In talks about our upcoming room re-do, Jake and I have discussed framing some black and white photographs that we have taken. I went back through some old photos and picked some I thought would work well. It was fun to take a look back and reflect on the good times, whether it was on a vacation or just right here at home! I feel so grateful as I look back and can’t wait for more fun times ahead.

August 2008 – Our one year anniversary trip

 

December 2008 – Visiting family in New York

July 2009 – A picnic at Forest Park

May 2009 – Grand Cayman for a wedding

Ok, so I know today is Holiday Handbook day and I’ll have that post coming up a little later. Just wanted to share with you some of my sweet photo-editing skills. I really don’t know how to use photoshop at all, but I DO love to use the FREE online photo editor picnik. They have been coming out with holiday themed effects that are so much fun! Here is the one I did for Halloween:

And the one for Christmas:

As you have probably noticed, my wonderful boyfriend Jake and our dog Raleigh are my favorite photo subjects. :) Upload your own photos and create something fun!

Instead of having one New Year’s resolution for 2009, I jotted down goals as I thought of them throughout the year. Here they are, listed by date I wrote them down

1.5.09:

• Stop waiting (for happiness)
• Stop participating in negativity
• Don’t assume (based off a lesson in this book)
• Be present in the moment

These were not so much accomplishable (is that a word?) goals as daily reminders.

1.06.09:

• Create a blog – I did it, it might have taken me the whole year, but I did it!

1.12.09:

• Pay off all remaining balance on my CC’s and stop using them! – I did this once, racked up a balance and recently paid them off again!

3.27.09:

• Wake up at 6:00am to have time to prepare a lunch for work - I’ve been pretty good about bringing my lunch, but I made this goal before we got Raleigh and now wake up early to walk him anyway!

4.8.09:

• Make X amount of $/per year by 4.8.12 - working on it!

 6.8.09:

• Travel for one year sometime during my life

10.12.09:

• Complete 3 5ks or other races within the next year

10.21.09:

• Paredown everything I own to only what I truly use and love - working on it, I feel like I am constantly giving things to goodwill, but still have too much (maybe because I keep buying things too? duh…)

• Organize sock and underwear drawer – check! Sometimes you just need a super attainable goal, haha

And in regards to goals, I really hate this quote: 

Because I’m pretty sure stars are waaaay further away than the moon, so you would probably just land back in earth’s atmosphere.

So, in order not to be a total downer, here is a better one:

(via quoteablecards.com)

The Holiday Handbook is back! This week I will be focusing on gift-giving. The most important thing is not how much money you spend, but how thoughtful you are. Here are some tips:

 
1. Listen. This is crucial. In order to know what someone would like to recieve, you have to pick up their cues.  When thinking about the ‘hard-to-buy-for’ person, ask yourself: What do they spend time talking about? Is there something they complain about that could make their life easier?
2. Don’t give junk. If you are really stuck on what to give someone, make sure your gift is something that can be used and appreciated. A snowglobe  is likely to sit gathering dust or be regifted, while handsoap, wine, or cookies will be used up by almost anyone!
3. Gift Cards are OK. Gift cards often get a bad rap, they can seem so impersonal. But if you tailor them to the recipient, they become an experience. A gift card for dinner out, a massage, or a cooking class are better than gift cards to electronic or big-box stores.
4. Make it personal. Everyone loves personalized items with their names or initials, it just adds an extra special touch. Here is just one shop offering personalized touches.

Hope this helps, Happy shopping!

Sometimes I think motivational quotes are too cheesy, which is why I like this:

(via veronicalovesarchie; via graphiceverywhere)

Which reminded me of this:
 

If you ever fall off the Sears Tower, just go real limp, because maybe you’ll look like a dummy and people will try to catch you because, hey, free dummy.

“Destiny is a bridge you build to the one you love”

- My Sassy Girl

Rented this movie randomly from Netflix sometime last year and was pleasantly surprised. It’s a quirky romantic comedy with a cute story. Lots of New York winter scenes, perfect for a cozy night on the couch. For some reason this quote stuck with me, it’s so true! Love isn’t always easy, but for the right person, it’s worth it :)

I know most people probably lament losing one hour of light in the evenings, but I am welcoming daylight savings time with open arms.  Its next to impossible for me to wake up and start my day when it is dark outside, something just doesn’t seem right about it to me. And while a sunset at 5pm probably has SAD written all over it, for now I am thankful that my 6am wake-up call comes with a dose of sunshine.