Holiday Photos turned Impromptu Photoshoot

Yesterday night we got all dolled up and took a holiday photo to send to our family and friends. Of course, once we were all dressed we couldn't waste the opportunity to take even more photos :) Our good friend Marion joined in on the fun with us and it was almost like we were all 16 again hanging out, laughing and having a grand old time! There was lots of christmas cookie eating and baking throughout the night and we all knew it was time for bed when our sugar highs came crashing down, oops! Who could blame us though? you only get Christmas cookies once a year ;)

All Business

Whenever I'm with my older sister Eileen, things can get pretty weird silly. While my mom was out of the house, we dressed up in these plaid suits we found instead of getting ready for our family picture like we were instructed. We recruited our dad to take pictures of us though so we couldn't get in too much trouble with Mom ;)

Holiday Ritual

Socks, Blue Pajamas, Red Pajamas, Mug

Every year for the last 10 years or so, my family cross over the Mason-Dixie Line into the South to celebrate the holidays with my aunt and cousins. When we were younger, our Christmas morning would be like many other families: us kids anxiously waiting outside the living room for that moment when our parents gave us the go and we caught the first glimpse of the trees with all the presents underneath and wrapped pretty.

Now that we're older we still get up early, but instead of diving right into present opening we head to Einstein Bros Bagels and get our breakfast and coffee fix before heading back home. Of course, no Christmas would be right without our usual cinnamon roll post-presents and lasagna dinner later on! Talk about carbo-loading! ;)

Does your family have a Christmas morning ritual or something unique that you do for the holidays?

Sunset Glow

Sweater: J.Crew | Coat: J.Crew | Pants: J.Crew | Shoes: Lacoste (old) | Clutch: J.Crew (sold out but loving this one here!) Watch: Fossil | Bracelet: J.Crew | Necklace: Unknown | Sunglasses: UO (old, similar here)

I made it home from work just in time to catch the last rays of sun shining in the backyard. With the winter season basically here in Michigan, I had to take advantage of the clear and sunny skies while I can since pretty soon it'll be overcast the most days. Michigan weather, you sure know how to toy with emotions!

Life in Pictures

 New coat arrived just in time for the office holiday party!

Cute little raccoon that was hanging out outside the office. Don't worry, this picture was taken behind glass!

 Finally made peace with the cat I was taking care of while housitting!

 Scamper the Dancing Penguin, my new desk partner at work.

Flats I returned...they were cute, but I should have read the fine print when ordering them to see that they were metallic gold glitter! Ah, the follies of online shopping ;)

 Delicious margarita from the new Cuban restaurant Lena downtown. They use their homemade sour mix and "dirty" salt with basil and other herbs to garnish the rim. Tasty!

"Swaggy" - J.Bieber

Dinner from my recently new favorite restaurant, Antonio's. I sent this picture of the bread to my sisters at school and to say they were jealous would be putting it mildly ;) 

Trying to master the art of the bun

Getting personal

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week so far! Today was the first day of a diet I'm trying out where I don't eat gluten or dairy aka the Miley Diet. Like Miley, I'm trying out this diet plan to help prevent symptoms from an autoimmune condition that I have. With the holidays here, this is probably the hardest time to jump on the no-gluten band wagon...everywhere I look there are cookies and candies and everything that I love. While making this post I practically had to wipe the drool off my chin while loading the pasta/bread pictures haha my department at work is having a brunch on Friday which will be my first big test with these new eating guidelines. Wish me luck!

Operation Overtime

I currently work for a mortgage lending company and to say we've been busy would be a huge understatement. Every month it seems we have another month of record-breaking in the number of loans we receive and close. I had been told when I started working we would be able to relax some in the winter since the mortgage business as a whole tends to slow down, but if these last two weeks were any indication then I don't think that will be happening anytime soon.

Due to the amount of work that is piling up, we are encouraged to work overtime as much as we want and can handle. I don't have much else going on in my life right now, so why not work and earn some more? :) I've decided to use the money I make working overtime as a fund to buy the bigger items on my wish list that typically I can't make myself buy because of the price tag. This way these pieces will feel even more special because they are more of a reward.

Some of the items on my big wishlist are shown above and can be found at these sites:

Loafers, Sunglasses, Leather-trim leggings, Purse, Necklace

Don't be the Weakest Link this Holiday Season!

The words chain and link bring back random but funny memories  from when I was younger: making paper chains in school for the holidays...chain letters kids from class would always email you and you too would cave and send it to ten people in hopes that maybe this time your crush will actually ask you out like the email promised...the craze of Who Wants to be a Millionare and the similar show The Weakest Link with the scary, mean British lady host who you would always try and mimic her accent ("You ARE, the weakest link!")...linking arms on the playground playing Red Rover, I don't miss those sore red arms!

Nowadays, I like to use chains as a way to sass up an outfit. I've practically been living in my Bauble Bar gold chain necklace these past few weeks and I don't think that's going to stop anytime soon. Chain link accessories seem to have the ability to add some edge to an outfit but at the same time enhance its feminine qualities. I don't know how they do it but I'm all for it!

Hop on the chain link train with these pieces:

[1] Kenneth Jay Lane [2] Baublebar [3] J.Crew [4] C.Wonder [5] Michael Kors [6] J.Crew [7] J.Crew [8] Baublebar

Borrowed from the Boys

Outfit Details: Vest - J.Crew | Sweater: AE, Men's (old but similar here) | Jeans: Forever 21 | Booties - Report, Piperlime | Watch - Target | Sunglasses - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Sometimes the best thing to wear isn't your own, it's a sweater from an old boyfriend or guy friend. In this case, it's a sweater from your sister's freshman college roommate's ex-boyfriend. Paired with an oversized gold watch, this makes for the perfect Sunday uniform.

Midnight Madness in Kerrytown

 My best Buddha impression...sadly this was not staged.

Outfit Details: Top - Forever 21 | Skirt - J.Crew (on sale here!) | Tights: Capezio | Coat: H&M (old but loving this coat here!) | Necklace: Bauble Bar | Bag: Dooney & Bourke

 Friday night after work I met up with my parents in downtown Ann Arbor for the Midnight Madness event in Kerrytown. Kerrytown is such a cute neighborhood in the city with interesting independent shops and businesses and is home to my favorite farmer's market and the delicious Zingerman's Bakery! We had fun looking at all the items offered by different vendors and the tasty looking pastries that tempted our empty stomachs. However, we weren't anticipating how big of an event this turned out to be! You could hardly move around and were somewhat forced to move with the masses. My parents and I were a little confused why there were so many more children than you find at typical community events, but we found our answer when we were leaving...does the name Santa Claus mean anything to you? ;)