resolutions

(photograph by max wanger)

this year, i'm keeping my resolutions manageable...

1. enjoy the simple things

2. be a better listener

3. spend more time at the beach

4. buy more local products

5. reuse, repurpose, recraft

what are your resolutions??

a special edition of catie's picks

new year's eve is right around the corner and if you don't have your outfit, you better start shopping! here are a few great ideas from catie!

for the girls that want to show off their upper body:

gold & black sparkle top

perfect black straight leg jeans

black sparkle peep-toe pumps

i love the detail in this ring!

for the girls who want to show off their great legs:

silk bloussana tunic by jcrew in black

tuck the tunic into this hot black sequin mini skirt

super opaque black tights

classic black pumps

finish this cute outfit with jewelry from banana republic

check out the earrings

and this sweet ring!

thanks to catie for all these great ideas!

remember to contact catie if you need help dressing yourself, organizing your closet, or have a fashion question, her email is catharine.joyce@gmail.com. she would be glad to help!

i wish everyone a happy new year and a joyous 2011!

oxox

a very merry christmas!

hope everyone had a merry christmas!!! brian and i had a wonderful time surprising brian's brother, chris, with a 6 week old chocolate lab that he had been wanting. our hearts melted when we met this little puppy on a farm near my hometown. he has a white patch on his stomach and a bit on every paw. we didn't want to give him up, but we knew chris would love him. here are a couple pictures of the cute, little guy named bruizer.

a good bath was needed!

love his blue eyes!

he is so handsome!

posing for the camera :)

he is so proud of his new tag

here is a photo of chris right after the surprise!

i think chris loves him :)

oxox

home for the holidays

i went home this weekend for my sister's graduation (congrats maliya!) and stopped at my parents house. my mom beautifully decorated the whole house for christmas and it is amazing! i hope the pictures do justice for her work. my creativity definitely comes from her!

elegant tableware arrangement

i love this!

the bows she picked this season are wonderful!

moravian star and winter tree with fruit

love this wreath!

another awesome bow

she bought this little tree and dressed it up with green bows

and a strand of lights. looks great at night!

our stairs with garland

the walls are perfect for christmas :)

all eight stockings are hung!

the tree!!

can you tell what this sign says?

merry christmas!!! good job mom :)

oxox

macy's nyc

empire state building, nyc

last wednesday my husband surprised me with a day trip to new york city and ice skating at rockefeller's center. we walked passed macy's holiday windows and these paper stars immediately caught my eye. its amazing what you can do with a couple folds, a hole punch, and sparkles!

i love the decorations in macy's!

the stacks of presents were everywhere!

catie's picks

here are catie's picks for a cozy friday!

a sweet, warmy sweater

hand-painted coral scarf found on etsy

dark skinny jeans with just the right amount of stretch!

perfect riding boots by rockport

i think i might put these on my wishlist :)

happy friday! oxox

remember if you need help with your fashion and style, contact catie (catharine.joyce@gmail.com). she will make you look your best!

adorable favors

these chocolate mice are adorable! they are a great gift for the holidays or as favors for a wedding or baby shower. you can choose your chocolate flavor (milk, dark, or white), the tail color, the box color, and the ribbon color for the box. burdick chocolate also makes penguins, bunnies, or bees.

so cute!

make it your own

my husband and i were so excited to decorate for christmas this year. the only thing that was missing in years past was a stocking for each of us. we both had certain, specific thoughts about what our stockings should look like from growing up. we finally compromised on one that we found at target (i can always count on target) and made it our own. here are a couple pictures.

are you proud of your christmas decorations? send me your pictures!

make your presents pretty

have you wrapped all of your christmas presents? if not, here are a few ideas to make your gifts special.

love these winter berries!

festive garland

for a different look on your packages, try these toadstools!

sweet tags are the best

happy wrapping!

catie's picks

here are friday's style picks from catie! a great cocktail outfit for the holidays...

silk v-neck drape dress by banana republic

soft cashmere wrap for cold nights

oh yes, spanx! in perfect midnight blue

cutest peep toes by nine west

beautiful handmade vintage pendant

glitter ball & thread bracelet

if you need help putting together an outfit for a big event (i'm talking to you, mother of the bride or groom!) or need a fashion makeover, contact catie! she has wonderful ideas, is the nicest person ever, and will find an outfit that matches your personality and style perfectly! her email is catharine.joyce@gmail.com, contact her!

oxox