Looking back at 2011

I was thinking back over 2011 and realized how many great adventures I've had and little fun things I've done. I thought a mini snapshot by month would be a fun way to review 2011.


January

In January my roommate Leanne and I flew to San Diego to have a vacation and visit our old college roommate, Becky. Much fun and craziness was had by all.

February

In February I made my own butter which kicked off my obsession for complicated homemade recipes.

March

In March my family and I took a vacation to the Bahamas, where I fulfilled one of the goals on my bucket list - swimming with dolphins.

April

In April I moved out of my cute little apartment in Cedarburg, which was sad because I loved it, to move closer to work (yay no more 40 minute commute!!). This was a slow month. I think it also snowed way too much.

May

In May my little brother graduated from college! And ended up avoiding the cold midwest winters by landing a sweet job in San Francisco, the little bugger. On the other hand, it's another excuse for me to go visit California!

June

In June we took Kacey to Door County for the first time. Oddly, I don't remember much of it, but I know we had fun. I also moved into my new apartment with my current roommate, Leanne. Fun times have been had ever since.

July

In July I got engaged! Kacey proposed to me while on vacation in San Jose. (This is from our engagement shoot which I still have to share here)

August

In July Leanne and I made homemade pickles with my grandparents using their secret recipe.

September

In September I went on quite a few mini adventures, finished my Anthropologie duvet, and made my first homemade pie.  See what that butter did way back in February? Suddenly I thought I was Laura Ingalls Wilder and decided to be all pioneer-like. And it was delicious.

October

In October, Kacey and I took a road trip to Kansas City and surprised his mom and grandma with a weekend visit.  I also started doing the Modern American Girl series, which I'm really enjoying creating.

November

In November I finished my first DIY tutorial of my duvet cover. Hopefully the start of many more!

December

In December I spent my first Christmas with Kacey out in California where I went sporting clay shooting for the very first time. It was awesome and I hit 4 disks! Sure I shot about 40 times, but I'm thrilled I hit anything at all. More on this story in 2012!


So that was bits of 2011 in review, I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store. I already know that getting married, going to Hawaii for our honeymoon and finally getting an apartment with Kacey will bring adventures, and I can't wait to have the rest of them! Here's to you 2012!

Christmas Festivities

My mom's table at Advent by Candlelight 

Making peanut butter blossoms, one of my favorite cookies! 

Presents under the tree

Sparkly nails and mimosas Christmas morning

Pretty poinsettia

Yum.

Since I never got around to posting anything that I did before Christmas, here's a quick picture recap! I just got back from a great trip to visit my future in-laws for Christmas. There was lots of visiting, brandy slush, cookies, fawning over their adorable dog, eating delicious food made by Kacey's mom, sporting clay shooting (pictures to come!), and spending time with family and friends.

Keeping Cozy

Via the Style Files

Via Crush Cul de Sac

Via Crush Cul de Sac

Via Anthropologie December Catalog 

Via Pinterest

Although we've been lacking in the snow department, it's still been pretty chilly here in Wisconsin. I've found myself drawn to big cable knits and cozy sweaters to keep warm. These photos just make me want to curl up under a blanket with a great book in front of a roaring fire.

Merry Christmas!

Source

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord."

Merry Christmas!

Sleigh Bells Ring

Source

I'll be taking a sleigh (er....airplane) out to California for the next few days to spend Christmas with Kacey's family so it may be a bit quiet around here. This is the first Christmas I'll be away from home, so while I'm super excited to see everyone and visit California again it will be bittersweet on Christmas because I'm not with my family. I guess this is what happens when you grow up and get married. So while I'm battling conflicting emotions the excited part of me can't wait to see how people celebrate Christmas on the west coast. How is it even Christmas if you're not freezing your bum off and possibly hiking through snow? Only it doesn't seem like it's going to be a white Christmas here anyway. Still, we'll take what we can get. Merry Christmas everyone!

Modern American Girl - Meet Josefina

Moving onto the next American Girl, Josefina! Although this isn't my personal style I love every aspect about this outfit. I want to wear it. I'd probably get a bunch of weird looks from my coworkers considering that I live in Wisconsin and it's the middle of winter, but that's not important. I feel like this is a nice mix of updated southwest, perfect for hanging out around the pueblo or for standing up to ornery goats.


See Felicity's looks here

Not The Gumdrop Buttons!

One of my favorite Christmas cookies has to be gingerbread. I've never made it from scratch because it's always intimidated me, but when I found this recipe by Martha Stewart I decided that this was the year. My mom and I spent Saturday making all sorts of Christmas delicacies and these turned out incredible. They were soft but not mushy and the perfect balance of sweet and spice-y (as opposed to spicy hot) with a fantastic aftertaste that makes me want to grab another cookie. I used the royal icing instructions as well to decorate them and again, it went great. My decorating skills on the other hand leave something to be desired. An artist I am not. Thankfully that doesn't impair their ability to taste delicious!

Brown Paper Packages Tied Up With String

The past few years I've tried to do something fun or a theme when wrapping my Christmas gifts. This year though because of cheapness and laziness (and the fact I'm convinced it's still October) I didn't do anything creative and as a result my gifts are a mishmash of metallic wrapping paper and bows. So instead I'll share my awesome wrapping skills from last year. Above is what I did for all the girls, a mix of shiny and lace accents. Below is what I did for the guys (which may or may not have been inspired by Mr. Tumus' gifts in the Narnia movie...)

Modern American Girl - Changes for Felicity

I kind of love this outfit and I want it. I took a few more liberties here than normal. The striped dress was just not happening, especially vertical stripes. Do you know how hard that is to find these days? Besides, I think if Felicity was going to go visit prisoners in today's world, she would definitely be rocking the casual jeans. And personally I think the coat is adorable and I want one just like it. Perfect for a lightly snowing afternoon.

Holiday Sparkle

Normally I'm not one to wear a lot of glitter or shine, but I love a touch of sparkle around the holidays. These are all the perfect amount of pretty to indulge in the holiday spirit.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Source

Snapshot of the Week

I know I talk about this all the time, but how is there less than 2 weeks until Christmas?!?! The good news is most of my Christmas shopping is done, except for a few people who are hard to shop for because they don't give me any ideas to work with. Lindsay.  I'm also finding shopping difficult because stores keep switching their promotions and making things a better deal the day after I buy something. I'm looking at you, Eddie Bauer.

But besides plotting revenge (or at least half a dozen returns) at retail stores I have been doing things, even if I haven't been posting about them.

Breaking in the most beautiful Kitchen Aid mixer from my future mother in law

I finally got around to reading The Hunger Games. 

Did a little Christmas decorating in our apartment

And fed some woodland creatures

Happy Birthday Blog!

Source

Today Neroli Blossoms turns 2! This isn't a big blog, it's not one of the best, most popular, or well known.  And it was never meant to be. But it's mine and I love it. It's been a place to share pretties and random thoughts. So here's to all things sparkly, geeky, pretty, yummy, and everything in between!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Source

Can someone please explain how it's already December? My mind is still somewhere back around October 15. But even though it isn't beginning to feel a lot like Christmas (to me anyway) the festivities are in full swing and I went to my first Ugly Sweater Party this weekend which was a blast, and helped my mom host a table at Advent by Candlelight which was beautiful as always. December is already filling up fast and Christmas will be here before I know it!

Modern American Girl - Felicity Saves the Day

I changed it up this week and decided not to do the dress on the cover. Frankly, I think it's rather boring. It's a white dress with a sash and a straw hat which isn't as exiting as the hunter green wool riding habit with gold trim and a jaunty tri-corner hat! I even had a hat on here but decided it pushed the outfit over the edge into costume territory, which while awesome isn't the look we're going for so I took it out. This look says 'jump on your horse and ride through the English Colonial American countryside and rescue your dad's apprentice who you would so be into if you were a few years older.' (Did anyone else think that when Felicity got older she and Ben should have dated/courted? No? Oh, well uh ok then). I really want that jacket in real life though. I do love me some plaid.