This and That Christmas

This is my wonderful cousin (that also happens to beautiful, kind, and a doctor...not fair, right?!) and her crazy fun hubby. It was treat to get a call from them on Christmas day! As you know, the FaceTime thing is new to me but hooray Apple for bringing families together! I was telling them that FaceTime and Skype remind me of that old Carousel of Progress ride at Disney World. The last stop shows you a holidy family playing video games that they are in (Wii, anyone?), using a voice control oven (Siri?!), and talking to Grandma on the tv! Technology is cool, y'all.

That is my Christmas day outfit, including my lovely $.99 Goodwill sweater vest. Love it!

Shirt: Old Navy (here on sale!)

Vest: Coldwater Creek, Goodwill!

Denim: Forever 21, old (similar here)

This is the super sexy (early) 90's apron I inherited on Christmas day because my mother was thoroughly embarrassed that my dad still wore it and bought him a new "manly" one. Score!

That is the face of my cutie cute man who was pouting that we couldn't be together on Christmas day. Saddest/cute face ever, am I right?? Love him.

And have I mentioned he's a total goof? Still love him.

This is the most adorable dog in the entire world, that happens to belong to my family so I may be biased (but seriously look at that face), wearing his sweater because it finally (praise the Lord!) cooled down in Houston! What a stud muffin!

That is documentation of BFF night at our favorite local hang, Sharky's! Nights with Em are the best and we ran into some old friends from middle school- accidental reunion! We also tried watermelon margaritas for the first time. Imagine jolly rancher + margarita = YUM (if you are into that sort of thing).

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day with your family and friends! 

Now on the the next holiday-

What are your New Years Eve plans? I'd love to hear from you!

This Weekend, I...

Merry Christmas Eve!

This is my first time linking up with my dear friend Sarah for...

This weekend, I helped my twin brother, Parker (no we are not identical, har har) move in to his very first apartment! Since I've been out of the house for 6 years now and he has lived at home commuting to UH it seems not quite right to have an empty room next to mine at the house! But, its about time!! I'm excited for him to grow up a little bit now ;) hehe Love him!

Meet Parker. Yup, my brother is tough (and single, ladies!)

This weekend, I called up Brittany (a good Baylor friend who is now the assistant band director at my old high school) and we had a little afternoon adventure. Have you guys discovered the apps shopkick and checkpoints?? Seriously all you do is walk in to stores and turn the app on to get points that you can redeem for giftcards!! Pretty cool. If you are really ambitious (like we were this weekend) you can run around the store scanning barcodes for extra points. Its kind of like a grown up scavenger hunt! If you decide to try shopkick, leave a comment, because if I send you an e-vite we will both get extra points! If you want to try checkpoints, use the bonus code paigebrownflute for extra points when you sign up!

This is a photo from when I visited Brittany at a KHS football game last year!

This weekend, I got together with my BFF Emmi for our second annual gingerbread house decorating extravaganza! Last year I started this tradition as a way for Emmi and Drew to spend some time together. You know, the BFF has to approve of the BF (she likes him, don't worry). 

Here is Gingerbread Extravaganza 2011...

I should probably admit that Drew was the creator of the beautiful icing icicles.

Sadly, Drew could not join us for Gingerbread Extravaganza 2012 since he is in Wisconsin visiting his family.  So Em and I teamed up and made a teeny and adorable gingerbread village, complete with powdered sugar snow! I'm extremely proud, not going to lie.

This weekend, I got to FaceTime with Drew's family! I got passed around to say Hi Jeff, Carol, Poppop, Nikki, Bradley, Colin, Austin, and Boomer. They are such a fun bunch and I'm wishing I could spend some holiday time up in Wisconsin with them!!


Most importantly, this weekend, I got a lot of Winston snuggle time in! Love this little man!!

Visit Sarah to link up and share your weekend with us! 

FaceTime!

I'm not sure whether or not Drew knew I was taking snapshots of him while we chatted last night.... Tehe

This is a documentary of my first FaceTime experience that wasn't sticking my face in front of someone else's phone and waving. Isn't technology great?!?

Hi Babe!

Kisses for Winston!

Flute time!

Oh hey Greg.

Playing "Jingle Bells" for Winston.

Yaaaaay fluuuuurt 

K, love you byyyyye!



But seriously, isn't he the cutest?

-PB

Houston Christmas

Top: Ann Taylor LOFT

Skirt: H&M (from a trip to Belgium in 2010)

Shoes: Target (now on sale!)

Today's Christmas break activities included following Winston, shopping, and tanning. 

Ok, maybe not tanning, but it was seriously 80 degrees today!!! Not alright with me. Let a girl wear her tights, boot socks, and scarves, am I right? Suppose I can't complain about getting to bust out the super bright red H&M skirt that I don't feel comfortable wearing in any other season.

Christmas shopping with my family is always exciting. We have this little thing we like to call "amnesia shopping."

I'm guessing that you are thinking "What in the world is amnesia shopping?"

Let me enlighten you:

Ever had trouble picking out stuff to buy for a family member? Ever heard a family member say "Ooooo, I like this!" and then not buy it? 

That is exactly how "amnesia shopping" was born. Basically...

1. Go shopping as a familial unit

2. Pick out stuff you like

3. Show mom/dad/brother

4. Take note of what they picked out

5. Leave the store

6. Go back and choose what you liked out of what they liked, and by the time presents get opened you   

    usually hear a lot of "Oh, I forgot about that sweater/book/necklace!" 

7. Everyone is happy!

Pretty fun, huh?

How do you shop for family and friends?

Thanks again to the amazing Sarah for her photo talents!!

-PB

Wish List!

It is completely unfortunate that I get weekly reminders of how I can not afford nor do I have the reason to buy all these lovely items that BHLDN has to offer. 

But seriously, if anyone wants to buy me a nice present this year, just browse the whole website and choose literally anything. They are fantastic!!

I wanted to specifically share the add for these beautiful dainty rings. I am a huge fan of the vintage dainty ring trend. I'm lucky enough to have an heirloom vintage ring that belonged to my great grandmother. What a treasure! If I had it on me, I would share a picture with you all- something to look forward to, I suppose!

This specific ring might be my favorite that BHLDN has in stock right now, but it is so hard to choose!

What is your favorite BHLDN item?

But in other new, I got to spend more quality time with my roomie yesterday, and we took a little trip to Kohl's.


Don't you just love their sales??

On top of having a great time with Christina, I scored this beauty! So excited :)

ELLE Lace Peplum Top in Ivory (find it here!)

Loving the specific ivory of this lace- a little bit cream, but with a hint of grey! Very vintage.

Also, check out that velvet bow! The color is just perfect. They also have the shirt in navy and teal as well!

Today I'm matching my new shirt with some burgundy skinnies and flats! This might be my favorite holiday look- although I'm still admiring that shiny LC by Lauren Conrad dress you see in the background of the picture.

What are you wearing this holiday season?

-PB