Currently...

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attempting to // drink less coffee and more herbal tea in the morning.  It's been a tough transition, let me tell you.

excited about // friendly faces visiting us for the whole weekend.

listening to // Tristan Prettyman.  I loved her music in college and have recently stumbled upon her again.  Even planning to go to her show at The Bluebird next month with this lady!

loving // this mauve skirt I picked up for 11 bucks, on sale of course.  It's the perfect length for work, and  stretchy and comfortable too. 

hating // that I just barely miss the warm sunshine by the time I get home from work...  "warm, warm, warm, sun is going, going, cold."

looking forward to // chopping all my hair (again) today.  I just can't "grow it out", ever ever.  I wonder how many times it will take for me to realize I will forever have my hair in a ponytail if it's past my ears, haha.  I'm pretty pumped. 

reading // a Real Simple magazine I received for Christmas.  Does it take anyone else forever to read through an entire magazine?

stumbled upon // Grumpy Cat

watching // Girls on HBO.  Though it's a little "risque" for my liking, I enjoy the characters and storyline a lot.

spending time // skiiiiiiing.  I haven't taken many pictures of our adventures, but I've skied even more than last year, and getting pretty good, I mean, sort of.  It's the one thing that makes Colorado winters bearable.. and really fun.

MLK Day, spent in the sun

...and a small stint indoors catching up on Downton Abbey.

It was beautiful in Denver on Monday, and I had the day off, so we spent most of our time soaking up those beautiful rays.  

DIY: Faux Polaroids

Unless I see an idea on Pinterest, I typically start crafting without an end result in mind.  I'll start doodling on a page, see what starts to form, and run with it.

A similar situation happened yesterday...

First off, I'm still in love with Instagram, and I think the pocket-sized pictures are just too perfect to sit in our phones. So I used PicMonkey to create a Polaroid-like boarder on photos I've taken in the last months, and printed a few.

Once I got home, I decided I definitely wanted to hang them somewhere.  So I grabbed some twine and mini clips and got to work.

I'd say they turned out pretty cute, all strung together in their mini glory.
Now, to find a place to hang these little guys. 

2013

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A new year, a new set of goals: 

• Building off of my only goal last year, I'm going to raise my eating healthy objective to another level and commit to one new recipe a week.  In the last year, I've really been inspired by other vegetarians and their unique dish ideas (the best part about book club is the amazing food!).  I can't wait to share more 'In The Kitchen' posts with all of you this year. 

• Keep. Taking. Photos.

• Lastly, to be mindful of what makes me happy and to focus on those things.  It's easy to get distracted by all the negative; I plan to shed as much light as possible on all things good, if not only for myself, but for others too.   

Here's to a great year ahead!

Looking Back

I enjoyed going through old photo albums while I was home visiting last week.  I sure was a ham when I was a little one; I guess nothing has really changed. 

What do you enjoy to do when you go home?

Currently...

(via Social Survival)

attempting to // pack, clean, shop, wrap, and cook before the upcoming holidays. 

excited about // the many yoga opportunities I've found; a free class every Sunday night and a weekly class taught at my workplace too.  I feel like I'm getting stronger each time I see my mat.  It's a great feeling!

listening to // There's No Leaving Now by The Tallest Man on Earth

loving // all the Christmas cards that landed in our mailbox this week.  When I was little, my parents received so many cards from their friends and I thought it was the coolest thing.  Now, us kids are somehow adults, sending our own holiday cards to each other with photos, announcements, and well wishes.  It makes me smile. 

hating // the news of Sandy Hook Elementary and the loss of so many young lives.  I still can't wrap my head around it, but I feel heartbroken and confused and very angry. 

looking forward to // Christmastime with our family and friends in Oklahoma.  It's always good to go back home, to receive all those hugs you look forward to for the year and laugh till your belly hurts. 

reading // the first book of yet another YA Trilogy, Birthmarked... surprise, surprise!

stumbled upon // a tutorial for painted wine glasses that I gifted to a friend for Christmas last night.  A pretty simple DIY that was definitely well received. Who doesn't want to drink wine out of confetti glasses?

watching // Homeland, I can't say it enough.  The season 2 finale on Sunday was WILD.  And word on the street is that you can catch up on both season for free On Demand between January 11-13.  Talk about a weekend marathon.

spending time // bundled up in front of our (electric) "fire" place with as many as layers on as possible.  It's cold, y'all!