stop. We also ordered this simple grey linen frame for the guest room (who's mattress is in the same predicament as our master bedroom - excuse me while I die of shame). 

Maddie Grey Linen Bed

Side note - as I'm looking at these pictures it has become very obvious that Overstock needs to reconsider who they have put in charge of picking bedding for these photos. #yikes

The final item(s) we ordered are 4 chairs for the dining room. Same issue - we got our dining set from an antique shop and the chairs need fixed, and we have never gotten around to it (it's been almost a year - we've been eating at the counter on stools - haha it just keeps getting worse). 

Aaron picked these out on his own, and when he told me he had already ordered them, I was nervous...but I have to say, I'm very impressed and super excited to put these around our maple table! 

Wood Leg White Accent Chairs

Everything is supposed to arrive within the next few weeks, so I will definitely post pictures once we have it all assembled and styled! xx

christmas decor

I couldn't wait any longer...so our Christmas decorations are officially up :)

100% of what we have out right now (and that is pictured) can be found at Target. Their holiday decor displays and products right now are amazing!

There are still some areas of the house that I want to add to though, but I need to look around a few more stores and see what I can find. I'm going to try and check out World Market, TJ Maxx, and Home Goods over the long weekend. 

Have any of you ladies caved and started decorating yet? I just get so excited for the season and I'll be honest...I can never wait very long after Halloween to dive on into the Christmas spirit!  

thankful

This is the time of year that we are reminded to think on what we are thankful for in our lives, but every year, I can't help but think that I can do better. I should be recognizing and appreciating all that I have on so many more occasions than once a year. So, as I start to ponder on all the blessings I have in my life, I'm making a mental note to make a better effort over the next year...

via

// aaron

He is the first thing that comes to my mind. 
After spending way too long in a terrible relationship, and being completely frusterated at myself for what felt like such a waste of years of my life, I was shown very quickly that there is always a bigger plan - and things happen for a reason. With timing that seems almost too perfect to be true, Aaron swept into my life and showed me what love truly was. There were many things that could've worked against us...age, location, etc...but none of it ever mattered. It's not all picture perfect - we both have strong and stubborn personalities, and we fight like cats and dogs sometimes, but he is my other half and I am his. 

// my dogs

I always knew I liked animals, but I truly never understood the deep love you could have for them until I was blessed with our first rescue dog, Deedee. I feel like a crazy dog lady, but honestly, I don't care. Deedee, and now Dexter too, are so incredibly important to our family and have taught me so much - patience, unconditional love, selflessness...the list goes on and on. I know the day will come where I have to say goodbye to them, and I dread it with all my being, but that gives me all the more reason to appreciate them and love on them every single day while they are still here with me <3

// health

Not just my own... but more importantly, the health of all my immediate loved ones. I have a friend whose mother was diagnosed very recently with stage 4 breast cancer, and when things like that happen it is truly a wake up call to not only take care of ourselves, but to also be grateful for those in our lives that have their health. 

// our jobs

Shocking that this one is on my list, because I'll be honest - I hate my job on a day to day basis. I'm also not fond of Aaron's either since it takes him away for 3-5 days almost every single week. BUT - these jobs have allowed us to buy our beautiful first home, given me the opportunity to complete a graduate education, and givens us the opportunity to work hard each day to provide for our family. 


I hope you have all had a lovely Thanksgiving with your family and friends, and are going to bed with full bellies and full hearts! xx