Monday, December 31, 2012

Christmas Eve 2012

Christmas Eve this year at my parents' house was a rainy, cold day -- all the more fitting to turn on the fire and fill up on mulled wine, sarmale, and boef bourguignon.  We had a lot of people at our house this year -- 21 total for dinner!  A very merry night indeed. 

Once the festivities began, I got too distracted by all the friends and family (...and wine) everywhere, and totally forgot to take any pictures, but here's a peek into the pre-party, when tablecloths were still white and my hair was still curled.

 
 
 And I got the COOLEST gift from Brian:
 
 
A real live old-school polaroid camera!  (Apparently I wasn't "lucky" enough to get coal.)  I love it.  I love him.  I love Christmas.
 
Hope you all had wonderful holidays with your families and friends!
 
See you in 2013!
 
 
 
P.S.  Christmas last year.  It seems like decades ago!
 
 
 
 


Friday, December 21, 2012

Fairmont

I've been in SF this week, working from our office up here, and I'm remembering how much I love this city at Christmas.  The ice rink in Union Square steals my heart every time!  And Christmas shopping just feels right when you're in a real city, you know?

One thing I was so happy to be here for this year was our annual friends visit to the Fairmont.  The Fairmont at Christmas just can't be beat.  The tree, the wreaths, the lights!   And the giant gingerbread house!  It's all so festive.  We went for the first time in 2010 (back in law school), and had so much fun that it has become a tradition.

{Brian in 2010 having a little too much fun...also I'm wearing those boots today}

This year was even better because I got to see everyone I've missed so much all at once!  Such a fun way to have a reunion.


Love to all of you for the holidays!


 

 
 


Friday, December 14, 2012

He Said/She Said (Holiday Edition)



Brian:  I got you some presents.

Me:  What kind of presents?  Are they shiny?  Sparkly?  Alcoholic?  At least not coal, right?

Brian:  Coal?  You mean America's most abundant natural resource?

Me:  Uhh...

Brian:  Kids should be so lucky.


Friday, December 7, 2012

Dana + Michael Come to L.A.

My Outlook calendar for December looks something like this:  friends-friends-friends/San Francisco/holiday party/San Francisco/holiday party/friends-friends-friends/San Francisco/2013!
 
It's pretty rad.
 
The December-Bender kicked off last weekend with a visit from our friends Dana and Michael.

 
The cutest!
 
And they're the smartest too.
 
(Have I told you I have great friends?)
 
Anyway.  I always have fun showing people around LA, even though I don't really feel like it's "my city" yet (even after almost 2 years...I know, I'm working on it).  It was drizzly and gray for most of the weekend, but we still spent most of Saturday outside, wandering around Venice.  To be honest, I was the only one who minded the rain...my giant red umbrella and I were pretty pathetic.
 
I didn't bring my camera because I was distracted by my hangover and did I mention the rain?  My brain can only handle so much.  But of course I documented it on instagram, duh.  In case you still aren't following me (I mean, how could you not want to look at these pictures), I will do you the favor of reposting some of my 'grams here. 
 
You're welcome.
 
{I see brick and I think take-my-picture-in-front-of-it-right-now.  Thank god I don't live in Philadelphia.}
 
{a good way to start any day}
 
 {new favorite store on Abbott Kinney -- I'm pretty sure this duffle would complete me}
 
 {canals in the rain}
 
And one of us Dana took with her real camera (oh yeah, cameras):

Not pictured:  our delicious (minus the weird rabini salad) lunch at Gjelina to-go.  It's worth eating off the dirty crates they put outside on the street instead of tables (oh Venice...).
 

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Christmas Cards are Here!

Picking out Christmas cards is one of my favorite parts of the year.  I could scroll through etsy pages for days.  Seriously, days.

This year, I ended up finding these at Urbanic and I just couldn't resist!


Let the Christmas festivities begin!


P.S. These were our cards last year.  I still love them!