Today is the Day!

Hi, friends! I'm popping in just for a second to let you know that today is a very big day for my husband and I--we settle on our house today! Tomorrow is moving day, too.

I've been occupied this month with packing and undoing all of the things we did to personalize our rental. It was certainly a little sad to see that all go but change is a very good thing.

I promise to be back on a regular basis next week, posting as a homeowner. Yippee!

Planning Ahead: Decorating the Den

Hi, everyone! I want to thank you all from bottom of my heart for the incredibly sweet and supportive comments you posted regarding our soon-to-be house! I'm so glad you all like it too, because you're going to be seeing it featured on the blog quite a bit!

Since the house is nearly 3,100 sq. feet and there's only 2 of us for now, Adam and I have decided to prioritize the rooms we'll be using in the short term--that means our bedroom, a bathroom or two, the den and eventually the kitchen. Of those spaces, the den is the room that needs only aesthetic changes. Here's what the room looks like now (from the MLS listing):

We Bought a House!

We bought a house, everyone! 

Despite rattling on about "starting our house search" for what seems like years, Adam and I made an appointment to visit a house in the nearby suburbs just before Christmas. We walked in and fell in love. Like, head-over-heels, stars-in-the-eyes in love. We put in an offer and had it accepted just before New Year's Eve and had our inspection yesterday. Oh, and we are closing at the end of the month. What a whirlwind!

What Good Shall I Do This Day? (and Everyday)

Well, I guess I took a little blog break there, huh? 

It was mostly unintentional, I swear, but lots has transpired since my last post and I can't wait to fill you all in shortly. Here's some of what has happened:

-families were visited

-prime rib was consumed

-an auction was attended

-a snow fall was seen

-gifts were exchanged, including the Best Co. enamel sign above.

Isn't the sign a perfect reminder for today and everyday, for that matter? 

2013 is just around the bend, and while we usually greet a new year with renewed purpose and drive; but I wanted this little sign (taken from one of Ben Franklin's notebooks) to remind me on a daily basis to live with intention. We can all use those kinds of reminders, right?

On that note, I wish you a very Happy New Year, dear readers. 

'Til next year.

There Are No Words

(via Getty Images)

In light of Friday's tragic events in Newtown, it seems impossible to muster excitement for the impending holiday. Instead, my heart is heavy for the families now mourning the loss of their children, an absence that reminds the adults in our society that the youngest among us are owed more. Safety, innocence, education, happiness and peace--all of these should have been guaranteed for the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School but were not. 

Now more than ever, we are reminded that children are a treasure we as adults must protect, nurture, and be thankful for. We must decide to create a world with more peace, more good will, for all the children--especially those who died on Friday--who deserved more than this. 

Home for the Holidays {My Home in Pictures}

Something about Christmas puts me into fully nesting mode. I adore all of the bits and bobs that come with the season, including the lights, the evergreens, the ribbons and garlands. Rather than ramble on about my love affair with the holidays, why don't I just show you how I've brought a jolly spirit into our apartment? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Christmas Craft #5: Birch Tree Food Banners

As a last minute craft, I whipped together a quick touch to add to the table at Saturday's holiday party--a set of birch tree food banners. I felt really drawn to traditional woodland-inspired themes this season, and these tiny little trees make me long even more for a white Christmas.