Chicago Christmas

This year we had great time with James' family in Chicago for christmas! We were spoiled rotten with wonderful presents, food & family!  (And my personal favorite- Christmas morning mimosas!!!!!)

I am still trying to figure out all the settings on my camera... So my pictures were partially in focus & partially blurry as everyone was ripping open presents!  :)

Here are some of my favorites...

Does Santa look familiar to you?? 

Wonder what my big present is?

Yay! I can't sit still enough for the picture! Yay Wellies!

 James' big present... some UCF stuff :)

Christmas morning!  (on my second mimosa)  The best pic of us, even though it is fuzzy :) 

Sneak Attack

Guess who didn't realize it was Christmas?  Me!

I was scanning through Facebook on Monday and saw a friend's post "I can't believe Christmas is next week." and I thought "She means week after next."  Nope.

Luckily I had a head start on some Christmas presents & my tree up.  But it was a mad dash the last few days to get everything ready!

Here is our tree!

I had some goodies come in the mail!!!  Definitely helped cheer up an old sick gal! 

Upper left:  3 new pilates videos

Upper right: Glossybox

Bottom: Birchbox

Time to get some laundry done before our trip to Chicago!!

Santa Baby

Here are the gifts topping my Christmas wish list!!!  Especially after James surprised me with a fab jewelry box I need to fill it up! :)

1.  Tall Wellington Boot by Hunter in Aubergine

2.  Crystal Stud Big Pink Earrings from Etsy

3.  Personalized Stationery from Etsy

4.  Monogrammed Necklace from Etsy

5.  Louis Vuitton Cosmetic Pouch in Damier Azur

So my love of Etsy dominated my Christmas list this year.  I doubt I'll see any of these lovelies as James asked me a few weeks ago very confused, "So... are any of your presents actually in a store?"   My bet's on the wellies :)  I wonder how James is adjusting to married life, I took him to a *store* (Nordstrom) to see them in person & when the sales associate explained he just had to get the sock liners his face was priceless :)

Christmas at the Symphony

James & went to the Sunday matinee of the St. Louis Symphony performing Handel's Messiah.   It was lovely & Christmasy.  I loved seeing Powell Hall all decorated up :)  It was beautiful!!

It has been many many years since I've seen Messiah in person.  I love the Symphony!!!  I remembered the choral parts being beautiful and written very close to scripture.  It was such a beautiful experience because scripture was printed in the program & as your reading the gorgeous music is amplifying the beauty of the season.  I did not remember the soloists who sang straight up Opera style.  They were not my favorite.  Especially when James decided to speak in opera vibrato all night....

AND ~  I almost forgot!!  The conductor was the same conductor at Will & Kate's wedding!! I felt so royal!   All I was lacking was a nice fur :)  (and perhaps a castle or two).

As you may or may not be able to tell James was less than thrilled at my surprise photo shoot while driving :)  I asked a lady to take our picture during intermission on the big staircase.  She promptly ran to the bottom of the staircase & yelled up "I'll take your picture from down here so you look really tall!"...  Because that's a problem I often have... not looking tall enough.  I wish more people knew about flattering photo angles!

Here is a link to the Hallelujah Chorus !