Who Knew Feet Could Be So Photogenic?

And y'all thought I was kidding. For reals though. Total foot models*,
am I right? 

Saturday morning was spent with adorbs couple-friends (they're married
& we're all friends) Sarah + Craig in their lovely Arlington neighborhood. 

Let me just say Sarah and I are soul sisters. As in, we-are-so-alike,
separated-at-birth sisters in Christ. When I had just moved to Virginia and
visited Frontline, she was the first person I met that
Monday night. Signing up for her small group was one of the best
decisions. ever. 

The Heckmans are stellar. After living in Kosrae (as in, Micronesia!) for
10 months, this is their first Christmas back in the States. You can
read alllll about their adventures in living overseas on their blog here.  

After properly hydrating ourselves (coffee, whaaat!), we transformed the
inside of  their living room into a wintery Christmas-land, before heading
outside to take for more Christmasy photos.

*Btw, Mrs. Heckman, you inspired the close-up shot above. Do those
shoes look familiar? Word on the street is you have a similar pair...

Like they say back home, if you can't hide it, decorate it.

Team Heckman all the way.

Do you see what I see? hint: it starts with l and ends with o-v-e.

These two were all smiles the wholeeee morning.

All lights on and we're good to go.

Good golly. this might be on of my absolute faves.

In black and white.

Just two peas in a pod, I tell you.

After we finished indoors, we bundled up and strolled down to the

W&OD path a couple blocks away. And what should we see just

before our eyes?

Oh, you know. Just THE perfect Christmas-tree-farm-tree. Like the
one I've always imagined would be the exact size to fit in my larger-than-life
(no Backstreet Boys reference here) Christmas tree corner. 

Craig led the way, moving a park table near our tree.

Manual labor ain't no thang for the Heckmans. And it was cold out! Well, for

this Florida girl anyway. 

Want the steps for uber-great
Christmas card photos? Here goes:

1. Be stupid silly in love
2. Walk to nearby park

3. Find the biggest, greenest fir tree

4. Sit under/stand in front of it & be yourself
5. And you think I'm kidding

Big thanks to the Heckmans for sitting their pretty mugs (and feet)
in front of my camera.

Hope you find that perfect evergreen, and perfect love, this season.

Hallelujah, He's Here

Merry Christmas Eve to y'all!

I hope that wherever you may be with family and other loved ones you have a wonderful day, celebrating the eve of our Savior's birth.  I'm off with my family to our church's Christmas Eve service, then to a party at CS's house, and perhaps some last minute tree trimming/present wrapping to finish the night.

Christian recording artist Francesca Battistelli sings this moving song called "You're Here," which tells of Jesus' birth from Mary's perspective. I love the lines "Look at your hands, they're still so small/Someday you're going to strech them out and save us all."



Warm up some apple cider and have a listen :)


Byh,

Lorin

[Image via: Lyrics Dog]

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's that time of week again - another round of
What I'm Loving Wednesday.

Here are just a few things that are making my day:

I'm loving being back at home sweet home. This song describes its perfectly.

 I'm loving Christmas tree decorating. Such a blast.


I'm loving watching the always funny How I Met Your Mother.  High fives, goofy plot lines, quotable goodness included.

A long afternoon run through the country.  I'm loving how
exhilerating + relaxing it is.

 I'm loving window shopping + browsing through stores with a great friend.


 I'm loving the fabulous DC Ladies for including my blog on their blogroll. Thanks, ladies! Be sure to stop by their site.

 What are you  loving today?

[Images via: Kewl Wallpapers, Shine, Browstein Group]

Countdown to Christmas

Hello, y'all!

So I'm flying home to good-ole Florida today for a few weeks. Should be a lovely visit.

In the meantime, here are a few yuletidey links worth checking out:

- A great sermon from Pastor Lon [ McLean Bible Church ] about God's Ultimate Christmas Gift. If you live in DC/MD/VA and are looking for a church, come to McLean! They meet at several campuses throughout the area [Tysons, Loudon, Bethesda, Prince William], everyone is so sweet, and they have tons of different ways to get plugged into community with believers whether you're looking to join a small group or serve in a ministry.

- Really yummy cinnamon rolls recipe from the oh-so-inspired Pioneer Woman. A  mom dropped off a batch at school today for the staff. Seriously. So. Good.

- Shane & Shane has this inspiring song called Born to Die. The link to listen is in the bottom right hand corner. Wonderful reminder of what we're truly celebrating each Christmas.

Byh, 

Lorin

[Images via: Pioneer Woman, Amazon]

Happy weekend!

My lovely readers,

The weekend has arrived! What do y'all have planned? It's a busy time of year with all the Christmas recitals to sit through, holiday parties to attend, and visiting relatives to entertain. 

I'm going to take a note from Kate Spade and drink a few warm beverages [hopefully to help soothe my raspy throat once and for all],

go watch Black Swan with friends,

finish up some last minute Christmas shopping [inflatable penguin included],

and celebrate a sweet friend's college graduation. Yay!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Byh,

Lorin

[Images via: Just For Me, Lovely Room, My French Obsession, Mr. Kate]

What I'm Loving Wednesday

It's the middle of the week, also known as Hump Day [insert Mean Girls reference here] and What I'm Loving Wednesday. Here's a list of several things that are inspiring/amusing/getting me through the day today.

I'm loving a classy dress like this for NYE. Pink is the new pink. Break out the bubbly and your dancing shoes and let the count down to the new year begin!

After hearing about a friend's terrible, please-let-this-be-over-now coffee date last night, I'm loving that how to lose a guy in 10 minutes is only appropriate.  If laughter really is the best medicine, take two big doses. Stat.

I'm loving this fun, Christmas DIY project. Check out Everything Fabulous's tips for how to make a classy ornament wreath using just a wire hanger, ornaments, and some glue.  Start signing "Martha Stewart" as your middle name.

If you're still searching for the perfect black puffy winter coat, here it is! No really - it's 60% down, belted at the waist, and has a removable fur hood. And it's all yours for $34.98. I'm loving the price tag of this jacket. Score!

I'm loving my world-classy small group. Couldn't ask for a more lovely group of ladies to meet with each week. Together, we're a hot mess, sharing our struggles and triumphs, & growing in our love for the Lord. And it's the best part of each Wednesday :]

I'm loving a holiday take on the ever-stylish "Keep Calm & Carry On." Just makes me want to burst into song!

And another.  I can't get enough! It's just so darn festive and I'm loving how fantastic it would look hanging above my couch.

This. photo. cracks. me. up. Seriously, my friends are crazy and I'm loving all the amazing memories we've shared . . . including the times we wear fake 'staches. Just 'cause.

I'm loving pretty lights.

I'm loving that I fly home to see my family in less than a week!

 I'm loving that we can say thanks to our troops who are
away from home & their families, serving our country during this holiday season.

 I'm loving this song that beautifully describes the
true meaning of Christmas.

What are you loving about today?
Link your blog post over to This Kind of Love and 

read posts of what bloggers all over are loving this week.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

Lorin

[Images via: ModCloth, Everything Fab, pronto style, Pinterest, Blush Printables].

        

Holiday gift guide

Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Just started? Somewhere in between? Here are some great present ideas for everyone on your list, including your relative-who-has-everything-and-needs-nothing.

 Preppy, ladylike pen for the hostess-with-the-mostess.

Adorable festive Koozies for the sports fanatic in your life.

A relaxing afternoon massage for your overstressed &
totally deserving mama.

Comfy suede mocs for your man.

 Your younger, fashion-forward sis will ♥ Kate Spade's new fragrance Twirl.

Bored co-workers? Introduce their desks to the world of table tennis.

Frozen ho cho so your 1,000-miles-away-BFF can reminiscence about
weekly trips to Serendipity.

Pretty baubles for the world's best aunt.

Give your charming father a dash of Southern Proper with this bow tie.

Happy shopping, y'all!

Lorin

[Images via: Lilly Pulitzer, Massage Envy, Urban Outfitters, Fashion Fuss, Urban Outfitters, Fred Flare, Ann Taylor Loft, Southern Gent].

Road Trippin' Rules

This past weekend, my roommates and I packed our Vera Bradley duffels and headed down south to Charlotte, North Carolina. Traveling - especially taking a road trip - is one of my favorite things to do.  My family has dubbed me "Roadtrip Warrior" because of frequent trips across state border lines.  Here are a few tips I've picked over the years that can save you a whole lot of Tylenol and throbbing headaches as you' set off on a holiday car trip through the mountains or long drive to spend Christmas with the in-laws.

1. On the road, compromise is key. Although CS and CM aren't usually FSU fans, they temporarily supported the Noles for 48 hours, seeing as I'm a huge fan and we were headed to watch them play in the ACC Championship. 

CS showing off her Seminole pride

(Now CM may try to object to the above statement but there's no denying she did the Warchant a few times).

If one person wants to eat at a sit-down Mexican restaurant and another insists upon having Italian for lunch, then y'all will get nowhere without coming to some kind of an arrangement .  Maybe you can agree to stop at Mexican on the way there and then get Italian on the way back. Done and done.

2.  Not everyone in your car wants to hear the newest Glee soundtrack 7834 times.  I know, it's hard to believe, right? Especially considering their fantastic renditions of Empire State of Mind and Forget You, but that's beside the point.  Instead of blaring poppy goodness on repeat, let each person play one CD/playlist of their choice.  By taking turns with the music, you'll have a fun variety of songs to listen to and won't be forced to deal with a friend's, bless their heart, love for screechy techno beats or polka jams the whole way.  Plus, they might realize they do appreciate Glee a little more than they initially thought.

3. If it smells, keep it at home.  Whether it's nail polish, Chinese food, or scented lotions - unless everyone in the car wants to be breathing in glitter and peaches for 8 hours, be considerate and refrain from using/eating it.  As my good friend Lauren Elizabeth likes to say, "Funyuns are not road-trip friendly food."  And she's right.  Four Little Trees Car-fresheners later and your car still smells like stale onions. Not okay.

In the car? Forgetaboutit

4. When figuring out who will pay for gas, discuss all costs before getting on the road.  Nothing says awkward like the following conversation.  "Okay, the E light just came on.  It's you turn to fill up."  "Wait, what? I thought I was just along for the ride."  "Umm, no.  Where did you get that idea?"  Avoid any confusion by deciding prior to the trip that everyone will buy 2 tanks or you will each fill up one way.

5.  Be prepared. Load up anything you think you may want while on  the road.  Here's a look at what I like to bring:

-Yummy trail mix

-Refillable water bottle

-A book, my Bible, and some magazines

-Emergen-C packs [for a quick pick-me up] 

-My trusty iPod plus headphones when it's time to snooze

-Catchphrase [such a fun game!]

-Sunglasses

-Cellphone and handy-dandy car charger

Plus, it's important to remember things you may need in case of battery failure/flat tire/etc. such as:

-A flashlight

-First Aid kit

-Blankets and extra warm clothing

-Spare tire plus repair kit

-Protein bars and enough water for everyone

6.  And the most important thing to remember is to have a lovely time! Throw your bags in the back, set the GPS, and enjoy the open roads.

What are some of your tips for a great road trip? Anything you always do while traveling? Or something you must bring with you?

[Image via: Frito Lay]

Best Places to See Christmas Tree Lighting

Happy December to you! Now that it's finally here, all things Christmas will be in full swing. Ice skating, holiday movies, manger scenes, hot chocolate - I can't get enough.  I'm especially excited about the possibility of snow days! Never thought this Florida girl would ever get to say that.  This great weather blog will be tracking when and how much of the fluffy stuff we'll be getting this winter. Ahh, I can't wait!

But, until it's time to break out the corncob pipe and button nose for some serious snowman making, check out these local Virginia and DC events for Christmas tree lighting events that are sure to brighten your week.

- Wednesday is the annual Light Up Rosslyn event over on Wilson Boulevard.  At 6:31 pm, they will flip a switch and illuminate all the buildings on the skyline.  Not technically a tree lighting but still pretty darn enchanting.  Plus, free chili, cookies, cocoa, and chorusing, too.

- If you're looking for a quaint, small town feel, The Village at Shirlington is a perfect choice.  My roommates and I live within walking distance from here and can't w-a-i-t for the countdown to the tree lighting and a relaxing carriage ride around town (in exchange for a non-perishable food item).

- For more politically inclined festivities, head over to the tree lighting ceremony at Union Station.  Like the French, the Norwegians, too, have expressed their friendship to our country with a gift - in this case, a 32' tall gift. 

- And for a truly DC Christmas experience, the one and only - lighting of the National Christmas Tree. And there's quite a lineup of musical performances scheduled for the night, too: Sara Bareilles, B.B. King, and Maroon 5. This is a ticketed event - don't even try to Salahi your way in without one.  If you didn't register for a ticket or get picked through the lottery, no worries.  You, me, and the rest of the District can watch the capitol event in the glorious comfort and warmth of our own homes, via live stream at 5 PM on Thursday, December 9th.  No, thank you, DC.

Well bless your heart,

Lorin

[Image via: Shirlington Village Blog].