I’m celebrating times two today: it’s New Years Eve & also my little sister Katie’s birthday! Happy 19th birthday to one of my favorite people in the entire world. Love you! xo
Archive | December, 2011
Cheers!
Above/below you’ll find a photo snapshot of 2011; some of the happiest, hardest, funniest, scariest, craziest and best moments of my life happened this year. This year has been a whirlwind and an adventure! I know that on December 31, 2010, I would have never imagined the year would look like this. I’m humbled by and incredibly thankful for what has happened this year and super excited for what’s in store for 2012. While this year has not been perfect, Maya Angelou’s words are ringing in my head: “[I] wouldn’t take nothing for my journey now.” I wouldn’t change a thing.
Cheers to 2012 and brand new adventures, opportunities and so much more! xo
Thursday Thankful List
Happy positive and last Thursday of 2011! Two weeks ago, I shared YOUR thankful lists. Many of you submitted things you’re thankful for on my blog and Twitter and I’m thrilled to share a few more of them today. Thank you & enjoy today! xo
Sunday Fundays with my gal pals
My favorite antique shops because they give me new inspiration on every visit
The opportunity for unknown adventures in the coming week!
Popcorn
Encouragement from others
Innovations
Chai tea lattes with a shot of espresso
The library on a Sunday morning
Shelter from the cold
Wearing lots of layers to keep me warm 
Family
My health
Patience
Comfort foods
Long underwear
Cute scarves
Warm coats
Food in the fridge
Every moment with my dad
A hot cup of coffee 
Terrific parents
Clean water
Roommates
Sunny skies
Time with my brother
Paid vacations
LOVE
Hair straighteners
Holiday music playing in the lobby of my apartment
Nutella and peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast :)
Genuine people and friends
La Croix sparkling water
Rainy days…perfect for cuddling after work :)
The local craft/stationary store
Soup on nasty days
My kooky family
Literacy
Festive nail polish 
Sleeping in
Pile-lined moccasins!
Getting mail from home, making those 4,672 miles seem a little less far…
Hearing a new song that you immediately fall in love with!
Waking up before my alarm to sunshine streaming in the window.
The opportunity to recharge my batteries (down time)
Holiday decorating
The unwavering support of my family
Friendships so close they are basically family
A faithful God who continues to bless me with more than I deserve- even when I doubt His plan!
A good seat at the library with a view of the lake
Study breaks
Having good dreams :)
Postcards from friends 
Rain vs. snow in December in Michigan (unheard of!)
The hope that next year will be a happier and healthier year for all!
The surprisingly warm December weather
L.L. Bean’s travel bags
Afternoon’s spent on Boston’s Newbury Street
Cafes in the morning
Chocolate chip cookies from my mom
My new pillow
Giant, sturdy water bottles
Funfetti cookies!!
Awesome teachers
Colored tights 
My christmas tree
Iced coffee
Hilarious coworkers
Christmas cards with pictures
Good luck
Technology. The ability to see and talk to friends and family at any given moment of the day any day makes staying in touch with all of my loved ones so much easier.
God. This past year has had it’s ups and downs for me, but knowing God is there and keeping my faith alive has gotten me through even the toughest of times.
My mother. She is my rock and is there to support me no matter what I do. I am so grateful each and every day that I get to learn and grow with her supporting me.
My achievements
My education
That I know there is more to come
Wine etiquette
With New Years (and my birthday!) quickly approaching, I thought it would be fun and festive to share Joanna’s adorable blog post about wine etiquette. Her post can be found here Enjoy! xo
Today I’d love to share 8 fun tips for drinking wine! Below, I wrote out the tips, and the genius Gemma Correll illustrated them. Here goes…
1. Fill red wine glasses 1/3 full, white wine glasses 1/2 full, and sparkling wine 3/4 full.
2. Twist the bottle at the end of pouring a glass of wine, to prevent drips (and to give it a flourish!).
3. Cheers! When clinking glasses, make eye contact with the other person. Otherwise, according to French superstition, you’ll risk seven years of bad luck. You also should clink glasses individually with each person at the table without crossing anyone’s arms.
4. If someone is toasting you (your wedding, your birthday, your general awesomeness), don’t take a sip. Just smile and look humble.
5. Always hold your wine glass by the stem. Many people mistakenly think you only need to hold white wine by the stem (so you don’t warm up the wine), but experts say you should hold red wine by the stem, too, so you can see its color and clarity, as well as to avoid smudging the glass with your fingerprints. Otherwise, wine snobs might call you a “bowl grabber”! :)
6. On the table, your wine glass goes to the right of your water glass.
7. While taking a sip, you should politely look into your glass. (And not at another person, if you’re in the middle of a conversation.)
8.The host’s duty is to make sure glasses stay filled. “My eyes go to empty glasses immediately,” wine expert John Thoreen says. “It’s a real radar thing for me.”
9. Or happily forget all the tips above, and just eat, drink and be merry!
P.S. A lipstick trick with wine, and the #1 etiquette tip to remember for the holidays.
