Christmas in instagrams.

Sadly I didn't capture to many moments on film. I had planned to use my film camera this year. But every grocery store I went seemed to stopped carrying film. So I took to instagram for a few shots throughout christmas festivities.












My sister was pretty stoked about the ipad me and my mom got her.







It was a pretty great christmas. There was lots of cooking with my mom. I was in charge of making my green bean casserole, Chocolate bourbon pecan pie, au gratin potatoes and some white chocolate covered Oreos. Along with decorating the big dinning room table. It's kind of my moms thing and this year she let me do it. I decided to stay the night on Christmas eve and stay in my old room. It was cute how excited my mom and little brother got that I was staying the night, it felt like I had never left. I got to snuggle with my puppy she's kind of a bed hog. I slept like a baby, since me and my brother stayed up late watching horrible bosses. And I put all the furniture in Autumn's doll house. I felt like a little kid on Christmas putting it together it was a lot of fun. I went to bed around 1:30 that night. And miss Olivia woke me up at 8:30 and laid on top of me trying to get me to get up. So we got up to wonder downstairs for my moms yummy Christmas morning strata and it was delicious. Then it was time for opening presents. I am bummed I did not get any of miss autumn opening her house. But she was grinning from ear to ear. And she played with that thing while everyone else opened their presents. It was the cutest watching her make noises and having her Coraline doll play with her doggy that was in the house. My favorite part of opening presents and watching everyones faces when opening my gifts. My sister balled her eyes out when she opened up her blurb book I made of autumn, So I think I did good on that present :) After that we headed over to my aunts house to spend Christmas day with my dad's side of the family. It was a lovely and a lot of fun. I always feel closer to my dad when I am surrounded by his side of the family. I think he was there that day watching us and enjoying laughing at his mom play mad gab she made us all laugh so hard our sides hurt. This year instead of white elephant we all drew names for gifts. My aunt becky got me and she did quite well on my gift. Local natives on vinyl, Godiva chocolates and my favorite red velvet cupcake wine.
After all of that I went back to my moms for dinner and veg with my mom and watch christmas movies. It was perfect and relaxing after all those weeks of hours and hours on that house and shopping and wrapping presents. I hate how stressful the holidays can make us. Next year I vow to not get so stressed out and just relax and not worry so much. I actually want to carry that thinking into the new year. I always stress over the littlest things and to the extreme to. I am actually stressing a bit now. My landlord is coming over on Thursday to see the house and re sign my lease for another year. I can't believe a year ago to this day I drove out to this cute little bungalow house and almost didn't apply for it because every house I had showed interest in somehow didn't work out. But my mom said to go for it, so that night I emailed my application over and the next morning it was mine. And I moved in days later on January 1st it was a great way to start a new year. And here I am a year later and still loving this little home, it's going to be a sad day when I have to move out. I think I may stay here until my landlord wants it back. It's just perfect for me. Anywhoo I am rambling I have a whole lot of cleaning to do. After all the Christmas present making and wrapping, and autumn watching my house is a bit of a mess. So today and tomorrow will be dedicated to cleaning. I hope you all had a magical christmas and spent it with loving family.

xo

All about bow's

I am a sucker for anything with bows on it. And when I spotted this cute bow dress on ebay. I had to snag it right up. The other day I decided to wear it out. I was going to do a official outfit post but I left my camera charger at my sisters house so I resorted to a iphone picture.




Outfit:

Dress: Ebay
Cardigan: H&M
Tights: Target
Shoes: Vintage

I can't believe it's a week till Christmas. AH how on earth did that happen?? I have one gift to buy and two to make. Well technically three. Me and my sister are still hard at work on Miss Autumn's doll house. The outside has been painted pink, the window trim and shutters will be white. The inside rooms still have to be painted, which wont take long so that will be my project this week.





I hope you all had a lovely weekend. I had great one, it was spent with family and friends. I also went to the nutcracker ballet yesterday with my mom,sister and munchkin. They defiantly have changed it since I went when I was I think 11 or 12. It was still a lot of fun. And to see her face with the ballerina's came on stage in their tutu's and danced so gracefully on their tippy toes. I love a good ballet its just so beautiful to watch. Of course my sister giggled every time the men dancers came on. I never will understand why their pants have to be nude color so its like HELLO you can see everything. Another fun thing that I got to do this past week was a last min invite to see Foster the people in concert. My uncle had to work late the night of the show so gave
me his two vip tickets to the show.




It was a lot of fun, I had heard they put on a great show and that they did. I also got to meet up with a fellow instagammer. I've met some people from that little app and its been great. If you have instagram you can follow me I think I am under my name Tabatha.


There have been lots of present wrapping and gift tag making.

Well I am off to finish making the last of my christmas gifts.

xo

Things that have been making me happy lately.

I put together a little fun list of things that have been making me happy lately.





Coffee.
I have cut back on coffee. Which at first was really difficult I wont lie. But now I don't even crave it as much. But it's more of a treat every once and a while.




23rd street during christmas time. I love how the whole street is lit up.




Sansai sushi.
It's the best sushi in Portland.
They have this roll the tuna garlic roll. And it comes with this garlic sesame seed sauce that is to die for.


Kick butt work outs.
And getting back into the swing of the whole gym thing.



New shoes.
I have a shoe obsession lately.
But they were on sale.
I find ways to make my shoe shopping addiction ok. See I have a problem, but I admitted so its ok right?


Messy buns.


Autumn seeing Santa claus and writing him a letter.
She asked him for a barbie jeep it was pretty much the cutest thing ever.


My family birthday dinner.

The other night we had early christmas/ birthday dinner at my moms with my cousin and my aunt. My cousin is home for leave from Afghanistan. Sadly he goes back out on Tuesday, so we had a early christmas dinner with him. It was great to see him and his new little one (which is so stinking cute) He will hopefully be back on leave again in June *Fingers crossed*




Those are things that are making me happy lately. Now I must must get back to working on my sisters present.

xo

Christmas wishlist.

Making my christmas list and checking it twice. My mom still ask for our christmas list and we list three "Santa" gifts we would like then a few ideas for the other gifts. So I thought today id share my Christmas list for this year.





1. Coach leather lindsey satchel
2. Nikon 50mm lens
3. Lauren Moffatt Fondue Fete Dress

It's a pretty wish list I think. I also cannot believe it's two weeks until christmas, how did that even happen? Luckily I am almost done with presents. I am doing better then I was last year, I was out buying presents the day before christmas eve. I left one big present to the last minute which wasn't very smart of me. I am putting together a blurb book for my sister it will be pictures of Miss autumn from birth to now. Which is a whole lot of pictures so I have to hammer that one out today and hope that it will be here by christmas. Also I don't think I have blogged about it or not. But I purchased Autumn a doll house a little while back at one of my favorite antique malls. My sister and I decided we should make it into Coraline's pink palace. Since the house needed a little bit of work anyway. We finally as of last week picked out the paint colors for the house.








My sister even got her a Coraline doll to make the pink palace complete.

My sister is doing the color stripping and all that fun stuff. Then I will take over and paint the house. Im still on the hunt for more furniture. I didn't think it would be so difficult. Well I've found stuff but people are charging a pretty penny for a lot of this stuff. I found the cutest little bed but $50 for one teeny tiny bed that is outrageous. I can't wait to see her face when I give this to her all wrapped up with a big bow on top. And you betcha there will be video and pictures of this present opening I cannot wait. And Christmas is just around the corner. Are you ready for christmas?

xo

Winter ale festival.

This past weekend my friend blair and myself went to Portland's annual winter ale festival. I have never been before and it sounded like a lot of fun. So I was all game for it. It was in downtown Portland right beneath the big Christmas tree in pioneer court house square. In these huge heated tents it was a really cool experience. Lots and lots of drunk people I am glad that my friend had brought her big guy friend because within 30 seconds of arriving some old drunk guy started harassing us, so that was fun. When you go you get a beer drinking cup and 8 tickets. Each ticket gets you a taste, 2 is a half of glass and 4 is a full glass. I mainly tasted then when I found one I really liked went back for a full glass to have with my food. I ended up with a hopworks Kentucky christmas it was so delicious I hope I can find it in stores this holiday. Here are a few photos i snapped through out the evening.














I had a lot of fun and would love to make it a tradition. Also that weekend my friend Lori came up for the day to see Typhoon. And of course it was a amazing show as usual. They played at mississippi studios which I had never been to, and it's probably my new favorite Portland music venue next to the doug fir.



That evening wouldn't be complete without some yummy vegan food at Vita. I need to get more out of my box and try more things cause everything looks amazing. But I always go back to my mac n cheese with fried tempah it's delicious.



I feel like I haven't been in my blog groove anymore. I am going to try to get back into it. Life has been busy these days with the holidays and all. But I'll get back into it one day at a time.

xo

Birthday recap: Diamonds are a girls best friend.

This year was the first year I spent it with just my mom. Since I was 16 I started having a big party to celebrate or going out somewhere. And when my beach house plans fell through I thought id spend it with my momma. So as I said in my last post she had a surprise present for me and I had racked my brain and asked her and my sister over and over again but never got anywhere. I am glad they didn't tell me because then it wouldn't be as special. So I got myself all dolled up and sparkly, as I was getting ready I was still trying to crack this surprise.




She said I had asked for it years ago but now that I am 25 it seemed like the perfect gift. And my sister was jealous of this gift, well me and my sister have such different taste in pretty much everything. So as I was putting my face on it hit me. DIAMONDS, on my 21st birthday there was this pretty pink cocktail ring I spotted while my mom was getting her wedding ring cleaned but my mom said "Maybe for another birthday". I asked my mom and sister but of course they said I wasn't right. I headed over to meet my mom at her house and we drove to get said present. She said she had to stop at the jewelry store to get her ring cleaned ( Hmm...) and then Nordstroms where my present was. I was like what's there I know I hinted at a coach purse but my sister wasn't into purses or stuff like that. We arrived at the jewelry store she had told the manager that she needed her ring cleaned. Then she said "It's my daughters 25th birthday so I wanted to get her something special" I immediately said " I KNEW IT I KNEW IT OMG I KNEW IT" So I walked around looking at all the pretty sparkly earrings,rings and necklaces. But then I saw these two pretty sparkly rings that were so simple and beautiful, I knew they had to be mine. While my mom was paying the lady said for their birthday costumers they get a complimentary pearl bracelet.. " What I get more?" The lady laughed and put it on my wrist. I kept staring at it and saying " Omg mom thank you, I love you best present ever".


(And I have found if I am being bothered by a creepo just swap the ring onto my left ring finger and bam. Creepo repellent.)

By that point I was starving so we went and got dinner and had a fantastic time. It was a nice relaxing birthday spent with my momma, it was perfect.






All in all it was a great birthday. Nice and relaxed and I still have my girls beach get away still in January and this time on a weekend. Silly me planning it on a monday-wednesday days after thanksgiving. I didn't really think that whole plan through.
In other news I have been kicking butt at the gym, I fell off the wagon (excersise wise for about a month). I am back on and it feels great. Gotta keep with it, one day at a time.

xo

25 years ago today.

( I swear every picture I have of my dad is him wearing flannel. I own just a handful of his old shirts now.)

Little old me was born. I can't believe I am 25 today, time has flown by so fast and maybe a little to fast. Last year when I turned 24 it seemed just like any old birthday. But this year I turn 25 which brings out questions like "What have I done in 25 years" "Where is my life going" etc etc. So that's been fun. I had originally planned to go to the beach for a few days but I wasn't the smartest on planning thinking people could get three days off after thanksgiving week. So that trip has been rescheduled for sometime in February. Tonight I will be celebrating with family and friends. I hear that my mom has some magical surprise present for me, I was not expecting anything else after getting a beach house. But she has something up her sleeve. I cannot get any hints out of her, although I did get one from my sister "You'll shite yourself" (She did not say shite) We shall see what this mystery gift is.

Also this past weekend I put up my Christmas tree. It's the first Winter in my new little place. So I am pretty excited.


Yes it's pink what other color would I have?

Well I am off to have a good birthday work out at the gym. Then maybe spoil myself with some new make up at mac.

xo

Seattle: in photos.

This past weekend I spent a few days in Seattle. To see a show and take a mini trip on a Ferry. Which I had never been on until that day. It's so cool although I do have a big fear of long distances on big boats ( Thanks Titanic) But it was a short trip so I was ok. I got into town Friday evening just in time to go to dinner and get drinks with my friend before heading to the show we were going to that night.


Their spicy tuna was so delish to.



We were still early for the doors to open so we popped into another bar on the way.



Show time.

Now I didn't take any photos at the show besides my camera phone one. I did have my camera camera with me. I think I was just so into the show. But luckily my friend Lori is a great photographer so she snapped some goodies.



More of her show pictures Here
Now they played with Wild ones and Youth. Which I had heard of but never heard before that night. And I am glad I was there they were both all three Portland Bands. I would defiantly see any of their shows agin. Then Typhoon took the stage and they did not disappoint I don't think they can put on a bad show. The band of 10-14 members just fit on the stage. They played some new ones and some old. I was a bit sad they didn't play one song but maybe it was a good thing because that song likes to make me a little teary eyed and I didn't want to go on crying at a show. Anywhooo it was a great show and so glad I was able to drive up to see them. The next day we woke up bright and early headed to a new favorite cafe the ridgeback. They have the yummiest crapes and waffles. After we stuffed our tummies full of good food we headed off to catch the Ferry so we could spend a mini day in Port Townsend.


oh yeah and I got bangs. I wasn't to sure with the red hair and all but I love them I was going to chop my hair off but knew I would of regretted it immediately and telling my hair dresser "How could you let me do this?" So I resisted and cut my bangs instead.


Ok yeah ferry pictures.





























We wondered around downtown Port Townsend which we didn't really look into being a sunday a lot of stuff seemed to be closed. So we walked around circles downtown (Cause it's really tiny) a few times snapped some photos. Then came across the coolest underground cafe and wine bar it was so cool. I need to see if Portland has one cause I could probably live in there on a comfy couch, Hot toddy and a book.

After some sight seeing we headed back to catch our ferry and head into Seattle grab some grub and have a relaxing night in. Before I had to head out bright in early (5:45 ew) the next morning cause I am a really nice sister and give my brother a ride to class.







This is Nolan, Lori's cat and he is the cutest kitten on earth. The end.

It was a good weekend it's nice to get away every now and then. And I'll be getting away again this weekend. Tomorrow Lori will be coming down for a show ( Sallie ford and the sound outside and pickwick) But the following day we shall be off on a mini day/night beach trip and staying with my grandparents. I always love a excuse to see my grandparents and stay with them and see the beach. But they are saying we are getting snow and the drive there can get a bit iffy so it's still up in the air. * Fingers crossed* Well I am off it's going to be a busy day today. Munchkin,errands, cleaning and fitting in the gym as well. Have a fantastic day.

xo