WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

Circle YES, NO or MAYBE.

The Mr. and I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day in a big way.  We don't believe in exchanging gifts, especially after Christmas and both of our birthdays in January.  We usually just get extra-good cards, and celebrate at home.  In the past that has meant take-out from any number of our favorite places, and sharing a big ole dessert.  Last year my hubby poured milk in wine glasses to have with our chocolate cake.  We're so fancy.

V-Day Round Up:  one | two | three | four | five | six

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

(most of these were borrowed from my parents, and we want to gradually replace them with our own!)

Did you make new year's resolutions?  I don't usually participate in that.  It's not that I think you shouldn't make them, I just don't make them because I break them.  I'm going to start going to the gym?  Ummm... nope.

Over the last fifteen years or so, I've sometimes made a list of life goals for myself - things I want to accomplish that year... lifestyle changes I want to make.  This week I was inspired by Jessica's post,  and this post on Design Sponge, to give resolutions another shot... and try to stick to them.

immediate-ish
- learn to be more confident driving in the snow
- get the rest of the vintage goodies I've found up on the Etsy store
- photograph the rack of clothing I want to sell, and list it on Goodsie
- start reading again (instead of watching so much tv)
- get wedding pictures printed (finally!)

longterm
- continue growing Lovely + Rust
- buy more vinyl records
- be less stressed
- learn to crochet
- try yoga
- start running (in the spring)
- take a trip with the Mr. to NYC, and maybe Nashville

Happy Friday, friends.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Also, if you have anyone you would recommend to be a L+R Style Muse, please send me an email at lovelyandrust(at)gmail(dot)com.

WHITE CHRISTMAS

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  We gave and received packages, and felt very blessed and lucky.  We were snowed in the day after Christmas, so we stayed in our pjs all day, drank wine, rented movies, and played games as a family.  It was so nice, and I have relaxed this week in a way I rarely ever do.  The blanket of snow outside makes everything feel more peaceful.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THE GLAD GAME: THANKSGIVING EDITION

Happy Thanksgiving, lovely readers!
and

Happy six years of dating to my amazing husband!

A little list of the things I am feeling thankful and glad for this morning, Thanksgiving Day...

coffee
the Macy's parade
this sunny, amazing day

being home at my parent's

the smell of cooking in the kitchen
the food that I'll be over-eating later
the family I will see very soon
looking forward to spending Saturday with friends
+

this day last year was my first non-wedding post, so I'm also thankful for a year of blogging
+
YOU, for supporting my blog

1984 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

1940

 1931

 1934

and the parade finale... Santa!

image credits: one // two // three // four // five

What are you thankful for?  I would love to read your comments!

Wishing you the happiest of days {and weekends}... filled with warmth, good food, and family.
Until Monday...

MY THANKSGIVING OUTFIT STRATEGIES

Happy Day Before Thanksgiving, friends!  I was away from home all day, so I apologize for the evening post.  I know you missed me this morning {*wink wink}.

My Thanksgiving outfit is always quite strategic...  Comfy and loose so I can fit all of that delicious food, and lightweight because it gets hot in the kitchen!  I also try to wear my not-super-low-rise jeans because... well, my family does not need to see my undergarments when I sit.  Last, but not least I wear low comfy boots.  Boots and not flats, because I want to be able to take my shoes off and not be barefoot {so I also have to make sure I wear my good socks!}.

Below are a few lightweight sweaters, a blouse, and a couple of dresses I wouldn't mind wearing tomorrow...

Another fabulous option are leggings!  I would wear them with a dress / tunic something like the two below, and the same boots as above!  Comfy, cute, and a stretchy waist band.  Just what you need Thanksgiving Day.

one // two // three // high-waisted jeans + blouse + boots

dresses: one // two

THE GLAD GAME: EASTER EDITION

Happy Belated Easter, friends!

This weekend I was glad for the following...

...macarons from Pistacia Vera  {the pistacio flavor is my favorite!} 

+

...the Mr. bringing me a coffee, and surprising me with this bottle of wine {my husband = comedian}

+

...this article about two baby owls found via Miss Moss

+

...tulips purchased Easter morning {tulips are just such a happy flower!}

+

...these chocolates from my Grandma {I love it when there is chococalte "map" in the box!}

+

...this claddagh bracelet from my sister - all the way from Ireland

+

...hosting Easter at our home for the first time as a married couple. 

We made quite the team Sunday morning... 

the Mr. cooking up a storm {even making his own North Carolina BBQ for the pork}, 

and me running around straightening up our apartment, setting the table, and making a last minute trip for flowers {plus I decided we need Easter candy}.

The food was delicious {thank you, love!} and the day was wonderful. 

We got to hear about my sister's trip to Ireland, and it was so special to have my Grandmother here.

I hope yours was just as good.

THE GLAD GAME {VALENTINE'S DAY}

It's so good to be home. I missed you guys. Thank you one last time to my husband for his fabulous post on Friday. Hopefully I can tempt him to do that again sometime!

This morning, as I'm still trying to catch up on sleep after too much fun in Nashville, I am glad for the following...

...my Dad's old wool pendleton that I threw on this morning for my "before I have to get ready couch time"

+

a new brand of coffee I found at the store last night

{see that their dark roast is called "Tall, Dark and Handsome"? 

I can't lie - I bought it because of the packaging}

+

the smell of coffee brewing and these anthropologie mugs

I am still getting back into the swing of things after arriving home late Sunday. I spent last night at the grocery store {the cupboards were pretty bare} and unpacking. I wanted to get myself caught up so the Mr. and I could spend some quality time together tonight for Valentine's Day. We don't really celebrate Valentine's Day, but we do at least get each other cards, and plan on grabbing take-out from one of our favorite restaurants, Figlio. I even bought a bottle of champagne, so I'm not a total valentine's scrooge. Maybe 75% scrooge?

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

As sun goes down on the first day of 2012, the Mr. and I can't help but look back on 2011 and reminisce about what a wonderful year it was... and actually wonderful does not do it justice. 

2011 is... 

the year we got married {the best day of our lives}...

and had a wonderful honeymoon in Charleston, SC

the year we gained a brother-in-law when the Mr.'s sister got married...

and we gained a niece when they had a beautiful baby girl, Zoey.

It was the year one of my best friends, N, moved back to Ohio {from Chicago}...

and one of the Mr's, S,moved back to Ohio {from Florida}...

and my good friend, C ,came back to work at the store (after moving from Philly with her husband)

It was the year my Mr. finished his first year of grad school at OSU {with straight A's}

our friends, M + J, had a bouncing baby boy, Mason...

and four of our married folk friends announced that they were expecting.

In 2011 my big sis adopted the boys {her cats, Mich + Miller}...

and my parents gained an addition to their house when they adopted Suds {their newest kitty}

Celebrating our first Christmas and NYE as Mr. and Mrs. was a lovely way to top it off...

and we are looking forward to all 2012 has to hold. 

{Honeymoon / Sullivan's Island, SC}

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Are you staying in, with a nice bottle of champagne {all for yourself}?

heading to the bars with friends?

planning to get a little crazy?

going to a big party?

or even hosting a party at your home?

However you plan to spend your New Year's Eve, I hope it is a happy one. 

Be safe, friends.

xo

UPON ARRIVAL + YET ANOTHER DEPARTURE

After a rainy drive home on Tuesday evening...

...Bailey was very happy to see us.

We are headed to our hometown again this weekend for NYE. 

The Mr's side of the family is having Christmas Saturday.

We are so excited to see A + M and our beautiful niece, Zoey.

{Miss Zoey}

UNTIL NEXT YEAR...

What did you get for Christmas? The Mr. and I wrapped up the camera we purchased and opened it together. Because of our big purchase we decided we were just going to exchange stockings this year, and the Mr. outdid himself. He also totally cheated because nothing fit in my stocking. Among my favorite stocking stuffers were a few "how to" books about our new camera, a blogging book {maybe soon you'll notice it will get drastically better} a vintage red bird ornament, and vintage arrows. In addition to gifts from the Mr, my parents added to the very rustic, western themed Christmas I seemed to have...

{Christmas Eve mass}

{Santa came!}

{for the Mr... via world market}

{sweet little vintage bird from the husband}

 {vintage arrows from the Mr. and sheepskin rug from my parents}

{newest addition to my Minnetonka moccasin collection}

 (fringe bag via Urban Outfitters}

{faux fur blanket via World Market, seen here}

 {vintage deer via Etsy, also from my parents... to remind us of this day}

I'm always a bit sad when Christmas is over. It is my favorite time of the year. The Mr. asked me today when I was going to take down the Christmas tree. We were both talking about how we feel like I just put it up! I received two new nutcrackers from my parents, a  welcome addition to my growing collection; I put them both out with the rest...to enjoy them for one last week. It's probably silly to collect something I only get to enjoy 1 month out of the year, but I do love them so.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas!

Love, 

M + I  and Bailey, too

{vintage card via pinterest}

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVE

As I was loading up my car this morning, headed home for my first Christmas as a Mrs, I thought of this moment: The Mr rented a little cabin for our 1-year dating anniversary. It was a lovely surprise. The moment captured below is one of my favorite moments ever.

Wishing you all a warm and cozy Christmas, surrounded by those you love the most.

THE GLAD GAME {CHRISTMAS EDITION}

Today I have to work, but only until 2pm...then I make the 1 hour and 30 minute-ish drive to my home-town; Straight to church for me! I hope my family saves me a seat. Hey husband, save me a seat.

This sunny Christmas Eve morning I am especially glad for the following:

{an antique ornament chandalier at our favorite antique shop}

{brown paper packages tied up with string. all loaded in my car}

 

 {this creamer my mom told me about that I found on clearance at Target. 

It's 35 calories per tablespoon and I probably added 5 tablespoons to my coffee this morning... oops}

 {our precious kitty, bailey, who I teared up *petting good-bye to this morning. 

yes, I did and I'm not embarrassed.}

 {annual Christmas gathering with the girls last night. yummy food...}

{...good wine, and the best company ever. I love you, girls}

*petting good-bye is sort of like hugging good-bye. you can't really hug a cat.