Celebrations

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July everyone!! We decided to take a mini vacation last week (hence the silence) and then came back home to a crazy 4 day weekend of Widespread Panic (I do live in Colorado so my being a pseudo-hippie shouldn't be surprisingly to any of you) so it feels like I'm just coming up for air. I'll share photos of our trip next week, but until then I hope you have a wonderful (and safe) 4th! Interesting side note, did you know we actually declared our independence on the 2nd of July? The 4th was just when it was printed! Fun facts you learn from watching the history channel.

Merry Christmas

via dust jacket attic

Merry Christmas everyone!!

For the first time since our honeymoon*, we aren't spending Christmas with our families. Due to a complicated work schedule, it was best for us to stay in Denver and start our own family traditions. (One in particular: J. and I collect an ornament from each place we travel/an ornament to represent something from that year. It's so fun to see all we've done together!) And although a little strange to be on our own, it's also kind of exciting. After dinner last night, J. and I cuddled up and watched Home Alone (is this toothbrush approved by the American Dental Association?) while a blanket of snow fell outside. (It's our first white Christmas so I may or may not have continuously looked out the window, smiling and jumping up and down a little.) As for today, two of our other friends also couldn't head back to their parents for the holidays so they're coming over for Christmas dinner. I cannot wait to host our first "grown up" Christmas- feels like such a milestone. Have any of you ever experienced that?

(Oh! Also, there is apparently a house just a little while away that coordinated it's lights to a radio station that I'm going to try to talk everyone into going to see. If that goes well, I may even suggest an epic snowball fight.)

What about you all? Any big Christmas plans or traditions you're excited about?

*Since we were married so close to Christmas, we actually spent our first Christmas as husband and wife lounging by a pool with frozen drinks.

please excuse this interruption

Getting married in December you kind of expect it to be nice and cold. It was 70 degrees outside. (Photo via tim willoughby)

but it's our fourth wedding anniversary! I still sometimes have to pinch myself with just how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband. I whole heartedly believe in fate, in soul mates, and in God introducing you to the one you're supposed to be with and I know that six years ago (while dissecting a cat in college of all places) that's exactly what happened to us. J. encourages me to follow my dreams, believes in me, pushes me to be my best self, challenges me, makes me step out of my comfort zone, makes me laugh when all I want to do is pout, and on top of all of that, (at the risk of sounding really cliché') he loves me for who I am (which then gives me the freedom to just be.) I really feel like the luckiest girl alive and I am so grateful and honored that of everyone out there, he asked me to be his companion.

So.. Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart! Now that I've probably embarrassed you, thank you for making everyday an adventure, for loving me (even when I don't feel very lovable) and for always being by my side. You're the best gift I've ever received.

from the studio: DIY bat place cards

Why yes, we did dress as Double Dare contestants for Halloween.

Normally I don't do "from the studio's" on Wednesday, but given it's Halloween and that's what these are for, I figured I'd break that rule just once. These can be whipped up in just a few minutes and while I labeled them as place cards, they'd be perfect to tie around a bag of candy for trick-or-treaters (just write "from the so and so's) or a gift tag. Personally, I think they would be amazing on a "Dark Shadows" inspired table with black tables, silver candle sticks, and lush low lying burgundy colored flower arrangements. And for all of you that get a little scared of watercolor, these will give you amazing confidence because you really can't mess them up.

Halloween DIY bat place card via courtney khail

Halloween DIY bat place card via courtney khail

Halloween DIY bat place card via courtney khail

Halloween DIY bat place card via courtney khail

Halloween DIY bat place card via courtney khail

Halloween DIY bat place card via courtney khail

Happy Halloween!