glittery things

many, many more photos

i think i'll probably look back on the weekend after thanksgiving

as the calm before the storm

because starting now i have to get ready for the insanity of having

a unit test, a comprehensive exam, two revised drafts, and three final papers

all happening within a couple weeks of each other.

but this past weekend was so awesome + relaxed,

i'm going to try to revel in it as long as possible.

my mom took me back to pittsburgh last friday 

and stayed through sunday.

for three straight days we ate leftovers + fancy cheeses,

gorgeous olives, and more sour cream dip than either of us wants to admit.

we also decorated my apartment for christmas,

hanging cheap snowflake lights,

and arranging glittery things and random santas.

then, before kris letang reminded the world why he was voted into the nhl all-star game last year,

we check out one of the best record stores in the U.S.

(that happens to be only five minutes away)

and left with the best assortment of three-dollar records:

terence trent d'arby, julie london, rickie lee jones

and a patridge family christmas card,

because after growing up with it crackling in the background every christmas

it was a necessity to have my own copy to crackle in the background 

while we snacked on pomegranate seeds

and turned off every lamp but one 

so that the twinkle lights would look even more merry + bright than usual.

how has your week been so far?

-A