Happy New Year!

Well my friends, 2012 was definitely a crazy year, filled with many ups and downs. Among the hilights and best parts of the year were the following:

I completed my first full year at the school where I teach (I wish I could insert pictures of my little darlings, but you know, legalities....)

shared in many friends' weddings

 directed a great vocal ensemble

starred in a theatre show

  

and bought a house!

For the lows, which need not be shown through pictures, I also got in a car accident, developed a small vocal node (a vocalist's worst nightmare), resigned from my church conducting job that I really enjoyed, and developed (but recovered from) a small cyst on my wrist from overuse. 

Overall, I am counting my blessings more than the other crap from the year, because it was a great one. 

I am very excited to see what 2013 will bring to the table. I feel like 2012 was like the start of a new book for me, and this next year will be the plot and character development that unfolds. 

Happy New Year to you all!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

We got our very first real Christmas tree together for our new home! We bought it yesterday and finished decorating it today :)

House in Progress

I recently bought a house closer to my place of work, yay! I had hoped to have thanksgiving break to get moved and settled in, but unfortunately that didn't happen. So my awesome boyfriend, family, and I have been very busy this week making some great progress!

Potential Jewelry Organization

I like this idea a lot for necklace display! Since I will have my own closet in my next home, perhaps I can display them like this in my closet.... Plus, I have a lot of necklaces!

This is a pretty stand for the little things! Rings, pins, and my pretty flowery hair clips/ pins!  But I may create my own pretty version....

.... Using Dollar Tree finds! :)

 

I'd like to spray paint wine bottles and/ or a paper towel holder all in one color (probably gold, as it's my favorite) and use them for bracelets and headbands.

Autumn wardrobe

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of year. I've worked on creating a closetful of fall-inspired clothing that I absolutely love, and this year I think I have it. Once the weather turned cold, I've been enjoying my mornings as I get ready and pick my outfit for the day.

I find that a cranberry colored thermal and a cranberry colored scarf can nearly carry you through the season when paired with blacks or browns.

Slightly oversized sweaters balance with skinny jeans and comfy boots that go with nearly everything.

Little lace details save me from looking drab in a lot of dark colors.

Black stripes sort of rule this season in my closet, whether it's tank tops, sweaters or dresses with leggings. :)

Monterey Weekend

I really cannot believe how fast my summer is going by! I have one month until I go back to teaching, and I want to try to savor as much of it as possible! I have several performances coming up, one of which is a hilarious play called "The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon." In it, I get to play some twisted versions of Snow White and Cinderella. I have also been directing a vocal ensemble called Village Voices, and we have our concert the week after Grimm ends. Ben and I took a lovely trip to Monterey last weekend, and with the temperatures in the 100's all this week, I'm so wanting to get back out of the valley.
Here are a few photos from our getaway.

 Jelly Fish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium

We stopped for some wine tasting at Ventana Tasting Room

After tasting at Ventana, we ate nearby at Tarpy's Roadhouse, which was some of the best food I've ever had! 

Wedding season: Done

Since January, I have been to numerous showers, bachelorette parties and weddings, and I have hardly shared about any of them! Here are a few of my absolute favorite pictures from these occasions. I really should make a post completely separate for Chandra and Britton's wedding, since it was literally the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to!