Yesteryear Revival

While I was home over the holidays I had the pleasure of hanging with a family friend who also happens to be an amazing photographer.

Turns out he had just recently purchased a new camera and wanted to take it out for a test run.

Can you believe these pictures were taken in the middle of December?! No snow. No coat. Perfection.

I am pretty thrilled with how the pictures turned out. Other than my doofy expressions and slightly awkward poses, they look fantastic. I'd say that camera's a keeper ;)

Now if only I could get him to take all the pictures for my blog. A girl can dream, right?

You can check out more of this work here and here.

Thanks again Niall!

P.S. Back in high school when the mister and I were first dating we used to take pictures down by this river. It's a special place always near and dear to my heart.

<3

I've been a terrible blogger once again.

It's not that I haven't had time to blog, I guess I've just been distracted and bored and grumpy lately.

(just missing my mister while he's in England most likely)

And with it being the holidays, well you may as well call me Scrooge.

I've done very little decorating or gift shopping. I'm just not into 'it' this year I suppose.

Not into 'it' really meaning the consumerist nonsense.

I know that there is more to Christmas than presents, but it's really bothering me this year.

It's not that I don't enjoy giving gifts. I do. I don't know what it is exactly.

I'm still fumbling trying to figure it out.

All I know is that this year I am focusing all my holiday spirit on spending time with family, eating good food, celebrating my mom's graduation, and relaxing before I start back to school.

Sound good? :)

Moving on...

The pictures above are a few funny things I came across while thrifting today.

I originally went thrifting in hopes of finding cheap craft supplies.

(I'm making the decorations for my mom's graduation party)

Didn't have much luck on that front, but did find a few things that made me smirk.

I actually bought the little "This is my house and I do as I darn please" sign.

It reminds me of something my dad would say.

I did not, however, buy the "boob job fund" jar ;)

Well I'm off to listen to the Bright Eyes Christmas album for a little holiday pick-me-up.

Night loves.

Here's a quick little peek at our weekend Thanksgiving festivities.

We were so excited to host the holiday at our place this year, and so grateful for those that could make it.

(everyone had quite a ways to travel, so thanks again guys!)

There ended up being 11 of us total (plus 2 dogs & 2 cats), and thanks to everyone's help, it was a great success.

We cooked, ate, and napped all day Thursday.

Friday we celebrated my dad's 61st birthday, thrifted, and went to a hockey game.

Saturday we said many goodbyes, thrifted more and went bowling.

And today we rest, as it's back to the daily grind tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday weekend!

Let's just say lately I have been a very lucky lady.

Last week I finally got a chance to go home and see family after what seemed like months.

Oh wait, it was months...three to be exact ;)

Anywho, my parents (dad, really) and my aunt had been busy the past few weeks going to auctions and picking up treasures, many of which are now mine, and a few of which are pictured above.
It's always fun, and quite often interesting, to see what they've found.
This time around I had the pleasure of finding a boob mug hidden within my box of owl items.
Of course my dad thought that was just hilarious.
Yes, I have pictures. No, I won't be posting them.
But really, they do always find the greatest stuff at auctions.
Thanks to mom, pops & aunt sis, I always end up hauling home a car full of amazing loot.
<3

Have you been gifted or thrifted anything awesome lately?

Today my mom & dad celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

I don't know how they got so lucky, but they are amazingly perfect for one another.

Wishing them many! more years of love and happiness.

You may be lol'ing, but it's their song :)

Friday night the mister, my brother and I headed to Lake Lansing for the weekly Sounds of Summer concert.

This week featured Lindsay Lou and the Flatbellys, a local bluegrass group.

They were truly amazing playing a combination of covers and originals perfectly suited to their diverse audience.

Surprisingly, I planned a little ahead and packed some delicious snacks for us to nosh on throughout the evening.

Bean & corn salsa w/ multigrain chips, herb goat cheese & crackers, and garlic hummus w/ pita.

Ohh my mouth is watering just writing this post!

We also took some cards and books to keep us occupied.

It was the perfect evening, bugs and all, and one part of summer I will definitely miss come fall.

Better late than never, right? :)

These past couple weeks have been crazy busy.

My brother moved in, my parents (and their 105 lb. dog) visited, we traveled home for a wedding, I had a birthday and we finally got to meet our new nephew!

Phew, busy but fun.

Things are just beginning to wind back down.

Anyway, the reason for this post...

The mister and I celebrated our three year anniversary on August 2nd.

We spent our day road tripping, wine tasting and beach bumming on the shores of Lake Michigan.

It was perfect.

(Especially the part where we spontaneously stumbled upon a breathtaking deserted beach!)

Oh how I look forward to spending many more years together.

<3