Back To Reality

When leaving Florida, I was excited to see my friends and family again, but I was definitely not looking forward to the cold. It wasn't that great leaving behind 70 degree weather for 40/50 degree weather and needing to wear a winter coat. Winter is, by far, my least favorite season. I hate the cold. I'm usually always cold anyway, so winter never helps that. The only thing I love about winter is the holiday season. It is one of the best times of the year. I guess I couldn't really imagine a Christmas without cold and snow.

I have been going crazy racking my brain for the perfect Christmas presents for everyone. It's proving to be a hard task this year. I always want to find the perfect gift for everyone, to the point where I'm scouring the Internet late into the night trying to find them. I'm always keeping my ears open and taking mental notes when someone mentions an item they want, too. I think I've gotten almost everyone taken care of now.

Cardigan: Target//Dress: H&M//Tights: Apt. 9//Booties: Payless//Scarf: Gift//Belt: Kohls (off a different dress)

Speaking of Christmas presents...I'm excited for mine from my parents. They're getting me a Canon Rebel T3i. My very first DSLR!! :D I cannot wait to use it and learn everything about it. I really want to understand manual mode more. I have manual mode on my Leica, but it's not quite the same as a DSLR. I'd like to really master it and know what needs to be adjusted to get the pictures I want in various settings. Maybe that should be my New Year's resolution! Have any of you found it hard to learn the ins and outs of photography?

I love holidays, so it's no surprise that I'm looking forward to the holiday season. I love Christmas music and listen to it non-stop from Thanksgiving until Christmas. Seriously...I have the radio in my car on a station that only plays Christmas music and I even fall asleep listening to it some nights. It just puts me in such a good mood! Festive and holiday-themed things in general make me happy. Soon I'll have to start planning the baking extravaganza that my mom and I tag-team every year. We put all this time and work in for one day and it always flies by in a second!