The Office Holiday Party

"Magnum pays tribute to those festive, uncomfortable, and embarrassing office holiday parties, new and old." found here.

Holiday Gift Tags

 Although I already bought gift tags for the presents I'm wrapping this year -- here are a few that caught my eye on etsy.

(L-R & T-B) ARTFULimages, ormolu, Jane Says, dandee shop,  Scherer Design, Little Bit Funky

It's that time again...

...our little tree is up! With presents wrapped underneath :) Have you decorated for the holidays yet?

Oh! and shout-out to my super gift tags--by Heather Smith Jones.

Contemplation Series

There is a sense of reflection that begins to build as the days in the year slowly come to an end. Fueled by holiday spirits and nostalgic memories--we come to the time of the year where the senses are in overdrive. I've decided to create a series of posts to channel my inner thoughts surrounding these final weeks in 2008 and would like to open the discussion into your own lives.

Topic: Am I Thankful? This entire year has been filled with wedding thoughts...my two brothers married off, my closest cousin, two good friends from college, my lovely co-worker, and lastly, me. After a jammed packed year of planning for a single day--where are we now that it's over? Post-wedding, I know there were times where my head was not in the right place and times where it was--but I am sincerely thankful for my friends and family for sacrificing their time, money, and energy to help create my wedding day. 

 
My family also endured a couple of job-losses, devastating health problems and even the arrival of a new baby this year--it seems as though every down-turn was paired with a glimmer of hope. And now it's almost Thanksgiving...long-gone are the days of dressing like pilgrims and indians in grade school. Now, here we are trying to figure out which set of parents to see first for an exact 92 minutes full of mashed potatoes and turkey and spending time with extended family we don't seem to know anymore. But through the potluck style gatherings,  I feel a sense of belonging and connection--my past woven perfectly into place with who I am today and who I will be one day, surrounded by the people who were and continue to be my needles and thread.

Logistics aside, I am deeply thankful for the loved ones in my life, for having a family to go home to, for friends to catch up with. I often find myself thinking forward--on to the next stage when I need to be here, enjoying now.

How has 2008 shaped your thanksgiving holiday? Do you find it silly we designate one day out of the year to reflect on everything we are thankful for? Where do you plan to spend the holiday and who with? What are your thoughts on thankfulness?

Handmade Market - Early Christmas Shopping

This past Saturday I headed over to Raleigh, NC for the Handmade Market. It gave me the first opportunity to carry out my holiday pledge--to only buy gifts that are handmade. Though this promise may be difficult considering the range of family members I need to buy for - so far so good! A few things I purchased for gifts..
Clockwise: Alena Hennessy scarf,  Heirloom Journal by Kacie, Baby-tees by Nice Shirt Kid

So what do you think..can I do it? I have in-laws...kids...parents...step parents...etc...to buy for this holiday season. Are you taking the pledge to buy handmade this year??

A few things.

Amidst family health emergencies and a bustling schedule, I thought I'd share a few things to celebrate on the heels of this celebratory holiday.
1 - breaking ground on our letterpress wedding invitations
2 - spending the weekend with friends I don't see enough
3 - car rides across the state, listening to npr
4 - evening summer walks through the neighborhood
5 - learning new notes on my violin
6 - anticipating my portrait proofs
7 - cuddling with my dirty yet fluffy doggy
8 - patiently waiting with my loving new family

Voila!

I spent the evening buying gifts for Christmas and then ran straight home to try out the new wrapping paper....and ta-da! I like the way it turned out, my only dilemma was when I ran out of tape and I was forced to use glue (would not recommend it!).

Homemade Wrapping Paper

I take a lot of pride in wrapping presents, it is one of my favorite activites during the holidays. Choosing the perfect paper and then matching it with the perfect bow is an event unto itself, but this year I decided to do something different. I pulled out my block printing supplies, bought craft paper for $2.05/roll and went to town. I hope to pair my "Red Twinkle" paper with a twine ribbon and blue gift tag (I have to buy something to wrap first, eek!). Like usual, my dog just had to get in on the action, evidence below.