because i can't sit still

i've been running around the past two weeks preparing for christmas and all that it entails. one day, i'll wake up and realize that i'm really, really tired. but for now, i'm unintentionally keeping up with that drumming, pink bunny.

earlier this month, i found out that not only have i exceeded my minimum hours of work for the year, i've exceeded them by more than 3 months of regular time (i know, i know). so i decided that today would be a day off at a coffeeshop to blog, drink coffee, people watch and spend some time with a great friend. all things accomplished + an added bonus of finishing off some stuff for work (i know, i know - but i'm totally wanting to leave early this week).

anyway, now that christmas is over, i'm catching up on photos and blogs. so, here are leah's christmas pretties in review:

my first christmas at 1404: new house = new decorations. didn' think to take closeups of the tree or decor. the tree is decorated with gold garland, matte plum ornaments, shiny plum ornaments, and large matte magenta ornaments with velvet detailing. hanging from the window are rhinestone-ish snowflakes from restoration hardware; the mama version (more than a foot in diameter) is hanging on my door like a wreath. miniature vintage-y stockings with button accents are hanging from the window sill. also, the theme for this year's presents and cards was crafty brown, with simple silver accents.

now that i'm an official homeowner, christmas presents have been an exercise of creativity. i have a huge family; and as often as people have suggested that i do this - i think i would be lynched if i passed out cookies to all 19 kids that i, as a responsible tita, must indulge. instead, my friends got the brunt of my humbugness (but not because i don't love them - just because i don't want to be homeless 10 months into my mortgage and they understand). though if you have any inkling of justleah, you know i love to cook - especially for people.

goodie of the year: peppermint bark a la leah. used ghiradelli 60% cacao. in the usual leah fashion, i made this more complicated than it needed to be and ended up with goopy snowflakes but in the end remembered to KISS. i even had extra to top off some brownies for a merry little pot luck.

christmas parties in 1404: one friday night, had an impromptu wine and cheese party with wine, brie, and a last minute crab dip. yumm-o! with another set of friends, had our monthly dinner which coincided with my annual christmas dinner party. for appetizers, we had warm brie with fresh honey comb and figs. cooked a meal of lamb in a rosemary butter reduction, couscous, and roasted vegetables. no pictures because we were hungry. also had lots of wine and present exchanging.

best use of my free time this season: volunteering. i've always been big on volunteering but have let it fall by the wayside since the job has taken over my life. the past year, i've tried to be a little more generous with my time and have gotten involved fully with my local red cross chapter. besides chairing a committee for the waterfront festival, i joined red cross volunteers from the dc area to sort cards for wounded soldiers. it was only 3 hours of my time, but it means the world to a soldier with a bullet in his leg. above are a few of the cutest cards that some kids from the midwest made. also, finally got to wrap presents for juvenile diabetes. i love to wrap presents so as nerdy as it sounds, i had tons of fun doing that but didn't have time to document it as it was on the 23rd and i was surrounded by harried shoppers.

most fun to be around during christmas: janiya. jj has always been really cute but at this age of 2 and a half, she's talking and understanding the world around her. it's pretty awesome to see her comprehend and have the ability to have conversations with her. she's an incredibly well behaved child and it's always heartwarming to her hear say thank you and i love you at the perfect moments. and don't even get me started on our bleary-eyed christmas morning present opening... too freaking cute!


tomorrow is back to the daily grind but i'm hoping that my creativity sparks back up before the new year.

hope you had a great holiday season!

ps. i just spent 6 hours at tryst and have gone through 1 sandwich, 2 cappucinos, 6 strawberries (with a whole lot of nutella), and 2 servers; one of which went from wearing a scarf around her neck, to wearing it as a headband, and finally to an armband around her elbow. i think i should leave now.