Free Download: 2013 Calendar Template

Do you remember my desk calendar I had framed?  I love my 2012 calendar, but for 2013 I decided I wanted to design something myself.  I created a template in InDesign and then pulled some photos I liked from Flickr and inserted them in.  Since they're from Flickr, this calendar is strictly for personal use only.  But, I thought I would share a free download of the InDesign template for you to insert your own photos into.  I chose nature images, but I think this template would also look great with your favorite artwork or with personal photos.  To download the template file, click here.

P.S. The font I used is SkarpaLT, for a free download click here.  

Since I've Been Gone...

Today I have to go back to the real world after a great week and a half off.  My little Christmas break was great - relaxing and fun.  I spent some time with my family, with the boy's family, and with my friends.  Here are a few photos from my break, get prepared for a photo overload.  

At Zoo Lights with the boy.  Somehow I've never been before!  It was actually way cooler than I expected.  

Most of the animals were asleep, but a few were getting ready for bed - including these monkeys that were giving each other good night kisses!  Super adorable.

Remember the little piggy I wanted?  Well I may or may not have ordered him while writing that post.   We don't have any bookshelves to put him on yet, so he's been assigned to another task in the meantime.

 This is a terrible picture but I saw the Christmas train go by me!  Unfortunately it was on the other side of the tracks so I didn't get to ride, but I did get to wave at Santa.  

Dessert with the boyfriend - I've never had a dessert that came with two little cups of hot cocoa before.  So adorable!

Relaxing with the boy after opening our presents - he got me the best one!  

The watch I've been dying over for ages and ages!  I may or may not have sent the boyfriend an email with the link and the subject line "BUY THIS FOR ME!"

Christmas at my parent's house - we did a great job with the color coordinating, yes?

The fireplace at my parents' house.  Fun fact - I made the painting on the mantle in art class in elementary school.  I'm pretty sure I copied it off of a postcard.  

Craft time with my brother's fiance for their wedding.  This is a wine bottle we wrapped with twine, I think these will be used for centerpieces.

My parents' new dog, Sophie!  She's great at laying, right?  My parents are so sweet to have adopted her, she's 12 years old and was returned to the shelter because her owner had to move into a retirement home.  Now she has a new home and a new family!

 I was at JCrew after Christmas and somehow resisted this coat.  They only had one left and it was in my size, marked down to only $50!  But I already have tons and tons of coats, so I left this baby behind.

Middle Sister wine, yes please!  I think my role as middle sister could be categorized as mischief maker, but my siblings may disagree.

A reunion dinner with my college roommates!  Love these girls!!

My NYE mani, I decided that super bright was the only way to go to compliment my super sequins-y dress.

Being silly with the boyfriend on NYE.  Apparently this is the "Kristina" pose, which my family teased me about and then copied for all of our Christmas photos.  

Happy New Years to all of my readers, here's to a fantastic 2013! 

Ensemble: NYE

Blogging on the go, wanted to quickly share my New Years ensemble!!

Hoping everyone has a happy New Years!

Dress - LC by Lauren Conrad, Bag - Michael Kors, Bracelet - ASOS, Shoes - BCBG, iPhone Case - LOFT Outlet

Top Posts of 2012

It's crazy to think that I've been rocking this blog for six months now.  I was looking through some of my early posts and if feels like they were so long ago.  As 2012 winds down, I wanted to share my top 5 posts of the year:

1. Easy Costume: Wendy from Peter Pan
How to turn a nightgown from Sears and some ribbon into a quick Wendy costume

2. Giving Cash as a Gift

An amusing way to gussy up cash monies 

3. 5 Tips for Curling Stubbornly Straight Hair
How I get my crazy straight hair to stay curled, as well as a gift for my almost sister-in-law

4. Mini Meatloaf Bites

The recipe for my favorite appetizer, Mini Meatloaf Bites

5. Sisterface Wedding Extravaganza

A look back at my little sister's wedding as well as a double-denim outfit

Thank you to everyone who has read and supported my little blog over the past few months!  For 2013 expect a lot more how-to posts as well as a (hopeful) improvement on my photography skills.  Can't wait to see you then! 

Merry Christmas!

Santa came.

This little guy was hanging around my aunt's house, so my sister and I taught him how to do the Jersey Turnpike.  It's probably a good thing there aren't any little kids in our family anymore.  

I just wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Merry Christmas!   I'll be spending a lot of time with my family, so I'll be posting sporadically this week and will be back to my regular posting schedule in the new year.  Happy Holidays!

The End of the World as We Know It

There has been a lot of amusing stuff floating around about the world ending today.  The most hilarious thing I heard was my 22 year old sister when she realized the exact date - "You mean we don't get another Christmas?!"

Source

If today really was your last day on Earth, what would you do?  I'm going to the zoo tonight with the boy to see the Zoo Lights, so I guess I would choose to hang out with the beavers (my favorite animal at the zoo, no joke).  

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend, sans apocalypse! 

Want//Need: Critters

I'm scared of animals.  There, I admitted it.  I grew up with a dog and a cat and gerbils and fish and a little lizard named Charlie that the pet store swore was a Chameleon but definitely could only change from brown to green.  Yet despite all of this, animals still make me a little nervous.  I'll pet your dog, yes, but if he gets too excited during a game of tug of war I start getting jumpy. 

Even if little critters make me a little scared, it doesn't mean I don't want them in inanimate form!  Here are a few of the critters I've been craving:

1. Elephant Stud Earrings / 2. Gold Pig Bookends / 3. Polar Bear Sweater / 4. Lounging Elephant / 5. Fox Ring / 6. Monkey Print / 7. Flamingo Print / 8. Elephant Ring