God bless Starbucks and their free wi-fi (and their everything else as well if we are being totally honest here) moving has got the best of my family when it has come to eating out quite a lot lately (i’m not complaining) and losing the most random things in boxes (if anyone knows which box all my bobby pins are in help a frizzy-haired girl out) but the least best thing about this move is the fact we don’t get wifi connected until Saturday *insert really distressed emoji and talk about first world problems man*  i’ve been crammed in my room with a laptop begging me to type on it and no wifi to connect me to the blog and it’s been driving my inner-creativity absolutely crazy. so here i am sitting at my little corner in the nearest Starbucks sipping on my white chocolate mocha and typing away, GOD BLESS.

to catch you all up on Christmas, it was a bitter-sweet one. Christmas night was the last one in our home and our Christmas Eve traditions of family mass and my mom’s killer chicken and rice soup were demanding to go on as usual. we picked up a few wings as well (request of a very picky little brother) and the evening meal was set. throw in a few rounds of Head’s Up with the fan (Ellen’s new game via the app store, it’s 99 cents and very very worth it) and a sibling Christmas exchange of gifts and you’ve got yourself a night. Emmy made me the cutest sign for my new room that she painted “Ally’s cafe” on and a pack of coffee for MY NEW KEURIG, grandma and grandpa you rock. proud to have grandparents who encourage my coffee addiction. (best. christmas. gift. ever.)

Christmas was Christmas as always, filled with cousinly love and laughter and lots and lots of good food. the day after Christmas the cousins went ice skating and Sam and I snapped a few good pics of us being almost, (key word: almost) professionals

Andie made a quick post-work pit stop to drop off my gift from her last night and all i can say is that she feeds into my gold and white obsession too well and added to my collection as you can see below

. i also can’t thank her enough for supporting me and being my proof-reader on these posts. she’s truly a giver and knows me too too well.

hope this post finds you warm and keeping out of this nasty cold weather, have a wonderful new years eve: dress up, have fun, and be thankful for all 2014 had to offer.

xoxo, 

Ally

If you haven’t heard billions of people say it, seen it a thousand times in your Twitter feed, or heard it on the radio a bajillion times, Christmas time is the BEST time of the year. People are happier, stores are prettier, and the food is well, fantastic. During the Christmas season i will admit i fall into the trance of winter wonderland happiness (even if that means purchasing every christmas related item ever) and find myself being happier than any other time of the year. which sure, sounds great until the christmas season is over and you’re left with a hecka lot of used wrapping paper and don’t have the heart to actually put away your gifts. (*please say i’m not the only one who lays out her presents all pretty for a good week before forcing myself to put them to use…)

I’ve realized this year that maybe Christmas time isn’t the only time we can spread so much cheer, to others, and ourselves. I like to think these past few months I’ve finally captured my true mantra. my motto. my ‘words of wisdom’ if you will. and although sprinkles, sparkles, and sass may be my short and sweet version, it’s truly so much more. so, as the littlest Christmas present i can offer to you:

wake up early, drink as much coffee (or as little) as you want, keep your priorities straight, always and always keep your head up, do well, live well, eat well, dress really well, do what you love, love what you do, pick the cupcake (or donut, or cookie) with the most sprinkles (it’s worth it), frosting is your friend AND food, eat veggies: lots and often, be super silly because it’s really fun, laugh a whole lot, love God and know that he loves you, grocery shopping is therapeutic, yoga can be fun (even if you fall over a lot, a lot.), make sure your best friends know they’re your best friends, hug your mom every day, attempt to use chopsticks if given the chance (fail if necessary), study hard and succeed, if you don’t succeed it’s okay, but try again, take a lot of pictures of anything and everything (even if it means looking like a fool instagram-ing your lunch),  buy the shoes even if you’ll only wear them once, don’t be afraid of people: they’re just people. love others, love yourself, love, love, love.

most of all: do you. and love it.

merry merry merry christmas to all of you, may it be filled with happy hearts and your favorite gifts from your favorite people (ps santa? pj sets. thanks.) i hope to be updating you on Christmas adventures as much as I can. if you have any love for these or any of my posts, or just wanna chat hit me up at:

xoxoallisonnicole@gmail.com

love you all so so much.

xoxo, 

Ally

i hate moving. a whole stinkin’ lot. i don’t HATE a lot of things. i dislike a few: meatloaf, sleeping without socks, when starbucks claims they’re out of whipped cream. but after these past few months i’ve decided one thing i hate has got to be moving. my family is moving from our home on December 27 and I’m not super thrilled. the whole “think of it as an adventure” speech has been given to me plenty and i’m just not quite buying it. 3 paper cuts on moving boxes and being forced to throw away things i swore i needed (birthday cards from my 11th birthday and 3rd grade report cards apparently aren’t worthy of the keep pile) and i’m done.

simple things like quick pit-stops to Starbucks with my sister on Goodwill drop-off runs and being able to re-organize my room in this new house are keepin’ me sane.

–fun facts with ally: if there is such thing as obsessive compulsive room organization disorder, i for sure am self-diagnosed with it. actually though, i can’t focus if my room is even slightly messy. those people who can live with a messy room (talkin’ bout you andie) i do not know how you do it. if there is a sock in the middle of my floor while i am trying to sleep i will force myself out of the covers to put it away in order to fall asleep. it’s sort of a problem. BUT the fun side of it is holy crap shopping for room decorations and organization shiz is too much fun.

alright enough of my little room rants and on to some quick fun.

although moving may be rougher than rough, luckily sweet dominic is just the opposite. the day his finals got done i wasn’t feeling too great and moving was getting the best of me so he decided to surprise me while i was practically still in my pajamas (pajamas @ 11:30 are totally acceptable on winter break, btw.) with a few of my favorite things: blueberry oatmeal from Starbucks, hot chocolate, and my Christmas presents just a little early. it made the whole day ten times better and he stayed to help me pack for a little while too. i was really spoiled with LUSH items that I’m super excited to use over break, thank you so much if you’re reading this (i know you are)

well there is the life of ally lately, as crazy as it tends to be. send some love my way and as many positive moving vibes (i’m gonna act like those are a thing) as you can.

sending lots of virtual hot cocoa filled to the top with marshmallows your way. have an extra merry holiday week!

xoxo,

ally