Christmas Chic

I don't' know if there is anything more devastating than Christmas being over.  It really is just the happiest time of the year, so the aftermath makes me so stinkin' sad.  Luckily, I am home for a little longer so I intend to stretch the holiday spirit as long as possible.  So let's just get into a little holiday recap, shall we?

 

1. My Festive Little Apartment... annnnd Obsession with Gift Wrapping

 

First of all, I have to say this is my first tree of my very own and I totally and completely love it.  It was just a tiny thing, but so presh.  Who cares that I only got to enjoy it for a little over a week.  Second, please note how much I love to wrap present.  It is like an obsession.  Tons of ribbons... Curling strips of wrapping paper (yes, you can totally do that)... I go all out!  I even found a few fun treats (a key bottle opener and hot sauce jelly beans) to tie to a friends gift.  Great little addition.

 

2. Christmas Eve... My Favorite of All Eves

 

Christmas Eve started a little differently this year.  Usually, I start it with the ever epic Parksmas.  A tradition in my hometown with some of my favorite friends.  We all get together and play random park games... Well they play... My friend Tayla and I are in charge of spectating, commentating, and drinking.  Unfortunately, this year I missed it.  It was seriously devastating....  But due to schedules, we did fam Christmas with my dad's side of the family instead.  Despite my turmoil, I had the best time.  We had the sweetest little brunch at my Auntie's place, got way too many gifts, and filled the morning with laughter and lots of coffee.  Unfortunately, this is the only picture I snapped.  FAIL!  I need to add taking pics to my list of New Year's Resolutions.

 

 

Next, my dad and I went to visit a friend and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening watching Christmas movies and wrapping gifts.  We had a quick dinner, then it was off to the annual Post Parkmas celebration. 

 

 

Here are our festive asses.  This girl doesn't mess around when it comes to the holidays.  As per the usual, our incredible local bartenders kept the bar open super late for us as we celebrated the holidays with our hometown fam.  THANK YOU FLOR!  We look forward to this every year... And then regret it the next morning. 

 

3. Christmas Day.... It's Finally Here!

 

 Here it is!  What we have all been waiting for!  I drug my hungover ass out of bed, opened my vacuum and tool box (I think my excitement over these treasures makes me officially old as balls), then headed from my dad's house to my mom's for my next round of Christmas cheer.  Speaking of Christmas Cheer, how adorable are me and my Gram with our delicious Old Fashioneds.  Also pictured are my mom and sister.  I know, I know.... They are total babes. 

Also, in case you needed to know, I was Discount Barbie for Christmas.  I wore my Old Navy clearance dress that I nabbed for $8.99, and my Nordstrom Rack sweater that I got for a dollar.  A DOLLAR, you guys!  I felt like the thriftiest bitch there ever was. 

Christmas was simply the best!  We had brunch at my mom's, then went to Gram's to spend time with the extended fam.  We had a blast... Not to mention I got some amazing gifties.  I do love a good gift!  After the excitement, I headed to my cousin's apartment where we relaxed and got ready for our annual Day After Christmas shopping extravaganza.  Perfect way to end the best of all days.

 

4. Day After Christmas... Combatting the Let Down

 

So the day after Christmas has the potential to be the worst day ever... amiright?  Thankfully, my fam goes shopping every year which totally makes life a little better.  I totally love a good shopping trip but effff, it was crazy out there.  Despite the crowds, we managed to have a totally successful day... Like, I even bought birthday gifts for July.  Hello Ms. Organized!  #winning 

 

Then I met my friend Tayla for cocktails and appetizers at The Office... If you ever find yourself in Longview (which I somehow doubt), you have to hit it up.  I felt chic as shit in there.  We sipped our martinis and ate our fondu like a couple of ladies, then headed to the movies.  We went to see Into The Woods.  It was such a good movie... Assuming you like musicals (obviously) and won't be too creeped out by Johnny Depp's impersonation of the big bad wolf.  I'm not kidding, you guys.... I thought he was going to rape Little Red.  This definitely isn't one for the kiddos. 

 

After the movie, Tay and I had some thought provoking convos over the film, and decided such talks were best had over cocktails... So to the local bar we went.  A ton of old friends showed up which was a total treat.  One drink crept into three which suddenly became ten.  Whoops!  But whatever, when you've got a bartender who leaves the place open until nearly 3:00am just so you can sing Colt 45 and That Summer at the top of your lungs... You do what you have to do.  You're welcome for that visual, by the way.  We laughed and sang and kept the holiday spirit alive.  What a way to end the day.

 

 

So there you have it, my holiday in a nut shell.  I hope everyone else had as much fun as I did and surrounded themselves with plenty of spirit and loved ones.  Cheers to another great Christmas and excitement for a wonderful new year!

I Will Blow Someone for a Hotdog

It was New Years Eve, and we had partied like it was 1999.  My girls and I had finally stumbled our way onto the MAX (Portland Transit) and were headed home.  When I say finally, I mean finally, but that is a different story for a different day.  The fact is, we got there.  We had stopped by Voodoo Donuts before boarding, so our drunk munchies were satisfied.. Or so we thought.  All of a sudden, our friend Jenn is standing on the seats shrieking "I will blow someone for a hotdog."  Clearly, there were many takers, but we assured her that they didn't have the kind of hotdog she was looking for.  Despite this being one of my all-time favorite stories, there is a point to my rambling.  The other night, I finally understood.  I finally understood that urge.  The urge that you would do anything to satisfy.  I finally got it.

It was about 2:00am on Saturday night.  I had gone out with a slew of college friends and had an absolute blast.  I drank way too much and had decided early in the evening that I would end the night with a Seattle Dog (cream cheese on a hotdog.... I live for that shit).  Well, our last stop of the night was about 5 blocks past my beloved hotdog guy.  No problem, I would just stumble back and snag one before crawling into a cab.  Here is where the night took a turn.  My friend Jen (different Jen, fyi) convinced me to stay at her place.  I got distracted by her Chinese food offer and agreed... Somehow forgetting about the hotdog.  I have to be honest, the Chinese food was good, but it was no hotdog... Plus, Cole at all my shrimps.  HELLO!  I wanted those.  I reluctantly went to bed sans hotdog, but I promised myself I swoop one up from 7-11 the next morning.

Fast forward to the 8:00am the following day... I felt like absolute garbage and was wearing the same clothes from the night before, but I was bound and determined to get my mouth on a shameless 7-11 treat.  I walk in looking like a train wreck and I overhear a woman going batshit on the cashier.  After additional investigation (and a whole lot of eavesdropping) I discovered her issue.  THE FUCKING HOTDOG MACHINE WASN'T WORKING!  Okay, NO!  This cannot be happening.  I grabbed some Ramen and a two liter of Sprite and went home to sulk (and sleep for 3 hours).

It is days later and I still haven't gotten my damn hotdog.  FML.

Holiday Happenings

 It is officially Christmas Season in this household!  As promised, I no sooner walked into the door after being home for Thanksgiving, and the holiday decor was out.  I put away what little fall decor I had to make room for all my treats.  I'm seriously beside myself with holiday spirit, and my cozy little apartment is reflecting it.  I found a few trinkets while shopping for Black Friday, but most of the decor came from dear old mom.  She has slowly been stocking me with treasures.  Score!  She has misplaced most of them (cool, Mom!) but found just enough to fill my place with joy. 

Thus far, the season has been festive as all get out.  Obviously I took care of decorating first with a little help from Buddy the Elf because, duh!  Holiday classic.  

Next I made these precious little ribbon trees.

  

I know, just call me Martha.  Okay... You don't have to because they were super simple.  All I had to do was pick out my fav ribbons (which I scored on Black Friday for 70% off, boom!).  Once I found the right ribbon combo, I cut them into little strips and stuck them on a styrofoam cones with a million little pins.  Finally, I slapped a bow on it and called it good!  I felt totally crafty and super productive because I whipped up a batch of tortellini soup in the process.  I take it back, watch out Martha, I'm coming for you. 

The next day, my BFF Bri came over for some soup, wine, and Love Actually.  To make it even more festive, we popped penguin coasters to the bottom of our wine glasses because penguins are my actual obsession and totally holiday approved.  

My next holiday activity was my company Christmas party.  Yay for free booze, great food, and an excuse to dress up.  I took Bri as my date, but I only shaved up to my knees so there was no funny business.  We had the best time eating, drinking, and being merry.  We even scored bonus drink tickets by knowing the right people.... And swooping some off the floor.  Nothing screams classy like bending over in a short dress and heals for a free drink.  Best part of the night, obviously, was winning a door prize for the fourth year in a row.  It may have been a gas card... And I may not have a car... But I literally couldn't care less.  This bitch LOVES to win.  Added bonus, my old boss gave me the Melting Pot Gift Card he won.  HOLLA!  That guy may be able to piss me off like no other, but I have to admit, I kind of adore him.  Seriously, sweetest thing ever.  Bri and I ended the night with a few Irish Car Bombs at Paddy Coynes with a delightful couple we spent most of the night with.  New best friends, I think so!

This morning, before I drug my hungover ass to work, I went over to Bri's place for a delightful brunch cooked by her "manfriend" and a couple brass monkeys.  I was stoked to find that we were having gingerbread pancakes, and even more stoked when Bri gave me a little early Christmas present!  

Isn't she just the best!?  Can't wait to watch her sister's game in my new bulldog gear.  I threw on my new sweatshirt and woofed down my fair share of pancakes while we jammed to some Christmas tunes.  Such a lovely way to spend a Saturday.

So excited for all the Christmas activities yet to come!