In case you were wondering...

Dear Journal, Diary, Blog...

I should be studying right now, but I'm not. I have three finals tomorrow & literally zero motivation. Chris is MIA. My house looks like a Giant came and lifted it up, flipped it over, possibly gave it a good shake or two...then set it back down. It's been one of those weeks if you know what I mean. Where is my motivation? I certainly wish I could find it....tonight!

Aren't you excited it's the holiday season? I can't wait. I've already planned when we are going to buy our Christmas tree (clearly I'm Type-A)...Guess what Chris said when I told him?

Mari "Yay! I can't wait to buy our tree! I want to do an entirely different theme to it this year!"

Chris ...long pause....(watching TV)...."We aren't buying a Christmas tree, we will be in Cancun"

Mari (gasp!....as in dramaaaaatic gasp) "NO!!!We ARE! We don't leave for Mexico until the 26th!! We HAVE TO HAVE A TREE!!! IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!"

Chris (attention now on me...small laugh) "Fine"

Well, at least I'm getting a Christmas tree. Even if Scrooge is anti :) I've been singing him the theme song to the Grinch...I need to memorize all of the words, that song is actually hilarious.  You can read the lyrics here if you so please. Last year I gave him Grinch pajama bottoms...he really is the Grinch! I'm telling you. I don't know how he stands living with me, I'm the polar opposite of that.

(OMG! I just threw my computer because a spider crawled on ME!!!! I am glad it didn't break, that was terrifying!!!)

Wow, sorry 'bout that.

Anyway, see how I'm putting off studying by rambling on and on? I'm actually busier than ever this week and here I am, typing a way.....it's actually therapeutic to think about something other than boutiques, orders, work, school, messy house...

I'm pretty excited to go home for Thanksgiving, I secretly wish it snows while I'm there. I won't have a white Christmas, so I'm hoping to get a taste of it while I'm home. 

Working at Anthro is amazing. Everyone says "Oh I wouldn't be able to work there" "How do you do it? I bet it's so hard" (implying that the discount must be evil)...and I actually couldn't disagree more. Sure it's "probably" a bad thing to have a discount because it encourages shopping...But in my eyes, shipping=good, discount=awesome, discount at your favorite store=super awesome. I do have a budget I must stick to, of course---but I think the discount is a great thing :) 

My grandma (mom's mom) is 96! She just had a bit of a scare last week because she had a pretty severe staff infection...When she went in for her check up this week the Dr took off his glasses and shook his head & said,  "Well Irene..I don't know how you do it, but you've come through! I thought I was going to have to put you in the hospital with a bad ending"...she replied "Well Dr, everything is in the Lords hands!" (said with a big grin of course) How cute is she?!

 I'm so glad she is okay. I admire her more than anyone on this planet. I love her so much.

I want to move to NYC desperately. Just for a year or two. I think it would be such an adventure. Then I want to settle down in a neighborhood and home much like the one Ina has on Barefoot Contessa. (which BTW is one of my favorite shows ever)

I've rented a Christmas movies every week for the past 4 weeks. If you have any suggestions send em my way, I can't seem to get enough! (so far I've watched: Christmas with the Kranks, The Santa Claus, It's a Wonderful Life, Home Alone 1 & 2, that dumb one with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon.., and The Holiday). 

I'm trying to hunt down Miracle on 34th street...

Some of my holiday must have's courtesy of the lovely & talented people at Anthropologie:

  for the wee ones..

Usually my tree is silver, gold, champagne etc...but this year I want it to be quirky and colorful.

Ok this rambling fest must come to an end, it's time for me to hit the books. 

Someone tell my husband to please come home soon! :(

Come to the Market!

I've been busier than ever lately. Work, School, and working on Mari Elizabeth Couture & Autumn Dame. I'm happy to be busy and grateful to have hobbies that bring me so much satisfaction! I've been working extra hard lately to prepare for some fantastic boutiques that I sell at every year. I adore these boutiques. They sell the absolute cutest things and I feel flattered to be apart of them. If you're in UT this weekend be sure to stop by the Bijou Market! If you're in UT the weekend after Thanksgiving, Dec 2nd-4th be sure to stop by the Beehive Bazaar! 

I always find great Christmas gifts (as well as something for myself if I'm being honest) at these events.

I'll be selling autumn dame clothing & some fun accessories! 

I have hand knitted chunky infiniti-scarves, big loop infiniti-scarves, 

and some cute holiday packaging ties (so adorable! I want to keep them all for my wrapping needs!). 

The Beehive Bazaar

The Bijou Market

Come! Support! You won't regret it!

A Celebration!

My 25th Birthday was full of surprises! My husband shocked me this year with his lack of procrastination & his ability to trick me! I know I say this all of the time, but I really do feel so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man. He makes life amazing and I couldn't be happier.

I was a well loved girl this year and I couldn't have felt more blessed!

We kicked off my day with a "birthday eve" present! I think we'll have to make it a tradition! :) The day of my birthday I woke up to another gift from Chris (so sweet!) and then had to go to class, boo!  However, I opted to ditch Math halfway through and I went for a run in the sun on our lovely little beach and treated myself to a pedicure. I'm confident I made the right choice!

That night Chris & I had dinner plans, so off we went. Much to my surprise & delight we walked up to a table full of friends! They completely tricked me! Seeing as it was Thursday and we live all the way down in Newport, I never even imagined anyone would come down. Surprises are now officially one of my favorite things ever! It was the BEST! I literally couldn't stop smiling all night! Totally made the day! I couldn't believe they would fight all of that traffic just to be there with me on my birthday. Like I said, I'm blessed! 

(I didn't get a clear photo with Chris, which I'm sad about.)

Ash was the brains behind the operation. She is one of my very best friends and is like a sister to me. I can't even begin to describe what a generous and thoughtful person she is.

The Boys

My old EM team!

Love Birds

Sweet Lindsay Lou Lou & Ash. I wish I could hang out with these two all of the time!

All the girls. Jami, Janae, and Jessica came down too!

 The next three days were a continuation-celebration! I always love when birthdays spill over onto other days, it's so much more fun!

I received some lovely packages in the mail (thank you!) and Chris and I spent the night carving pumpkins (more importantly we spent time together, such a rare thing these days!).

Saturday we met up with two of our favorite people, Trevor & Shelby for dinner and Phantom of the Opera! I was SO excited!! A real birthday treat! I brought my camera, but forgot to take pictures! Dork! It was such a blast hanging out with them and we loved the show.

 

Sunday we drove up to see Chris' family! We live only 2 hrs from them but feel like we never see them! Linda was so awesome & prepared the most amazing birthday feast for us! And of course we loved seeing Marali, Grandma, and the rest of the family too.

It was an amazing birthday. 

25th you came, you went, & you were fabulous.

wee people

Are you kidding me? One of my very favorite places to shop now makes kids clothing?  and the name?! could you just die!? HOW ADORABLE!!!!

click HERE to view & shop!

As if I didn't already want a child bad enough ;) Hooray Free People, you've done a girl proud!