Snowpocalypse

Welcome to St. Louis.  Where the natives are always unhappy with the weather :)  Every time it snows more than a few inches the news declares a "snowpocalypse."   Not that I enjoy snow measured in feet rather than inches, but we do live in the Mid-West people.  It snows during winter.  Oh well :)

I am soooooooooo glad I asked for Wellies for Christmas!!  They have been a life saver!

Here are some photos of "snowpocalypse" ~ and forecasts are saying it will be 60 one week from today on Easter Sunday!

This is a picture of James' car! 

Photo credit: James (like I would go outside in this weather!)

View from my bedroom when I woke up :)  

Okok... "our" bedroom

If I wasn't über excited about vacation already, I sure am now!!!!  GET ME TO THE BEACH!!! :)

  

I spent the snowed-in day making a big pitcher of Arnold Palmers!!!!

And trying on dresses for JJ's destination wedding! :)

"Despite the forecast, live like it's spring!"

~Lilly Pulitzer

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 :) 

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 !

Birthday Love

Monday I turned 28!  I always have loved my Birthday!  Yes, with a capital "B" it is a holiday after all.  I think having a December birthday made me cling with extra devotion to my day of birth.  No, it is not fair to send a kid a Christmas present with a card that says "Happy Birthday & Merry Christmas" nor is it ok to wrap a birthday present in Christmas paper.  Wrapping paper is cheaper than toilet paper.  Seriously?

Luckily I have a wonderful husband & very sweet friends who never make me feel slighted on my Birthday :)

The highlight of my day was being able to take off work & do whatever I wanted!  Translation ~ spend all day in my new lulu wunder unders taking it easy :)  I caught up on a few episodes of Fashion Police!  I ate a meatball sandwich from Subway for lunch!  I organized two bookshelves in the 'hoarder room'! I read a book on my Nook! I perused the many Christmas catalogs I've got in the mail! I took a nap!  Just some of my fun birthday activities :)  For an introvert ~ it was the best self present!

In the evening my dear friends & I went out to eat at Pi Pizzeria.  It is a favorite of James & I ~ very delicious pizza!  And James surprised me with a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake, a childhood fav!