Christmas in North Georgia

The weekend before Christmas, we went up to visit my dad's side of the family in Gainesville. Crazy gag gifts, unlimited laser tag (blue team dominated, as always) and a trip to feed the horses. Loved it. 

Me and Emma

Vladimir checks out the chickens

Peacocks in Gainesville, Like Wahhhh?

I hope everyone has had a beautiful, relaxing and memorable holiday season! More pictures and a video to come soon :)

It's almost the new year, what are your resolutions going to be? I'm still thinking...

There is nothing like a good friend.

This evening began with Brenna making me go to the Marietta Square although it got real cold, real fast.

I returned the favor by making her let me put a feather in her hair and then have a mini photo session.

Then we got discouraged because she didn't like the way the photos turned out...

Then this happened... 

A quote from my favorite novel I just finished reading.

Hahahaha, ohhh wowwww. There is a lot of blackmail to be found here. But there is nothing like being in the comfortable presence of a tried and true friend. I hope all you college kids who are home have been visiting each other and making those memories!!! :)

Mind: Watch more movies!

I finally watched The Blind Side (I know, I'm two years behind everyone else) on Christmas night! What a cute little movie. Sandra Bullock definitely carried the film but all in all everyone did a great job (shout out to Kathy Bates!!!!). 

However, I was most impressed by the costume designer, Daniel Orlandi and the entire Makeup team for bringing these characters to life. Particularly in the scenes with Leigh Anne and her other friends at the "overpriced salad" restaurant I had an out of movie experience. While I continued watching the movie, I sat back and was like, "Wow... they really look like well off Christian women trying to be conservative with the flaunting of their wealth. Bravo. Okay... back to movie." 

Everything from her hair (wigs), sunglasses, nails, toned and tanned arms to the selection of her jewelry (never without a diamond cross necklace) spoke perfectly to who Leigh Anne is and the image she wants to convey. Very well done. 

On a side note, during the scene where the family goes to Barnes and Noble and reads children's books before eating out, daughter Collins (a.k.a Lilly Collins, a.k.a. Phil Collins' daughter) is wearing a white Juicy Couture Jacket with embellished gold buttons that retails for $360.00. Ecologie had that jacket for a lot less. Like, a whole digit less. Just sayin' 

Rent/Buy/Illegally Download (just kidding) the movie if you're like me and haven't seen it yet. A feel good you'll want to watch with the fam. 

From My Family to Yours...

Emma and I wish you a Happy New Year too :)

And please enjoy my favorite Christmas song. of. all. time.

Soul: Find the Beauty in this World

I've had this incredible song on repeat for the last three hours. Happy to live in a world where art like this is made.

Just another glimpse of the beauty in this world.

A New Tradition

When I spent the night with Mrs. Deavers back in November, she gave me a little decorative bowl that Edward Deavers loved. How unique is that cute little fool holding onto the bowl? I love it!

She said, "Whenever Edward would get cologne samples, you know from the department stores, he would always leave them in this bowl." I thought that was lovely, but I don't have any perfume samples so I planned on putting pretty art supplies in it (like that green blown glass pen). Or at least I didn't have any...

But I see no reason why I shouldn't carry on that poignant tradition. 

So one trip to Macy's later and...

My collection has begun!

His memory lives on in every beautiful thing she has passed on to all his students.
Merry Christmas Mrs. Deavers!

Nostalgia

I cannot believe that this year is coming to a close. It seems like just yesterday I was a Senior in high school, going to homeroom and eating when the bell told me to, trying to balance homework, grades, commitments and friends. Time flies ladies and gents.

I also cannot believe that this year I was lucky enough to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina not once, but twice. That I got the idea to take the same pictures again the second time? That is just plain miraculous. 

What a trip.

I was smelling fragrances at Macy's counter today and one of them smelled exactly like the hotel sheets. It's funny what can take you back! Now I'm going through all the pictures and remembering the sounds and sights of Argentina. I met so many incredible people... I was very sad to leave.

Estoy tristeee jaja

If you ever have the opportunity to travel anywhere, take it. And if you can get to mi Buenos Aires querido, you'll be a better person for it!

This is why I love youtube...

I can't even.

November & December: Goals

This has been a long time coming, I realize, but I finally have days off to get all my blogs/life itself situated! Here is a brief recap of November!

And guess what? I applied to college!!! (finally haha)

Also, just a quick note about the Find Better Friends goal that I feel needs to be explained because some of you were wondering. I did not know a succinct way to write this in goal form, but basically, after graduating all my friends went off to college and replaced the void made by leaving their high school friends with thousands of other people looking for friends just like they were. When I left the comfort and safety of my high school friends, it was just me and two new jobs where nobody knows me. I had to start over, and I haven't been the new kid in a long time. 

My desire to find better friends could have been reworded to sound something like this: Make better friends with my work acquaintances. Goal? Accomplished. 

I now have a retail family of all these fun loving, hard working, hilarious, kind, patient people to call my friends. I have gained a best friend and many mentors whom I look to for guidance, wisdom and a really good hug every now and then. 

We won't be in each others lives forever, but at this moment, they are my world. 

They are my better friends. 

All of us at the Ellie Goulding concert!

Tabitha and I matched that day!

Acting silly in the back rooms with Rashini! In all seriousness, those racks are heavy... forreal

My "twin" Sarah who works at Heritage 1981. 

We are the same person.

Seriously.

Lovely Chelsea from Ecologie

Brooke acting silly.

Gabrielle lights up any room :)

Nancie and Deanna got the UPS guy laughing with this one!

I love going to work because of these people.

Okay, done now.

Here are my

Good luck to me! This month is going to be bisssayyyyyy.

To all my friends in college, YOU CAN DO IT! FINALS ARE ALMOST OVER!!!!
And a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.