Merry Christmas!

Ta-da! Our 2010 Adams Family Christmas card in all its glory. It makes me smile every time I look at it (which I do a lot). My favorite picture? The one of Cajun singing with joy (or screaming in agony, depending on how you look at it). How much do you love that furry belly??

And since this will most likely be my last post until New Year's, I'd like to take a minute to wish you and yours the merriest of Christmases, filled with all the joy and warmth and excitement (and spiked eggnog) you can stand!

And if you're really bored over the break and begin to miss me terribly, you can now keep up with all of the exciting (not so much) stuff I'm up to via my new Twitter feed in the right-hand column - or you can follow me on Twitter - whichever you prefer (if you prefer one at all).

Ok, that's all - Merry Christmas!

M&C Christmas 2010

Because we've never been together on the actual day of Christmas, Mason and I have always done our own gift exchange a few days early. This year, even though we'll be together on the 25th, we decided to keep the tradition since it's a fun time for just the two of us (and much easier than transporting all of our gifts from CA to TX). So, last night we headed out for pizza and beer and then back home for presents.

Photos above from the night - and I gotta say, I really love this guy. Remember this and these and this and this from my wish list? They're now sitting happily in my apartment. (It's almost like I have my own personal Santa Claus!)

(And just in case you're wondering, I got him this and a few of these and this and this and this.)

Another great M&C Christmas in the books!

Serious Style

I'm totally using these lovely ladies as my fashion inspiration when planning my Christmas/New Year's outfits. Aren't they just great? (Photos from J.Crew)

And that reminds me, I've been completely drooling over two new blog discoveries lately:
The Daybook
For The Love...

These two girls have got some serious style - and the best part? They do it all affordably. Love it.

Holiday Fun

A few fun, festive photos (say that three times fast) from our weekend above. Mason's company holiday party was a lot of fun - but I chickened out of the leather pants. (Sorry!) I ended up going with a grey sweater and black skirt combo. (Boring? Perhaps. Company party appropriate? Absolutely.)

And in other holiday news, this week in LA is rainnnnyy. And humid. And really, really gross. I'm counting the hours until we leave for Texas on Thursday night. Taking the red eye the night before Christmas Eve? Probably not the best idea I've had. But we're packing our patience - and a couple good books - and praying for an on-time flight...

If your Christmas holidays have already begun, have an eggnog for me!

Apartment Tour: Guest Bedroom

I'm happy to report that our guest bedroom is now fully redone! (So if you were thinking of coming to visit, now's the time!) The room, which used to be my sister's bedroom before Mason and I got married and took over the apartment, is seriously gigantic. We decided to warm it up (and try to shrink it a bit) with some grey paint (I do love myself some grey walls), and because of its size, we were able to fit a bed, a little sitting area and my crafting desk - all without making it look too cluttered.

I'm really happy with the way it turned out. Photos below if you'd like to see. Enjoy!

Leather Love

Can I tell you a secret? I bought some leather leggings (probably about two months ago), but I haven't worn them yet (because I'm scared!). (SSShhhhhh!) Is that silly? Look how cute all the girls above look in theirs (photos from Forever 21). So, I shouldn't be scared, right?

I'm trying to get up the confidence to wear mine to Mason's company holiday party this Saturday - paired with a long grey cardigan and maybe - just maybe - some red lipstick.

I don't know what it is about them that makes me nervous. Maybe it's the leather part. Or the leggings part. I'll let you know how it goes...

All the Trimmings

A few snapshots of what Christmas is looking like around our place right now. It's all so cozy, and there really is no place I'd rather be than snuggled on the couch (possibly in my WSU snuggie) with Christmas music playing, Christmas lights twinkling and Christmas movies on the tube.

I've still got a few more baking projects up my sleeve (butterscotch brownies! chocolate dipped rice krispy treats!) and a few more gifts to buy, and really, I can't believe it's all gone by so fast. Next week we'll be heading to Texas for Mason's first southern Christmas. Sure, there won't be snow, but there will be homemade donuts and barbecue and a large number of redneck relatives clad in an array of flannel, which should make up for it, right? That's what I thought. White Christmases are sooo overrated.

Cake Toppers Turned Ornaments

Remember these little guys from the top of our wedding cake? After a little inspiration from Woman's Day magazine (and a little thread and twine), they've now been turned into Christmas ornaments! I think they look oh-so-cute hanging on the tree, and what fun little reminders they'll be of our wedding day when we decorate every year. (Read the essay that inspired me here.)

More photos of all the Christmasy goodness going on around our place coming up tomorrow. In the meantime, if you're like me and you find yourself getting your groove on every time a Target holiday commercial comes on (admit it!), then you'll be happy to know you can listen to all of the fun songs from the commercials and more here. (My favorite is Toy Jackpot by Blackalicious - seriously can't get enough of that one.)

Not Your Average Ornament

How pretty is this picture from the Martha Stewart Holiday Craft Sale? (via From Me To You) I can't seem to stop looking at it. DIY glittered ornaments - who dreamed up such fantasticness? (Most likely Martha - which explains the level of fantasticness.)

It seems like a lot of folks are getting creative with plain bulb ornaments this year and turning them into something fancy and festive, like these sequin ornaments and these crafty ornaments.

Kind of makes me want to have an ornament decorating party...

Oh, and by the way, I've now gotten my hands on 2 out of the 5 items I mentioned here. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around my place!

Christmas Decor Must-Haves

A few little holiday decor items I've got my eye on:

1. A totally retro tree skirt (I saw this in the store and it really is so. darn. cute.)
2. An "M" stocking for Mason (Because my "C" stocking is lonely.)
3. A poinsettia or two (It's just not Christmas without one.)
4. Fun Christmas fabric (For a few fun Christmas throw pillow covers.)
5. A holiday table runner (For holiday dinner festivities.)

Happy holiday decorating to ya!

Ugly Sweater Party 2010

Photos above from this weekend's Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. The party was fun. The next morning? Not so much. (Most likely due to the festive red and green Jello shots - when will I learn to stay away?)

The key take away: Ugly Christmas sweaters are lovely little conversation starters if you're looking to pick up a special man or lady friend out on the town. I can't vouch for this myself (being a married lady), but according to our single friends, the sweaters work like a charm (even without the Jello shots). Who would've thought...

Happiest Place on Earth

A few photos above from our Thanksgiving family trip to Disneyland. They say it's the happiest place on earth, and we were all pretty darn happy - except Brianne during the Indiana Jones ride. No, that was not a happy moment for her. I think she even said the word "hate." But watching her fear was so, so funny, which made us happy. Mission accomplished, Mr. Disney.

Now, a few things from around the web:

1. Habit is bringing back all of its 2010 guest bloggers for December. You know what that means - Lots and lots of life's little moments (and pretty pictures) to soak in everyday!

2. If you're interested in transitions (or going through one right now), I highly recommend listening to Sheryl Paul's interview with Alanis Morissette about Alanis' recent transition into marriage and motherhood. Lots of good stuff in there.

3. Speaking of Taylor Swift, look what popped up today - too funny. (Promise you won't judge me if I buy the ring just because she has it?)

I hope you have a great weekend! I've got the Apple Cup and an ugly sweater party on the agenda. And sleeping late. And a bubble bath. Let the fun begin...

Dear Santa: Bird Cork Bulletin Board

Dearest Santa, these sure would look great hanging over my sewing desk, and they'd be perfect for tacking up little bits and pieces of inspiration along the way. I'd like 3 or 4 of them, if you wouldn't mind - a little flock to call my own (because one would be too lonely).

Oh, Santa? Are you listening, Santa?

(Spotted here.)

Swift Style

Ok, ok - I admit it - I'm a T. Swift fan - even why I try not to be. (And I really have tried, but seriously, the girl's like a bad habit. She sucks me back in every time.)

My sister gave me a copy of Speak Now and when I'm in the car alone, I turn it way up and rock out. Takes me right back to my tween days. (My current favorite track)

But the main point of this post? I'm loving her fall style. Chic coats, boots, plaid, colorful flats, bright knit hats - I can dig it.

Dear Santa: One Line a Day Book

Thought I'd start off December with another "Dear Santa" post. Spotted this book on You Are My Fave (which has quickly become one of my faves). Reminds me of my one sentence journal - but better because of the layout that lets you compare your sentences from years past. Love it!

In other Christmas-related news - CUP OF JOE GIFT GUIDE HAS BEGUN!! (Can you tell I'm very excited about this.) I love Joanna's gift suggestions, and even though I'm 99.9% done with my Christmas shopping already, it's still fun to look!