Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Post-Christmas Bliss

How was your Christmas day, lovelies?  I know it has been a few days since the 25th, but I was a little Christmas'd-out and needed a few days to decompress.  I hope you understand?? 


In a moment of honesty I will say Christmas time has been particularly a hard one for me for the last few years, for a variety of reasons.  I often have the urge to jump on a plane, head south to the beach, and completely miss the festivities.  I know it probably sounds rather Scrooge-ish of me, but after losing a close family member a few years back it just hadn't been the same.   As a Christ follower, I know the Lord is well acquainted with my hurts, and celebrating his birth is the focus of Christmas.  I decided this year to focus on all He has provided me with rather than to focus on the loss.  After all, there is always something to be thankful for, even in the hardest of times.


And.... guess what happened?  I had one of the best Christmas celebrations in several years!  I spent my day watching Christmas movies with the family, drinking some Verve, and spending time with my loved ones.   I thought I'd share some snapshots to show off my beautiful iPhone picture-taking skills. :)


My Aussie boyfriend got to experience a "real" American Christmas!



Thanks Aunt Jenny!

I was thrilled to unwrap this beautiful monogrammed notebook from Graphic Image!
Design Darling turned me on to the company when she featured some goodies on her blog- how gorgeous is the turquoise leather with gold monogram??  

And if you know me, you know I always take notes in random places and constantly get ideas for decor, fashion, design, my blog, and on and on.  This is the perfect size to fit in my bag and I love how glam it looks.

Here are a few of my other favorite gifts... Parisian Chic, Max & Chloe Monogram necklace, a J Crew glitter iPhone case, and the Rebel EOS Cannon Camera!  

The Rebel is my first SLR camera, and I plan to enroll in a photography class soon to learn how to use it properly.  I am so inspired by all you fabulous photographers out there!  I think that is my favorite part of blogging.... meeting other like-minded individuals who feature their favorite finds.  Just like Mackenzie from the Design Darling featured Graphic Image, LA in the Bay and several of you other fashionistas turned me on to the monogram necklace.  You guys have such great taste!





16 comments:

  1. You got great gifts! A monogrammed notebook has been at the top of my wish list for awhile.. perhaps I should've told someone for Christmas? :)
    Sarah
    http://comingunstitched.blogspot.com

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  2. You are an absolute doll. And I'm glad you enjoyed the holiday this year.

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  3. So happy you had a great holiday!! And I'm so jealous of your new camera -- it's on my resolutions -- take more photos! xo

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  4. AHHH loving these gifts. All things on my list for sometime this year. So jealous of the camera. Let me know if you find a good photography class. Can't wait to hear about it! So happy you got the iPhone case. It looks amazing!

    xoxo,

    Carly

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  5. You got some great gifts!!! See? what would you have missed if you would have ran to the south? ;)
    Merry X-mas!

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  6. So happy to hear you had a wonderful holiday surrounded by family and love! And your presents are amazing! Love your M&C necklace, I'm obsessed with mine...I'm sure you'll wear it all the time. And, I'm so excited to check out those notebooks too! xx

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  7. Love all your gifts! The picture of you and your bf is adorbs! xx
    fashiontruffles.blogspot.com

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  8. Gorgeous post about the real meaning of Christmas...I love your change of heart through your change of mind.

    ...Love love love the Design Sponge at Home book too!

    Thanks for visiting my blog, lovely. xo

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  9. I can't say that I understand how it feels celebrating Christmas with a close family member gone, but I'm glad you put a brave face on to make the most of it.

    It looks like you had a good Christmas! I bought myself a DSLR camera last year and I've been slowly reading the manual. I guess I should find a class to enroll in as well!

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  10. Ahhh we got the same camera! Are you dying!? I can't wait to get started with it! OBSESSED!
    Merry xmas
    xx

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  11. Your camara is amazing takes the best photos. And your post is amazing and also your blog. great



    xoxo

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  12. So jealous of your monogrammed gifts!! I would love to take photography classes too! Merry Christmas from your newest follower!

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  13. You and your boyfriend look adorable together!! So glad you got all you wanted for Christmas! I love monogramed things too!

    Bijou-minou.blogspot.com

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  14. Nice pics..!!
    I love your blog--|

    Kiss Kiss
    Ely. <3

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  15. Sounds like you had an extra special Christmas, I'm so glad you spent it with those you love. Your presents are just gorgeous too; I love the necklace and notebook! xx

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  16. We are twinsies now!! :) Monogram necklaces are a must-have. Need that Design Sponge book. And what a cute boyfriend! And Aussie? Oh my....
    So jealous you got that camera. Not fair.

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