resolute: firm, determined, unwavering

Twenty-Twelve was a great year, filled with a lot of love. As sad as I am to see it go, I am that happy to see what 2013 will bring.

A new year. A new hope.

I've never been big on resolutions. Let me rephrase that-- I've never been big on voicing my resolutions to others. I guess I always kind of saw it as a weakness to openly admit your shortcomings or admit to needing work in a particular area..or more. I did however, always keep an internal checklist of the things that I could improve. I just never labeled them "resolutions." 

Until last year that is. 

This time last year, Scott and I made a resolution together. Our resolution was "Honest 2012." This meant no lying-- not even to save the other person from feeling like a goof. So whenever we would say something that the other did not want to hear, we would follow it up with "Honest 2012." It really worked for us, and never got old. We still say it. In fact, we plan to carry it on to 2013 as well. I'm convinced that because we took on this resolution as a team, we had such great success. With that being said, we have planned to make a team resolution for 2013.

This years resolution= s t i c k to our budget, savesavesave, and plan better.  ANY advice is welcomed and greatly appreciated :]

nye

"Some people swear there's no beauty left in the world, no magic. Then how do you explain the entire world coming together on one night to celebrate the hope of a new year? Before we pop the champagne and celebrate the New Year, stop and reflect on the year that has gone by. Remember both our triumphs and our missteps, our promises made and broken. The times we opened ourselves up to great adventures or closed ourselves down for fear of getting hurt. Cause that's what New Year's is all about, getting another chance. The chance to forgive, to do better, to do more, to give more, to love more. And stop worrying about what if and start embracing what will be. So when that ball drops at midnight, and it will drop, let's remember to be nice to each other, kind to each other. And not just tonight, but all year long."--New Year's Eve [the movie.] 

Sweet, cheesy, and perfect for tonight.

recent thrift finds

We've been having some fun thrifting here and there. It has become somewhat of a hobby- an unpredictable, often exciting hobby. We have made a pact in attempts to avoid clutter and hoarding that for every one thing we bring in, two things we must send out. Okay, I kind of made this pact alone, but it's been working, so alone or not, it's a good thing.

Here are some recent finds:

This horse may just be my favorite find to date. It's the perfect addition to Logan's room.// I never thought these pots would have had such a great purpose. A little paint + a small plant = a special gift.// This book was called "Zoo." I bought it simply for the pictures. They are very vintage and full of color. Lo loved them too.// We have been on the search for Berenstain Bears books for a few weeks now, so it was such a score when we found two in excellent condition at our local thrift store.// Meet our Elf on the Shelf. We are not a very scene or mainstream family, so buying the literal "Elf on the Shelf" was out of the question. But this guy-- I could NOT pass up. He served the same purpose and had a ton of character so i'd say it was a triple win.// This bowl is a glass ice cream bowl perfect in size for a toddler's bed time snack. She loves it.

yesterday in princeton

Yesterday we spent some time outdoors walking around the gorgeous, beautiful college campus that is Princeton University. This is one of our favorite spots to visit. We love the cute stores, fun book shops, food, and beautiful sights. We usually go in the spring or the fall, but yesterday we decided to venture out and enjoy the town while it was a little less crowded [with students on Holiday break.] So we ventured out into the cold. Regardless of the bitter chill and harsh winds, we had such a fun time walking around and taking in the sights. Logan loved looking at all of the "castles" --we even went into a few, which added to her realistic thought of being an actual princess. The building pictured right [my favorite] is the University Chapel who's inside beauty matched its outside.

Lo loved spending time with her cousin and being able to walk around campus freely like a big kid. She totally thought she was "one of the guys." Laugh and all. Haha

We also had a lot of fun with Instagram.

 The matching North Face's= not planned.

The matching Einsteins= totally planned.

you'll see and you'll hear us sing

Have you ever experienced that moment when you hear a song and instantly it puts you in another time or place? Where it triggers your senses and makes you actually feel? 

I do.

A lot. 

For some reason, this song always make me think of this time of year-- where we are now, when the air is chilled, and people are happier despite the demands paired with all of the hustle and bustle that comes with the season.

It's a beautiful song. Don't you think?

Happy Early Winter!

made with love

I just l o v e handmade gifts. It's a simple yet beautiful expression of love. 

I want Logan to grow up with this appreciation, too. 

I want her to appreciate what people do for her, not what they get for her. 

What people sacrifice, not spend. 

I want her to know how doing things for others, can make herself feel good too. 

And that's exactly what we're doing.

This particular pot was for Great-Grandma. I loved listening to Lo as she expressed her feelings about her gift making ["this will be the perfect thing for a Christmas present"], and too her predicted feelings Grandma will have when she receives it: "she will love, love it." 

Melts my heart.

Lo aslo painted heart cut-out magnets-- a perfect little gift throw-in for someone special.

Don't get me wrong, I like store bought gifts just as much as anyone else, but there is something so very special about a gift that someone makes. Especially, when that someone is a sweet, sweet toddler.

these are a few of my favorite things

 

  
   

 

      

starbucks dates// kissy faces// beautiful days// oversized glasses// thrifted bowl// comfy sweaters// silly baby// silly grammy// beautiful tree// many, many choices// playdates with friends// handmade christmas cards// christmas cheer in full effect// goofy winking baby.