Weekend Shenanigans!

This last week has been a blur. I blogged right before Christmas about my awful attitude, and since then, I haven't even really had time to be thinking negatively like that. I had a great holiday with my family, and have already begun the celebrations for birthday month. I had the best weekend with my best friend to celebrate, but I'll share more of those details later. They deserve their own super fabulous post for a super fabulous weekend!

For now, here's what I've been up to for the last week...

Miss Olivia (the Basset Hound) was adopted and spent Christmas with her new "forever family" and her new Boxer brother. She has obviously settled in quite nicely, and the Boxer doesn't even seem mad that she stole his bed.

I spent Christmas eating tons of Christmas cookies, monkey bread, and homemade pizza. We slept in, opened tons of presents, and spent the afternoon playing games!

Miss Maddie came into our lives as our latest foster pup. She is just the sweetest, and might be one of the best cuddlers in the world. I forgot how fabulous snuggling with a pup at night is!

Josie came back from VA (YAY! Even if it was just for the weekend), and we spent Friday evening having margaritas with my Momma.

#leatherandlacepartyoftwo started off with a bang and our first trip to the drybar. Guys, I'm in love. If I could put one of these stylists in my bag and take them home with me, I would.

This week, it is back to the grind. Long hours at work, new shipments, and trying to find a theater that still is showing Catching Fire at a reasonable hours are things that need to be done this week!

How was your Christmas!? What are your plans for the New Year!?

Manic Monday.

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This is how I feel right now. The last few weeks, I've been so exhausted, that the thought of even walking upstairs to get into bed seems daunting.

Christmas used to be my favorite time of the year. I loved spending a ridiculous amount of time with my family. I loved the joy of baking all day in a warm kitchen having a sing-along to Christmas music with my Mom. I loved trekking to Stew Leonard's to pick out the perfect Christmas trees. I loved getting up early on Christmas morning and making breakfast with my brother before we opened presents. I just loved that Christmas meant family time.

Working retail has killed all of those joyous moments for me. I no longer get that cheery feeling when we go pick out trees. I don't get the time off to bake endless cookies with Momma. I do all of my shopping online because the thought of being at a mall on my day off is disgusting. I'm too tired to sit up and watch old Christmas movies with my family. It makes me sad.

This year though, seems to be a little different. There was no time to even let myself get excited for Christmas. With Thanksgiving falling so late in the month, Christmas really crept up on me. Then Momma landed in the hospital and any and all preparations were put on hold. The Christmas trees were undecorated for over a week. Zero presents had been purchased. Dad and I shuffled back and forth to the hospital before and after work. Even when she was released, no one would let her lift a finger, and Dad and I took on all of the housework, as well as lending a much bigger hand with the Christmas prep. I was in overdrive. I would get in the shower each morning and couldn't believe how quickly each day had gone by, and I felt as though nothing had gotten done.

Today is Christmas Eve Eve. Tomorrow, I will get up before the sun, and be at work to help everyone else pick out the perfect gifts for their families. Around dinner time, I'll finally be able to go home and spend a mere 24 hours with them before being back at it at 7am on the 26th. I find myself wanting to cram so much into that time. I want to be excited about waking up on Christmas morning and cooking. I find myself scrambling to get into the holiday spirit this year, and the only way that I think I can overcome this is to immerse myself in Christmas themed things constantly for the next 72 hours.

Elf is about to enter the DVD player on a 24 hour loop. I will be eating Christmas cookies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (and be hitting the gym hard on the 26th). I'm going to deck myself out in tartan for work. I am going to be excited to wake up on Christmas. 

I am not going to let working retail ruin Christmas again!

Save or Splurge: The Perfect Holiday Outfit

I have become SO obsessed with tartan this season. Why? I have no idea. Maybe it's the classic colors, or the Christmasey feel. Whatever it is, I'm lusting over it, and need to have some in my wardrobe, asap! Since my family doesn't get all dolled up for Christmas Eve, or even Christmas Day, I have a hard time justifying splurging on an outfit to wear while plopped on the couch.

Now, do I splurge and have the outfit for years to come? Or, save a few pennies and buy some extra holiday gifts?

What are you wearing for the holidays?

5 on Friday!

Linking up with Christina and friends for 5 on Friday!

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Y'all, I had the best weekend ever last week. It involved nearly all of my favorite things; besties, college football, and bar hopping in NYC. When I left the city on Sunday morning, I just kept wishing that the weekend would never end. My Hokies took home the Commonwealth Cup for the 10th year in a row, Auburn had the most beautiful victory in the history of college football, and I had entirely too many Cranberry Vodkas. We went "sightseeing" at 1am, and ordered the most perfectly timed pizza in the world.

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Momma and I picked out our Christmas trees last night! It is one of my favorite traditions to go to Stew Leonard's and drive the workers crazy trying to find the perfect ones. We got lucky this year, seeing as the rain was coming down and the tree area was pretty empty, and found our trees very quickly. Now, we can spend the weekend decorating the house and the trees!

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The Sound of Music last night?

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So, I haven't watched it in it's entirety, but what I did see, I loved. While Carrie's acting skills may be sub-par, I thought that the singing was on-point, and I loved it. I can't wait to sit down and watch it from start to finish. Did any of you watch!?

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This little baby is finally mine. I took serious advantage of Cyber Monday and got 30% off. Now, I am impatiently waiting for it to ship, hopefully within the next week. I have been eyeing this bag for a LONG time, and I just couldn't resist the deal.

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I joined a gym on Monday. I know that I really need to get my life together, especially during the holidays, so I found the perfect gym that I can literally walk to from work. My membership included a free 30 minute personal training session. On Wednesday I took advantage of that. It is Friday, and I literally cannot walk up and down the stairs. What a rude awakening that was. I have found an adorable little calendar that I've finally put a training plan into, starting on Sunday. While I am dreading getting back into a routine, I know that it will be the best thing for me come spring/summer!

Fourteen // Ten Things That Make You Really Happy

Day Fourteen: Ten things that make you really happy. One time, I made a list of over 100 things that make me really, really, really happy. Sometimes you need a reminder of what makes you smile.

My family. They are my rocks. When we all get together, it's wonderful. Little brother came home yesterday, and I'm thrilled to be traveling across the country with them this week! It will certainly be one hell of a ride.

The beach. There is something about setting foot on the beach for the first time in a while and just breathing it all in. Isak Dinesen said the most brilliant thing, "The cure for anything is salt water; sweat, tears or the sea." I believe it 100%.

Country Music. That first day of warm weather when you can open your sunroof, throw your sunglasses on, and turn the radio UP. Kenny, Blake, Luke, and Eric are all there with me and can instantly put me in a fantastic mood.

Christmas. I think the joy of the holiday started when I was little and the whole time from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day was just magic. Christmas cookies in the oven, the NSYNC holiday album on repeat, and just an overall mood elevation makes this the happiest time of the year. It is so wonderful.

Ice cream. The love obviously started at a young age, but after a bad day, I almost always turn to that cold concoction that is socially acceptable to consume while driving and operating heavy machinery.

Traveling. Is there anything better than exploring a new place? We've headed to South Carolina for the last 20+ years for our summer vacation. This year, throughout the next few months, I will be headed to Colorado, Washington, DC, and the Dominican Republic. I cannot wait to play tourist in a new place!

Fresh Flowers. They just make you smile. Bonus points if they're a surprise!

A Fresh Manicure. There is something so relaxing about a nice mani/pedi that instantly puts a smile on my face. I always know when my day has been exceptionally bad because usually the color on my nails is something totally outrageous and out of character for me!

The rainbow after a good, soaking rain. You know that smell of wet pavement in the heat of the summer right after a drenching rain? That is the best! Seeing that huge rainbow outside after the gloomy rain and thunder has got to be one of the best sights in the world. It almost serves as a reminder that even on the worst days, things will get better and be beautiful again.

Laughing so hard it hurts. How can you not be happy after a good laugh?
What makes YOU really, really, happy?