a christmas spirit (part two)

(tights: target, everything else is vintage) 

  This Christmas seemed to come so quickly this year. Maybe it was because I have been working in retail almost everyday leading up to the holiday, or the fact that Thanksgiving came so late this year. That's besides the point, because this holiday season was as great as ever. I saved this dress specially for Christmas that I bought at a vintage warehouse sale months ago, and it fits me like a glove. Defiantly one of my new favorite pieces from my wardrobe. 

  One of my favorite parts of the holiday is the act of giving and receiving presents. I love finding the perfect gifts for each person on my list, and I love unwrapping the gifts they picked out especially for me. My Christmas, and Christmas Eve, was full of family time and wonderful food (large amounts of baked goodies, breakfast food, potato casserole, the best coffee). I love this time of the year, and I can't wait to reflect on this post next year (like I did with my Christmas post from last year) when the time comes again. 

a christmas spirit (part one)

(Christmas coffee from Quay Coffee, roasted by Oddly Correct.) 

(dress: kohls, tights: self-dyed, everything else is vintage or thrifted)

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” 

― Laura Ingalls Wilder

Stay tuned for part two of my Christmas holiday, coming shortly. 

christmas peak: the day (part 2)

   yes, the day did arrive! for my family's christmas, we always wake up early to exchange our presents with one another. my dad prepares us all soy nog lattes in the morning, and we snack on pumpkin scones and other baked goodies. after our early morning traditions, we head to my grandma and grandpa's house for more family breakfast and many cups of coffee, for myself. a few hours pass there, and we head to my granny's again to see more of the family there.

   this was a year of four christmases for me. my boyfriend and i have never went to each other's family christmases (although we live together/in a serious relationship) we did not want to have to cut times at each other's functions. i usually do not have plans in the evening on christmas, so i headed to his last family gathering of the day. it is such a wonderful feeling when you can walk into another families home and feel as welcome as ever (and even have a gift under the tree waiting for you.. they did not even know i was coming!). this christmas was full of old traditions, and with a few new ones to add to my list for the future. 

christmas peak: the eve (part 1)

(eating at a mexican restaurant near our loft. our sever, out of holiday kindness, paid for our whole meal.)

   merry (a day late) christmas to all of my readers! i hope everyone enjoyed their holidays to the fullest. i took a little break from blogging to spend time with family and close friends to celebrate this time of the year, but now i am going to share what my holiday time was spent like. for christmas eve, my family and i always go to my granny's in the evening. i feasted on vegan potato casserole, veggie sausages, a mixture of veggies, & and desserts. this year, we decided to bring many board-games over to play with everyone, and the winner's would receive scratch-off lottery cards (a few of us won some cash/another ticket).

   every christmas eve, my sister and i exchange presents that night. this year, we decided to do "diy" presents. i made her a customized coffee mug (which i used sharpie to draw doodles on) and thrifted her a blazer to fix up a bit. she painted me a portrait of a girl using all of my favorite colors. we also open up "christmas pajamas  from our mom to wear the next morning. ah, how i love christmas traditions. readers, what are some of your holiday traditions that you practice each year?