Behold Your King, Before Him Lowly Bend.

Merry Christmas!

Happy December :)

Folks, it is now officially here. Welcome to the coziest and most loving time of the year. I love this time of year because I get to have all my family in the same place…what a wonderful gift!

Thankful for Change.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my lovely friends. I just wanted to write a quick note on a thought that I had the other day. I was thinking about where I was this time a year ago and got overwhelmed with thanksgiving that I just had to share. I am no where near where I want to be in my life but I just look at the difference a year can make and I am so grateful for change. So much can happen in a year and I am thankful that God continues to reveal His timing in my life–because it is in those moments I feel Him the most. I am so grateful for His blessings and all the wonderful people He brings into my life.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and that we continue to bless others this holiday season.

It’s Never Too Early…

…to enjoy the best time of the year. You may agree or disagree, but for me, I start getting in the Christmas season early! And I am not the only one. Stores are decked out already with holiday decor, it is officially Starbucks red cup time, and I have started singing Christmas songs with the children I babysit. So c’mon and join the fun.

Anthropologie has another great assortment of ornaments this year too, so enjoy.

This Is It.

On a recent date night, I went to see Michael Jackson’s This Is It. I highly recommend this film which really captures how truly talented MJ was.

Rave.

It has been a while since I have shared a Rave with you and the time has come to let you all know what I am loving these days. For us curly haired girls out there, who have tried a million products promising fantastic results with no luck, I have found some thing for us. Aveda’s “Be Curly” curl enhancer is awesome. Seriously. Not crunchy, sticky, or just plain bad–this stuff really works. I just put in in wet hair and air dry and it does the rest. I know I sound like an Aveda spokesperson right now but really I love this stuff!

Oh and wanted to reveal my special Florida surprise…my boyfriend, who has been traveling in Europe for weeks now, came to visit me for my birthday in Florida! That’s right, he flew from Europe, to Miami, and back to Europe just for me. We spent some much needed time together and waded in the warm water of the Atlantic ocean. What a blessing!

The Sunshine State.

That’s right. I am back to Florida for a week. Visiting loved ones, warm weather, and the Atlantic ocean. Tune in soon for special look into my week in the sun!

Live.

Dear Monkey,

Here is our cosy living room, where we relax at the end of a long day and watch some TV on DVD (my favorite). We love the cozy couch and chair that were handed down to us by Christye’s parents, remember those? And we have some cute pillows on them to liven them up a bit.

As you can see, we have some great lighting in the room during the day which is really pleasant to have. And of course, I need my flowers, so there are some fresh ones I get to admire every day. I love the pop of color that my TV stand ads to the room, don’t you? That is probably one of my favorite secondhand finds ever! $5…what a deal!

And yes, that is The Office Season 5 playing on my TV…just a little breakfast treat Can’t wait to see where you snuggle up and let your hair down.

Love you,

J

Cooking Up Some Love, from Me to You.

Dear Blaze,

Can you even believe that we both a kitchen to call our own (well I mean that we share with loved ones)? What a blessing to have our own space, is it not? You might recognize the stand that is holding me and Mike’s basil plants, it is your lovely t.v. tray that you handed down to us. It is taking the place of an actual kitchen table, which the roomie and I are searching tirelessly for. And yes, all that basil is from the one pot that I started months ago. Mike has been me homemade pesto twice now with our crop. They have recently been used which is why they are so short!

There are a few details in our kitchen that I just love. First, is the tea trivet that Christye bought a long time ago. I always admired it before, but it looks oh so perfect in this kitchen. Isn’t it adorable?? I just love it! And our new red blender is so cute that we keep it out on display. I just love the color! I bought the new season of The Office on DVD (of course) and it came with magnets that have Jim, Pam, Dwight, and Michael quotes on them…naturally they are on display on our fridge. Not the most stylish things in our kitchen but I couldn’t help myself.

I can’t wait to do some fall and winter style baking in the kitchen and fill the whole place with the cozy and nostalgic smells of the holidays. Can’t wait for Friday so I can see where you put your feet up after a long hard day away from home. Till then, sweetheart.

—Jamie

Home Sweet Home.

Dear Blaze,

Welcome to my new room. A new place to relax and make memories. You will find some things old and some things new. As you can see, I still haven’t graduated to new bedding (hopefully an upcoming birthday splurge) yet, so I am still staying cozy in my old, familiar covers (the ones we used to lay on, cuddle in, and laugh upon). My newest second hand find is my lovely little bedside table, atop which are pictures of my dearly missed boy that keep me company each night. Also a lovely book about season vegetables and recipes by my favorite chef Jamie Oliver. We need to get together and swap cooking stories and recipes, yes?

As you can see, my desktop is decorated with some familiar nick-nacks that I still treasure. And you know how I feel about candle light. Nothing is more relaxing and home-y feeling than scented candles (good thing I recently went to Ikea to stock up…I miss you there!).

I will keep you updated as I continue to add and change things in this new nest of mine. I am still on the search for a few things to truly dial everything in, but you will be sure to know once I do. Lots of love to you Monkey.

Love,

Jamie