Fill in the Blank Friday

{The Little Things We Do}

I thought it would be fun to finish the year with one last "Fill in the blank Friday" post. I hope that everyone has a lovely and safe New Year's Eve and a great start to the new year. I'm hoping that with the close of 2011, some more positive things will be in store for me in 2012. Happy New Year!!

1.   New Years is a great time to reminisce about the past year, and also look forward to some of the fun things in the new year.  

2.   One of my New Year's resolutions will be to work out more consistently.  

3.  A New Year's resolution I've made in the past was to I really can't remember any of my New Year's resolutions, but I've probably made one to drink more water in the past.

4. (I made up my own question, since I didn't have a time consuming resolution in the past) What is your favorite memory from New Year's Eve?  My parent's have vintage noise makers, so I always loved using them as soon as the ball dropped on Dick Clark's New Year's Eve special. 

5.  This year I will be spending New Year's Eve with my BF and some pals at a little get together I'm helping to host.

6.  If I could wish one thing for my new year it would be for it to just be a better year than the past few years have been.  

7.  2012 is going to be hopefully filled with a lot of positive changes!

NYE Outfit

nye 2 by quartknee42 featuring crystal bangles

nye by quartknee42 featuring black suede heels

casual NYE by quartknee42 featuring two tone shirts

This year I'm trying to utilize what I already have in my closet (or my friend's closet) for my New Year's Eve outfit. But if I had a chance to go on a mini-shopping spree these outfits are what I wish I could be wearing.

Christmas Weekend

How was your Christmas weekend? Mine was wonderful, I got to spend some quality time with my bf and family and was spoiled by each of them.  In addition to the presents, I was lucky enough to have a great walk on a spring-like Christmas day, and several rounds of games!

1. My bf and I after we celebrated Christmas early

2. My new camera! I can't wait to learn more on how to use it.

3. Cozy new JCrew slippers!

4. Christmas night Jenga game

5. Will Zumba Fitness 2, love it.

Merry Christmas

I'm so excited, and a little in disbelief that Christmas is this weekend.  My boyfriend and I are hopping in the car and going to my parent's house to spend the holiday with them.  I hope that everyone has a safe and happy Christmas weekend!

Waxed Skinny Jeans

 {J. Brand at Nordstrom}

{Gap}

{Hudson Jeans at Piperlime}

Have you noticed the new(ish) denim trend of waxed or coated jeans? At first I wasn't so sure about it, but the more I thought about it, I realized how perfect they would be to not only keep you warmer but most likely more dry as well.  I can imagine how much the natural elements would be repelled from them and keep your legs more dry.  Not to mention how they can take a simple outfit and dress it up a notch or two.

Outfit Crush

{Note to Self}

I am beyond excited to recreate this simple, casual, and comfy outfit over Christmas weekend.  Oregon, and in particular Portland has been particularly bright and sunshiny this December, and I am welcoming it with open arms.  So much that I'm willing to risk cold toesies to rock some heels that are otherwise left for dryer months.  Rock on December, rock on, I knew I always loved this month for a reason.

Fall Floral

{Top: H&M, Jeans: Gap, Heels: Urban Outfitters, Belt: Forever 21}

Do you ever completely forget about a pair of pants?  This pair of Gap trouser jeans was at the bottom of my jean drawer, and I guess I hadn't looked past my favorite skinny jeans to see them again.  Also, I think I'm developing an inability to wear pumps without my feet aching.  I must walk strangely in them, because I can wear other high heeled shoes, just not pumps.  Any advice? Maybe I should go to a walking specialist or something. :)

Over the Weekend

Over the weekend my boyfriend went up to his mom's house to celebrate Christmas with her.  It was a really nice weekend, and the sun was out for most of it which made it even better.  We got dinner on the harbor, went to see Sherlock Holmes. played cards, and opened presents.  It was a great start to the Christmas festivities!

1. Snacks and my boyfriend's moving hand during cards

2. My love and I

3. Our Christmas tree before and after

What Happened This Week

1. Chalkboard Christmas decorations

2. Some of my pals at Kell's Irish Pub

3. Mine and my boyfriend's desserts from Mother's Bistro

4. The bottom of our Christmas tree in the back of my boyfriend's Volvo

Happy Friday, have a great weekend!

Christmas Baking

{Google}

If you were to come over to my apartment, you would find me knee deep in a baking marathon that started last night.  One of my favorite things to do this time of year is to bake a lot of goodies and give them to my friends and family.  I'm making very similar items that I made last year, and it's something that I look forward to do every year.  Happy almost Friday! :)

Outfit Crush

{Banana Republic}

I'm already starting to think about what to wear for upcoming Christmas parties and New Year's Eve. Although both will be fairly low key, it's fun to at least think of fun and sparkly outfits that I can wear to a party or just a fun night out.  I would wear this outfit from Banana Republic to my boyfriend's work Christmas party or on a date.  I absolutely love the skinny gray pants too!

Everybody Everywear :: Sequins + Sparkles

{Cardigan: Forever 21, Button-Up: Forever 21, Jeans: Gap, Boots: Guess}

On more than one occasion, I have been asked if this cardigan was vintage.  I wish that I could say that it is vintage, but it's really from Forever 21.  I love it when low priced and new items, look like they could have been passed down through my family.  Don't forget to check out the other girls' Sparkle + Sequin looks at EBEW.

Christmas Wish List

{Slippers}

{Wii Zumba 2}

 {DSLR Camera}

{Cognac Leather Gloves}

{Scrabble Magnet Set}

This year I wasn't really sure what I wanted for Christmas which is probably a good thing.  But I managed to come up with a few things to ask for, and granted some of these items (like the camera) are unlikely to be gifted to me, a girl can dream right?  What's on your holiday wish list this year?

Society Social Bar Cart

{The Sedgewick}

{The Double}

My boyfriend and I have been wanting a bar cart for our apartment for awhile.  So when I saw that Society Social had some great options, I immediately started picturing one in my home.  There are about six different options to choose from, but the two above are my favorite.  It'll be awhile until I can purchase one of them, but they're fun to imagine hosting parties!

Outfit Crush (a day late)

{I am Khatu}

Not sure if I was the only person having Blogger trouble yesterday, but I got a scary warning about malware when I logged in yesterday.  I'm glad it's back to normal today, and now I can share this cute outfit with everyone.  

Khatu's outfit is perfect for the suprising dry weather we have had in Portland the past few days.  The number of layers make it more appropriate for the colder weather, and still super cute.  I love the idea of wearing two coordinating plaid button-ups together, and of course a cargo jacket is lovely too! 

Rue :: Anniversary Issue

{Rue Magazine}

After a busy weekend, and start to the week, I'm excited to dig into the latest issue of Rue Magazine tonight.  I also can't wait to see the rest of Bri's loft, because from the preview on her blog it looks like it's amazingly decorated!

Happy Tuesday!

Blazer Re-Do

{Rit Dye}

Has anyone ever used Rit Clothing Dye? I have a khaki cloth blazer that I never wear because I don't like the color close to my face, but everything else about the blazer is cute.  I was considering dying it red or something darker, but am a little hesitant to try it out.  Any encouraging words/advice you can send my way would be greatly appreciated!

Fill in the Blank Friday

{The Little Things We Do}

1.   The holiday season is my favorite. It's a time to surround yourself with your friends and family, and drive around looking at Christmas lights. 

2.   Snow makes me happy if I don't have anywhere to go.  I really don't like driving in the snow, and Portland has too many hills to go anywhere.  If I was at a cabin in the snow, I would love it so much more!

3.  The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is soup and spaghetti and meatballs.  This week I have had some type of soup everyday, and I'm happy to say that all but one have been homemade. 

4. Winter is the best time for eating all of the food that I never want to eat during the warmer months.  I love any excuse to use the oven, since I live in a drafty apartment so the extra warmth is great! 

5.  I can hardly wait for the first (hopefully annual) friend Christmas party that's next weekend! Miss you pals!

6.  When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to give presents that I know someone will get a lot of use.  This year I'm making a few more DIY gifts too which I'm excited about.  

7.  If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a 10.  I absolutely love everything about it,  right now I have two Christmas trees that I'll be decorating and maybe a third.  It's one of my most favorite things every year! 

Happy Weekend!!

Tree Accessories

{Double Glass Sphere}

{Glitter Glass Snowflake}

{Striped Jolly}

This probably isn't the first time, and most likely not the last time that I'll talk about how much I love decorating for Christmas on the blog.  Each year, for as long as I can remember, my brother and I have been able to pick out a new ornament from our parents.  It's something that I look forward to every year, and I choose carefully. In the beginning, I'm sure I wasn't as thoughtful with my choices, but now I think about how long I want the ornament, and want it to be timeless.  I hope that you enjoy a few of my picks!