Plan for the night:

Take a bath...

 

 

Put on a face mask and other pamper essentials...

 

 

Put on some super comfy PJs (pants optional)...

 

Make a hot cuppa tea...

 

And watch Gossip Girl on Netflix for the rest of the night...

 

What are you up to?



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From me, to you beautiful people

European Starlings

 

 

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These birds make the most beautiful displays in the sky!

The photos are by Alain Delorme.

"Relaxing, experiencing nature and laughing are what rejuvenate me and make me feel happy." -Sui He

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How have you all been? Christmas break has started and it feels SO good to have a break from school. I've just been relaxing, watching the last bit of Christmas movies, and getting things done that I haven't been able to because of school.

 

Have a great Monday!

Guest post -- Jennifer from Living the Creative Life

Hi guys, I'm Jennifer from Living the Creative Life. I was so honored to be asked by Katie to do a guest post on her blog, so hopefully I won't bore you guys! I tend to post randomly about random things that strike my interest at the time, whether that be books, movies, art, design, etc... so if that sounds like something that interets you, come visit me! Without furthur ado.... here we go...

Five things every woman should know how to do:

#1 -- Fry an egg

No really. There's something awesome about knowing how to make the perfect fried egg. It's gotten to the point where I don't even like eating eggs other people have made because I like how mine taste better.

#2 -- Pin stuff on Pinterest

Because it's fun. And relaxing. And a great artistic feeding ground.
I am learning that, as an artist, it's very important to feed my inner artistic self or I will not be able to be very creative. For some reason this is easier said than done. I think maybe we artists get used to being depressed and "blocked" so much that we forget that the quickest way out of it is to inspire yourself with other people's creativity. One free way to feed your creativity is by curating a Pinterest stream that speaks to your sense of wonder and imagination!

#3 -- Go to the movies alone

Okay as an introvert, I actually enjoy this... prefer it even. But I really think every woman could benefit from having the strength to do things on her own. Going places w/ friends, boyfriends, family is fine... but you're always seeing these places and things through their eyes. When you go places by yourself, everything looks and feels differently. It can be very envigorating!

#4 -- Generate passive income

I'm not particularly good at this yet, but I keep trying! Passive income is when you continue getting paid for something long after you stop working at it (as opposed to getting paid only for the hours you show up to your job). Example include, e-books, digital downloads (like on Etsy), or even rent from a roommate or tenant. The point is to free up time for you to do other, more fun things... like travel! Because really, who wants to be stuck in a cubicle the rest of their life?

#5 -- Sit still

Again, not something I'm particularly good at. I used to be. I think. I sort of grew out of the ability to sit still without constantly thinking about something, but it's something I wish I were better at. I always sort of feel guilty whenever I have down-time, which really makes the down-time not so relaxing (and kind of ruins the point of down-time, don't you think?). I blame it on the always-on technology feast I gorge myself on daily.
Sitting still, daydreaming, people-watching... etc... can be a great way to give your brain some downtime. Which, from what I've read, is something that your brain really needs in order to function at it's peak abilities. It's a myth that working harder, faster, and with more multi-tasking will improve your performance in things. You actually need rest regularly for your brain to get it's productive surge again!
So it's okay. I promise. I give you permission to sit around and do nothing this afternoon. Your brain will thank you for it.

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Thanks, Jennifer! Definitely make sure to pop over to her blog, Living the Creative Life!

Christmas in NYC (part III)

Once again, here's my yearly post about how much I would LOVE to visit New York City during Christmas time...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought this year was going to be the year! Sadly, we were just too busy this month to pay a visit to the wonderful NYC. However, if everything works out like I'm hoping, next year I will DEFINITELY go to New York City around Christmas time. Cross your fingers!

 

New York City just seems so magical during Christmas time. Check out my past 2 posts about visiting NYC during this time of year: 2011, 2012

 

9 days until Christmas!!

Surprise!

Last night we threw my dad a surprise 50th birthday party! It was SO fun! He was kind of suspicious, but I think we pulled it off. My mom and I have had this planned since October, so we're glad everything turned out great! Minus the weather -- it snowed and was super icy, so I'm blown away at how many people came! I got stuck driving there, so kudos to all who came -- haha!

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Friday Fancies -- Sparkle and Shine!

Well, it's currently 27 degrees where I live and I'm SO cold. But that doesn't take away my Christmas spirit! For my sparkle and shine outfit, I of course added this big, fancy necklace. And I think gold is just the perfect color for the holidays, so that's what I based why outfit around. What would you wear?

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Untitled #67 by loveinanutshell featuring a multi colored crystal necklace

 

Theory shirt, $740 / True Royal capri / ASOS flat shoes / Loeffler Randall leather handbag / ERICKSON BEAMON multi colored crystal necklace / Miss Selfridge bracelet, $30 / Topshop red lipstick, $13

 

Tomorrow I have something awesome going on! I'm so excited! But it could be totally ruined though because of the snow, so please pray for a clear day!! I can't wait to tell you about it on Sunday!

 

Have a great weekend :)

 

 

snow in PA

I finally pulled out my Nikon and got some pictures of the snow we got yesterday! Sometimes you just need to walk around with an SLR camera instead of the simple iPhone.

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Happy hump day! Hope your week is going well.

Winter

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from here

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Love these pictures of Scotland by Bryan! It snowed in PA yesterday and I just love it! It usually doesn't snow too much until February, so this was such a nice surprise! Everything is just so at peace when it snows...

Friday Fancies -- Holiday Party!

Happy Friday! Ahh, Friday. And less than 3 weeks until Christmas, which means holiday parties every weekend! I found this dress on Pinterest and thought it was PERFECT for a holiday party! Swoon, right?! I totally wish I owned this dress and could do my hair in a braid like in the picture below. It would be SO  perfect. What would you wear?

Untitled #66 by loveinanutshell featuring high heel shoes

Sheer tight / Office high heel shoes, $82 / Essie nail polish, $13

 

Have you all finished your holiday shopping? I'm SO close! I need to buy a couple more things and knit my nana something (haha!) but then I should be done! Plus I'm babysitting all day tomorrow, so I'm raking in the cash to get everyone really great gifts ;)

 

Have a fantastic weekend! And head over to {av}'s blog to see what she picked out to be the perfect holiday party outfit!

 

 

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"I understand feeling as small and as insignificant as humanly possible. And how it can actually ache in places you didn't know you had inside you. And it doesn't matter how many new haircuts you get, or gyms you join, or how many glasses of chardonnay you drink with your girlfriends... you still go to bed every night going over every detail and wonder what you did wrong or how you could have misunderstood. And how in the hell for that brief moment you could think that you were that happy. And sometimes you can even convince yourself that he'll see the light and show up at your door. And after all that, however long all that may be, you'll go somewhere new. And you'll meet people who make you feel worthwhile again. And little pieces of your soul will finally come back. And all that fuzzy stuff, those years of your life that you wasted, that will eventually begin to fade."

-Iris, The Holiday

p.s. happy December!