Here Comes the Jackpot Question in Advance

     How do you like your shimmer, glitter and everything shiny?  Sometimes it's all about the subtle statement.  While New Year's can be seen as a time to get away with anything you aren't daring enough to wear on a normal occasion, I'd prefer to go in a simpler direction (and maybe a little more edgy).

Dress:  Love Maxi Dress with Cut Out, $64
Necklace:  Kendra Scott Allegra Necklace in Zodiac, $195
Crown:  Limited Edition Rhinestone Headband, $27
Ring:  Low Luv By Erin Wasson Moonstone Ring in Gold, $69
Clutch:  River Island Pearl Embellished Box Clutch, $53
Shoes:  Vince Camuto Madelyn in Bronzite Glitter, $200

Title: "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" by Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt
originally written by Frank Loesser and sung by The Orioles

You're Gon' Find Your Way, Find Your Way to Be

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

I've been productive!

I'm working on being a little more professional in on and around this blog/

First step, a working manifesto (that I probably will display somewhere on here).

Next step, a new site map.

 My first attempt at gloves that have designated fingers!

Of course, there are things I would probably change if I made them a second time, but I love them.

I can't wait to wear these to work so my fingers won't be cold.

However, by the time I'm done with the other hand, my internship will probably be finished.

I know CODE!

Well, let's just say I have a somewhat working knowledge now.

I can get by with what I know (and I can teach myself anything else I need to know... which means I probably will a few repetitive tags or what not, but it will get the job done).

I learned HTML code so that I could put together a sidebar for my book club's blog, I'm rather proud.

It's almost time to start a new 365 project!

As I stated before, I think I'm going to do 2 separate photo-a-day challenges.

This is the prompt for the second challenge. 

I'm already starting to contemplate what I could photograph.

Of all the Christmas gifts I received, my favorite Christmas memory/present was Skyping and Facetime with my Sister and Brother-in-Law.

We waited to open our presents from each other until we communicating.

It was a very surreal moment watching MM and Greg open their presents from us and made me really appreciate the technology that we have.

While I would have loved to be in Hawaii again this Christmas--because let's face it, who wouldn't want to be in Hawaii over Mississippi?--I'm glad Mary Margaret and Greg got to have their own special Christmas (alone for the first time).

Title: "Up Up Up" by Givers

We All Change in Our Own Pretty Ways

     I can't believe this week's vacation is almost over.  It feels like it just started.  I had so much I needed to get done this week.  I'm not quite sure why, but I definitely had expended a good bit of energy before the holidays leaving me feeling not so great Christmas Eve and I feel as though I still haven't quite caught back up on my rest.  I guess it's just a feeling I'm going to have to learn to live with.  There is just a fine line between me being tired and feeling completely ill, I just have to figure out how to balance everything.  I'm super frustrated because I feel as though I never will find that balance.
     I've been thinking about the new year and I know I want to take on a 365 photo-a-day challenge.  I'm debating on how I want to tackle this challenge, whether I'm a bigger fan of the self-portrait challenge or a specific topic each day.  It has occurred to me that I might want to do both, which then only leaves the question of where am I going to keep these photographs?  I've downloaded 2 different applications but we'll see if I like them.  I could always use Flickr or Instagram (I know I'll try and upload at least once a week to Instagram), just so you guys can follow along.  I'll post some on here as well, but not all of them.
     365 days of self-portraits interests me the most because of the challenge of originality it presents.  Looking back through my pictures, I do have a good many self-portraits throughout the years.  None of them particularly creative and all of them pretty embarrassing.  I'm sharing them with you now so I can go ahead and move past the comfort zone of my bathroom location, equally boring bathroom shots, and using iPhone applications to make a regular photograph seem better and more artistic than it really is.  So I guess this is a challenge to myself:  to step out of my comfort zone and become a better photographer and model.  But don't expect to see my face in every photograph because a self-portrait doesn't always have to taken from the most obvious of angles.

Titles: "Our Own Pretty Ways" by First Aid Kit

When I Look Back on Those Neon Nights

     I guess it's just about that time of year again.  Time to reflect on the past year--learn from the mistakes we've made, remember the fun we've had, laugh once more at those inside jokes, and in general take a moment to be thankful we've been given another year to do things differently, better--to prove to ourselves (and others) that we've grown through one life experience after the other.  It's fitting that soon after Christmas we start a new year, even though this year it seems to have caught me by surprise.

     New Year's resolutions for me never really pan out.  I'd prefer not to make a resolution that I know I can't keep just because society tells me that's what I'm supposed to do.  Every day should really be about making a resolution to do better than the day before.  Then again I still have a little less than a week to make any solid decisions concerning any sort of resolution I will or will not be following.  That's less problematic than the music I want to listen to while I'm ringing in the New Year.  Playlists set the mood for everything.  I am a firm believer that you should have a soundtrack to your life and I want my soundtrack to be amazing and perfectly curated--like always.

     So I guess it's also time for me to get my little bottom into gear and find some rockin' music.  That is unless I want to ring in the New Year being serenaded by my not-so-little puppy Oscar--I'm sure he'd love to howl at the moon for me.

(P.S. that's him howling at me)

Title: "Miss Atomic Bomb" by The Killers

I Wrapped It Up and Sent It

     We had a very merry Christmas over here at the Peterson house.  I didn't take as many pictures as usual (except for a few brief moments where I tried to make up for my lack of pictures).  Also, I hope you enjoy the throw back to the '80's as much as I did.  I recently found out that one of my favorite Christmas songs is originally from the 1980's and written by George Michael, who also wrote another of my favorites, "Faith"--a song that can put me in an extremely good mood no matter what the situation might be.

Title: "Last Christmas" by WHAM! (aka George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley)

Do You Recognize Me?

     MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE!!! Hope you're getting to spend your day with your loved ones.  I'm super excited about people opening their gifts from me.  This year, I think I might be more excited about giving gifts than receiving them.

Title: "Home for the Season" by Neil Halstead

People Keep A-Talkin'

5 things I'm thankful for this week:

Christmas Traditions

Last-Minute Shopping

Creative Outlets

Family Get-Togethers

Open Houses

Title: "The Poet" by Ryan Bingham

Know Me As I Was But See Me As I Will Be

     If wishes really could come true, I'd wish for more artistic talent.  I might be able to take a photograph but my drawing is something horrendous.  But I'm really good at abstract art, even on pretzels.  They look yummy, no?

Title: "Know Me Well" by Roo Panes

Decorations of Red

     It's tradition in my family to make a Red Velvet Cake during the Christmas holidays.  Either it's for the Peterson-Cox family get together that usually happens before Christmas or my dad's birthday on New Year's Eve.  This year was no exception.  My parents made one for Christmas and after assembling the layers, these little guys were left out.

Title: "Blue Christmas" by A Fine Frenzy

Santa's Coming to Town With Sequins in His Hair

     We had a visitor at the office today.  Adorable Miss Tuesday spent the day being loved on, sneaking treats, and just generally bringing joy (and the Christmas spirit) to the office.  She even had a Christmas themed collar.

Title: "The Christmas Song" by The Ravonettes

You Won't Know If You Don't Try

Images from the Free People store in the Saddle Creek shopping center in Germantown, TN.

Title: "Taste It" by Jake Bugg

I Never Wanna Go Back Again

     When I was younger, I was some what of a selective snob.  What is a selective snob you ask?  Someone who has a very high opinion of their own opinion about certain subjects.  My particular selective snobbery revolved around two things, the two essential m's of life:  movies and music.  I did not like old movies.  I refused to watch the original three Star Wars because of the horrible technology (keep in mind this was in the '90's, so it wasn't like the technology I was completely believable either, but I had my standards).  For some reason, the newer the movie the better I assumed it would be.  Same with music, especially Christmas music.  I'm not sure when I decided I did not like traditional Christmas songs, but somewhere in grade school I decided that the only songs I'd listen to that talked about Christmas had to be original or at least non-traditional.  I blame the O.C.'s Chrismukkah mix (Mix 3, in case you want to look it up).  I even wrote a MySpace note/blurb/blog or whatever you want to call it about how I'd listen to this non-traditional Christmas music all year long.  I might have been a little obsessed, but in my defense it was a spectacular mix.
     While I have a newfound respect for the classics, in both the movie and music category, my pulse races when I find a wonderful new and original Christmas song.  I want to share it with the world or listen to it over and over again (I usually end up doing both).  You've already heard/seen some of these songs in the videos I post every day, but I thought I'd share the whole playlist now.  I created this playlist for Click's blog, but I wanted to share it with you on here as well.  I've been singing these songs all month long or at least they've been either stuck in my head or playing downstairs in the kitchen.  As my mom pointed out, they're all upbeat and peppy (or at least the tunes are), which is nice when you're trying to get into the Christmas spirit.  (This is the first time I've had a job during the holidays.  It's been weird that I'm still working and it's so close to Christmas.  It makes Christmas seem that much further away.)

Listen here or on Spotify.

Title: "Maybe Next Year (Xmas Song)" by Meiko

On a Good Day You Can See

     Target has a special place in my heart.   It has some great fashion pieces every now and then and I always love going into the store.  I think the thing that I really enjoy about Target though is its complete difference to Wal-Mart.  Target has spent time to make your time in their stores enjoyable.  They've spent the money on advertising, store arrangement, appearance, etc.  Whereas Wal-Mart definitely has not.  This has left Target with a feeling of upscale and expensive even when it isn't necessarily the case.  I know that I (and I've noticed that my parents) put off Wal-Mart trips like we're avoiding the plague.  We might drag ourselves to the store, but that's after putting it off as long as possible.  If we were planning to go to Target we might not wait as long.  Getting into the store is over half the battle.  After consumers are in a store, we're bound to leave with at least one to two more things than we original went in to get.  Target continues to have a special place in my heart because of their partnership with original boutique shoppes across the country (last summer) and a different designer each season for their clothes.
     This holiday season is no different. Neiman Marcus has paired up with Target to bring the designs of twenty-some odd designers to the masses.  I've picked out some of my favorites.  A few of these items are already sold out and they are only available for a limited time only.  (There are no specific time tables available online, except that all items must be returned by January 5.)

Neiman Marcus + Target logo found at target.com
1.  Philip Crangi Trinket Box, $70
2.  Oscar de la Renta Pet Bowl, $30
3.  Philip Crangi Frame, $50
4.  Altuzarra Shaker, $50
5.  Band of Outsiders Cookie Cutters, $30
6.  Altuzarra Double Old Fashioned Glasses (set of 4), $50
7.  Tory Burch Printed Beverage Container, $25

Title: "No Glamour in the Hammer" by Whitehorse

A Long Road into a Long December

     I've been knitting my poor little hands into a freak-out (aka they're now feverish, a little swollen, and angry at me).  While I know I probably should give them some rest, I can't help but enjoy knitting (and crocheting which seems to be a little easier on my joints).  Yesterday, I ran into a snag after I had completed a good amount of work--I was using the wrong stitch.  Instead of knitting, I was purling.   I know you wouldn't think that it would make that big of a difference, but you could obviously see a line where I had been doing it right and then when I switched stitches.  Plus upon further inspection, I had dropped at least one crucial stitch that could possibly have unraveled down the whole length of the scarf.  I'm not sure what I did wrong, but obviously it was something.  So I "frogged" which just means that I took the whole thing apart and then picked up a row like 50-60 rows down (maybe that's an exaggeration, maybe it's not; there was a ton of yarn).  I've tried this before and not done so well.  The tricky part is picking the stitches back up and the scarf pattern included a yarn over after every stitch so I had to not only pick up the loop it made I had to make sure to pick up the correct extra yarn.  This time I did really well.  I'll post a picture of the completed scarf once I'm finished.  It's not perfect, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Title: "Carry Me Home" by Hey Rosetta!

I've Been Trying to Deviate But It's Coming Off in a Different Way

     Yesterday morning, my very dirty puppy decided he would try out the big boy bed (aka Jack's bed). I think I know what I'm putting on his Christmas list.  Christmas is only a few weeks away, if that.  Some how I felt like I was jumping the Christmas gun when I started posting about it right after Thanksgiving, but now I feel as though it's snuck up on me.  I still have Christmas presents I haven't even thought about!  I guess that's how time goes these days.

Title: "Please Don't" by Leo Stannard

You Cool Them, Fool Them And They Hope So Much

     Last night Mom and I hosted a cookie swap!  We ate tons of yummy cookies and had a blast decorating ornaments.  I made an owl.  He was going to go on my ornament, but he doesn't really fit.  So Mr. Owly is going to hang out in my room as permanent decoration.  I'm pretty stoked.
     If only there was a way to make a real living doing random crafts.  I think I'd be pretty dang awesome at that job.

Title: "Ivory Road" by King Charles

'Cause If It's the Same As Yesterday, You Know I'm Out

     On cold days like yesterday (and today) I like to remember those warm days.  While I have a hard time coming up with favorite days to be outdoors and most of my most nostalgic memories are indoors, I think I like those days in the beginning of fall where the air is brisk and fresh but not freezing and the sun is shining.  If I could find a place that had a winter like that I'd be a happy camper.  I'm not sure I'd enjoy moving somewhere that was summer all year long--mostly because of my love-hate relationship with the sun.  It really has to go away sometimes so I can appreciate it.

Title: "Yesterday Was Hard on All of Us" by Fink

I'm Going Back Up Again

Title: "Yer Spring" by Hey Rosetta!

Every Single Time That You Shake It You'll Make It So Beautiful

5 things I'm thankful for:

Got my blood work back, I'm pretty much normal

(well, my tests came back normal)

Willy's HOME
Which also means that we got to finally finish our Christmas card
(here's an outtake from the first "photo shoot")

Over the weekend, I got to visit with my Grandmother down in Oxford
(and my Aunt and Uncle who are not pictured)

Oscar is starting to somewhat get along with the Kitty
(He keeps trying to play with Dante by nipping and barking at him, but Dante mostly ignores him)

Finding a little something to distract me from everything
(pass the time and just something I love to do in general)

Title: "Snow Globe" by Matt Wertz

The Grizzlies Left Their Great Big Teeth and Their Claws At Home

     Another week, another book.  I've been trying to put off buying another book for a while since I finished The Rook (I think I made it a whole week before I finally gave in).  Right now I'm reading the first of the Jack Reacher series (the novels that inspired the movie that stars Tom Cruise).   So far it's been pretty interesting and nothing like the movie looks like it's going to be, but in the movie's defense there are a good many different books to pull from, so who knows what troubling story they are going to actually pull from.

     Before I read The Rook, I was intrigued by a movie trailer of The Mortal Instruments: The City of Bones which meant I had to read the book to see if I was interested.  At first I thought the book was interesting and pretty decent.  The essence of every story is evil versus good so there are only so many ways that can play out, especially in such a fantasy-driven world.  However, there were a few plot twists in the book that felt a trifle strange (or maybe cliched is a better word) and it completely changed my feelings towards the book.  I'm looking forward to the movie, I'm sure it will be a complex and beautifully created world and all the action will play out well on screen.  The character development, the one thing I love most about books, just wasn't there.  So even though it is a series, you won't find me reading the rest of them.  

     But I would highly recommend the movie Brave, it is as sweet and heartwarming as you can get.  And the little triplets are the cutest little things ever!

(Photo Credit)

     

Title: "Avalanches (Culla's Song)" by A Fine Frenzy

We're Going to Hibernate All Year

     I've been meaning to post this song for about a month or two now.  Not only is it just a beautiful song to listen to, but I definitely relate to the lyrics.  Plus it's gets stuck in my head, I walk around singing off tune "freeeee range" and that's the only part that really sticks with me.  The lyrics are all about my generation that sits behind a computer screen ignoring a completely beautiful day outside.  However, I think I'm of the personality that even if I lived in a world where computers weren't invented, I'd still have my nose stuck in a book instead of enjoy the outdoors.

Title: "We Are the Battery Human" by Stornoway

I'm Waiting on a Sign

     Through a complete accident today (aka Twitter) I found this amazing NEW CD that was released TODAY (well, yesterday) of Christmas songs that are either original compositions or new versions of older hits.  Basically, Paste Magazine took a bunch of amazing artists and got them to record songs of their own for Christmas and released a new CD.  You can read more about the specifics here.  But you also get a super awesome, super FREE Christmas mix as a result.  You can listen to the whole CD before you download (to download all you have to do is enter your email address and your postal code).  Feel free to leave a tip for the artist, if you'd like.
     This evening a good many of the ladies from the church came over for some fellowship, good food, and some much needed words.  I was reminded that God uses everything for good which is a really nice thing to hear someone else say.  It's one thing to tell yourself that over and over and it's another to hear someone else say it.  Somewhat like it's one it's one thing to tell yourself that you can cook well and it's another to hear someone else say it.  Validation.  We all need a little validation now and then.  And a reminder that most of the emotions and desires we have aren't just our desires, they're human emotion and desires.  There's nothing new under the sun.  Nothing I have felt that you haven't. Most importantly there is nothing that either of us have felt that Jesus didn't feel while he was on Earth.

Title: "Tell Him I'm Not Ready" by Brettan Cox

All We Need Is Magic

     There is magic all around.  We just have to take the time to stop and appreciate it.  For me, it's easy to forget this in my day to day life.  Recently, I've been so caught up in fighting through the pain and still trying to doing my job (creatively and extremely well) and live my life.  I've found myself whining and complaining more than I ever wish.  My own voice has started to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher "wah wah wah."  If it sounds like that to me, I don't even want to think what it sounds like to the people around me.  It's easy to say I'm going to make a more conscious effort to not always say what is on my mind (pain) but find joy in the little things or stay silent.  It's not so easy to follow through.
     One of the magical moments of my day was dinner.  We had French Toast (yes, it was delicious enough to deserve to be in capital letters).  It was easily the best part of my day.  And we ate on Christmas plates.  (Not that all of my magical moments recently all have to do with Christmas.  It's just so happened that the blog has been very Christmasy themed lately.)

Title: "Don't Be So Hot" by Me and My Drummer

These Moments Are the Only Gifts We Need...

     ... But just in case, you need tangible gifts here are some ideas.

1. ASOS Fur Ears Cossack Hat, $21 (for the Foxy Lady)
2. Royal Flush Heart Hair Pins, $12 each (for the Queen of Hearts)
3. Daiene Velvet Bow Belt in Light Coral, $25 (for the Dainty Missus)
4. Drinking Buddy Wine Charms and Stopper Set, $12 (for everyone because no one like to drink alone)
5. Guitar Pick Punch, $30 (for the Rock God who tends to lose everything)
6. ASOS Double Buckle Retro Satchel, $44 (for the businessman, or woman, who enjoys nerdy chic)

Title: "In the Morning" by Jack Johnson

Do We Ever Really Know?

5 things I'm thankful for this week

My parents.

They are always there for me, especially when I'm not feeling so well.

(And they listen to me whine and complain about my ills, plus are way more patient than I would be.)

Christmas.

It's in the air.

(It's even got the puppies excited! I'm especially grateful I'm not having to decorate my own place with my own tree.)

Christmas parties.
Good friends, good food, good fellowship.
(Do I need to say more?)

(Photo Credit Clockwise from Top: One, Two, Three, Four)

Christmas songs.
Finding new Christmas songs to listen to is challenging and rewarding because you can listen to them over and over again the whole season long.
(Did I mention I somewhat liked Christmas?)

Strength.
I'm thankful that God has given me the strength to carry on because he and I both know if I had to rely on myself alone I would not be able to get out of the bed in the morning.

Title: "How Long" by Julia Stone

Take the Time to Build Yourself

     If you're looking for a book that you won't be able to put down, look no further than Daniel O'Malley's The Rook: A Novel.  This mystery, thriller, science fiction/fantasy story really has a hard time fitting into a specific genre.  It's main genre that I can really nail down is butt-kicking.  Seriously, I have not gotten this excited about a book (and haven't been immediately ashamed about said excitement) since I can't remember when.  Basically, it's a story of amnesia, extreme preparedness (it has actually been inspiring in my real life job), supernatural and corruption.  My favorite part--it's set in ENGLAND.  Of course, that would be why I absolutely love it, right?  (Just kidding, but seriously.)
     It's gotten rave reviews on Amazon and it is a new book (just out in January of 2012).  What's really surprising (but not really) is that it is written by a man and the main character is a well-written, well-developed woman.  Oh, and even though it's set in England, O'Malley went to college here in the States and currently lives in Australia (where he grew up).  I throughly enjoyed The Rook and can't mention it highly enough.  The planning that probably had to go into writing this book blows my mind.  Seriously, the writer has my full respecTt.  I'm just so glad that I found this book.  I would encourage anyone to read it, especially if you enjoy plot twists and action packed adventure.  It is also a moderately long book, so it will be perfect for holiday travel.

(Photo Credit)

Title: "Every Little Thing" by Soft Swells