Just Like New

So this is the new blog layout...

I'm liking the simplicity and I think I'll really enjoy having more space to write and post photos, especially with my new-to-me fancy camera and soon-to-be-mine (8MP !!) iPhone camera. I'm really looking forward to having a really good camera, attached to my phone, that can be with me in my bag all the time. Miss iPhone and my Canon cannot wait to be brought on my New York trip with me.

This is all besides the point though, the point being that I like my new layout and header and want to share where I found them/how I made them.

The layout is called "Strawberry Shortcake" and comes from Pugly Pixels. This site is fabulous and has tons of cute free things along with their items for sale. Loads of downloads and tutorials to go with them, it's enough to make even me feel inspired about changing things up a bit. I love the velvet bows, and the How to Spot One of Those Darn Bloggers post is so good! Taylor is always getting on to me when we go out to eat. "Wait! Don't touch it! Let me take a picture first!" has been heard many a time at our table. Go look and enjoy!

The new header was made all by me, thanks to Picnik.com. I splurged a little (honestly, what I would normally spend on a cup of coffee) and paid for the Premium membership this month, and so far it's been worth it. It's nice to be able to access the entire site, especially some of the Holiday editing. The background  flowery stuff came from a picture of this dress:

Edited with Pixlr.

My face is SO goofy. I was trying to figure out my camera's timer settings and didn't realize it was taking a million pictures one after the other, so as I was fake smiling and posing I began to laugh as I leaned in to turn the camera off and this is what it caught. I ended up kind of liking the spontaneity of it though. Anyway.. the header image is of that dress and the font is Love Ya Like a Sister, a cute one that Picnik has.

Just wanted to let you all know a little bit about what when on behind the scenes here. I'm in Melbourne until Wednesday, when I leave for my grand ol' New York trip. I have my laptop with me now but may or may not take it up on the flight with me, so this may be the last post for a bit. Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Yule! Happy New Year! and any other major holiday I have forgotten!

XO.

In the Christmas Spirit

In between packing for New York (yay 21 Before 21 list item!), getting our apartment puppy ready, and finishing last minute Christmas shopping and decorating, I've barely had time to think straight. I have, however, had just a few moments to throw together some songs for you. These are the songs I've been humming to get me through the Fall Semester stresses and ready for Holiday happiness! I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Now back to wrapping I go- there is SO much love going into these gifts this year.

Also, enjoy this picture of the newest member of my family, already being enhanced to show her future love for the holiday season! Meet Miss Philippa Rose:

XO.

Happy Finals Week! (& Happy 2nd Birthday Blog!)

Playing my ukulele. Practice makes perfect, right?

Just a few little updates because I have some cute pictures to share! It's finals week here at UNF, so I've been swamped with studying and essay writing (and of course procrastinating!). Two weekends ago was Thanksgiving. Meaning!! It's kind of like.. the bloggy's Second Birthday! EEK! I've had it for two years now and well, fifty three posts later I couldn't be more proud. 6,000+ page views still blows my mind, so thank you very much to anyone who has taken the time to read and enjoy it as much as I enjoy writing it! I adore you all!

Now onto some more pictures to tide you over until I get the chance to post what I'm really excited about- Christmas decorations and my Book Mine finds! But alas! those are for another day...

We decorated our family Christmas tree in Melbourne. All of the personal ornaments are my favorite. Look at this one of little me! Too cute, right?

Mmmmm. Taylor took me on a retro date to Johhny Angel's, a Fifties themed delicious restaurant here in Jacksonville. I was SO full after my burger, chili cheese fries, and chocolate milkshake, but I cannot wait to go back. YUM.

And finally, me nerding out in my Sailor Moon shirt, in the biggest book store I've ever set foot in. Chamblin's Book Mine is well, a MINE of BOOKS. Over 2million at the location we were at!! I unearthed some truly amazing items which I'll share in my next post. Hint: They're both over 100 years old!

Now back to ukulele playing.. I mean studying. One final down as of this morning. One and a half papers and one final to go! Good luck to anyone else cramming and Happy It's-Okay-To-Be-Excited-About-Christmastime-Now-Time! XO, Skye.