warning! sap alert!

i can't help but feel the joy of christmas this holiday season.  i've always loved christmas but there's something different about it this year and i'm not sure why...

for one, i'm the poorest i've been since.. ever...

secondly, i'm in a less than pleasant housing situation...

and i'm still consumed with the feelings of confusion and uncertainty when it comes to my life and what i should DO with it...

but i feel more blessed than ever!

i have experienced some awesome love and support from my family this year and we're all getting very excited for my brother's upcoming wedding! and to top that off, i'm so excited to have a sister-in-law!

anyhow, i hate to pull a "timmy" on you but i'm feelin' the holiday spirit and i hope you are too!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

i'll leave you with a cool wreath idea!

{tutorial here}

geiser grand

took a modest road trip last weekend to baker city and stayed at a lovely historical hotel. i didn't get any photos of the cozy lobby or the restaurant but here are some photos of the hotel room...

i love this chandelier! they were everywhere too

a cute little nook to get ready for the day

close-up of the antiquated ottoman

i wasn't crazy about the green but i do love the wainscoting!

the ceilings were so high!

outside view of the geiser grand.

j'adore paris

this day last year was my final day at work before leaving to europe for a month... i am left feeling nostalgic.

i miss all of europe but i miss paris especially. i miss walking along the champs-elysees at night with all the christmas lights shining, i miss pain au chocolat and i (perhaps surprisingly) miss the metro and the colorful characters that came with...

here is a nod to you paris, in all your splendor. je t'aime.

simply wonderful

i have to apologize for my lack of posting lately... i hate excuses but my explanation is that it's been a crazy week (month, year) and actually i haven't been greatly inspired recently either...

i did however attend a lovely get together at kirsten grove's house the other night.  the photos of her house on her blog simply don't do it justice! it is so creative and inviting!

{via}

despite everything...

despite everything, i believe that people are really good at heart nothing beats cheap rent