disappearing acts

the winter months are upon us. hoping for a snow day this year. & christmas is around the corner. since the holidays are here, i might be fairly consistent with posting on this blog.

My Holiday.

my mommy <3

first live tree in years.

                                    my favorite gift.                                                  

Soum and Beau's tree.

Christmas morning photo op.

my much needed mixer.

my aunt loves setting the table.

Beau (pronounced beeyu)

Beau and her mom's birthday celebration.

BFF time <3

happy new year!

cousins! <3

Hello beautiful people! :)

Another Christmas holiday has come and gone. I was terribly sad to see it go. Although there were a few ups and downs, this year was one of the best Christmases ever. It wasn't even about the gifts, it never is, we got to spend time with the people we love and that's what really matters. As I get older, that's what matters more to me than anything. Gifts are just a plus. :)

this month, there was so much going on my head was spinning, in a good way of course. i turned 24! where has the time gone??? yikes... i tried to fight it. i love getting older, but i know that there is responsibility with age. i think that's something i am going to have to face and get over because time is not waiting for me. minus my pouting about getting older, i am beyond blessed to see another year and so thankful. my mom, aunt and sister know that i don't like celebrating my birthday, but they were so wonderful and made me feel so special with gifts, hugs, kisses and cupcakes. they are the best! this time of year makes me so giddy and everyone around you is happy. i wish it was christmas everyday. i got to partake in a lot of christmas fun and tradition, like making cookies, helping put up the tree, buying and wrapping gifts, you know the usual. i also take this time to reflect on what is really important and the true meaning of christmas-- Jesus. i don't believe that Jesus was born on christmas day, but this is the season i celebrate his birth and i have the opportunity to reflect on God's love and the reason for the season. christmas day, we had my good friend, whom i met at work back in  April, and her lovely family over for dinner. her kids had christmas at our house too, which was so nice, and they were so grateful that they fell asleep with their gifts when they got home. my heart melted. i've gotten to know them so well and they have welcomed me into their home and hearts. they're such a beautiful family and they have brightened my year more than they will ever know. i took advantage of this holiday to see friends who were in town visiting for the holiday. i got to catch up and exchange gifts (our yearly tradtion) with my best friend! i had a blast, i loved every second we were together. i love that every time she comes home i realize that we're not in junior high anymore. it always takes me by surprise, but it also makes me realize that we're ADULTS now. we live hundreds of miles apart, but it has never changed our relationship, honestly it's stronger! i am so thankful for her and i couldn't have chosen a better friend, more like twin.

for new years, we surprised some friends (who are also like our family considering we spend every other holiday with them!) and stopped by for the night and watched the ball drop! so much fun. my age is telling on me because at 11 PM i was yawning and getting comfy on their couch. hehe ;) at midnight we opened up some sparkling grape juice and took about 10,000 silly photos. New years day, we took a trip to grandma's for her yearly new years day dinner. we got a chance to see some old friends and spend time with family. agh, there was soo much food, nothing vegetarian friendly except beans and mac&cheese-- which i loved anyway. it was a nice afternoon/evening and much needed. the night ended with a random bottle of champagne and my grandma playing the piano and my aunt and uncle singing old gospel songs!

i hope you all had a wonderful holiday. it's 2014, make this year count!

-Bree

8 Things I love about the Holidays

hey there bloggers. just wanted to stop in and fill you in on my 8 things i love about the Holidays!

1. sleeping late-- not that i can do it anymore considering i work, but i like the idea

2. coffee dates and holiday drinks  

3. my friends are home visiting

4. baking baking baking

5. carefree feeling

6. christmas lights
7. decorations

8. giving

Happy November!

hello all!

i am definitely still alive and doing well. hope you all can say the same :) i have missed this blog and reading everyone's posts. it's a void that needs to be filled. Being off the radar isn't a bad thing to me. i know that a lot of people share their lives through pictures and writing about it and there's nothing wrong with that, but i am one who prefers to keep my life VERY private. i don't have anything to hide, it's just who i am :) i don't mind sharing a few things here and there, just not everything. i guess that's why i find it a little difficult to be consistent here. besides, my life is fairly boring and quiet. ;) But while i was gone, i've been spending time with friends and family, working and doing the usual--just living. the most exciting thing that has happened to me lately is that i had an opportunity to run a 5k in my hometown! my good friend, madeline (the girl beside me posted in a photo above), told me about it and i immediately jumped on it! although it was painful and exhausting and i didn't finish at my ideal time, i had so much fun! never in a million years did i think i'd be running a 3.1 mile race. i was a sprinter in jr. high and that's all the running i did in my life. i find running very liberating and addictive. a lot of my friends are into it, so it helps me stay motivated. unfortunately, i haven't run in 2 weeks, BUT needless to say i am not done. i will be running another 5k in february--which gives me time to get where i want to be.

So as most of you have noticed, it's that time of year again! Although, I'm not fan of all of the hustle and bustle, I love everything else about the holiday season! fall is here and i am loving the cool weather, wearing chunky sweaters and boots. the leaves are so beautiful, it's breathtaking and i want them to stay forever. i am ready for christmas though! i want to put the tree up NOW, but my family wouldn't be too into that idea. so for right now, i have to settle for the music and the decorations at the mall and i can work with that at the moment-- thanksgiving is only less than 2 weeks away. until then, i will enjoy my pretty leaves and christmas music.

V-Day (part 2)

Happy Sunday! Hope that everyone has had a wonderful weekend! I most certainly have. I've done nothing, but enjoy some r&r. :) I'm milking these last couple of weeks of unemployment, yes sir I am.  I was supposed to post this entry yesterday, but I didn't because I wanted to limit my internet time.  I spend ENOUGH time on here as it is.  So here are 10 gift ideas for Valentine's Day for your handsome fella!  Also, I'm not going to post long descriptions about these items like in the previous post, 1.) it takes too much time 2.) don't think it's necessary.

1.) Phone Charger

2.) Super cool woodfarer shades 

3.) Wallet iPhone case

4.) Sweatshirt

5.) Tom Shoes

6.) Shave & skincare essential set for men by Philosophy

7.) Stylish Hat

8.) Earphones that aren't beats by Dre.

9.) Watch

10.) Fancy smancy bow tie 

There it is! I'm looking forward to Valentine's Day. I'll be baking up a bunch of goodies for the family and some friends. Can't wait! Should be interesting and somewhat of a challenge, but I'm up for it! :)

V-DAY.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching.  I'm a single lady & I love Valentine's Day.  Hearts and the color red make me very happy.  Oh yeah, and chocolate! I will buy myself roses and put them in a vase and place them in the middle of my table. And then eat tons of delicious chocolates, that I also bought for myself ;)  I don't understand people who get sad about being single on Valentine's Day.  Seems a bit ridiculous if you ask me.  That's one less gift you have to buy, which means more money in your pocket. YES! But if you happen to be buying a gift, I put together a 10 gift ideas for that special lady or fella in your life. At least I would think these gifts are what they would like. I know I would! ;)  Or for you guys, you could always go with the traditional flowers and candy, that works too!

1.) Soy Candle--

I LOVE candles. I'm always looking for new scents to indulge in. Soy candles are the
perfect gift for a girl, like me, who loves candles.

2.) Zara Scarf-- Scarfs are always a cute accessory to wear & this scarf is extra cute and inexpensive.

3.) Coach Perfume-- Who wouldn't want to smell like a flower? Really though.

4.) Etsy Bracelet--

I found this bracelet on pinterest and it's super cute. They have so many cute designs and
you're not limited to just one. Unfortunately, the people who make and sell these
bracelets are based in China (I know, who would have thought right? hehe), so you'll
have to wait about 30 days to receive it in the mail.

5.) Norah Jones album--
Not everyone is a fan of Norah, but her music is soothing and the lyrics are
piercing. You'll definitely be wondering, "What in the world did that mean?". She's a lyrical genius. I prefer
her over T. Swift ANY DAY. The girl has ruined the word love.

6.) Cutesy heart & mustache socks--
I'm not a fan of these socks, but they are kinda cute and couldn't resist
putting them up here.

7.) Converse sneakers-- Classic tennis shoes.  They're so cute, stylish and pretty much go with anything.

8.) Amazing Grace smelly good lotion--
best. lotion. ever! My mom bought some for my aunt for Christmas
and I always find my way to that bottle. It calls my name when I
need to moisturize my hands & it smells AMAZING! I don't know
how I've gone this long without it. It's a little pricey for lotion, but
definitely worth it.

9.) A notebook with Ryan Goseling's face gracing the cover-- Its's Ryan Goseling. Enough said.

10.) Red heart sweater-- Who doesn't love target? This sweater is too cute and most certainly screams V-Day.


Tomorrow I will post gift ideas for the ladies for their special guy! ;)