Hello, 2016

THANK. GOODNESS. There are only a few hours left in 2015 and I couldn't possibly be more stoked about that. I recall saying I had "a good feeling" about this past year before it even began. Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't horrible (actually, yeah it kinda was.) but in 2016, I can do better. I'm stepping up my goal game. It's time to get real.

First Look, Jökulsárlón

I like to reserve the term "magical" for only truly spectacular people, places, or things. Outside of my beloved Walt Disney World, I've probably only used the term a handful of times. Having said that, my wedding was pretty magical and our first look was no exception. Originally we were planning on getting married Thursday so I could carry my dress around and take photos in front of all the places we planned to visit. Mother Nature can be cruel sometimes though and we ended up having to push the wedding back, which meant I'd be heading to Jökulsárlón without a dress. After talking it over a bit with B, we decided to pack it along anyway-- you know-- just in case. I think we made the right decision. Photos by Violet Short.

Buon Natale

This unseasonably warm weather gave me a reason to toss my insecurities aside and show off my legs for Christmas Eve. My dad's side of the family still has the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes. It's the perfect excuse to dress up before eventually ditching the fancypants getup and changing into my Christmas PJ's. It's the best of both worlds, no?

2015: A Postmortem

What good are goals if we don't revisit them to see how we measure up once in a while? I make a list every year, take my objectives to heart, then intentionally don't look at the list again until the end of the year. After taking a look at my list from last year, I thought long and hard about how I did. I did overwhelmingly "okay."

Paris, je t'aime

Ah, Paris. The perfect way to end our trip. The last time I walked these streets, I was sixteen years old. Yes. Sixteen. I was just as awestruck this time as I was then. 

NYE with Chloe Johnston

This year is almost over and all I have to say is "good riddance." I can't wait to ring in the new year like I've never rang in the new year before. (Except I'll be working overnight... so I'll be doing it from my desk.) I was kind of bummed about not being able to dress up for NYE so it was kismet when Chloe Johnston asked me to put together some looks, I was all in.

Lovely, Lovely Ghent

Ah, Ghent. My favorite place. As soon as B and I stepped off the train from Brussels, I felt like I was home. You know how there are some people or places you feel instantly bonded to? That's how I was with this city. I'm full of sighs just thinking about it. I wish I could jump through my computer screen and into these photos.

Gingerbread Latte Playlist

I have a confession to make: I've been listening to Christmas music since October. Yes, before Halloween. I was having a particularly crappy day and I did it just to cheer up but it didn't stop there. I just kept listening and listening and guess what? Despite what you may think about listening to Christmas music  pre-Thanksgiving, I haven't gotten tired of it yet. Now that there are only two more weekends before Christmas, I figured I'd share my playlist with you.

Gift Guide: UncommonGoods

Last year, my family swore off of buying gifts for each other. It was a great decision and helps to de-stress around the holidays because family gifts are the hardest ones to find. (I mean, for the woman who carried you in her womb for 9 months, does a candle really suffice?) Now that I'm getting a little older and friendships are more meaningful, I've had a hard time coming up with gift ideas for them. And of course with office politics and all, you have to buy a little something for your work BFF, your boss, your work husband... the list goes on and on and viola, Christmas gets kinda stressy again. When the folks over at UncommonGoods asked me to make a gift list, I had so much fun browsing around their site. There were some gifts I saw and immediately thought specific people to give them to.

Wrapped Up

Yesterday was the first actual cold December day here in Philadelphia. After finishing my work, Danielle and I headed to Queen Village to grab some lattes at Ox Coffee, my new favorite little java jawn. (JAWN.) I figured it was the perfect time to put on a cozy sweater and show off my Victoria Emerson wrap bracelet.

Messy Hair, Don't Care.

If I could find a job in Ghent, I would move there in a heartbeat. It is, without a doubt, my favorite place I've ever been. I loved it so much that I spent the smallest amount of time getting ready in the morning, just so I could get out and explore it more. What you're seeing here is the fruit of that struggle.

La Seine

Paris: always a good idea.