all that glitters is gold

I used to claim that my three favorite holidays were The Fourth of JulyHalloween and New Year's Eve.

However, this year, I'm not feeling quite as into it.  It might have to do with the fact that two years ago, I experienced a horrible limo driver that resulted in a $200 fine and our group of 16 stranded on a freezing cold night, and last year, I got food poisoning. But I'm not pointing fingers.

This slight apathy has resulted in me not yet having finalized my plans, or, more importantly, my outfit.

Almost nothing goes better with NYE champagne and glitz than shiny gold, and something sparkly. Or better yet, something gold and sparkly.

How will you glitz?
via: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

holidaze :)

After all this build up to Christmas, I should probably confess now that I'm likely going to be a very absentee blogger for the remainder of 2010.

I've got my sights set on time with my family, Christmas celebrations, and a sparkly start to 2011.  I'll try not to be completely negligent, but just in case... Merry Christmas! and a happy New Year :) I hope your final days of 2010 are filled with lots of love and happiness!
via from portland to peonies

and he huffed and he puffed...

I began to understand how the Grinch must have felt last night as I took my tree down, five days before Christmas.  That corner of my apartment looks so sad now.

Though, when I return after Christmas, I'll be very happy I don't have to do it.

Fortunately, my apartment is not looking completely like Whoville, because Jim and I made gingerbread houses this weekend.

We listened to Christmas music, ate tons of candy (that was more me than him), and talked as we built two happy little neighboring gingerbread homes.  I highly recommend the activity.

You'll notice there is a lot of snow on my house...
Sadly, Jim's house fell right as he put on the final piece. I must admit, though that before it collapsed, it was definitely better than mine.  You can tell by the roof detail...
Beware, it's kind of a messy project. But well worth it...