A Very Merry Christmas

I am honestly surprised I am even writing this. I cannot explain to you how in the zone I have been the past 48 hours. With family functions, new presents and my rekindled love of knitting, I have become something of a robot.

Ok so I may be over exaggerating just a bit, but really.

Synopsis of Christmas: 

I got a new Camera! Nikon D3200 with two lenses: an 18-55mm VR and an 55-200mm Non-VR DX. Plus a few filters and an ever so glorious camera bag. (Note the sarcasm. It is hideous but durable)

I also got a Patagonia 1/4 Zip Better Sweater. I am never taking it off.

Now that I have an SLR, I have been furiously sweeping the internet for the most idiot proof guide to taking pictures with it. My goal is to always use manual mode. My personal favorite guide so far is Darcy's 31 Days to a Better Photo. So what I may have been going a little faster than 31 days?

Also to discuss my knitting kick:

I have always been a knitter. I learned it with my Mom middle school and have loved it since.
In case any of you need clarification, I did say with my Mom. We both decided to learn from a group of old ladies at our Church. How precious is that.

My waves come and go, plus my skill level varies. However I love it a lot more than crocheting, which it seems that everyone at my college has picked up. 

I have dreams of opening up an Etsy shop with my Mom in the next 6 months. That entrepreneur spirit in me.  So on begins the knitting. Photographed are a few works in progress. I will post the finished results!

Have any beginner SLR photo tips? Or have a guide/blog that is helpful? Please let me know. I am a little stressed out about this new challenge I cannot seem to easily pick up.

I have some craft endeavors up my sleeve. Get excited.

Alyssa

Wanderlust Wednesday: Ireland

Christmas in Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful" - Norman Vincent Peale

Christmas Reflection

I wish I did not wake up at 11:30am this morning. 

I have been making an initiative to reclaim my mornings. Get a cup of coffee, sit in the stillness and just be. 

Soak in the presence of the holy spirit around me. 

I look around my house, with the mess of presents everywhere and the glowing of the tree. The smell of dinner cooking and the subtle roar of my parents arguing over something unimportant.

This stillness is one of the most beautiful aspects of the Christmas season. Jesus came into this world to die for us. His joyful birth is something to celebrate. Cheer for. Dance for. Yet with all of this, Jesus's birth is something to reflect on. 

The holidays are hectic. Full of expectations, hurt, materialism and busyness. 

Allow time for stillness. To just sit, reflect and bask in the presence of the Lord's birth.

Take time to Be Still.

Have a Merry Christmas.

Alyssa

Christmas in 8 Days

Now that I am done with finals, I finally can whole heartedly celebrate the Christmas season. Due to the way Christmas and Thanksgiving fell this year though, I essentially only get 8 days at home celebrating without the stress of school. Another factor, I am staying with my boyfriend for 4 of those days.

Its time for me to fit every ounce of the holiday season in 8 days. How do you get the most of the holiday season?

1. Wear every ugly sweater you own.

If you do not own one, what are you doing still sitting at your computer. Run to your local Goodwill and pick one up before some hipster snags one up.

2. Seek out new Christmas music. 

Trust me. I am the biggest advocate for traditional Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby Christmas music. But there is something that truly gets you into the holiday spirit like some new Christmas music. Some of my favorites? Folk Angel, Sufjan Stevens

3. Only find Christmas themed pins on Pinterest

I have found so much inspiration for Christmas decorations, crafts and cookies the past few weeks on Pinterest. Do not let the opportunity pass you by while your news feed is flooded with Christmas pins. 

4. Get that Starbucks holiday drink. 

There are only here during the holidays. From the college kid whose nearest Starbucks is a 20 minute drive away, take advantage of those beautiful red cups.

5. Drive around any nearby neighborhood to look at lights.

Some of my most memorable moments at Christmas consist of me driving by myself, Christmas music blaring and the glow of Christmas lights flooding my car. Even if you do not live in a neighborhood with light fanatics. Take a moment to just sit and stare at your Christmas tree. 

6. Choose your Christmas movies wisely. 

8 Days. That means realistically only 4-5 movies will actually be watched. My favorites? A Christmas Story, The Year without a Santa Clause, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and White Christmas.

7. Snow? Play in it.

If you have snow where you live, do not let it pass. Play in it. Build a snowman. Have a snowball fight. Do not be afraid to bring out your inner 10 year old. Snow is a beautiful thing God has given us. Embrace it. Plus its an excuse to wear my cute L.L. Bean boots. 

8. Write heartfelt letters.

Everyone, including me deals with the stress of Christmas cards.Well 9 times out of 10 I usually never get them done. So why not take the opportunity to write my closest friends and loved ones truly heartfelt letters letting them know how much they mean to me? Even if it arrives a few days late, it hopefully will make their holidays. 

Enjoy the last 8 Days of the Christmas Season!

Alyssa

Christmas is Officially Over

We took down all the Christmas decorations today. I almost cried. That is the one thing I absolutely hate about winter. All the magic and joy of Christmas eventually has to disappear which is just sad in general.   I wish every season had as great of a holiday as Christmas. Well besides this awful task of tearing down Christmas decorations, I had a self portrait session and packed for a fabulous day trip to visit my friend at her college! Expect a blog post soon!

Is Christmas your favorite holiday? If not, what is?

Happy Holidays

Christmas Time is Here

Finally home for break. What have I been doing? Watching ungodly ammounts of Grey's Anatomy (Seasons 1-5 in case you wanted to know) and eating. So much eating. You do not even understand the fabulous amount of cookies and cakes we have. Oh and caramel popcorn. Basically Christmas time desserts are unbeatable.

Now my college loves Christmas. Meaning it has an absurd obsession with Christmas. I mean I am more than ok with it. I love Christmas more than words can explain. Yet even though my school does a fabulous job of creating a Christmas spirit and putting a tree up in every possible nook and cranny, nothing beats a home decorated for Christmas.

Here are some favorites of my holiday season:

• Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole
• Keeping the tree up until February
• All the vintage ornaments and remembering why they are special
• Elf and A Christmas Story. All day.
• Baking for 14 hours straight and loving every second of it
• Still running downstairs to open presents on Christmas morning
• Food. Lots and lots of food.
• Christmas Eve candlelight service and singing Silent Night
• Getting together with old friends and new
• After Christmas sales

What are some of your holiday favorites?