Some of my favorite things...

I had a wonderful Christmas. What about you all??


We got a BBQ from my parentals which is one of the gifts we didn't receive for the wedding that we really wanted. So, thanks mom and dad! 


I also got a buttload of clothes from my wonderful husband. He rocks.


And some other random things that I managed to take pictures of including some badass movies...

Some ADORABLE stationery from the MIL...

A badass T-shirt...

And tickets to see some 'losers'...

We figure we'll just drink the pain away and hope for a badass draft pick.


I also managed to get a little somethin' somethin' for myself. Ready for it?

Just my first big kid business card. No biggie. :)


It's really hard to find time to blog when I'm on vacation. Which makes no sense at all. But in case I don't get a chance...


HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone! I hope your 2011 is filled with laughs, fun and happiness. xo!

i'll take some geek with my bling, please.

 

That cat woman claw is gnarly, no? I wonder if it would get through security at an airport. I'm thinkin' not. 

all photos from Noir Jewelry.

Tis the Season

I was in a foul mood yesterday. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, maybe it was the lack of caffeine. I was not a pleasant Brittany to be around. But that's all changed thanks to a trip to Pier 1, a venti non-fat caramel brulee latte along with some forced Christmas spirit on our tour of lights last night.

I braved the holiday crowds and walked around Pier 1 for a good two hours by myself, buying way too much and not regretting a bit of it. I'm obsessed. And I've decided that I want a tree with all of these guys:

Some other fun purchases included:

Ah, retail therapy to the rescue.

Later we loaded up the dogs {who were so not impressed} and went out hunting for Christmas lights. We found a few goodies and after debating how astronomical their electric bill is decided we'd much rather be at home catching up on Dexter and The Amazing Race. So we did. At least we tried to be festive, right?

Whatever.

Happy Tuesday! And here's to a non-cranky day!

One year ago today...

I love this blog. I love the community and people I've "met". I love that I can look back and see how ridiculous I was or the things that I conquered.

One year ago today I was wrapping up my last fall semester of school. I remember that finals week like it was yesterday and IT WAS HELL. And now here I am. One year later. If you followed me back then you know that 87% of my posts were school/stress/I-can't-wait-to-graduate posts. 

As another year ends, I find myself reflecting a lot. Reflecting and searching for something--maybe a way back or maybe a hint as to how to move forward. CRAZY HOW TIME FLIES. I remember old people saying that when I was younger. Always being like pshhh time is going soooo sssslllloooowwww, I can't wait to turn 18, move out, go to college, turn 21 so I can drink drink drink and not get in trouble blah blah blah. Well guess what. I must be old because I say it all. the. time. 

And I'm reminded of a poem I learned my senior year of high school.

A PSALM OF LIFE        TELL me not, in mournful numbers,         Life is but an empty dream ! —     For the soul is dead that slumbers,         And things are not what they seem.      Life is real !   Life is earnest!         And the grave is not its goal;     Dust thou art, to dust returnest,         Was not spoken of the soul.      Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,         Is our destined end or way ;     But to act, that each to-morrow         Find us farther than to-day.      Art is long, and Time is fleeting,         And our hearts, though stout and brave,     Still, like muffled drums, are beating         Funeral marches to the grave.      In the world's broad field of battle,         In the bivouac of Life,     Be not like dumb, driven cattle!         Be a hero in the strife!     Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!         Let the dead Past bury its dead!     Act,— act in the living Present!         Heart within, and God o'erhead!      Lives of great men all remind us         We can make our lives sublime,     And, departing, leave behind us         Footprints on the sands of time;      Footprints, that perhaps another,         Sailing o'er life's solemn main,     A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,         Seeing, shall take heart again.      Let us, then, be up and doing,         With a heart for any fate ;     Still achieving, still pursuing,         Learn to labor and to wait.  My favorite verse is in bold. I love the message. And I like it because it rhymes. I don't know. Humor me. And imagine this sliding down your chimney this Christmas: Happy Friday!!!

Where the party at

------------------------------------- 

December 9 – Party. What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, drink, clothes, shenanigans.

-------------------------------------

It was pretty much the best day/night of my life. And you all know I'm talking about my wedding. It was perfect in every way. I miss it. I miss my wedding.

It's almost hard to swallow that it was probably the only time we will have all of our closest family and friends in the same place at the same time ever. 

It rained but it stopped and last minute we moved the ceremony back outside. I'm elated we got to do this...the pictures turned out beautifully. 

The DJ played all of our favorite songs, including Teach Me How to Dougie. The entire place was pink and black and magical. The food was superb, the number one compliment we got. We danced. We cried. We drank. My aunt Terri drank a lot and puked in the bushes outside.

Everyone had a great time.

I married my best friend. And that, friends, is truly what it's all about.

You should be listening to:

Grace Potter and The Nocturnals.

In.cred.ible! She's very Joan Jett/Alanis Morrisette -ish. And I love that. Their most recent album is only $7.99 on iTunes and I highly recommend it. :)

This is making me think hard.

------------------------------------- 

December 8 – Beautifully Different. Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different – you’ll find they’re what make you beautiful.

-------------------------------------

I'm really bad at these. Like, I know I'm a good person deep down. But there are constantly things I try to change about myself. I'm not just talking about wanting six pack abs either.

Anyway, something good about me? I genuinely care about people. I think my empathy bone is a little is just a little stronger than the rest. I want to ask questions about people's lives, I hurt when I know someone else is hurting and I am overjoyed when others are happy. My brain just works that way. I have this innate ability to put myself in others' shoes, walk around, do a little dance, and feel what I believe they're feeling. 

Which is also a problem. My women's studies professor said it best, "You can't be passionate about everything" and hence, my problem. I wish I could go to Haiti and help with the relief, I wish I could work at a domestic abuse shelter and I wish I could buy Christmas presents for every needy family. But I can't. And that sucks.

Did I just make a positive prompt in to a negative one? Just one more reason I'm different.


;)

You haven't heard from my wiener in a while...

...and she says HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

This is your moment.

-------------------------------------

December 3 – Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors).

-------------------------------------

It was on my honeymoon. We woke up and walked the 3 minutes to the beach--in our shorts and zip ups. The air was cool and crisp as we walked hand in hand as newlyweds. We took off our shoes. We picked up seashells. We let the freezing tide run over our feet. We chit chatted about food and the Giants winning the World Series. :) It was one of those rare moments when nothing else matters, no responsibilities, no worries. We just were. I think the smell of the ocean is my favorite part; there's nothing else like it. Looking out over the horizon with no end in sight. I miss that. 

And this officially makes me want to move to San Diego.

I really don't consider myself a writer but...

-------------------------------------

December 2 Writing.
What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it?

-------------------------------------
Work? Does that count? Ha.

I think my biggest problem is I don't write things down. Throughout the day I will think of ideas and thoughts that I know are brilliant {ha!} and don't write them down and ten minutes later I can't remember anything except the fact that I had a brilliant idea.

I've always told myself I need to start carrying a notebook around. I think I will start doing that.

-------------------------------------

Christmas is in the air people! I have my *N Sync Christmas station as loud as possible at my word desk and I'm lovin' it. :)

I'm getting ready to send out my holiday cards so let me know if you want to arrange a little swappity swap swap...

Email me! xoxobrittany[@]ymail.com with your address. :)

Happy Friday Eve!

2010 in one word?

Hello friends! If you've been a longtime follower of xoxo, you're not only cool, but you probably remember my attempt at doing Gwen Bell's Best09 last December to reflect on my 2009. Well, this year it's bigger and better and you should all join in!

It's called Reverb10 and there is a different prompt each day to help you reflect on 2010 and manifest the future.

-------------------------------------

December 1 One Word.

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

-------------------------------------

WHIRLWIND.

My 2010 was so many things--I got engaged, I had my last semester of college, I graduated, I planned a wedding, I had an incredible summer, I got married, the Giants won the World Series {I had to}. And It feels like it all went by in a flash. I had some of the best moments of my life this year but I'm definitely looking forward to 2011 and all that's in store for me, for us. If I had to narrow it down, I would want my 2011 to be incredible. :)

YOUR TURN.