Christmas in Chicago.

Like I mentioned in my last post, I am lucky enough to get to spend Christmas with my wonderful family in Chicago! If you are a new reader, you may not know that Chicago is my favorite city in the whole entire world. I love the busy energy in the city, the kindness of strangers, and the warm feeling of "just being yourself" that you get when you spend time in the midwest. (Or, maybe that's just me.) 

I lived near Chicago (in Naperville) when I was much younger, and now that my parents live here again, it's been fun to revisit the same places that I used to love. I actually spent much of my time here this past summer just driving around and reliving old memories -- visiting my old acting studio, walking around in the park, exploring along the river like I used to do during family outings, and taking the train into downtown Chicago for an adventure. 

So far, my holiday visit has been filled with dentist visits, primarily. I found a little cavity last week and because I don't have a dentist in Tallahassee yet, I begged my mom to beg her dentist to fit me in to the schedule. However, they've been really great and accommodating, because I'm not exactly wonderful when it comes to shots and Novocain. (Ugh.) 

I took this photo after my second dental visit, earlier today. (One when I didn't get a cavity filled.) As you can see, it seems that Santa came a bit early this year, because I'm wearing my gorgeous new bow headband by Lindsi of People Webs. Isn't it super darling? I'm in love with it. Plus, I get to cross a gift off my wish list a tad bit early, which is awesome for someone who is in super-gift mode. 

Aside from the dentist, I've enjoyed spending time with my family and catching up on my Christmas card writing. I have really enjoyed waking up and sitting in the living room while everyone warms up for the day, half asleep. This morning I made myself some tea I've been wanting to try for awhile, and yesterday morning I flipped through my grandmother's old memoirs about growing up in "Old Country." She and my grandfather were married in Hungary and she grew up in Croatia. They moved to the United States in 1956, when my dad was born. I like getting to flip through my family history during this break. It's given me so much to be thankful for. 

Tonight we took a family trip downtown to eat dinner at a delicious restaurant and do a little shopping. There's something really magical about riding the train into the city. It's always been a favorite moment for me. While we were there I snagged a couple of my favorite teas from Argo Tea and a cute ring from H&M.

  

Do you have a favorite city you grew up in? 

K

All I want for Christmas.

Hello from Chicago! 

I'm in the midwest spending Christmas with my family this week. My flight got in a few hours earlier, and I've already had so much fun eating sushi and opening up little trinkets my dad brought home from his last business trip to Japan. I've been getting into serious gift mode this week, trying to wrap up the last of my to-do list in time. I've also been getting excited to see what's waiting for me! So I wanted to share a few items I'm hoping and wishing for this Christmas morning. 

One

I first discovered People Webs through Vanessa's blog and I've been drooling over Lindsi's bow headbands ever since. I'm asking for one in peach. (Also, if you're crochet-inclined, she has a great tutorial on her blog.) You can tell I have a thing for peach bows, right?

Two

Mod Chevron Clutch Purse by RVA. After numerous restocks, this clutch finally sat in the online store long enough to snag one. Crossing my fingers to find this under the tree this year. I want to carry it around all January. It's the cutest thing ever and such a statement piece. 

Three

A new scent! This spring, I want to smell like Eau So Fresh by Marc Jacobs. My little sister and I are both asking for this scent, so lets hope the Suveg sisters smell like flowers in 2012. I'm crazy about this scent. I love feminine florals with honey or vanilla undertones, and this one just smells like the color pink to me. It's so sweet. 

Four

A Darlingtonia bow belt. I'm asking for a belt in either rust or sand. I couldn't decide! Really crossing my fingers on this one. I've wanted one for nearly three years. I love how girly and fun it would be to add a little bow to many of my favorite tops.

Five

New goodies from Photojojo, my all-time favorite camera shop. I'm asking for some more Instax Mini film, a DIY Twin Lens camera, and a super-compact tripod. And, oh my, have you SEEN the new Lomokino 35mm Movie Camera?! Now I know what I want for Valentine's Day. 

Six

A few new pairs of We Love Colors tights. I love how warm and cozy they are, and the way they fit me reminds me of all my jazz and ballet classes I took growing up. I have a few fun colors already, so I'm looking to add some more layer-friendly colors to my wardrobe. I'm requesting a pair of navy, black, and light tan. 

Seven

Nail polish! I just can't get enough. This year, I'm asking for a couple new Essie colors (this one and this one), and a very pretty sparkly pink from the Hello Kitty line at Sephora. And, speaking of Hello Kitty...

Eight

I'm asking for a pretty little compact mirror and some black sparkly eye shadow in a great HK compact. Confession: I really love Hello Kitty. However, there was a season when I received wayyy too many Hello Kitty-themed gifts, so now I have to keep my love for her sort of a secret. I'll always be a Sanrio fan for life, but I don't really let any one know because I don't want plastic clip-on earrings and other ridiculous things for my 26th birthday this year.

Nine

A bottle of Benetint by Benefit. I wasn't sure if I could do the whole cheek stain thing, but I stopped into Sephora over Thanksgiving break and tried it out and fell in love. I mean fell in love with this color. It's perfectly pink and stays on all day long. Really hoping this little bottle is hiding in a stocking or in a teeny box under the tree. 

Ten

A record player! I've been begging Harbor for a record player for a while now. Otherwise, I'd be happy if I got some records to add to my collection for the eventual record player in my living room. I think listening to records is just so cozy, and it's one of my all-time favorite things to do with him. He's really really into records and music and that crackly tone in music. (It's really romantic.) This turntable in teal would suit me just fine. 

It seems that most of what I'm asking for falls into the pink family and most-likely contains a bow. I guess subconsciously I'm preparing to welcome spring with an extra-feminine flair. What are you asking for this Christmas? 

K

A very merry living room.

Hello, friends. 

It's been a week or so since my last post. Things are crazy-busy right now with finals creeping around the corner and tons of holiday festivities vying for my attention instead of my studies. But right now, all is calm and bright in my cheerful, Christmasy living room. Matilda is curled up and sleeping on a little piece of warm, white fleece on a cozy chair, there's a gingerbread candle burning on my pretty coffee table, and I'm sipping a warm mug of homemade ginger tea (and I mean lots of fresh ginger) to ward off the aches and sicky-feelings I've had the last week. It's really peaceful. 

Jaclyn, Harbor and I have been hard at work cutting paper snowflakes for my space. Currently, there are 57 snowflakes on my wall, and my goal is to get to 100 before Christmas. Pretty fun and cute, right? 

Being in this season of my life is so interesting. This year is the very first time I have ever lived alone. When the a new holiday rolls around, I get super focused on decorating my house and wanting to bake a million cookies and try new hot teas and yummy coffee recipes. But I am also in grad school, so finding a balance between holiday traditions and school work and all the other important life moments is really fun and challenging. I'm just really thankful for this season.

I'm taking another second trip to Chicago this weekend, so I'd better get back to my studies! That is, after I prepare some sugar cookie dough so Harbor and I can make peppermint suger cookies after class tonight. Yum!

K

He's here!

Harbor moved to Tallahassee yesterday and it's already so exciting to have him in the same city with me. We got to go to church together this morning, spend the afternoon with my sister just hanging out and watching some of our favorite TV shows, and now we're planning a date night for the coming week. Yay! How cute and romantic, right?

Over Thanksgiving break I only brought along my film camera, so I hope to finish the roll soon and share some cute photos from my trip. I hope you all had very restful, wonderful time with your family and loved ones. And if you celebrate the Advent season, please let me know which books or websites you like to read through as you anticipate and prepare for the Christmas season. I've been reading the book One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp since Thanksgiving, and it's really, really good for my soul. 

Enjoy your last few days of November, everyone. 

K

New haircut (and color).

I haven't colored my hair in ages. Five months, to be exact. Usually I'm pretty good about getting my hair color done every two or three months, but it was nice to let nature take its course and turn my super red hair into a strawberry blonde that was more natural-looking as it faded. Plus, this poor grad student couldn't keep up with hair coloring. I've been super broke lately.

However, ever since fall hit, I had been itching to color it dark again and today I took the plunge. This color is definitely darker than I had anticipated, but I'm used to hair surprises. It's a whole new adventure in my book!

I pulled up my hair board on Pinterest when I was in the salon chair, and decided that the girl in the navy peacoat would be my color inspiration and the lovely Kirsten Dunst would be the style inspiration. I'm going to wear my hair wavy nearly every day this winter. Now I'm looking forward to being dark-haired and using pretty blushes and lipsticks when I'm all bundled up. (Yeah, it gets cold in Florida too!)

When I first came home, I wasn't sure if I would know how to handle it being so dark. But now that's I'm adjusted to seeing a ton of dark around my face when I walk by a mirror, I'm starting to feel more like myself again. Isn't it funny how a dramatic new haircut can disorient you a little bit? The best part about my new hair color is matching Matilda.

Tonight I get to go to dinner with some of my favorite people in the world. Then it's off to a busy, busy weekend. I'm going to try and tackle a few DIY Christmas gift ideas I've had rolling around in my head for awhile, and I have two or three parties to attend. Don't mind if I do!

What are you up to this weekend?

K