Family Pictures 2012

I'm back from vacation! Okay, okay I've technically been back since Sunday night around 1 a.m., but after 10 days without my guy and my cat I didn't feel like spending the last two days of my time off blogging.

I had a great time in Ohio visiting my family. I hate squeezing a year's worth of quality family time into 10 days, but despite snow storms, illness, and demanding work schedules we made the best of it. The best part of the trip? Getting our family pictures taken for the first time in over a decade.

My mom has had a really rough few years, so I wanted to do something special for her this Christmas. The last professional photos we had done together were so long ago that my sister was in elementary school, my mom was still married, and I still thought wearing white eye-shadow and black eyeliner was cool.

I found a Living Social coupon for Studio Polaris in Columbus and made an appointment with them. We had a fantastic experience and got a great deal on the photos. Our photographer, Kasha, was super friendly and helpful. She even rushed the order so the photos could be printed before I left the state. If you're in the Columbus, OH area, I'd definitely recommend Studio Polaris. This is my favorite photo from the bunch:

Me, Mom, Sierra

Don't I have a beautiful mother and sister? Yes, that's my mom in the middle. I know a bunch of you thought she was my sister in the pajama picture from my last post. (She appreciates that, by the way!) These three photos turned out great as well:

I can't wait to use my Marshall's/ TJMaxx giftcard to buy picture frames!


* I was not compensated in anyway for this post. I just really enjoyed the experience! All photos by Studio Polaris. 

On Vacation

Greetings from Ohio! Assuming the winter storms didn't cancel my flight (and that the Mayans were wrong) I got into Columbus late last night. I'll be spending the next 10 days with my family and returning to Boston to spend New Year's Eve with my sweetie. I've only been able to see my family once a year since moving to Boston, so I always try to make the most of the time we have together.

Today my mom, sister, and I are getting family pictures done. It'll be the first time we've had professional family pictures in over a decade and the first time ever with just the three of us. I can't wait to share them with you, but in the mean time here's one of my favorite pictures of the three of us from Christmas 2008. Little sister is about a foot taller now!

I probably won't be very active in the blog world until after the new year. I'm hoping I can persuade my sister and mom to be act as my personal photographers while I'm here, so that I come back with lots of outfit photos to share. I do promise to tweet lots of pictures. I guarantee there will be cookie decorating, an animal print themed Christmas tree, and more matching pjs so make sure you follow me on twitter!

Happy Holidays to you and yours. See you in 2013!

Holiday Wishlist Part 2: Stocking Stuffers

I apologize for doing so many wishlist posts lately, and not so many outfit posts. Sometimes life gets in the way of taking pictures, and I'm learning to be okay with it.

A few weeks ago I shared a few of the items on my holiday wishlist. This week I thought I'd share some of the items I'd love to find in my stocking Christmas morning.

This adorable Stocking. Y'all know how I feel about polka dots!

Stila Major Lash Mascara- This is my go-to mascara. It doesn't clump, has a tiny applicator brush, and it's under $10!

A Tea Ball for brewing loose leaf teas.

Some Smashbox Mega Tint lipcolor in a peachy tint for every day wear. I love, love, love smashbox lip glosses, so I've been wanting to try this.

This sparkly Rose Gold Colored Ring from Dorothy Perkins is also under $10!

For my at home manicures I'd love some Ridge Smoothing Base Coat by Essie and these beautiful lacy Sally Hansen Salon Effects.

... and lots of chocolate!

What stocking stuffers do you have your eye on?