Our 'second Christmas' was wonderful also, although the dogs were still a bit tired from the first one. Raynor didn't open as many gifts and Teemo was pooped out on the couch fairly early. I was really excited as I got a new camera lens! It's a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 and I LOVE it. Kind of completely attached to it already.

 

Forever now, I have joked that my husband's hometown is in Canada. I know, I know, north eastern Ohio really cannot be compared to the snowfall that occurs up there I'm sure, but in comparison to my hometown in southern Ohio, it's actually a huge difference. So our four hour drive on Christmas Eve took us from 40+ degree weather to 25 degree weather with snow on the ground. If you can't tell - I'm not made for the snow.

sweater :: ann taylor outlet (similar) remixed

skies of ore dress :: anthropologie

tights :: francesca's collections

brogues :: born

necklace :: rusty chain jewelry remixed

headband :: anthropologie remixed

bracelet :: kate spade remixed

ring :: kiel mead forget me knot remixed

Last year we were unable to return to our 'homes' in Ohio, so spending the holidays back in my hometown was really a treat. It's different now than when I was a kid - as my mom pointed out, I wasn't begging to open just ONE gift the night before. And now, Christmas eve really acts as Christmas day part one for us. We enjoyed opening gifts with my parents and brother, and my grandmother and uncle came to enjoy the meal my mom and I made. I was SUPER tired after spending most the day in the kitchen making au gratin potatoes, french onion soup, and creamed corn!

The dogs love Christmas by the way! They helped open gifts, sat by me in the kitchen while I cooked, tried to steal everyone's candy, and eventually passed out onto my grandma's lap.

 

I got some really adorable gifts - including these Kate Spade studs! More things with animals on them, yes? Plus, we got the counterparts to our 'his and hers' glasses - 'mine' and 'yours'.

cardigan :: j crew outlet remixed

wheatberry beautiful dress :: modcloth remixed

tights :: target remixed

clue booties :: seychelles via gilt remixed

necklace :: target remixed

earrings :: kate spade

bracelet :: gift
ring :: julep

headband :: anthropologie

Happy Holidays from our little family to yours!

Click here to view our 2013 Christmas card on paperless post

katherine ::

coat :: ann taylor outlet (similar) remixed

skirt :: gap (similar) remixed

tights :: target remixed

booties :: franco sarto via gabriel brothers remixed

headband :: free people remixed

bracelet :: vintage

jason ::

coat :: tommy hilfiger

button up :: j crew outlet

jeans :: levi's

shoes :: ecco

ridiculous dog outfits from target. i think the collar used to be the guinea pigs, actually.

I'm a big fan of mimosas on Christmas - my mom has been making them at the holidays lately. But I don't totally get why they seem to be only orange juice based, especially when the fruit of the season is definitely cranberry. So here is a really yummy take on the traditional mimosa.

 

I'll admit I haven't been as in the spirit of the holidays as normal. Jason's made an attempt to make it better by taking me into Christmas Candylane at HersheyPark. Overcrowded with limited rides, the things he had read about and been excited about seemed to pale in comparison of the promises on the web. We spent a small amount of time in the park trying to take a single decent photo (he had chose this because of the 2 million plus twinkling lights, which we find hard to believe, or if there is, they are mostly used in a light show in a small river of the park). Our dinner ended up worse when the fig compote on our pizza which they swore didn't have nuts in it surely did.

In the end, we chalked this up to a bad date night and decided to make it better the next day. We took photos of my outfit in decent lighting, played with the dogs, and wrapped gifts while watching White Christmas.

hat :: handmade remixed

sweater :: halogen via nordstrom rack

tee :: forever 21 remixed

skirt :: anthropologie sequined migration skirt

red riding hood tights :: modcloth

boots :: love cutlure remixed

coat :: forever 21

necklace :: via noto remixed

rings :: c/o oasap & modcloth remixed