Countdown.

Just like that, 2013 comes to a close.  It was a good one, and 2014 is hot on its heels for awesomeness.  Not only do I get to marry you-know-who (no, not Voldemort, C!), but I'll watch two of my best friends get married as well.  Oh, and I turn 30 in 6 weeks, but we're ignoring that for as long as possible ;)

So what are you up to tonight?  Any big plans?  We realized last year that going out to dinner is the perfect mixture of going out and staying in on new year's eve, so we're going for a repeat!  If you happen to be throwing a party and need some last minute ideas, I'd say Glitter Guide's NYE Bubbly Bar is a good place to start, perhaps paired with Haute Chocolate's Adorable Free NYE Printables?

Have a blessed, safe and happy new year.

xo. di.

*image via

NYE 2012.

"On New Year's Eve I want you to kiss me.  Kiss me at 11:59 and do not finish that kiss until 12:01. 
Therefore, I have a perfect ending and definitely a perfect beginning."

-Unknown

the last day of 2012?!  nonsense words.  but here comes 2013.  we're back in chicago after a wonderful week at both our families' homes and will be going out to dinner tonight to celebrate the end of a pretty fantastic year, followed up with some drinks with friends.  wherever you may be, have a safe and happy new year's eve.  i'll see you next year!   

  

xo. di.

*image 1,2

baubles & bubbles.

i hope 2012 has been treating everyone extremely well so far!  yesterday was back to work for me after a 4 day break and now, back to the blog (which is infinitely more fun!).  taking a blog break last week felt odd - like i was leaving something important out of my day.  but it was also a good way to step back from it, and, as we are wont to do at the end of the year, reflect and resolve.  a bit more on that in a moment, but first, some fun pics of how we all rang in the new year in snowy northern michigan.  i was feeling under the weather and still am, but sheer will power made it a super fun night regardless.

made this.

and these.

wore these.

 {black sparkle toms, gap cardi, j.crew sparkle tank, LOFT necklace}

and these.

{opi blonde date + bring on the bling}

and then we celebrated.

 {brought up my pottery barn light ball from a few years ago}

 {i think mr. moose had fun}

{trac, andy + bella - i swear that first pic is not staged, they're just that obsessed!}

{midnight toast}

{technology!; sisters}

{who needs a refill?!}

and now for the resolutions.  like last year, i'll be working on my 2012 intentions letter (idea c/o jess of makeunder my life) (shout out to diane who picked up the practice last year to great success!) over the next week or so, but i also have one big thing i want to work on in 2012, and i'm putting it here to hold myself accountable.  see, i'm a terrible phone person.  i hate talking on it for whatever reason, and i avoid it at all cost.  and that means even though i miss my family like crazy (yeaaa i know they're only five hours away), and while we email/text multiple times a day, i don't hear their voices even close to often enough.  and so, in 2012, i resolve to call them. much. more. often.  there, i said it.

as for blogging resolutions, i'm still mulling some of that over.  but i think 2012 calls for a facelift.  it also calls for more of my personal pictures (guess who got her first d-slr for christmas and badly needs to take a photography class?!  this girl!!), and more substantive/thoughtful posts.  as i try to find my place in this great big blogging world, i hope to do good by you, dear readers, in 2012. 

xo. di.

*images by me (on the new camera!)

she, seven.

same gal, new year.  happy 2012!

she welcomes the new year with 

open arms and a smile.

xo. di.

*image via oh, joy!

new year.

happy new year's, lovelies!   am at the family cottage in northern michigan for the weekend for the second year in a row with the whole fam and c in tow.  am very happy.  back to regular posting on tuesday, january 3!   

xo. di.

*image via

new.

i am ringing in 2011 in northern michigan with my parents, my sister and her fiance, and my dear c.  i feel pretty content as 2010 comes to an end.  i hope you do too.  happy new year, a spot of whimsy readers!

 

 

i have an assignment for you all - don't worry, it's not mandatory - but it is extremely helpful for those who like the idea of resolutions but find them trite or simply difficult to keep throughout a 12-month period.  jess of makeunder my life suggests writing an "intentions letter" to your future self, stating, in the past tense, all that you will accomplish during the coming year.  she posted this explanation last january (and this recap earlier this month), and it easily convinced me to write my own for 2010.  i reviewed it twice throughout the year, seeing what i had done and what i needed to refocus on, and in the next few days i'll be rereading it for the last time, reflecting on how it went, and then sitting down to write my 2011 letter.  i credit this letter with giving me the push and the courage to start this here little blog, so i'm a big fan of the process and of jess for sharing it! 

xo. di.

*image 1 via plush palate, image 2 & 4 via toast, image 3 via save the date for cupcakes