2010 in review

a year gone and i am definitely a year wiser. these are some things i learned in 2010..

1. being alone doesn't have to be lonely. 

after having been in such a LONG relationship... 2 years ago (mind you) and yes, it really did take me that long to get over it. not just the heartbreak but the biggest obstacle was learning to first be ok with being by myself. during the relationship, i had certainly changed a lot and it took a long time to find myself again. because really, its not about finding the right one, its about being the right person when someone comes along.

2. be the right person.

i definitely have rushed into things and made some rash decisions but after finally learning to have some patience and taking the two years of time for myself to figure out who i am and what i like... i am finally the right person now. thank you santa for reading my letter this year and sending someone my way. i sure do like my time alone but i love having just the right company. :)

3. good friends are hard to find

so when you find one... hold on tight and never let go. this year ive found friends in unlikely places, and in unlikely ways; and reconnected with old ones from my past. i may not be the most popular girl on the block... but my friends let me know i am loved. lucky me!

4. forgive, forgive and forgive.

but don't forget. im not here to be a sucker and i dont want to be taken advantage of but being human myself, i understand that all humans make mistakes. when someone has wronged me and has hurt me, its so easy to play the righteous role. i used to be the biggest grudge holder but whats the point because truly, when i forgive... i can finally live.

5. live in the present

i think i have premature old people syndrome because oh boy, i loooove me a good dose of reminiscing! im afraid that that the year before this one i spent much too much time thinking about the good days... the easy life and ill be the first to admit my life now is anything from golden but i dont want to miss out on opportunities that could be good because i was thinking about the past. also, i think that given the career path i am on... its a slippery slope to start sacrificing this and that and all of a sudden to be left with nothing. the road will be long and challenging but when i finally survive it... will i really be happy with nothing except a string of letters? i want to take time to live a little and maybe let a few things slide because i love the smell of roses.

6. retail therapy works.

i hate to admit it but it really does. have definitely blown some cash money but when the shopping is done... bills, bills, bills, le sigh. will be more careful this year.

7. take time for family.

i used to be so involved in my studies and my previous relationship that i regretfully and shamefully must admit that i did not give my family the time they deserve. it saddens me especially because i have two (much) younger siblings and when they reminisce i want to be in their memories, as part of their joy and happiness. there is no time more golden than the present to show my love for them because maybe when they become too hip and cool for me... the opportunity will be gone forever. with that being said... ta ta for now! this what hes jammin on the keys... aww so talented! <3

{augustana by boston}

note: all images from weheartit.com

black and white attitude

these are some of my favs from my uncles photography... i just learned about his work today!

warning... not for kids' eyes :p

tranquility

sensuality

bitch in control

{ligo}

see ya 2010

can't believe another year has gone by already! time has really been flying... so i guess that means ive been having fun? well everyone, i hope that your 2010 has been great and i wish you an even better 2011.

oh yeaa.... get your make out on!

{weloveit and design darling}

retail therapy

after blowing some cash money for my retail therapy... i must say i feel much better! i've been waiting on these amazing aldo leather wedges for months and they were finally on sale... over 50% off... and so i took them in both colors. plus, the aldo salesman said i looked good... and well, its not like they say that to everyone :p

{weheartit}

so apparently i have a shoe collection "problem" that is becoming somewhat well known and living in the tundra of new hampshire... i do feel a teensy guilty for buying glorious heels knowing that i will probably never wear them during my decade here but maybe one day my collection will get the proper love it deserves... in case you can't see, the plaque at the top of the doorway says 'fairy tales do come true.' wow! shoes, crystal chandelier, tufted ottoman, white lacquered door... love at first sight.

{weheartit}

in other news... im going to be doing some painting when i get back from vacation. i think my first goal will be my dining room. right here below... it vibes with me

{decorpad}

christmas.... cheer

christmas morning filled with presents, sweets, thank yous and wheres your boyfriend... and how old are you again?

well i guess thanks for your thoughtful worry people. its easy to laugh about it but yea, sometimes it hurts too...

{weheartit}

merry christmas

wishing you all the merriest from sunny florida! whether you've been naughty or nice i hope that santa brings you what you wish for because really, we could all use a break. 

{bijou and boheme}

as for me, this year my little heart desires.... well, that's for santa's ears only.

{larry williams}

midnight music

i get my dance on...

fire in your new shoes by kaskade feat. martina of dragonette

crave you by flight facilities

and if i could light a fire in new shoes... these babies would be it

im dreaming...

of not a white christmas this year. i think living in the NE... ive had enough white. this year im dreaming of a christmas full of reds and sparkle.

{bijou and boheme}

{create}

return to the days of teeny bopping

ive escaped the frozen NE and have found myself in GORGEOUS sunny florida. its been a year since ive been back and i seriously have forgotten how amazing it is here.... can't believe that one of the nicest beaches in the nation is my home. go on... be jealous ;)

{clearwaterbeachdailyphoto}

{threegreatest beaches}

{buckstar}

ok ok ill stop... now im just being mean. :p anyways, i ended up buying the first heart earrings i posted and i cannot wait for their arrival! on our way to the airport, my friends and i stopped by at the mall. i haven't been to charlotte russe since my teeny bopper days but it was fun digging around... AND there was a sale. as a thrifty girl... can't turn down a sale, you know! dropped a few bucks and this is what i came home with...

esty round up: kidney wire earrings

finals are over and so it seems only fitting to reward myself... as a pre-scores release gift. lately, ive really been loving kidney wire earrings. the wire structure keeps them elegant and a little bit of bling at the end gives it a dash of drama to draw the eye. my lovely front runners...

also comes in colors:

{bazaarLatino}

{mercistudio}

{mercistudio}

{candies64}

{seaofjewels}

in love with leigh viner

if you guys didn't already know about leigh viner... its about damn time you do. i learned about her a few months ago during one of my endless etsy browsing seshes and came across her shop. she is a fantastic artist and just sketches the most ethereal images... they really do take my breathe away. this one below is called offshore and well, lets just let it speak for itself.

here are some of my favorites from her shop

i would rather...

{bright, bold, beautiful}

{coulorlover}

i just made this palette over at coulorlovers. turns out that fabulous yellow i put together has never been used before... so guess who got to name it! moi! dijon mustard, baby.

gray + gold

i've never taken myself for a gold type of girl, having exclusively preferred silvers for everything my entire life, rather for the entire couple years ive had any notion of what i like or what looks good.

however recently, i've noticed myself becoming quite fond of gold. gone are the days of tacky and gaudy  gold. sorry austin powers, not interested in shagging.... but gold done right, please excuse me while i swoon.

these gold mirrors against crisp white bedding and flowing grey drapes make this bedroom is romantic, sophisticated and of course, very luxe.

{elle decor}

{wear palettes}

{we heart it}

{we heart it}

hope you all are having some fun trimming trees, baking sinful treats and whatever it is that you love doing with, of course, the people you love.

{debutantes}

{jesslovesfred}

apparently the holidays are for wearing fabulous dresses that trail in the wind and looking back like yea, this is my life... what of it? i guess for once in my life i will not making out with hot men under snowfall... in my dreams. for me its gonna be the usual lame thing... and this year its studying for finals. school, yea it runs my life. please enjoy extra fun under the mistletoe pour moi.