Channeling Cinderella

This is what happens when Tad is studying for exams at the library and I am holding down the fort. I basically turn into Cinderella and become a cleaning machine. This is rare form for me, but when I start cleaning I get on a roll. It weirds me out a little how much I enjoy it. My favorite is laundry. Hey, we all have our things. 

After Tad finishes his exams at the beginning of February, he is down to one quarter left. One quarter! He is scheduled to graduate in the spring and I couldn't be more thrilled. I am praying he passes the exams with flying colors and the last quarter is a breeze. Spring, you know you never looked so good.

Our Christmas Casa

I absolutely love this time of year and having the Christmas spirit in our home. Didn't exactly realize how expensive Christmas decorations can be when starting from scratch. Yikes. We decided to go with a minimalist theme this year if you will. We purchased our pre-lit Christmas tree and ornaments from Family Dollar. It was a steal! Let's be honest, I love that store. It might not be the fluffiest tree on the block, but it's perfect for us this year. We also purchased little decorations from Ikea. The star for our tree was $1. Sold.

Our advent calendar is a little Christmas town. How cute is that? Every house has their own story. I simply printed these off from here and we just cut and folded away. Voila!

I just had to have this adorable ceramic deer head from Target. My justification is that it doesn't necessarily have to be up for Christmas only. This can be up all year. Tad, hold me to that. In the summer, we can spruce him up with a pair of sunglasses.

Already setting my sights on stockings and a beautiful Nativity Set for next year. As the years go on I hope our Christmas decorations become more colorful and bright and well, even a little tacky.  I didn't know that making these Holiday memories with Tad could be as wonderful as those as a kid, but they are. Overflowing with joy and thankfulness this month.

Self-Proclaimed Homebodies

What do you get when you cross a girl with a cold, a boy with an assignment due on the weekend and rainy weather? Homebody central. When Tad wasn't at the library, we were curled up on the couch watching movies or making food. Lots of food. We made a delicious pizza on Friday night. So delicious in fact that literally after every bite I would talk about it's tastiness. Such a foodie when it comes to homemade pizza. Thought I'd share a few bits and pieces of my lazy weekend in case you don't believe me when I say I didn't leave the house until Sunday morning. To be quite honest, this is what most of our weekends look like.

Love that creepy, but cute smile Tad is sporting in the last picture. What am I going to do with him?

Around These Parts

We've been...
Enjoying sunset walks in our neighborhood. Almost as romantic as the beach I tell ya.

Discovering the perfect meals and snacks for two.

Getting welcome home flowers from husband and spending time with my favorite visitors. Hey Kandee, we got Netflix. I promise the next sleepover will be that much more fun. Come back soon. In other news, we are very excited Sam and the Pershall family are back home! And we are not excited Texas has reached the triple digits. It's a scorture out there, y'all.

OUR FIRST DINNER PARTY

Tad and I hosted our first dinner party on Saturday night at the newlywed nest. We invited Tad's friend from law school, Alexander, and his sweet wife over for dinner as a token of appreciation for all of his help moving us in. Her friend was also visiting that weekend so she tagged along too. The more the merrier! Both girls are hairdressers. Of course I just love that (a little hair obsessed over here).

We made the fanciest fish tacos you've ever seen. This was our first dinner party so as you can see we went a little overboard. We're new at this. Next time you can probably expect to see more Tupperware dishes, less fancy schmancy. After I set the table, my job was basically done so I could just put my feet up, literally. Tad and Alexander grilled the fish and boy was it delicious.

Definitely eyeing the cutest vintage Siesta Ware on Etsy for summer dinner parties and barbecues. We can't wait to have more friends and family over soon. Summer get-togethers are calling our name. 

A HOME

The cutest little view from our kitchen window.



Folks, meet the newlywed nest. After house hunting for what seems like ages, we have signed a lease on this lovely little loft. We fell in love with a house, but it just didn't work out. Before our hearts could get too disappointed, we found this little gem. It's kind of perfect for us. Great location, hardwood floors, SO much natural lighting, free water, and did I mention it's down the street from our favorite Pershall family? It sure is.

I move in this weekend and will hold down the fort until Tad joins me in May. Klifford will also be joining us after the honeymoon. My dad offered to keep him until then. Note: My dad is completely obsessed with that chihuahua. Don't know that I'll ever get him back. So there that is. We are a wee bit excited.