Obviously, I stepped away from my blog for the holidays. It was my first year not working the entire break, and gosh, did it feel good not doing anything work-related for an extended period of time.
A lot of friends, family, and puppy time coupled with some relaxation was good for me. It’s an understatement to say I needed it.
Is it a cliche to say the holiday break made me feel incredibly blessed? I don’t care. It’s the truth.
And to catch you up, I’m giving you a slew of images from my holidays.
I posed the puppy cousins in front of the tree.
For the first time ever, I made Christmas curls happen all by myself. I swear, practice makes perfect with this stuff.
Although I fought a cold most of break, I tried to hide the evidence of my feeling like poop on Christmas Eve.
I obviously did not get new Christmas socks. I like those old ones too much.
I loved my niece time, as always.
I GOT A PADDLE BOARD for Christmas! I’m so excited to put it to use in the waters of Virginia Beach. I’m tempted to throw on my wetsuit and take a risky ride now.
I also plan to coerce Chloe to ride with me. Maybe if I put lots of Greenies on the end of the board? My fellow doggy owners know what I’m talkin’ about.
And I maaay have bought myself my first Christmas tree for 75% off on December 30th. Which we proceeded to decorate with a fire and Christmas music on December 30th.
Hooray for extended Yuletide!
…followed by our friends Christmas gift exchange and viewing parties of the Hobbit and Les Mis.
And let’s not forget my friend KT’s 80s birthday party.
That’s a Michael Jackson colorform.
And the absolute funniest sounding party blowers I have ever heard (is that what you call them?! I don’t know. TWSS?).
Wait. I got it. Noisemakers. Right?
Obviously, I could not get over it.
And then we celebrated the Bachelorism of my friend Jim by ringing in 2013.
Gosh, it makes my holiday every time Lisa-Marie comes back in town from her year internship in Ohio. I’ve been missing that girl to pieces.
Fun fact: that dress was $25 at some cheapie store in the mall. Who needs pricey designer duds?
‘Twas a good start to the new year.
I also participated in what is decidedly the best family portrait of 2012.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
love love love it all
Awesomest Xmas present ever!
Please teach us your smart hair curling ways!!
$25 for that dress? WHAT A STEAL! you look gorgeous, as always! Happy 2013!!!
That paddle board is sweet. Trying SUP one day is something I’d love to do!
Your curls look great. I got a brand new flat iron for Christmas, a Chi, and so I’ve been attempting to curl my hair using it. I’m getting there! Although, I feel that I look more like Shirley Temple than anything else…. My hair needs to grow.
Angela @ Health’s Angel recently posted..“Taste the Rainbow”
aww, I feel like I looked like that at first and I’m STILL working on getting it to look the way I want it to. practice, practice, practice. You’ll be a pro in no time.
Congrats on your paddle board! So awesome. Your hair looks glorious.
christina recently posted..Since We Last Chatted…
..love your curls! my hair is long and poker straight – i’d give anything to make it do that! what products do you use to hold the curl (and do u curls w/a straight iron or a curling iron?).. sooo jealous!!♥
Jessica @ Prayers and Apples recently posted..How to Start Couponing and Clean Eating (At the Same Time!)
I’ve promised a tutorial soon (once I have reaalllly perfected it), but I use a flat iron on unconditioned (preferably dirty) hair that hasn’t been treated previously by heat.
and hair sprayed with the cheapy silver Suave hairspray with the pink cap!
thx! i can’t wait to see the tutorial – i have the most boring hair *ever*… maybe changing that should be one of my new years resolutions lol
Jessica @ Prayers and Apples recently posted..How to Start Couponing and Clean Eating (At the Same Time!)
Girl! That dress!
Love this! looks like you had a great holiday break full of lots of fun, friends and family. Well deserved!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..First Run of 2013!
Lots of puppy/niece adorableness in this post! Looks like a fun few days — happy new year!!
Gillian recently posted..New Years Goals-a-lutions
Ooh I love your hair with the curls! So pretty!
Looks like you had a great holiday break! Love the matching jammies and your New Years dress!
heather @ run eat play recently posted..Surgery Fake Out
Fun!! I love your hair … gorgeous! And I’m hoping to buy a Christmas tree on sale, too. Husband and I are going out this weekend to look for one. Fingers crossed we aren’t too late!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated recently posted..Christmas in Florida: My idea of a “white” (sand) Christmas.
Check out Target!
I love everything about your holidays! Also, I’m hoping your sickness didn’t last long, because a cold just crept up on me. LOVE your NYE dress! My NYE was super low-key but I spent it with my best friends so no complaints there. =]
Sarah B. recently posted..Paging Captain of the Struggle Bus
LOVE your New Year’s Eve dress! I almost bought one just like that only in silver once. So stinking cute! Looks like you had a great holiday. Happy New Year!
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections recently posted..Zippy Elliptical Workout
The curls look gorgeous! I”m so glad you had such a great break. It’s nice to unplug every once in awhile.
Amber K recently posted..What December Taught Me
girl! You are awesome! Sooo many things I love about this post. 1-I love love love that you bought a Christmas tree December 30th. Makes me want to do the same thing. 2-I have that dress in silver, also bought at some cheapy store at the mall for my bachelorette party. Yikes.
Angela recently posted..2012-The Year of Changes
a-w-e-s-o-m-e!
looks like you hide the cold well to me!! omg that is so awesome!! i’ve been wanting to try paddleboarding, hope you enjoy it! love the smiling boston terrier
Chelsea @ LittleOneRuns recently posted..Your Body Will Thank You
So jealous you got a paddle board Alyssa!!!
Alyssa recently posted..Shaking that “Off Balanced” Feeling
Your hair makes me want to curse. Not at you, of course, but at myself for letting my mane get totally out of control. I look twenty kinds of redneck right now with these roots and fried ends. I mentioned it today when I was posting and then came across your curls. Off to make an appointment…
Presley @ Run Pretty recently posted..Post-Baby Body: Month Six Update