London

I love London... It is such a stylish place. And today, the queen of London style turns 30! Happy birthday Kate the Great! 

Sparkly Sunday

Ready for Summer

Ready for Summer by lkfergus featuring yves saint laurent sunglasses

By Malene Birger short dress
£132 - net-a-porter.com

Giuseppe Zanotti wide sandals
$1,095 - net-a-porter.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors straw handbag
$298 - neimanmarcus.com

Majolie Collections pendant necklace
$575 - maxandchloe.com

Yves saint laurent sunglasses
$275 - net-a-porter.com

Floppy hat
$40 - modcloth.com

Feeling the Travel Bug

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine

Although it is quite obvious that Christmas is my most favorite time of year, I always feel nice and refreshed when it is all over and it is time to look ahead to a new year. Along with Christmas, traveling is also high on my list of favorite things. I spent most of last year making a huge transition with my move to Scottsdale and now that I am nice and settled in, I'm getting the travel bug. So inspired my new blog header. 

I'm not very big on new years resolutions. Every now and then I'll make one, but I rarely follow it. And, this year I feel quite content in where I am and my outlook on life. 

Maybe, this year I'll start a "vision board". I think that's what you call them... It's when you cut out pictures of the things you really want and create a board somewhere where you often look at it. I saw on Oprah a long time ago that if you have a vision board, the likelihood of you achieving your vision or goal is much higher. I believe it, because it is a constant reminder of what you really want. And, if you always have a visual of your goals and the things you really want, then it blocks a lot of the daily distractions that keep you from achieving them. 

Goals I want to achieve: advance in my career, get married ;), TRAVEL MORE, move back to New York and find new ways to use and develop my creativity.

Things I want: a new coffee table, dining table, side tables, cool antiques and fabulous clothes of course.

I probably won't be able to purchase/achieve all of these things in just 1 year, but at least I know what I want and feel confident I can achieve most of them. Travel is top on my list right now! Time to start making some plans... Too bad I don't have unlimited funds, but I usually find a way :) So here is to a new year of excitement and exploration! Can't wait to see what it will bring! 

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! 

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!

Christmas in Leah Land

Feeling the Christmas Spirit!