What I Wore Wednesday 12/29/10

What a wonderful Christmas! And loved putting together Christmasy looks that didn't go too overboard (well, at least I thought they were ok...). And I'm trying a new layout with text in the photos and links for gems at the bottom of the post. 

Wednesday, 12/22

Work day, getting lots done before break.

Thursday, 12/23

Last day of work before break and our Christmas service at church.

Friday, 12/24

Christmas Eve dinner hosted by my in-laws

Saturday, 12/25

Christmas with my family

Sunday, 12/26

Blizzard 2010

Stayed indoors, cozied up

Monday, 12/27

Pretty much still snowed in, but at least I got dressed! Spent the day scrapbooking, which I haven't done in a looooong time.

Tuesday 12/27

Cleaning, organizing. Loving Christmas break.

Gem links:

Lisa Leonard

Jewelscapes

The Pleated Poppy

Pear 22

I won't lie, this was a fun week of mostly being pretty dressed up or being very relaxed. Hope you all have a great week!

Linking to:

The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday and

Jewelscapes for Bejeweled Wednesdays

Christmas 2010

I have to say, this Christmas was really lovely. Everyone genuinely seemed in the spirit, happy, and low-key all at the same time. WARNING: Photo heavy post to follow.

Freddy and I spend Christmas Eve with his family. They host a delicious fish dinner and we all exchange presents (which this year were especially well-thought out). We dress up for dinner and then switch into comfy PJs for our gift exchange.

I love my in-laws's tree. It's decked out with vintage treasured ornaments and ones collected through the years scattered with gold and red accents.

Freddy and I with the tree (yes, we select our Christmasy outfits very carefully):

Us kids (Freddy and I with his sister, Lauren):

Lauren gifted her mom and I with these awesome handmade mittens fashioned from vintage sweaters. When we say warm, we mean warm.

Christmas morning Freddy and I started with stockings (and A Christmas Story playing all day in the background).

Freddy got a warm bathrobe

And I was clearly shocked by my gift

 It's the teapot to match my china pattern (of which I have two settings). I seriously love the pattern (Wedgewood Oberon), but don't have much of it. Freddy went to Macy's and found a salesperson who helped him order it. Knowing how much I love tea and my china, it was a perfect choice.

That afternoon we celebrated with my family - 26 of us spent the day laughing, playing some dance game on Wii, and even had the chance to carol together.

A very special gift this year was each of us granddaughters receiving a teacup and saucer from my late grandmother. My aunt (pictured in black) selected and washed each one for us. When I say touchingly sentimental Christmas, I really mean it this year.

I'm really enjoying reading all your Christmas recaps. Happy to see they were all wonderful celebrations!

It was a Merry 2010.

Merry and Bright

Wishing you all a Christmas filled with peace, joy, and every good.

Merry Christmas!

What I Wore Wednesday 12/22/10

Another wonderful Christmasy week! But, I have a guest star for all of us: my little brother!! His appearance is on Thursday night.

Wednesday, 12/15

Work.

 Jacket: Talbots

Top: Ann Taylor

Pants: Kohls

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: The Pleated Poppy

Earrings: Kohls

Thursday, 12/16

Work and our Christmas party (which was fantastic) and a sleepover at my parents'

 Top: Jones NY

Skirt: Chaps

Belt (I know, I know, I've never done this look): from an Ann Taylor dress

Tights: Kohl's

Shoes: Clarks

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Disclaimer: My brother willingly volunteered to do this.

Ok, he's 25, so not that little, but a major fashionisto. He loves putting together an outfit down the the cufflink (yup, that's right, he also loves accessories) and he hunts for bargains. And he always looks adorable. This was him Thursday night heading out for an evening with friends. Thanks, Chris!!!

 All pieces are from Marshall's and all are Claiborne for Men (except the sweater, which he insisted I remember to note was cashmere).

Cufflinks also from Marshalls.

Friday, 12/17

Decorated my parents' Christmas tree, hung out with my dad, dinner with my newly engaged bff.
Photos taken in my old bedroom, standing on a scale like a dork.

 Top: Banana Republic
Cardi: Jcrew (I promise, it had to have looked better)
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: Dr. Scholls

Necklace: Lisa Leonard
Earrings: Pear22 on Etsy

Saturday, 12/18

Cleaning and hosted a simple dinner with friends

 Tank and Tee: Jcrew

Sweater: Hollister

Jeans: Jag

Slippers: LLBean

Necklace: Lisa Leonard

Earrings: Van Heusen

Posy Pin: The Pleated Poppy

Sunday, 12/19

Church in the morning and a wonderful Christmas celebration in the evening.

 Top: Anthropologie (I liked that it reminded me of a Tiffany window)

Sweater: Jcrew factory

Jeans: Gap

Shoes: Dr. Scholl's

Earrings: Liz Palacios

Necklace: Lia Sophia

Bracelet: Gift from one of my husband's coworkers from recent travels

Monday, 12/20
My final vacation day of the year. Last-minute gift wrapping and another dentist visit.

Top: Banana Republic

Sweater: Jcrew Factory

Jeans: Lee

Flats: Dr. Scholl's

Necklace and Earrings: Lisa Leonard

Tuesday, 12/21

Back to work after a long weekend.

Top, Jacket, Pants: Talbots

Shoes:Clarks

Earrings: Candies64

Necklace: Sueanne Shirzay

Linking to

the pleated poppy

and bejeweled wednesdays

Hope you all have a Christmas filled with blessings!

Looking a Lot Like Christmas

Finally getting the chance to share a glimpse into our space at Christmas this year.

Some changes for 2010:

-I embraced my one little word "simplify" by not going overboard. We bought few new decorations and only purchased the one ornament to sum up our year (a cross for the new church we attend together).

-Freddy and I opted for a faux tree. Although I loved our real tree, our space is sort of small, so a smaller fake tree makes a little more sense for us right now. It also forced us to simplify, as only about 1/8 of the ornaments could be put on the tree.

-We watched lots of Christmas movies together: Elf (my favorite), A Christmas Carol, the Christmas Story.

-We decorated together.

-We have enjoyed lovely get-togethers that were perfect: friends, food, and our presence as presents.

-Much less crazy shopping, more intentional gift selections.

Well, onto a peek into our space:

Some 'detail shots':

Our cherished nativity scene (an engagement gift from my aunt and uncle). They purchased it because it could fit into any space, big or small. We know we will always treasure this.

We love our little tree. And yes, there's a bird on top because nothing else fit. We purchased a pre-lit tree and added large colored lights. And loaded it up with ornaments.

This display of Christmas mugs is similar to last year's (star info is here)

We added more to the stove this year (with help from Craftily Ever After)

Ribbon and button trees (info here, here, and here. apparently they're actually from 2007...)

Thanks for taking a look! Hope you are all enjoying the Christmas preparation. 

What I Wore Wednesday 12/15/10

Ah, Christmas time is near! Lots of celebrating over the past week (and more to come).

Wednesday, 12/8

Our division Christmas celebration (complete with antlers and caroling)

Dress: Target (I know!!!) I couldn't wait to wear this.

Cardi: Ann Taylor

Tights: Kohl's

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace: me

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Thursday, 12/9

Visit at my former high school (which is always a little weird) and the third annual Christmas Candlelight tea with friends.

Top: Old Navy

Jacket: Ann Taylor

Pants: Kohl's

Shoes: Clarks

Posy Pin: The Pleated Poppy

Necklace: Lisa Leonard Family Crest with charm from Large Initials Necklace

Earrings: Lisa Leonard

Friday, 12/10 

Work and dinner with my husband's family

Sweater: Target

Top: Talbots

Pants: Lee

Shoes: Clarks

Necklace and Earrings: Lisa Leonard

Saturday, 12/11

A home-body type of day. And decorating the Christmas tree!

Top: Old Navy (with Jcrew tank under)

Jeans: Banana Republic

Slippers: Terrasoles

 Beaded Necklace: me

Family Crest Necklace: Lisa Leonard

Earrings: GlitzGlitter

Sunday, 12/12

Church, Christmas shopping, and watching a Christmas Carol

Top: Jcrew

Sweater: Anthropologie

Jeans: Marshall's

Boots: Easy Spirit

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Beaded necklace: Superhero designs

Monday, 12/13

Spent the day with my mom, enjoyed lunch and Christmas shopping together. Then spent the evening watching Beth Moore's Divine Intervention Advent meditation. Excellent reflection on the need to experience a new awakening in life in anticipation of Christmas.

Tee and tank: Jcrew

Sweater: Anthropologie

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Dr. Scholl's

Earrings: Jewelscapes

Necklace: Lisa Leonard

Posy Pin: the pleated poppy

Tuesday, 12/14

Spent a wonderful day with my husband. Dental cleanings (my mother-in-law is our hygienist which is awesome!), lunch together, an hour in Borders reading through books, and dinner home relaxing.

Top:Ann Taylor Loft

Sweater: Old Navy

Jeans: Marshall's

Boots: Easy Spirit

Family Crest Necklace: Lisa Leonard

Earrings: Lisa Leonard

I have to say, this has been a lovely week (it has been nice that I've gotten the chance to enjoy those vacation days) and the week ahead promises to be just as fun. It has been great to reconnect with friends and family and remembering to embrace the season rather than watch it fly by.

Hope to post some Christmas decor shots, as I've enjoyed reading and seeing what fellow bloggers have shared (thanks Paige and Michele) and hope to give a little peek into our corner of the world.

Happy week, all!!!

Linking to

the pleated poppy

and