Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas Vacation

Our Christmas Eve Spread
Christmas Eve
Muna and all her great grandpups!
Muna lookin good in her new sweater coat!
Christmas morning breakfast... I didn't want to take my new ray bans off!
Scarlet met her soulmate, Louie
2nd annual Crimma party!
Scarlet was a trooper on the plane. It wasn't her favorite, though.
Scarlet enjoying 2 of our favorite gifts: Temperpedic mattress topper and Paris print :)

These were just a few highlights from my very Merry Christmas trip home! 





Sunday, December 25, 2011

Oh Holy Night

I love Christmas for so many reasons. A lot of them are pretty materialistic, but every year I like to take some time and contemplate what it is all about. We went to a Christmas Eve church service last night. The main message was that God sent Jesus so that we wouldn't have to earn our way into heaven. It is by His grace and Jesus's sacrifice that we can live the way we live today. All we have to do is believe in Him. And, if we believe in Him and the great sacrifice He made then we naturally should want to live in a way that would please Him.

I owe every blessing I have (which there are too many to count) to Him. My mom, sister, muna, the rest of my family, Ed, Ed's family, great friends, scarlet, a job that I love, a nice apartment... I could go on and on. He has given me so much more than I deserve! Christians often get a bad reputation, but true Christians understand that none of us are good enough and no one has the right to pass judgement. I am FAR from perfect and have by no means led the perfect life. I've also by no means had the easiest life. But, the reason I am so full of joy (most of the time) is that I know I am never alone and that I will always be taken care of as long as I trust in Him.

I've pasted below the lyrics to my favorite Christmas song, Oh Holy Night. If you really pay attention to the words, it is such a meaningful song. I've bolded my favorite verse. Merry Christmas everyone!!


O holy night, the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming,
Here came the wise men from Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our friend!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His Gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His Name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy Name!

Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sunday Funday!

We had a very busy Sunday! I pretty much finished up my Christmas shopping. I won't discuss that, though since it would spoil the surprise for some of my most loyal followers. But, I was also able to talk Ed into doing some apartment decorating shopping with me while we were out. Our first stop was Ikea where we ate at an Austin-inspired food truck. Apparently they're getting together a food truck park area in Tempe similar to the one in Austin. AND, they told us that they are refurbishing a vintage 1940s New York Mr. Softee truck. So exciting! We had such a fun day, I of course documented it with my fancy new iphone camera...
Food truck!
Best burger of all time. They also had bacon fritters... I passed. Ed did not. 
I bought some drapes for the dining room and a floor lamp for my bedroom at Ikea and will post photos once everything is installed, but above is a print that is a must-have. It's HUGE and has inspired a whole new design scheme for my bedroom!


After Ikea we stopped by the Antique Trove. My main goal was to find a vintage trunk to use as a coffee table. But of course I found a ton of other fun stuff instead. I loved this RETRO sign... Not sure what I would do with it, but it is super cool!

Ed found ways to entertain himself in the antique store. We got separated for a few minutes, and this is how I found him. 
I am OBSESSED with these yellow chairs!!! They were only $85 each and I only need one for my bedroom. How good would it look in my room with that Paris print, by black and white damask comforter and a mirrored vanity with a cool antique mirror above it?
I did find the perfect trunk, but of course it was sold. Boo!

After such a long day, I was very disappointed that we bought the wrong light bulbs for my lamp AND the wrong curtain rods for my curtains at Home Depot. I like the instant gratification of getting everything up as soon as I get home. I think Ed was devastated too (sarcastic font). So, hopefully I'll have updated apartment pics tomorrow night. Also, hoping that he caught my subtle hints today about the Paris print and yellow chair. They would make excellent Christmas surprises!!!


Friday, November 11, 2011

Free People Wish List


In case anyone is trying to come up with last minute birthday gift ideas, Free People gift cards are always needed. Above are just a few of the items on my must-have wish list! I NEED all of them!