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!

This Design*Sponge coffee table book had me smitten!

So did a bottle of Skinny Girl Margarita Mix by Bethanny Frankel.

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!