2011 My Best Year Yet!

New Year's Eve 2011

It snowed! Hadn't happened in years! We got less than 2" but HEY I'll take it!!

Spring Break Trip to New Mexico with my best cousins! We went to Santa Fe, Taos, Ruidoso.

Staying up all night and day to watch the Royal Wedding. Our dessert table set up!

April showers, May flowers! My grandparents garden always has beautiful flowers in full bloom

Michael Buble Concert!

Summer Trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. I love the adobe architecture there!

Seriously the best meal I had all year! It was at a Tapas Restaurant in Houston, TX

  Gorgeous summer weather into late October and November! That's Texas for ya!

 

 Halloween!!

 

 I turned 20 this year!!

The Holiday Season! Our Christmas Tree! 

Closing thoughts on 2011

I was up till 4:30 last night thinking about this past year. I'm so proud of all that I've accomplished this year. I've learned so much about myself and I feel I've become stronger and more confident in who I am. This year I realized my capabilities, opened myself up to new friendships, traveled and tried not to sweat the small stuff! For once I kept all my resolutions. My biggest accomplishment was losing a little under 50 pounds. That alone has changed my life in more ways then I ever imagined. I plan to continue to work my way to a healthier me. I also achieved all the academic goals I set for myself. For this new year I have set some more goals for myself and I am so excited to start working towards reaching them. This has been the best year yet! I'm looking forward to what the new year will bring. Goodbye 2011 and cheers to a happy healthy and peaceful new year! I'm ready for ya 2012!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Very soon it will be Christmas Day

Just wanted to write a quick post to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!! Here are a few pictures I took throughout the month of December. Mostly of our Christmas decorations at home as well as a couple of pictures I took on our weekend trip to Dallas. Now it's time to get all glammed up for two family Christmas Parties! Tonight Santa comes and tomorrow is finally Christmas Day! I couldn't be more excited!

the perfect black boots

 So I'm sitting in bed right now lusting over these Steve Madden Spinnner Boots. Now just a week ago before the semester ended, I was whining about being sleep deprived. Now that I have all the time in the world to sleep, I can't seem to go to bed at a reasonable hour. It is now 2 a.m. and what am I doing? window shopping! Yeah, not the best idea when you only have a mere $6 dollars to your name. Anyway, back to these beauts. I NEED these in my life and I'll explain why. Firstly, I don't own a pair of black shoes, that alone is completely unacceptable. Secondly, I am now 20 and I think its about time that I use a shoe with a little bit of a heel. Now I realize these only have a 2 inch heel but I can't walk in heels gracefully so I've got to start somewhere! Lastly, Unlike the taupe suede boots I have now, leather is pretty durable so I wont have to worry about ruining them when it rains.

 Now I know what you are thinking. These shoes are very similar to the TopShop Ambush boots that have been all the rage on YouTube and the blogosphere. I loved those when I saw them and now I have fallen for these. Only thing with the TopShop boots is that there is no way for me to see them in person to try on. Now with these boots, the only thing keeping me from them is $140 and a 5 mile drive to the mall. Plus Steve Madden shoes have always been good to me.

Unfortunately, I would ask Santie for these but I've already mailed him my list. ;) Since there are only 9 days till Christmas I have a hunch that he has finished all my Christmas shopping. ah what's a girl to do in such a dilemma *sigh* Late night online browsing is never a good idea....

Dear Santa

1. Michael Kors "Runway" Chronograph Watch --- 2. Deborah Lippmann Today was a Fairytale ---

3. Dolce and Gabbana Rose the One --- 4. Kate Spade Black Stud Earings --- 5. Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 55 Bad Romance

Halloweenie!

Since I've been sick since Thursday I spent my Halloween weekend on the couch. Fun, I know. On Monday I had a relaxing night eating way to many chocolates and treats that my wonderful mom made. I spent the night watching my all time favorite Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus. Oh and I finally got to watch Twilight. I have to say, I don't understand peoples obsession with it at all. I felt it dragged on and I don't know, it was just a bit awkward. Anyway I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. October was a nice month, Now on to the next! Looking forward to Thanksgiving, and my 20th birthday! Be good to me November!

a glimpse into my week

LOVE LOVE LOVE this necklace I feel like I actually wear it too much! It's from Nordstrom BP. They have beautiful statement necklaces and I want, no not want, I NEED more.

L'OREAL VOLUMINOUS CARBON BLACK MASCARA. NUFF SAID. 

(ignore my brows. threading appointment soon)

My first Butter London Polishes! Ultas Tuesday deal was buy one get one free. Made my week!

OPI Lucerne-tainly look marvelous. Seriously a gorgeous color! I wore it all week and it's even more complex and interesting in person. It has teeny tiny green, silver and pink shimmers. All week and all day I found myself staring at my nails. I kid you not! OBSESSED.

 My brothers cookie cake! He turned 17 on Thursday! I swear I feel like I was 17 just the other day! how the heck is he 17 now, how is this happening so fast! blows my mind. lol Anyway his birthday is beginning of the celebrations and holidays for the rest of the year! September: his birthday & the first days of fall. October: My youngest brothers birthday & Halloween. November: My birthday & Thanksgiving. December: Semester ends & Christmas. January: New Years. AHH LOVE this time of year!!  LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL!

I LOVE where I live. Even though I drive by this almost every single day I still find myself oohing and awing at how beautiful it is. It never gets old and even though I've lived here all my life I still appreciate this city more and more everyday.

Missoni for Target

A few things I bought from the collection

My shopping experience at Target was cool, calm, and collected but only because I went too late in the day. (1:00 p.m.) While I was there I heard several women asking for the collection, only to be pointed to empty racks and shelves. People who went early in the morning wiped em all out. Luckily I got everything I planned on buying. Other then what I got, I was really only interested in the home decor and kitchenware. I didn't even have the option to decide whether or not I would buy other things since it was ALL gone.

I don't think any one could have predicted the madness on that day. I feel since the line was so highly promoted and advertised that everyone, even people who don't normally follow fashion wanted a piece of some zig-zag. In the past, designer collaborations have really never received the same response. After the success of this collection, I hope this prompts even more amazing designers to jump on, well, beg for the chance to collaborate with Target. It's big business! Anyway I had a fun time anticipating the collection and it was a fun little way to liven up my week!

the bag that got away....

While in Santa Fe, New Mexico my mom and I stopped into TJ MAXX. I spotted this Michael Kors bag in the clearance section for only $150, but I say 'only' with hesitation. If it was ONLY $150 that would make it seem as if it was easily attainable for me. BUT unfortunately it wasn't. I saw it, fell in love with it, put it down, thought about buying it, walked away, found myself back in the bag section, tried it on once again, thought about it, put it down, and then walked out. I seriously haven't stopped thinking about the bag since. It had all the qualities I've been looking for...black leather, gold hardware, long straps, bucket style bag. gahh! Now I feel like an idiot for not buying it. I just had to share how much of a dummy I was to pass it up. Now excuse me while I go cry in the corner.

HOUSTON

A peak into our weekend trip to Houston, Texas

A bit of the skyline

Reading on the way over to Houston

The Galleria=Heaven. Tons of designer stores in there. I of course could only admire the designer shops from afar. But I did get a couple of basics at Zara. It was actually my first time shopping there and it is now my favorite store!! I need to save up my $$$$$ so next time I can get more!

Dylan's Candy Bar inside the Galleria. This baby version of the store will do until I get to go to the main store in NYC!

Bought some sweets to take home to my brothers. How cute is this bag?!?!

Driving through the Bel Air neighborhood of Houston. I'll take this house!!

Mongolian beef, chicken & shrimp

After lunch we came to House of Pies. When my dad lived in Houston during half of his college years. He and his friends would go to house of pies all the time. Brings back good memories for him.

and this pie brings back good memories for me! THE BEST PIE EVER EVER EVER! Great recommendation dad :)

Next trip: Santa Fe, New Mexico!

We leave tomorrow at 6 a.m. and I have NOTHING packed. Since we will be gone a little over a week, I need to decide what clothes, shoes and jewelery to bring. If you are anything like me this wont be an easy task.

My Mini Vaycay!

A look into my getaway trip to San Antonio, Texas.

Although I've been to San Antonio more times then I can count. I've never really done much more than visiting The Alamo and strolling along The Riverwalk. But this time we made it a point to find new things to do. After this trip I got to see San Antonio in a new light and was pleased to find out how much more the city has to offer.

Our hotel was located right along The San Antonio Riverwalk, Which is where we spent the first whole day. Even though I've been here before I always love going. So we walked, shopped, had lunch at one of the many restaurants along the river, walked some more, sat, shopped and did I mention we walked? At night we people watched and enjoyed a delicious cheesecake and cherry ice cream cone. After an exhausting day in the hot Texas heat (101 degrees, sheesh!) we walked back to our hotel room and slept like babies. ZzzzZzzZZzz

The next day we went to a museum which may not sound like a fun time to everyone but it's something my family likes to do especially when we are in a different city. I've always enjoyed going so I didn't mind one bit. After that we had lunch here at The Gunether House Restaurant. Which is located in a picturesque victorian neighborhood. The area is also one of the oldest historical districts in Texas. (Pictures of the homes are coming up in the next blog post. The homes are too stunning NOT to post.)

The restaurant room reflects the Art Nouveau style of the 1920's in their use of stained glass ivy window panels and structural and decorative elements.  

The beautiful flowers on our table.

My lunch a simple but tasty club sandwich with a side of seasonal fresh fruit.

I was taking a short nap in the hotel room and woke up to a pink box filled with these sweet treats. My dad's friend's wife just opened up a bakery in SA and sent us some goodies to try out. They wanted us to critique the desserts for them to see if they needed improvement. And of course I was up for the task and MORE then happy to do so. The box did get banged up on its way over to us but who cares, holy heck they were AMAZING!

I mean just look at this close up! like Rachel Ray like to says, YUMMOOOOO

 On our last day in SA we spent all day shopping. For dinner we went to La Fogata Mexican Restaurant. The setting and the ambiance was so lively and relaxed. Here I snapped a photo of the Mariachis waiting to perform as we were waiting to be seated. We were seated at a table outside underneath the patio that was shaded by trees. Lights strung from all across the room which gave the area a nice glow. Shortly after we got our food the mariachis began to play. It was the perfect way to end our trip in San Antonio.

So that was a shortened look at my mini vacation. Proves that you don't have to go miles and miles away from home to have a fun, leisurely and exciting trip. Now, I'd like to conclude with a fun fact of the day-- Tortilla chips are my weakness. 

pitched a tent under the stars

     A week of roughing it out in the wilderness can surprisingly prove to be quite relaxing. Evey summer my family and extended family always plan a camping trip. This year there were 22 of us in total. I have been going camping every summer since I was 8. We always have the best time and this year was no different.     

   The birds chirping in the morning was a nice wake up call, as opposed to the annoying iPhone alarm clock tune. We hiked down to the bank and stayed in the water all afternoon. The sun was beaming bright, so boy did we lather up on sunscreen. I have a good summer color going now. Sweet! Also, I didn't wear any make up while camping so that was a nice break for my skin. 

      In the evenings we sat around the table, played card games and talked up a storm. Speaking of storms! On the third night we experienced the most terrifying thunderstorm. I'm talking light up the sky, vibrating the ground, roaring thunder for 10 seconds at a time kinda storm. I was a wreck and the fact that our tent was under a tree did not help in calming my nerves. What an experience. On the last night we made s'mores and roasted corn. After all, what kind of camping trip would it be without that!

     Anyway, I'm happy to be home and excited to catch up on YouTube videos and blog posts. Write to you soon. xoxo