Christmas Vacation- part 3

This year for New Years, I went with a few of my friends to The Hyatt O'Hare. They had an 80s cover band playing, a pretend casino, and a Dj dance floor. We stayed at the hotel, which ended up costing us extra $$$ but it was worth it because at the end of the night, we just took the elevator up to our room! It was a fun evening and a great way to ring in 2011!

Here are a few pictures from the night-

Snooki was at the party (or maybe just a look alike) And just a side note, the outfits I saw throughout the night amazed me. Perhaps I'm too old to be hanging out with people in their early 20s because I would never wear some of the things I saw!

This guy and a few of his friends just started break dancing in the middle of the hotel

The Band!!!

And the countdown! Happy New Year!!!!

Now I'm all caught up on my blogging. School starts on Tuesday and my life will be over for a while. I'm taking a clinic and got a job at a law firm and still working at Williams Sonoma. I might just be crazy!

Christmas Vacation- part 2

While in Chicago, I did lots of fun things. One of those was seeing White Christmas the Musical. White Christmas is one of my favorite movies and I loved the musical. It was a little different than the movie and left out some of the good parts but it still had the same feeling and theme. I snuck this picture when the ushers weren't paying attention!

While downtown, we also went to the Kris Kindle Market in Daley Plaza. We go just about every year and I always enjoy it, even though it is freezing cold outside!

After New Years, my mom and I came down to the city again and did some shopping at the old Marshall Fields (aka Macys) and then we ate lunch in the Walnut Room. This is one of my favorite traditions. I remember doing this as a child and I hope that one day when I have kids, I'm able to continue the tradition. We thought the tree would be down already but we caught it on its last day up!

On our way back to the car, my mom and I stopped in the Chicago Conservatory. It used to be the Chicago Public Library and I had never been in the building. They have a huge Tiffany dome that is gorgeous. I also got some good pictures of Millenium Park.

After 3 long weeks of fun and relaxation, it was time to go home. I was ready to be back in my own bed but sad to leave my mom all by herself in Chicago. Anyways, this is what I woke up to when I left last week. SNOW!!! It had all melted right before New Years and I guess Chicago didn't want me to leave without getting another blast of it. The snow caused my flight to be delayed about 3 hours so I got to spend some quality time in Midway Airport before coming back to Houston.

Part 3 of Christmas Vacation will be New Years!

Christmas Vacation- part 1

This year, I was able to go home to Chicago for break. I was there for 3 weeks! I had so much fun and really enjoyed living in denial that I had a ton of things to do when I got back to Houston. I started off my trip the Chicago by doing a lot of baking. I love to bake and most of the time (when I don't burn things), I'm actually really good at it!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are pecan and cinnamon sugar cookie things (I can't remember what they are called but they were yummy!)

I also made snickerdoodles- my favorite!

These are ranch oyster crackers- also a favorite

For breakfast on Christmas morning- semi-homemade cinnamon rolls

And then for dessert on Christmas- Peppermint Ice Cream!

Here are some pictures of my mom's decorations around the house. She has such cool stuff!

The Christmas Tree-

My Mom collects wooden Santas

Close up of the Santas

We even have Christmas night lights!

And finally, even Leo got into the Christmas Spirit!

Up next- the Kris Kindle Market, White Christmas the Musical, New Years, The Walnut Room, and Snow!!!

The New Apartment!

At the end of September, I moved out of my dad's apartment and into an apartment with a friend I go to school with. I loved living with my dad and brother but it was getting a little cramped having 3 people in a 1 bedroom apartment. In fact, a few days before I moved, I just about lost it on them because they are boys and messy and I just couldn't take it anymore!

I love the new apartment! It is big and really nice and the location is fantastic. It is so close to everything. I miss seeing my dad and brother everyday though but spending 45 min-1 hour commuting to and from school was getting a little old.

Anyways, here are a few pictures. My room is still a work in progress. I'm so busy (see the last post) that its hard to find time to organize. And ignore the boxes- those need to be taken to my storage unit that I use for my overflow of stuff :)

The Living room-

The kitchen-

The dining room/ breakfast area-

My bedroom-

My bathroom-

The view from our balcony. Downtown Houston is on the other side of the trees so when the leaves fall off, we should have a great night time view of the city.

There is also another bedroom and bathroom which are my roommates. I love living here so far and hopefully this will continue to be a great home for the next year!