recap of 2011 {in photos}

I decided to go through my photo library and pick out some of my favorite pictures starting from January 2011 through to now. That proved to be much more difficult than I thought. I can't believe how much has happened and how much I have done these past twelve months. {3,445 photos to be exact} This year was filled with lots of beach adventures, trips up to Tahoe for snowboarding, going to concerts and comedy shows, seeing old friends in LA and making new friends around home. Watching Brett's little brother go through his last year of high school with prom and graduation especially fun to be a part of. This year was definitely one for learning, trying new things, stepping out of my comfort zone and most importantly learning how to be an adult instead of being a student for the first time in 18 years.

I hope you enjoy my collection of photos and hopefully they aren't too many that you have already seen, I tried to choose different ones that I haven't posted on here, but after all this time it's a little hard to keep track. :]

amazing boston trip

valentine's day dinner

linkin park concert

the classic "hand me the camera" face

the birthday boy

surprise rose on my car one morning

nick's senior prom

nick graduates!

4th of july fireworks

my beautiful birthday flowers

jason aldean conert

gilroy garlic festival

our scotland trip

beach adventure

halloween

X x

holiday gift wrapping

It seems that wrapping presents can be a huge roadblock for people, especially during the holidays. For me - I just love to wrap and decorate presents. I love buying new wrapping paper every year and trying to find new little embellishments to add to the gifts. This year I found these amazing handwritten Christmas gift labels{found here}, so I printed them on a thick card stock like paper and cut them out. Then I bought some yarn, put a little hole through the label and tied it together onto the present! I just love little details like this to make gifts more personalized.

I have a little routine also when I do these. I try to wrap them all at once since it can be a hassle to bring all the supplies out multiple times, I really try to make sure I get everything done in one go. This year it took me a few hours but I did have quite a lot of presents to wrap. I just love to have the fire and some Christmas music on and get to work.

I would love to see or hear about how to wrap and decorate your presents! Leave a comment below and let me see them presents :)

X x

gingerbread house

Hello all - I can't believe we are already into our third week of December! I don't know about you, but the holidays are definitely in full swing over here.  Last week Brett & I made this amazing gingerbread house with a kit we bought a couple weeks ago. We made a run to Starbucks to get into the holiday spirit with a Peppermint Mocha and Caramael Brulee latte, put on some Christmas tunes and got to decorating! Hope you enjoy the beauty of our sugar creation!  What are some of your holiday traditions you do every year?

{via instagram}

X x

Holiday Gift Ideas

I am finally getting the motivation to start Christmas festivities.. by writing 'to do' lists {no seriously} I love making lists and being able to feel the gratification of crossing things off! I have a list for activities {make gingerbread house, decorate tree, go ice skating} another for gifts to buy my loved ones and of course my personal wish list for Santa :]

All these lists put me in the mood to make a list for you all!

Not sure what to get the hostess whose holiday party you will be attending? Or what to get your boyfriends' brother, or maybe even your boyfriend? What about your best friend, aka the girl who has everything? Well here it is, I have put together a collection of things I have come across that would make great gift for someone in your circle of friends & family. Best of all, all of these gifts are under $100!

1. Keel's Real Simple Diary - $15
2. Whiskey On The Rocks Set - $34
3. Juicy Couture EarMuffs w/ Headphones - $98
4. Williams Sonoma Oils Gift Set - $10 - $58
5. Steve Jobs Biography - $20
6. OPI Nail Polish - $8 each
7. Beer Making Kit - $40
8. "Please Don't Leave" Door Mat - $18
9. Starbucks Mug - $15
10. "Water Bobble" - $9 - $13

Good luck & Happy Shopping!

 X x