Decorating for Christmas!

(This is a belated post, sorry!!).

Two weeks ago, I decorated my first Christmas tree ever. Ian let me take over the tree in his apartment, and didn't even make any comments about how crazy I was going with decorating. I told him I wouldn't be offended if he redecorated after I left...

I had such a great time! The ornaments he had were quite pretty, and made out of glass. (Apparently plastic ones are tacky...)

And I also had a new appreciation for the time and dedication spent on decorating a tree! White people are crazy, was pretty much my first reaction as Ian told me the rules: Make sure ornaments that are similar are spread out...make sure they are hung close to the lights so that they reflect...make sure the ornaments are spread out in size...make sure the tree looks good!

I was exhausted when we were done, but I think it looked great. It definitely got me in the holiday spirit...Christmas shopping has been my hobby lately.

~R

New Year Resolutions

I've never really been one for resolutions...seeing as many of them are soon forgotten. This explains why this list is late...

I figure that writing them out publicly may help?

1. Lose a pound a week by May. That should be about 20 lbs, thus getting to my perfect weight. This also means creating a gym schedule so I go every day:

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2. Travel outside of the United States (no Canada does not count...). Thinking about Korea because the fashion is crazy a close friend is currently teaching English there:

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3. Pray more. I need to do this a lot more. That's it.

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4. Go out shooting more, whether it be with my iPod or with an actual DSLR. I am out of practice, and I miss it.

( taken by me on my iTouch)

5. Be happy! No matter what I do this year, I want happiness to be with me.

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Happy New Year!

~R

White Christmas

So, I live in one of the snowiest cities in the States. This year, I've been sorely disappointed by the lack of snow!! It's almost Christmas, and there has hardly been any snow at all this year! This makes a girl sad.

I'm hoping for a white Christmas, at least a few flurries, hopefully some snow will stick to the ground.

So, here's to having Christmas wishes come true!

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All images via my Winter Wonderland pinboard on Pinterest!

~R

Gift Ideas Under $50.

Being unemployed this year has really been interesting for me because now I have to actually spend time looking for cheap thoughtful presents.

Here are a few that have popped up on my radar, which I definitely wouldn't mind getting for myself:

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These chalkboard candles from West Elm are so cute! I would totally be redrawing their designs every time I lit one. (PS - they're all sold out now).

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I love the colors of this bag! White, with a hint of black and a bright line of turquoise. Gorgeousness. ($49.90).

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Um, yeah, more candles from West Elm. But these are quite cute as well, and smell great! I would totally spell out someone's name...or some thing fun with them. (and at $7 each, LOVE??)

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I love these colorful glasses! Perfect for the holidays ($7).

Just some neat ideas for last minute gifts! I'm off to head back home from the city, and enjoy some rest.

Happy holidays!

~R

DIY: Gift Wrapping Presents

Since the holidays are fast approaching, I've been considering how to wrap presents this year.

Usually, I just stuff everything into a gift bag and throw it away to the much loved person, but this year I've been seeing a ton of homemade giftwraps via Pinterest. Therefore...my crafty side is thinking, oh this would be so neat, and obviously make you the cool person with your friends...my logical side is going, seriously Ruth, when are you ever going to have the time to make this??

Anyway, I'll ignore both sides for now, and just post some of the neat ones that I've seen so far:

So I think that this has to be my favorite so far. I love the Parisian chicness of it, and how easy it is to make! I can't wait to go to Jo-Ann's or Michael's or something soon to dig around fabrics!

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This snowman printed gift wrap is also super adorable! It's super easy, and looks so wintry and easy to make. Just some circles in winter colors. Love the grey and blue used!

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Love these cupcake toppers. Totally brightens up the simple wrapping. (Martha Stewart is a goddess...)

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Simple, just printing their names on paper. But it looks so modern and classic. (Plus save time with gift tags...)

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Another one along the same lines, but with stamps instead of spending hours choosing the perfect font doing the letters yourself. 

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So, this is just a little collection of the gift wrappings that I've loved this year. Now...if I can manage to wrap something and make it look neat...that will be a real Christmas miracle. 

Ta.

~R

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

I'm thankful for all my family, and friends. Especially the fact that they live in places all over the world, so that I can bum at their places when I visit, hahaha.

I'm also so thankful for the delicious food that my mum prepared for lunch today!! So good that I'm going to go head for a nap, right about now.

Enjoy your Turkey Day!

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~R