Happy New Year

Happy 2013, bloggers! NaBloPoMo made me a bit burnt out on the blogging front, but I'm excited to tell you all about my *cough* month off.

- I turned 25! I'm officially an adult now. Or at least I hear I can rent a car on my own. Joy!
Zach gave me this HK Swarovski crystal phone case:

It's v. sparkly

We had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory and then reveled in the beauty of the Festival of Lights with our best friends Britney and Dan. 

- Christmas was fantastic. Surprisingly I had all my gifts purchased before my birthday, which saved some stress leading up to the holiday.
Christmas always goes by too quickly since we visit both families. I just love seeing squishy babies like my little nephew, Wolf!

- I took three days off work and, combined with the holidays, I have enjoyed a nice 11-day break. It gave me a chance to catch up on everyday things like...

- Reading! I barely finished my 2012 Goodreads Challenge. Like down-to-the-wire, strategically choosing thin books off the bookshelf barely made it. But I can't tell you how happy I am to say I read 40 books in one year!

Look at that stack!
For 2013, part of me really wants to shoot for 52 books (one a week), but I should probably stick to 40 since it was barely manageable. Also, I want to read Anna Karenina soon.

- I got a tattoo. It had been three years since my last one. I'd considered getting a typewriter tattoo for a year or so, but never commited. I asked Zach for a vintage typewriter for Christmas, but it was sold before he had the chance to buy it! :( So, he gifted me a tattoo instead.

Let me just say I forgot how bad it hurts to get your calf tattooed. Even with my adrenaline soaring it felt like my leg was being chopped off with a fork. For over two hours. With no breaks. Basically what I'm saying is, I was in BA mode and it paid off because now I have this forever:

The quote is from author Anais Nin - "We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect."  

Then, just today, Zach came home from work with this:

Sorry for the crappy photo.

A beautiful blue 1960 typewriter he found for $10 at the thrift store! The cheapest one online is $170 and that one has yellowed keys. This one appears to be in mint condition, with a case, pen and manual. I'm hoping it works!


It's time to go back to the real world, but I'm really excited for all that 2013 has in store!

High Five for Friday!

I'm linking up with From My Grey Desk Blog for High Five for Friday.

1) I finally caved in and bought the Dior mascara that I've been raving about. Thankfully it was slightly cheaper at Macy's and I didn't have to pay shipping!

2) Christmas decorations are in my future for this weekend.

Can you see me?

3) We found a good deal on a dishwasher and it's being installed on Monday. My month and a half stint of hand-washing all our dishes is coming to an end!

4) Luigi went back in to the vet yesterday and was re-stitched. They also stapled him up real good (poor guy!). Here's to hoping he heals quickly!

5) The most exciting piece of news this Friday is that I finished the NaBloPoMo challenge! Hallelujah! I can't believe I stuck with it. I had a great time, and I appreciate all the comments - it helped to keep me motivated.

How was your week?

OOTD

Happy Thursday! Are you as excited for Friday as I am?

This outfit is so comfortable and inexpensive. Also, the plaid shirt has elbow patches, which is a major plus in my book.

Sweater & Button-up - H&M
Jeans - Gap
Shoes - Grasshopper from DSW

$500 Million Dollars

So, the Powerball Jackpot is up to $550 million. I've never bought a lottery ticket, but I'm seriously considering it right now! 

If I won I'd look like this woman...

Source

Except I'd have larger bills surrounding my face.

Seriously though, 500+ million. That's a lot of zeros. I'd pay off my student loans, buy a house (or two), shop 'til I drop and never have to worry about money again. How crazy would that be? 

How would you spend $550 million?

Lucky Bracelet

The only thing I bought during Cyber Monday? 

This Lucky Brand bracelet. 

 Please note the thumbs-up. Because taking a photo of a bracelet isn't awkward enough.

Look how pretty the other side is too! 

It was a lightening deal on Amazon and was 60% off. Not too shabby. 

Did you buy anything on Cyber Monday?

Currently

Watching: Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel. I'd forgotten how much I love this series! Thanks to Robin for letting me borrow the DVDs.

Listening to: Lately I've been busting out some serious work while listening to my "gangster rap" playlist. Don't judge.

Planning: What to do/where to go during Christmas vacation. I really want to go on a little getaway, but it needs to be drivable distance and fairly inexpensive. Any ideas?

Thinking about: How much I want the caramel corn that's currently mocking me all the way from the kitchen pantry. WHY do I always get the munchies this time of night? Unfair, I tell you.

Sweet & Salty is the bomb-diggity

Loving: My husband who graciously takes our dog to vet appointments, goes on Starbucks runs for me and basically is an all around stand up guy. :)

Stressing about: Bills.

Looking forward to: My 25th birthday! I'm counting down the days 'til December 13. I can't wait to celebrate with way too much good food and hopefully too many delicious adult beverages, if yaknowwhatImean.

Reading: Blog, Inc. by Joy Cho. It's making me even more fired up over blogging, so watch out, readers!

 
Making me happy: Getting back to my workout routine. Those endorphins get me every time.

Wishing: For December to be incredible. I think I'm due for a good month after how this one's been!

JenyPenny inspired this post – who doesn't love lists?!

I hope your week is off to a stellar start!

Kate Spade

OK, bloggers, I need your input! 

The Kate Spade Surprise Cyber Sale is going on now and a purse has caught my eye. It's originally $425, marked down to $199. 

But the question is, should I choose pink or black?

I'm leaning toward pink, since it's my favorite color and I already have a black crossbody bag, but it's really hard to decide... what do you think?

In other exciting Kate Spade news... 

The brand is teaming up with Keds! I found this out from fellow blogger Dancing with Ashley, who posted about the announcement in Lucky. 

How cute are they?! I love the prints and how some of them have a slightly-pointed toe. 

I have a pair of Keds from Gap and they're hands-down the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. I can't wait to grab these in February!