Normally, I dont get into the Christmas spirit until after Thanksgiving (yes, I realize that it is now after Thanksgiving), but this year I found myself accidentally humming to the Christmas music playing on the speakers in Home Depots and Targets long before it was decent to do so. I found myself perusing google images for Christmas decoration inspiration and how-tos before I had even researched which apple pie recipe I was going to make for our Thanksgiving feast (ahem, the night before...)

I blame it, in part, on the fact that we have a house now and I am excited to decorate it for the first time! I am excited to try out these weird suction cups that claim to hold up a 20-lb wreath on a single window pane! And guys, I am so excited to try out getting my first ever real Christmas tree! It's the first time in my life I really feel that sense of pride in making my house look nice for the Holidays.

Also, I feel like I really need the extra Christmas cheer this year. Aside from the yearly seasonal depression I know to anticipate, and the annual work stress of putting on the nation's largest college Art Sale, we've both had a long year: celebrating our first year of marriage, mourning the deaths of two grandmas (one of each of ours), enduring the stress of house-hunting and putting in purchase offers, and elation in first-time homeownership. We've traveled to a state we've never been to before, Illinois, met some great new people, and helped make a wedding for our sister and brother-in-law.

Now I know we still have a month left of 2012, but I've been feeling thankful (tis the season) and pondering the future. And I thought this would be a good time to mention it.

Have a great rest of 2012, folks! And prepare yourself for Christmas decorations post PART DEUX, when we go pick out our Christmas tree! I am pumped.
xoxo

As many of you know, I was swamped last week with work (another successful MCAD Art Sale finally over! Take a look at this video for proof!), but am finally back to my regularly scheduled programming and I'm looking forward to a restful Thanksgiving Break this weekend! I am also looking forward to having some time for house projects after I have thoroughly stuffed myself tomorrow. Some plans may or may not include:

+ Paint the upstairs bathroom white
+ Begin painting polka dots!
+ Hand desk/counter in my studio
+ Buy frames for new art from the sale, frame
+ Hang new art from the sale
+ decide on and get a towel hook for upstairs bath, install
+ measure kitchen pendant light fixtures, find new clear globes to fit, install
+ tidy up bedroom, living room and dining room (what a mess!)
+ start gathering christmas decorations! (I'm thinking the grocery store may have real wreaths about now? Too soon?)
+ Go get a Christmas Tree!
+ do laundry!
+ put away laundry!

Here are some recent house inspiration pictures that loosely relate to my house plans! Have a Happy and safe Thanksgiving everyone!

I just received a pair of new boots in the mail! A pair of vintage, Red Wing Irish Setter's in a darker cognac colored leather. I cant tell you how long I've been pining for a pair like this. And I thought it would be prefect timing if I let myself splurge on a pair, as this week is the Annual MCAD Art Sale! I am on my feet all day, for long 10 - 15 hour days all week, installing art in the galleries, gathering lunch for the crew and general non-sense. These work boots have Lug soles and should be the perfect thing to keep my feet from aching (at least a litte bit), especially when I drop in a pair of the highest-rated Dr. Scholl's on top of that! I bought a half size up just for that reason.

After wearing them for the first couple of days, they are every bit as comfortable as I thought they would be, though they still need some breaking in, especially in the leather upper, which is still a bit stiff. Cross your fingers that they were well worth the wait and the dollahs!

The third annual Alli & Alex Halloween Party Spectacular was another screaming success. Thanks friends for coming! And you, Lomo-C camera with Ilford 800 speed film, YOU are my new favorite. Just look at these babies!

As usual, more can be found on my Flickr!