thanksgiving in 3 parts.

before:


during:


after:

mistletoe hung where you can see.

I am absurdly excited about the upcoming holidays. probably because i am so excited to decorate my apartment. i just ordered felt mistletoe. i have issues.

they're coming!

my two best friends will be in maine spending the fourth with me.



excited doesn't even begin to describe....!

national best friends day. was yesterday.

i am lucky to have a lot of best friends. but she's the one that started it all!

also, we're seeing katy perry in two weeks. jealous? thought so.

Happy Birthday

to me.

New Year Resolution(s).

Rather than come up with hokey resolutions to become a better person, lose weight, bla bla bla, I'm giving myself personal challenges for every month this year. My challenge for the month of January is to spend money on just the essentials. What do I consider an essential? Groceries. Bills. Gas. That's it. No eating out, no buying clothes, no thrifting, no scouring Craigslist for antiques. I want to see how much I can save by limiting myself.



We'll see how it goes!

(via)

What I've Learned This Year.

(gratuitous self portrait - if the fashion bloggers can do it daily then so can I dammit!)

1. New York City isn't the only great place in the world to live. I really love Maine. And I think I might be happy in lots of other places beyond the Big Apple too.

2. No one makes a marinara like my parents. Nobody.

3. Family gets better when they're not nearby. Now hear me out before you yell. I just mean that I appreciate my family more now that my time with them is limited. I have a GREAT family.

4. Tea is better for me than coffee. But coffee is way more delicious.

5. I have a long way to go with learning to compromise. I must be an adult if I'm suddenly admitting this to myself.

6. I worry more about saving money to buy a house than I do about buying clothes. I'm flippin' old.

7. Trends that do not look good on me: harem pants.

8. There is absolutely nothing more healing than a weekend drinking wine with my girlfriends. Not therapy, not yoga, not self-help books. Friends work wonders.

9. I can go organic, but not with shampoo. There is no brand out there that makes my hair glisteny rather than greasy.

10. When I was in middle school I wrote a love story about a fisherman in Maine. I didn't realize then that I'd be writing my own history. Thank GOD I had a good imagination.

11. I can get sick of eating seafood (though it takes quite a lot).

What did you learn in 2010?

And I'm Safe.

The blizzard hit pretty hard while I was visiting family in Connecticut for the holidays. I was finally able to make it back to Maine late last night without a hitch. I can't believe the holidays are over! Below are two reasons why I was unable to leave any earlier - lots of snow and a fallen tree blocking our road.

Taken.

I took these photos leaving work the other night. As you can see, there's a whole lotta holiday spirit up in here.





Merry, merry everyone.

Tomorrow.

I head home for Christmas. Wishing you all a safe, happy and snowy holiday. xo

Mod.

Look at these amazing modern gingerbread houses spotted on Babble. The dorito roof and banana chip patio trees kill me.

Snow.

It has snowed once already this year, but nothing has stuck yet. I know that by the time March rolls around, I'll be sick and tired of the cold days and wintry slush on the roads. But right now, all I want for Christmas is snow.





(photos of Portland last winter)

And I'm Not Rich Because?

I absolutely should have been born into wealth. In case anyone I know wins the lottery before Christmas, here is my actual list. (Screw the $50 limit that this blog imposes!)



Philip Lim Dress, Kate Spade heels, Anna Sui dress, Rag & Bone bomber jacket, Louboutin heels, Marc Jacobs bag, Chesterfield Sofa

Frugal Friday: Ugly Christmas Sweaters

In case you need one (and your local Goodwill has run out) here's a few finds for your holiday sweater party.









1/ 2/ 3 / 4 / 5/ 6 / 7

Holidays.

Now that my panic about the holiday shopping has subsided (for now), I am going to delight in the season this weekend.



On my agenda:

Watch a classic Christmas movie

Buy and decorate a mini tree

Drink hot cocoa and people watch from my window seat

Clean out my closet to donate clothes to a holiday drive

What's on your weekend to-do list?

(photo)

Paralyzed With Fear.

Deep breaths. It's December. How did this happen? Suffice it to say that by NOW I am normally already done with Christmas shopping. But this time? I only have one person completed. My best pal Amanda who I always end up finishing first. (I find her easy to shop for!) But everyone else? This is the actual list on my desktop. I clearly have no idea what to get people. I've even stooped as low as to consider buying the boyfriend a Wii. Hellllllp!

Happy Thanksgiving!

And in case you don't know what to do with leftover's, some great ideas from New York Magazine!

Glitz.

I know I should be talking turkey but all I can focus on is all the sequiny, feathery, blingy clothes I can wear for holiday parties!



Clutch
Tank
Feather collar
Dress

12 Days of Christmas.

Gorgeous, gorgeous Christmas cards found in the delightful etsy shop LittleGGDraws.

Christmas List.

I started putting a few things down on a list - for my Secret Santa - and realized a trend. I have a home decor problem.



1. Lamp
2. Curtains
3. Wine glasses
4. Throw