2013 Favorites!

Hey Y'all! 

 

2013 is nearly over, can you believe it? 

This year has honestly flown by, faster than I think any year before it. 

I think it might be because it was my first "grown up" year and by that I mean that I was no long in college and I worked full time the whole year.

 

It was a year of ups and downs that started out pretty rough, but overall a great year that is ending on a good note. 

 

2013 started off with two deaths in my family, which caused a lot of grief and self reflection. I think death just does that. This was not my first time to deal with the loss of family members but I think that no matter how many funerals you attend or how many deaths you grieve, each one is unique and comes with new emotions. 

 

Even though that was a rough start to my year, it did get better from there. Here are some of my favorite moments from 2013:

 

Teaching Ken to fish and spending more time on the water.

 

Going to Rodeo to see The Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson

 

 My 23rd birthday was spent at the Moody Gardens Aquarium, one of my most favorite places in the world

 

I started a new job at an amazing hotel that has beautiful events!

 

My 13 year old (14 in January!) dog, April, made it through surgery that she needed to remove a lump.

Ken and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary in the Hill Country at a winery.

 

My favorite baby turned 1!

One of my oldest friends got married and had a beautiful wedding!

 

Ken and I went on a cruise with my mom and it was a blast!

 

We made three stops on the cruise and in Roatan Island I was able to hold and play with monkeys.

 

And in Cozumel we swam with dolphins. 

 

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ken and I celebrated with my mom, dad, stepmom, my brother and a family friend. It was great to have everyone together. Plus my turkey came out very nice! 

 

Lastly, Christmas. It was delightful. I spent time with family, stuffed my face, and received amazing gifts that made me feel super spoiled! 

2013 was filled with great memories and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store. I will making a post soon about my hopes, wishes, and wants for the New Year. Until then, what are your favorite 2013 memories?

 

xo

bre

Christmas Blues

(one of the very few pictures I took Christmas Day)

 

Hey Y'all!

 

Well Christmas has come and gone faster than I ever believed possible.

 

This is my first grown up Christmas.

Last year I graduated college 4 days before Christmas and had barely started working, before that I was in college and had a whole month off for the holidays.

This year, since I didn't take any extra time off, I am back at work the very next day. *sigh*

 

Christmas was wonderful though. We spent Christmas Eve at my dads with some of my stepmother's family eating lasagna and opening presents. And then we spent Christmas Day with my mom opening presents, playing the Wii I got for Ken, cooking, eating, and watching movies. It was perfect.

 

I always feel a little sad after Christmas no matter what. Every year I get awesome presents, spend time with family and stuff my face - but I always feel a little blue the next day. Is it just me?

 

Thankfully I have much to look forward too. (that always helps the blues pass) Ken and I will be going out for a date night this weekend and New Year's is just around the corner! We will be attending a party at a friends house, where I will be dressed in sequence and sipping champagne.

 

How was your Christmas? Looking forward to New Year's?

 

xo

bre

Currently Craving: Christmas Gifts

Hey Y'all!

As I have said in previous post, I love gifts. So here are some of my wish list items.

 

Essie Nail Polish

 

Books

 

 

This Necklace

 I just think its cute and simple and could go with so much.

 

Surprises!

 My family normally asks me for wish list every year but they also tend to get my items not on my list, so I can't wait to see what they surprise me with!

 

To not get sick!

 

Everyone in my office is getting sick and even Ken is sick! So I really, really (fingers crossed!) hope I don't catch anything!

 

What is on your list?

 

xo

bre

Top 5: Christmas

Hey Y'all!

Merry (almost) Christmas!! We are only 12 days away! Can you believe it?! Here are my favorite things about Christmas:

 

Christmas Movies:

The Grinch is probably my number 1 favorite Christmas movie, but that's really hard to say since I love so many. They are the best way to put you in the Christmas mood!

 

Hot Chocolate:

YUM!

 

Presents:

I will be honest will y'all, I love gifts. I really do, I won't lie. But I also love giving them. I love picking the best gift for people that I think they will love.

 

Christmas Tree and Decorations:

I set up my tree right after Thanksgiving! One year I actually set it up on Thanksgiving night. This year I did it the weekend after and I love how it makes the whole house feel warm and Christmas-y!

 

Christmas Treats:

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to bake Christmas goodies for friends, co-workers, and family. I actually will be doing this tonight and bringing a plate to work tomorrow. Mine will be no where near as detailed as the above picture, but aren't those so cute!

 

What do you love about Christmas?

 

xo

bre

Ways to Give this Holiday Season

Hey Y'all!

 

I will be very honest with you, I love presents! Gifts are my top love language and so I love Christmas. This also means I love to give gifts. I spend so much time looking for the perfect gifts for people and making sure they will love them.
 

 

Even though gift giving and getting makes me giddy this time of year, I like to look for ways to give.

 1. Cards for Hospitalized Kids
Last year I read about this organization and decided it was something I wanted to be a part of, so I made about 10 holiday style cards and sent them out. It is super easy but also meaningful since most of the kids they give the cards to do not get to go home for the holidays. This year a group at my church wanted to do something for the holidays and I mentioned this, so now we will be doing it as a group this weekend.

2. Donate Clothes/Blankets to Shelters
Another easy but extremely helpful way to give for the holidays is to donate the sweaters, pants, blankets and other warm clothing that you don't use anymore to your local shelters since it gets cold this time of year. (Plus this is a great way to clean out your closet!)

3. Sing/Visit/Play with patients at your Local Hospital
This is something that my church group is also doing this year. We are planning to visit a local hospital together - Sing Carols, Visit with patients and play with the children.

4. Give Toys or Gifts to Local Shelters or Orphanages
The last way I plan to give this season is by buying a few toys and giving them to a shelter for women and children. Ken and I look forward to buying a barbies, action figures, or play dough - and items like batteries or tooth brushes for the shelters regular needs.

xo
bre


Christmas Bucket List

Happy December Y'all!

Now that I have given you oh so many Thanksgiving posts and we are all getting tired of turkey I figured it was time to move on to Christmas!

 

 

(Updated 12/12) Christmas Bucket List:

 

Decorate the house and put up the tree

 

Make New Holiday Recipes

Holiday Cookies

Warm Pot Roast (Recipe coming soon!)

Bacon and Bourbon Stuffing

Twice Baked Potatoes

Pancetta & Parmesan Brussels Sprouts

 

Make and send out Christmas Cards

 

Ice Skate

 

Go look at Christmas Lights

 

Watch as many Christmas movies and TV episodes as time with allow

 

Drink Hot Chocolate

 

See a Christmas Play

 

Sit at the Bonfire

 

Volunteer

Make cards for children in the hospital

 

UPDATE: I didn't finish everything on my list, but I got most of it down, so I still feel accomplished! :)

 

That is what is on my list for this December, what about you?

 

xo

bre