it's been decided.

today i have decided to embark on a new hobby. when i get back from omaha, i am purchasing a holga camera. houston camera exchange said they would develop and i'm so excited to see if i can do those double exposure/ accidental shots. i absolutely love the look of these photos and it seems to be a rather inexpensive hobby. yee! i want to check this book out, see what this little sucker can do.

Pretty things for an ugly day!

[ pretty little lamb]

[ pretty flowers in oil cans]

[pretty snow]

[pretty Vogue spread]

[pretty colorful ice cream cones]

[pretty little house]

[pretty dress]

[ pretty chandelier]

[pretty Olivia]

Why save the Savon?

Ok so I have alot of soaps. If there is a festival, I buy a soap. Greek fest? Olive oil soap. Texas Renaissance Festival? Lavender and tea tree soap from this soaper. On a little trip to Port Aransas, I bought a handful of mermaid soaps. Natural/ organic section of HEB? Oh, look! Hippie soap! So I buy these things, and put them all in my underwear drawer. And then I buy Irish spring for the shower. What good are all of these soaps if they're sitting in a drawer? Why do I keep buying them if I never use them? "Oh, thats the guest soap".. ..well yeah, guests can use that antibacterial stuff in the dispenser... don't take that "nice" soap out of the wrapper"...

It's soap. We'll get more.

[all photos from weheartit ]

Christmastime!

Christmas Eve mass

jakelove!

Boxing day bowling!

Christmas Eve dinner @ Taste of Texas.

Santa!!

Had such a wonderful Christmas with the fam! Spent 3 days out in Cypress, eating, drinking, napping, relaxing... soo good. Enjoyed our yearly Christmas eve mass and post-mass steak. Dad made the eggnog (fantastic as always). Christmas morning we slept in and finished opening presents around 1 pm because... thats how we roll. Everyone must have been very good this year because Santa unloaded.
Chiminea! Mine's extra special because of the fleur de lis etched on the front of it. Looking forward to many evenings warming the toes and sipping homemade cappuccinos (with mah newwww machineee!) .

I got a very cool rubber stamp set, one looks kind of like this, like an old wood etching. Can't wait to get some good card stock and make some note cards.

Much needed gift card to Ikea, where, in the very near future, I will spend 7 hours choosing an entertainment center and shelving.

Espresso machine with milk steamer! Later, starbucks. I make my own pumpkin spice lattes now.

Couldn't have asked for better weather, too. Chilly, clear and crisp. Even got to spend some good time with Amy before she went back to NY.

I hope your holiday fantastic!

Looking forward to some vurry wintry weather on Wednesday when I make my way north to Omaha!

Good Christmas Party!

Thanks to all who came to celebrate! :)

*google images

who doesn't need a mint green phone coozie?

Its pretty rough looking but...

.. i needed something to do while watching "You've got Mail" for the 8th time this month...

Maybe if we were always surrounded by tiny lights...

"The outdoor Christmas lights, green and red and gold and blue and twinkling, remind me that most people are that way all year round--kind, generous, friendly and with an occasional moment of ecstasy. But Christmas is the only time they dare reveal themselves."

-Harlan Miller (Better Homes and Gardens)

source

maybe 2010 will bring me one of these...

or maybe i could... borrow one..? from dad? *cough..*

the weekend in a few photos

Dixie found a warm, festive new napping spot and its the cutest thing on earth ughhhhh cat picturessssssss!
This weekend was busy and wonderful! I finally cashed in my birthday massage gift certificate from Ryan and was extra relaxed all day. So so good! I should probably do that more often. I did so much Christmas shopping in the Heights on Saturday. I should go there more often. I discovered a craft studio and spent about an hour choosing supplies for gifts to make. I just sat at this big table for an hour with my hands in various jars. It's called Sew Crafty Houston and I pretty much want to live there. They teach sewing classes and I'd really love to take one.

It was a dreary, foggy, chilly day but people were definitely not deterred. 19th street was littered with shoppers and I got so much accomplished. I found something really great for my friend Amy at Mercader's Antiques right next to the vintage shop Replay. After my 19th street venture, I went over to W 9th to check out August Antiques. I had been meaning to visit this place and I'm so glad I went this past weekend because I knocked out so many Christmas presents. I have never seen such a huge selection of religious relics in one place. After antiquing, I went back home to wrap presents and relax after such a productive day.

Are you finished with your Christmas shopping? ( have you started?) Love from perma-foggy London Houston!