So Goes Another Winter Slowly, Hands In The Pockets Of My Coat

Well, before we get on to the next holiday, I'm going to reflect on Christmas first, and I feel pretty okay with that. I had a really great holiday season this year spent with wonderful family. The photos below were taken on a very cold day during the one week of the year that I will wear red and green together. 

My mom suggested that I spend my holidays doing things that aren't traditional to make sure that I didn't get too wrapped up in sad feelings. So, that's exactly what I did! 

We had a family Christmas party this year with my grandparents, who usually spend the holiday in Colorado. There were lots of homemade, heartfelt gifts shared (the best kind). On Christmas Eve, my big brother came to spend the night with me at our dad's house, and we watched Moonrise Kingdom together.

 I got up and got ready, put on a fresh pair of pajamas, and left to spend the morning at our Mom's with our little brother, mom, grandma, and her dog Emily. We listened to the White Stripes, because we were both sick of Christmas music, and had a beautiful drive out to the country. My mom had a great brunch spread and too much candy to enjoy while we were silly and exchanged gifts. It's nice to spend time with my grandma. I always wish I saw her more often. 

After that, us siblings were off to go spend Christmas evening at our dad's house. We listened to Neutral Milk Hotel, stopped at Canandaigua Lake to admire her beauty along the way, and ate Harry & David pears in the car (which is really difficult/messy, but worth it). 

We got really wonderful gifts from our stepmom Linda and our dad. I got a pair of beautiful Frye boots! Eep! Then we had a wonderful dinner and shared music with each other. We went to see This Is 40 later that evening, and were all exhausted after that. It was a really special holiday spent with truly wonderful people.

Dress: Modcloth
Cardigan: H&M
Tights: Target
Coat: H&M
Shoes: Vintage, Etsy
Hair Bow: Belle & Whistle
Pin: Cecelia Hayes

Also, I bought this dress because it reminded me of the first couch I've ever owned. Totally not the first time I've bought clothing that reminded me of couches from my past either.

All outfit photos taken by my rad brother Josh. All other photos taken by me on my iPhone, (except the one of my old couch).

In Houses Lights Are Glowing : Christmas 2011

Christmas this year was super stressful, but so wonderful.

I started a new job a few weeks ago as a barista, and have been working non-stop until today (but have enjoyed it thus far). So, all the hand-crafted, sentimental gifts I planned really took a toll on me. I worried lots and slept little, but thankfully it's all behind me now, and was absolutely worth it.

I'll share the gifts I made later, but for now here is a peek at why my Christmas was so great:

We drank wine & decorated sugar cookies.

I surprised Ben with tickets to see A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve Eve, and my sweet boss Shelley surprised me by buying my ticket for me! We got all fancy and it really helped us to get into the holiday spirit. It was an excellent show. Plus, I finally had an excuse to wear that dress I bought!

The best gift I received this Christmas...

After we arrived home, my loving boyfriend gave me a cd with a song he had written and recorded (with clarinet by our friend, Cheryl). I had no idea he was even recording it, and it sounds beautiful. I'm a complete sucker for sentimental gifts. Many happy tears were shed.

You can listen to it here.

On Christmas Eve...

After work I came home and opened the presents Ben got me...

A polaroid camera! It was a lovely surprise. I'm excited to use all the different kinds of Impossible Project film I got.

I gifted Ben the Neutral Milk Hotel record box set, which is so beautiful.

Also, we got a package with sweaters my grandma knit - what a treat!

On Christmas Day...

We slept at Ben's parent's house, and had a classic Christmas morning. I got even more film and had a wonderful breakfast.

At my mom's house we spent family time with my grandma and got new pillows & socks. Plus, my little brother got a Magic Bullet!

At my dad's we had a delicious Christmas dinner. I finally got the iPhone I've been waiting for, and really nice kitchen stuff! It's nice not having to use my phone from 2004 anymore. 

All of us kids went to see The Adventures of Tintin in 3D. It was really great.

Overall it was a wonderful Christmas filled with smiles, family, and sharing - as it should be.