Show Us Your... Holiday Decorations

This week Kelly's Korner is linking up with holiday decorations! Two years ago I wrote this post about how I'm conflicted about decorating for Christmas. Rather than rehash it, I will say that I'm still conflicted, but part of me can't help but have fun with Christmas decorations.
These were taken this past Saturday, which was the first night of Hanukkah. Today is the 6th night, so tonight in our living room we'll have 5 more candles lit.
The stocking on the left was mine growing up and made by my grandmother. (To clear up confusion, my mom converted, so while we celebrated Christmas with my mom's family, we never did in our own home.) The boy didn't have a stocking in our house, so we picked up a LSU stocking for him. They may not match, but they work for now.
On top of our mantle are the wine bottle centerpieces for our wedding. I'm still not sure if I'm going to keep them there, but for now, again they work.
Also on the mantle is our cake topper (again not sure where this is going to stay permanently) and a few different dreidels. Now to the tree itself, most of the ornaments are the boy's from his childhood, but I've realized there's a few I claims as my own.
My mom used to always buy me cute things that made her thing of me, like this little fairy. I don't think she was actually meant to be used as a Christmas ornament, but she works pretty well as one.
This was actually meant to be an ornament, although wasn't purchased as one. I has an obsession with flower fairies growing up which is why my mom bought her for me. (This is the Columbine Fairy.) I kept her on display in her box for years, but now she's actually on our tree.
Again, this may not actually be an ornament, but works well as one. My mom bought me this because in high school and college (and even now really), I had somewhat of a flip flop obsession.
This one is actually an ornament, and was even purchased as one. This was the boy's holiday present to me last year, which he purchased on our Disney World vacation.

What holidays do you decorate for in your home? And if you're here from Kelly's Korner, please say hello in the comments!

You Like Me

Back in August Heather gave me the Sunshine award. Yes, I am just now blogging about it, but late is better than never, right?
Rules of Engagement:
Include the award log either in your acceptance post or somewhere on your blog.
Answer 10 questions about yourself.
Pass the award on to 10-12 other deserving bloggers.
Add a link on your post to all of the talented winners and comment on their page to let them know they've been deemed amazing.
Thank the brilliant soul that recognized your talent and bestowed this wonderful award on you...and of course link back to them as well.

Onto my answers...

1. What would you most like to change about yourself?
I hate my feet. I've been saying since high school I needed surgery on them. I probably don't but trust me when I saw they are all crooked and ugly.

2. What is your theme song?
"California Girls" by Katy Perry
Except not really, it's just the first song I could think of, and it's a California song, so why not.

3. One part of your life, a memory, action, etc. that you wish you could surgically remove from your brain?
In high school each year we would kidnap the girls who were planning on pledging our sorority. But in order to do so we had to meet up around 3am and drive around town together. So my dad dropped me off at the house one of my sorority sisters at 3am, and I rang the doorbell... and I was at the wrong house. Her house was just next door, but I still woke up strangers at 3am. I still look back on it and cringe, so it'd be nice to be able to stop.

4. What generation do you wish you had been a part of?
I would have loved to live in a completely other time. Maybe during the Renaisance or the antebellum South?

5. What was your favorite childhood toy?
I've blogged about this before, but no question, it's my American Girl dolls.

6. What is your favorite housecleaning chore?
I wouldn't call if favorite. But the chore I mind the least is doing the dishses.

7. Do you Twitter?
Yes. Follow me @shoshanahg

8. Any goals?
Lots. But as for one, I'd love to be an amazing mom someday.

9. Do you really drink margaritas all the time?
Err... not really. I'd much rather have a daiquiri, and I really don't manage those that often.

10. What is the ugliest car you've ever driven and were embarrassed to be seen in?
Considering the only car I've ever had is my current Toyota echo, I guess by default that would have to be my answer.

Moving on from Sunshine, back in October Kristyn nominated me for a Liebster award. And while October is several months ago, at least it's not as bad as August, right?For the Liebster you're supposed to name 11 facts about yourself, and answer 11 questions. To start, here's my 11 facts.

1. Anytime I've been tagged for a blogging award, I've completed it. (Even if it has taken me a month to do so.)

2. When I was 1-year-old I went to Mexico. I haven't been back since.

3. When my brother and I would play dinosaurs as kids we were draft dinosaur families. My brother's first pick was always the T-Rexs. Mine was always the "long necks."

4. In Kindergarten I used to want my name to be Amy, because I could spell it, and couldn't spell Shoshanah.

5. My favorite ice cream flavor used to be Ben & Jerry's Triple Caramel Chunk. At least it was until I stopped being able to find it.

6. In second grade I broke both my arms at the same time. I spent all summer in a pink & purple cast.

7. The first "grown-up" show I religiously watched was Party of Five, which I believe started when I was in 4th grade.

8. I love the Sesame Street movie Follow that Bird when I was little, and even downloaded all the songs in college.

9. Whenever I buy Kleenex I always buy Kleenex brand. I figured if I call it Kleenex, it should actually be it.

10. I obsess of tv volumes, and always want it on an even number. But one that isn't divisible by 10 or 11.

11. The last time I had a sip of milk was in 5th grade.

And here are my 11 questions...
1. What do you blog about?
I like to call it a lifestyle blog meets book blogging and wedding planning. (Although I guess the planning part is now finished with.)

2. If you could bring back any person from history (dead or alive), who would it be and why?
While this may not have been the intention of the question, I would have to say my mom. Part of me wishes I knew what was happening so I could have one final conversation with her. And while I realize in some ways it's better the way things happened, there's still so much I want to tell her.

3. Dogs or Cats?
Neither. I'm not really an animal person. But at times I like one more than the other.

4. What football team do you pull for?
The boy has converted me to an LSU fan.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, and money didn't matter, where would you go and why?
My top 3 countries to visit are Australia, Egypt, & Greece.

6. Would you rather be on a beach, the mountains, or sight seeing?
Right now I'd say the mountains, especially since it's been so long since I've been. But I really love being at the beach as well.

7. If you could change one time in your life, what would it be and why?
This is actually quite similar to Question 3 in the first set, so I'm going to go with that one again.

8. Would you work if you had kids or stay at home with them?
I think depending on the circumstance I would be more than happy in both situations.

9. What is the earliest memory you have?
I'm pretty sure it was when my brother was born, so I'd have to be around 2 and a half. I remember sitting at our dinning room table with my grandfather and sticking "It's a boy stickers" on See's lollipops.

10. What's your favorite flower?
I've actually posted about this before, but it's forget-me-nots or lupins. Although if I were to list a third one it would be confederate roses.

11. What would be your dream job?
Reality tv star

From here I'm supposed to list 11 questions of my own, and then tag 11 more people. (I was actually supposed to tag people for the sunshine as well.) But this post is already a novel, so I'm just going to end it here. Although feel free to answer any of these questions if you'd like!

From Miss to Mrs: Becoming the Bride

It was finally time for my dress to make it's appearance.
In order to make sure my dress didn't touch my hair or make-up I decided to step into my dress. But it was such a big dress, and as it is I have no balance, so I definitely needed my bridesmaids' help to make it without falling over.
For those curious, I bought the bustier from HerRoom. It worked great and stayed up throughout the day. I had previously posted about about a free pair of underwear from Victoria's Secret, but instead wore a bridal pair that had been gifted from my MOH's mom from Hanky Panky(and that wasn't once size fits all!).
Once I made it in, my MOH zipped me up with my now SIL's help.
Looking at this picture I am a little disapointed that this dress didn't actually use all the pretty buttons, but in practicality having a zipper did make it easier. And still while I do love this picture, I don't think it has the timeless feel actual buttons would have.
From there my bridesmaids made sure that my dress and veil were on straight and got me situated.
I absolutely love these series of photos. while they all do have a similar feel I couldn't pick just one to share, so instead your seeing several versions of the same basic photo. But I still think there's something special about each one.
One aspect I wasn't looking forward to getting dressed was that my mom wouldn't be there. Obviously this would be a factor throughout the day, but there's just something about the photos of a mom helping her daughter into her wedding dress that I adore. I still remember that commercial from a few years back of the mother and grandmother helping the bride into her wedding dress.
But my grandmother was there, and we were able to get a few great photos together. I know that as difficult as parts of this day were for me, it was just as hard, is not harder for my grandmother, since it was her daughter that wasn't there with us.
From there I sliped on my shoes. (You can even see a glimpse of my purple pedicure here to prove it actually did happen.)
Last but not least, I put on my garters, and I was officially ready to get married.
Who was with you as you were getting dressed on your wedding day? And if you aren't married yet, who do you see by your side as you put your wedding dress on?

All photos in this post courtesy of Sabree Hill Photography
with editing by me to protect privacy.
Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover
From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Supper
From Miss to Mrs: Gifting the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Night
From Miss to Mrs: Oh What a Beautiful Morning
From Miss to Mrs: Getting Prettified
From Miss to Mrs: Prepping the Plantation
From Miss to Mrs: Turtle Time
From Miss to Mrs: The Photographer Has Arrived

Monday Movie Reveiw

Pitch Perfect
So I know I'm a little late getting to this one. But it's still in theaters, and there's not a whole lot else we wanted to see, which meant I finally convinced the boy to see it with me. Before we get to the movie itself, the previews with this were awesome. We saw spots for Beautiful Creatures, The Host, The Great Gastby, and Les Mis all of which I want to see (and all of which are based on books).

To the movie itself, first I thought it was a lot of fun that it was filmed it LSU. It was fun to recognize parts of the campus throughout. The actual movie was a lot of fun too, and even though the boy dragged his feet and refused to see it at first, a caught him laughing multiple times throughout.

I loved the music and think it'd be really fun to buy the soundtrack. Plus it brought me back to all the acapella group's in college. (Bridesmaid NYC, my college roommate, was in an all female acapella group, so while I may not have been a member, I've been to my share of acapella performances.)

If your like me and haven't had a chance to see this yet, I would easily recommend it. It may be difficult to find in theaters at this point, but I don't think this is the type of movie that needs the theater experience, so if you haven't already, definitely catch it on dvd.

Her Cowboy Soon Would be There

A Cowboy for Christmas by Lori Wilde
I never used to read these romance-y type books, but the more I read them the more I enjoy them. They really are just a lot of fun. Yes, they are predictable, and there's not a lot there except for a love story, but sometimes that escape is just what you need.

If you're looking for fun and cute this one really has all the ingredients. First it's a Christmas story, although I may have wanted it to be a bit more Christmas-y. The title still makes complete sense, but I was hoping for something to really get me in the holiday mood. And while there is a cowboy too, my favorite part had to be the food. (What else right?)

Our main character likes to bake, and throughout the story she whips up a ton of different creations. What's fun to is that some of the recipes are included in the book. (Not my favorite, Dr. Pepper cake, but I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to google a recipe.)

I was kind of surprised by some of the twists thrown in to keep the couple apart, especially the fact Lissy's son was deaf. It wasn't something I would have expected, and definitely created some unexpected moments.

I think the easiest way to describe this is that's it's fun and cute. It's a great escape, and a great way to get you excited for all the Christmas cookies to come!

4/5

Disclosure: I was provided this book through TLC Book Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

Mailbox Monday (15)

I wasn't expecting to be linking up with Mailbox Monday today, which for December is hosted by Suko's Notebook. But yet, here I am linking up two weeks in a row. And even more fun all the the books I'm posting this week actually arrived in my mailbox.
From My Dad
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
It's been over two years since I last read a Sookie Stackhouse book. At that time I was worried that I was about to be completely caught up, but after waiting so long I still have several more to read before that happens. My dad actually started reading them, and sends them to me as he gets through them. Which is definitely a plus since it means we're both not going out spending our money on the same book. I'm excited to get back into Sookie's story, I'm just hoping I can remember where things were when I left off.

What's in your mailbox this week? And what's the longest break you've ever taken in between reading books from a series?

From Miss to Mrs: The Photographer Has Arrived

When we last were here, we checked in with the boys and saw the preparations around the plantation, but we're finally getting back to me and my girls in the bridal suite. Our photographer arrived as we were still getting ready, which allowed her to capture some of the craziness that was going on. Although when I say arrived, I mean she started taking photos, since she had been onsite for a few hours at this point.
After hearing how our rabbi missed our rehearsal since the normal one hour drive from New Orleans instead took closer to four hours, she didn't want to leave anything to chance. But as it worked out, there wasn't really any driving issues for her and she made it a few hours before our designated started time. She did say hello when she arrived, but spent the time catching up on work, since due to Isaac she hadn't had power the entire week before. Although she did finally least get power back the morning of our wedding, which I'm sure made getting ready much easier for her.
As we all finished getting ready, she gave some of my paper products their own little photo shoot
I was so proud of the STDs and invitations that I created that I knew I had to have photos taken of them. Obviously I have my own photos of them, and have several copies still. But there's just something about seeing my projects in such pretty photographs that gets me all giddy.
I would have loved to have photos of the programs as well, but I didn't have an extra one with me. I realize this is ridiculous since I spent part of the morning making them, and they had just been in our suite.
Unfortunately, our coordinator came by to get the programs so they'd be ready and waiting for guests to arrive, and I didn't think to hold onto a single one. Thankfully we do have a few photos of them in action, but I still wish I had remember to grab one for its close-up as well. (Which does mean you'll have to wait to finally get a glimpse of these long discussed programs.)
After the paper product had their turn in the spotlight, it was time to move back to people!
In our matching robes we piled onto the couch, before heading outside for pictures on the front porch.

After getting a few minutes of sun, we escaped back into the air conditioning so we could get started with The Dress.
Whas there anything at your wedding you were hoping to get a photo of, yet you forgot to have it happen?

All photos in this post courtesy of Sabree Hill Photography
with editing by me to protect privacy.
Miss a Recap Post?
From Miss to Mrs: The Calm Before the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: There's a Hurricane Coming?
From Miss to Mrs: Here Comes Isaac
From Miss to Mrs: Weathering the Cane
From Miss to Mrs: After the Storm
From Miss to Mrs: Trials and Tribulations
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Errands
From Miss to Mrs: A Night on the Town
From Miss to Mrs: The Hangover
From Miss to Mrs: Rehearsing in the Heat
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Supper
From Miss to Mrs: Gifting the Girls
From Miss to Mrs: The Last Single Night
From Miss to Mrs: Oh What a Beautiful Morning
From Miss to Mrs: Getting Prettified
From Miss to Mrs: Prepping the Plantation
From Miss to Mrs: Turtle Time