Friday's Simply Smitten

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“Take a leap of faith and begin this wondrous new year by believing.”

-Sarah Ban Breathnach

Happy Friday and happy New Year! I can’t believe we are about to enter into 2024. Where has the time gone? 2023 went by like a blink of an eye. With that being said, I am excited for what the new year has to bring.

I am back in New York after a wonder week in Ohio celebrating Christmas with family and friends. I kicked off the holiday festivities with a little brunch gathering at my friend’s house Saturday morning. It’s so hard now-a-days to get everyone together because of schedules and family gatherings, so it was nice to be able to be with a few friends. We had the best time laughing, reminiscing about high school while also catching up on each others lives. Being with old friends was exactly what I needed.

That afternoon my mom, sister, and I took my little niece to her first ballet– The Nutcracker. She has been taking ballet lessons and loves it. Watching her excitement as the Nutcracker defeated the Mouse King, her mesmerized by the magic of Herr Drosselmeyer, and being in awe of the Waltz of the Snowflakes was truly a gift. She loved The Nutcracker so much and can’t wait to go back next year.

For Christmas Eve we started the evening with an early church service. It’s tailored to young kids as they have the youth group tell the tale of Jesus’s birth. We go to the early service now because of my nieces, and honestly I can’t complain. It’s very entertaining watching little kids run around. My 3 year old niece looked up at the end of our pew, saw a candle burning, and decided to yell “FIRE” during the service. Haha, never a dull moment!

After church we went to my sister’s house for dinner where I luckily got to sit at the kids table with my two nieces along with my sister. We probably had more fun than the adult table. After the little ones put their pjs on and set out a plate of cookies for Santa, my parents and I left to head to my neighbor’s house for their annual Christmas Eve party. I always look forward to this Christmas Eve party. It’s fun to see my neighbors and also old friends from high school.

Christmas morning my parents and I went to my sister’s house to watch the girls open their gifts. One thing I have learned after becoming an aunt is that I couldn’t care less about my gifts, and find so much joy in watching them open up theirs. I also abandoned my gifts to play with theirs. My eldest niece got the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots game. I love how some games never retire. This game has been around since what? The 50s? I remember playing it as a kid in the 80s and 90s. I love how it hasn’t changed at all, even the packaging. I hope they never update it. It’s perfect as is. Anyway, I dominated the game against my nieces for the good portion of the morning. My dad and I played against each other but we were both equally skilled that it took forever. We gave up on the account of our thumbs hurting. After presents we had brunch, then my parents and I went home so we can open up our gifts that we gave each other. And to see what Santa left in my stocking.

For Christmas dinner my parents hosted my aunt, cousin, and grandmother. A smaller group this year. We played a little Christmas trivia game which was fun and had us all in tears laughing while my cousin responded with Die Hard to every question. Once everyone left, my parents and I ended the day with our traditional watch of White Christmas. It is my favorite holiday movie and I always wait to watch it til Christmas Day.

The following day we went shopping so I could buy myself a Christmas present…. a new computer. I couldn’t hold it off any longer, my beloved computer was on its last leg. After shopping we ended my trip at my favorite Mexican restaurant, El Vaquero. Columbus, Ohio folks know how good this place is.

I flew back to New York Wednesday afternoon and was met with an unusual situation. Walking up to my apartment building I noticed a cop holding the door open. He let me go through, only to be met with 3 other cops holding a guy up against the wall handcuffed with no shoes on. I have never seen this man before, so I was both cautious and curious as to what happened. I was a little scared to walk by and stand there to wait for the elevator, but I also figured if the cops let me walk past he wasn’t a threat. It also didn’t help that when I got into the elevator, we went down to the basement to pick up another man who lives in my building and when he got off he told me to be safe. I don’t know if he knew what was happening on the 1st floor, I am sure he was just being kind. However, when you add that together with the arrest happening downstairs, it added to me feeling unsafe in the building. I texted my Super asking if I should be alarmed and he said no. I then waited for the cops to leave (and ambulance) so I could go to the grocery store. After I got back from the store, two more cops were there talking to my Super’s wife. I hung around mailbox to eavesdrop on the situation. Apparently the man does live in my building and it was unfortunately domestic abuse. Absolutely horrible and I am glad they arrested him. I hope whoever he was living with is ok and to hopefully get away from him.

What I am watching: I wanted to watch something mindless, so started My Life with the Walter Boys on Netflix. It’s a YA book adaption. I finished the entire series and have mixed feelings. I am sorry to say this, but the acting is not the best. Yet I was still completely hooked. Also the only Walter brother I liked was the one who enjoys acting. Alex is annoying and sorta creepy. Cole grew on me, but I still do not see the attraction. I do, however, appreciate his 90s heartthrob haircut.The older brother is awkward, but I do like his fiancé. I like Jackie but how is it that her mom was suppose to be this big fashion designer and she dresses like that? NYC kids do not dress like that, I can tell you that much. For a fashion designer’s daughter she should be wearing Marc Jacobs or Alice + Olivia, not khaki pants and a Ralph Lauren cable knit sweater. Other than my mixed feelings on the characters, I thought the series was entertaining.

What I bought: Besides my new computer, the only other thing I bought this past week was a new book. I am now reading The Idea of You by Robinne Lee. It’s now a movie starring Anne Hathaway, so wanted to read the book before seeing the film. It’s also known as the book that is Harry Styles fanfic. So far I am enjoying it, but still find it creepy on the age difference.

The items Santa brought me are this picture frame, this steamer, and these sneakers in calm taupe. However, my favorite gift was given to me by my nieces– this Dolly Parton coloring book. No doubt I will be coloring it very soon.

On The Blog

LTK highlight: My stripe cardigan is on sale

Top Seller: These metallic heels

This weekend I will, of course, be celebrating New Year’s Eve. I am ringing in the new year with friends.We have an early dinner reservation, then will spend the rest of the evening drinking champagne at someone’s apartment. The rest of the weekend will be filled with rest, reading my new book, working out, and enjoying what’s left of the holiday break.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year’s Eve xo

1.Adore this interview between Leighton Meester and Adam Brody

2. This sweater dress is under $100

3. Cute snow boots on sale

4. Love the color of this cardigan

5. Top fashion trends for 2024

6. The best red carpet moments of 2023

7. NYE party idea for a fun night at home

8. Interesting article on everything you need to know about rattan

9. 30 New Year’s Eve superstitions

10. Hobbies to start at home

Weekend Sales