Holiday Gift Guide

I was browsing around on Zappos looking for holiday gifts, and realized what an awesome thing it would be to share all my favorites for anyone who is having a difficult time trying to find fun, stylish items on a budget. I will be featuring several lists for this holiday season to help you out!

For a special lady:

1. BCBGMaxAzria Two Way Sequin Oversized Clutch
2. Echo Design Echo Touch Cashmere Gloves
3. Marc by Marc Jacobs Mademoiselle Danger iPhone 4 Cover
4. Betsey Johnson Flurtie Fir Slipper Boot
5. Stila In the Light Pallette in Multi
6. Butter London Limited Editon 3 Free Lacquer in The Black Knight
7. Fossil Penelope Small Cosmetic Bag in Grey
8. Vera Bradley Laptop Sleeve in Baroque
9. T3 SinglePass Whirl Professional Styling Wand
10. Steve Madden Pammyy in Berry Suede

Happy Anniversary...

It's been two years since we reunited and started dating after not seeing each other for five years. And let me just say, these have been the most amazing two years of my life. I wouldn't trade any of it in. Although it's hard because we live far apart, we make it work in a way that not many can with random mini trips here and there. I love you with everything in me, thank you for being my best friend, my support, my everything.

Thanksgiving and Black Thursday

Riley was darling on Thanksgiving. Pretty much the only reason I took pictures of her the whole time and only one of me. Except for my crazy face much later in the evening.

Yes, my brother and I were a couple of those crazy people searching out deals at big box stores at midnight. Two in particular. Target and Best Buy. It actually went pretty smoothly. Everyone was surprisingly polite, the sales staff really helpful and calm...it was almost surreal. I got a ton of movies, CDs, preschool games for Riley and Devin got some games. I was totally exhausted by the time we were done and finally got home at 3:30 am. It was fun and exhilarating to go out late at night (because there's only so many things in a small town that has that effect) so I'm glad we did it. But I probably wouldn't do it again. Deals or no deals, SLEEP IS GOOD! Especially after you stuffed yourself all day with turkey and other good food.

Hybrid Couture...the Perfect Gift

What better gift to give than something that is handmade AND eco-friendly??

Stop by my shop Hybrid Couture to check out what it's all about and take advantage of some awesome deals for this holiday season! New items are being added this next week :)

Take an ADDITONAL 40% off for Black Friday by typing in coupon code "BLACKFRIDAY" at checkout!! FRIDAY - MONDAY ONLY!

A Christmas Wishlist

So I tried really hard to wait a while to put this up. I told myself, at LEAST wait until after Thanksgiving. But since tomorrow is Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year, it would be ok to put it up now since it's fitting right? So these are the things on my list this year:

1. L'Occtaine Pure Organic Shea Butter
2. Miss Dior Cherie Perfume
3. 7 For All Mankind Boot-cut Stretch Jeans in Indigo
4. J Crew Glitter Oxford Ballet Flats
5. iPhone 4s
6. Chunky Gold Bracelet
7. Cross Necklace
8. The Accidental Cowl in Plum
9. Tiffany & Co Pearl Earrings
10. Kate Spade Polka Dot iPhone Case

I am Thankful for...

Thankful.

What am I thankful for? 

Riley - my inspiring, darling, daughter. Rocky - my best friend, my other half. My incredibly supportive family. My amazing friends. People who buy my designs in my little Etsy shop. Doing a big-time trade show in San Diego selling my designs. Peppermint Mochas. A roof over my head, food to eat, good health and health insurance. Holidays with my family. Employment. My own car.

There are many things to be thankful for. And I'm sure as the day goes on, I will have many more things to add to this list.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Working, Sickies, and a Gingerbread House

This past week was crazy hectic. I worked all 6 days, all day long wiliest being sick, and my daughter being sick. It was not fun. It was stressful, and by Sunday I could barely get out of bed. I did however get up for a few hours to help with the Christmas tree and help Riley put together the gingerbread house village because she had been begging me to do it since Nana bought it for her. I think we did a pretty swell job, don't you?

GAH Friday

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but today was just plain sucky. Riley was still not well enough to go to school, I was super tired from the less and lesser amounts of sleep I had been getting this week. Not only that, but there is a HUGE project at work that I've been meagerly chipping away at the past few days that's just been driving me INSAIN! It's just been one of those weeks.

It doesn't help that whenever I leave my man behind in Seattle, I have a case of the blues. And for some reason this week, never ending anxiety.

In the middle of my copying fiasco of a project, I decided to take a quick break and run over to Starbucks for a much needed peppermint mocha to lift my spirits. As soon as I got the the street corner it's off of, there were some badddd signs. The Apple Store was dark and locked up. Then every store after that was the same. I hustled to where Starbucks was muttering "please no, please no" under my breath until I got to the doors and my heart dropped when I noticed that it was in fact, dark too. A power outage in downtown center. SUPER BUMMER! So instead I proceeded to another coffee shop and got a not very good Chai Latte. Lame-o.

My CHI died this morning - serious problem because I had to have fluffy bangs and resorted to a messy french braid side pony. After work I went to Target and picked up a cheap flat iron to hold me over til I can get a nicer one. At least my hair is sleek and pretty! Just wasn't much a fan of the burning plastic smell. Oh well.

Saw Breaking Dawn at midnight, totally epic but hence, while I'm exhausted today. It blew my mind though. I cried, I laughed, I sat there thinking wtf??? I probably won't end up going back to see it in theaters again. My man is lucky for that one.


So cheers to the weekend because man, do I need it.

WA to CA

This weekend I went up to Washington to visit my boyfriend. The weather was perfectly chilly for my boots and scarves. I got to wear my Seahawks jersey with pride while locals yelled "GO HAWKS!", my boyfriend made the most delicious pasta for dinner one night (I swear I am such a lucky girl!!), and we went to my favorite restaurant - Bjs Brewhouse, where I gave their seasonal pumpkin ale a shot. Not bad, it was actually a lot tastier than other pumpkin ales I've had!

On the drive home there was a gorgeous sunset with the prettiest light blanketing the vineyards in the back road by my house.

So while I miss my amazing lover and really wished I didn't have to go home, its always nice to be back.

Awkward and Awesome Thursday

Awkward:
- Running late to class, only to get there and find out that it's a make-up day for missed assignments and I'm already all caught up. Why did I rush to get there???
- Having dreams about the girls behind all the amazing blogs I read. It seems cool because we're like friends, but at the same time I don't know them in real life so dreaming about them is kinda weird at the same time!
- Driving around a test car that smells like a man's cologne. Ummm did you put enough on Hyundai guy that dropped off the car??


Awesome:
- Painting my left hand with nail polish almost as good as my right. Ooooh yeah.
- Going to Seattle tomorrow to see the love of my life! YAY!
- This jacket and scarf type of weather. Serious love.
- FINALLY got my hair done. Thank goodness for my amazing stylist Erica!
- Starbuck's K-Cups. Amazing.



Headband by Hybrid Couture ;)

Fall Transition

My baby-bee looking for "ghosts" through her binoculars.

A classic dessert.

Riley picking out the toys she wants for Christmas from the Target catalog. She finally said "I just want it all."

My Winter line-up: Starbuck's K-Cups, Apple Cider, and Earl Grey tea.