Sunday wishes.

Yesterday was my dad's 50th birthday, and Chris and I met up with him and my little siblings for a quiet dinner celebration. He's not huge on birthdays, but I was excited for this one because I got him a really rad gift! After weeks of deliberation, I finally settled on getting him a Nook! My dad reads like crazy, and he's recently gotten really into new tech gadgets (which is HILARIOUS to watch!). So the decision was made, and he loved it! It was really cool to see his eyes light up like a little kid :) After my dad's birthday dinner we went to Chris's aunt's surprise 60th birthday party! Her actual birthday is the 8th, which is also my grandma's birthday. Tons and tons of birthdays in July and August for us! All this birthday talk got me in ~gift mode, so I thought I'd share some of the stuff I'd love to get if it was my birthday (even though mine was barely a month ago, haha!).

  This druzy ring is gorgeous. Actually, all the rings in this shop are amazing. My brother in law got this one for my sister... for her birthday :)

Christine makes one of my favorite accessories ever, but this galaxy print one is perfection!

Yeah, I kinda need this sweatshirt from Skip n' Whistle. 

I really want a camera strap cover for my (sorta) new camera, and this one is lovely. 

Kate pinned this dress the other day and I'm obsesssssssed!

I tweeted the other day about finding my dream puppy just a few hours away. I'm dying for a blue (or silver dapple) mini dachshund! These two are melting my heart. But it's not the right time for us to get a pup, unfortunately. Someday :)

Today I have a little shorty shift at work, and then another family birthday celebration! Craziness...!

Christmas wishes.

Wow! You guys have really made me smile with all your sweet comments on the Big Bow Scarf giveaway! I'm really excited to share one of my favorite creations with one of you :)

I thought it'd be fun to share my Christmas list with you guys, and mayyyyybe it might help certain someones in my life out :)

Back in college Chris and I used to go to a used bookstore down the street about once a week. We would read so so much, but since we moved back I feel like I haven't been reading enough. A Kindle would be nice to throw in my purse to read whenever I have a second. Amazon Kindle Touch

I've had this sign in my Etsy favorites forever, and I think it'd be perfect to display in our entryway. Even better that it's in my favorite color! Recycled wood sign by WilliamDohman

I'm totally in love with this fox pin! I don't usually wear pins, but I can see this one becoming a quick favorite! Fox Origami Pin by hugaporcupine

I found a pair of framed butterflies at the thrift store a while back, and I would love to have a collection of my own. This one is the prettiest! Pale Mint Morpho Butterfly by BugUnderGlass

Of course I need to throw in a pretty Modcloth dress! This one reminds me of Orla Kiely, and the back is just gorgeous. Back in the Game dress from Modcloth

And finally, the one thing I want (well, I'd rather have one of these babies, but this lens is more realistic). Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Camera Lens

So that's my 'impractical, Dear Santa' kind of list! In reality, I'd be perfectly happy just seeing everyone I love :) What's on your list?? 

Birthday wishes.

My 25th birthday is coming up, and I've been having fun dreaming up fabulous gifts for it. I don't expect to get anything on this list, but in a dream world, this is how my birthday would go :)

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I'm dying to take more professional photos, and I really think it could make my blog and etsy more successful, as well as not bore you guys with blurry, washed out photos! 

It's comes with a huge price tag, though, so for now I'm just wishing. :)

 

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I'm dying for a puppy! We decided a few years ago that we want a miniature dachshund. I had one as a little girl, and she was my absolute favorite. We'd love a little girl, either black and tan (short hair), or a piebald like the one above! We aren't allowed to have anymore pets in our current place, and even if we were able to get one, I'm not quite sure we're at a point to get a dog. We both work so much, I don't know how I'd feel about not spending a ton of time with a new puppy. Someday, though!!

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I've been having a lot of trouble with my car this year, and I would love to get a new one. I'll probably drive my little yellow Bug until it dies, but if I could pick a new car right now, I'd love to get a Honda CR-V in black.

That was fun :) Like I said, these are just the grown up version of my little girl dreams of getting a pony on my birthday. Is there something that you'd love to get (in a perfect world)?

Dear Santa,

A couple bloggers I love have posted their 'Dear Santa' lists in the last few days, and I thought it was a fun idea. I put together a list of the most dreamy things I've been lusting over lately! Some of these things are things I would never expect anyone I know to get for me, but a girl can dream, right?!

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I have been dying for a Nikon D300 for the last few years. I don't know why, because I don't know too much about it (or too much about cameras in general), but every time I say 'Oh! I love that person's photography!" I find out they're using a Nikon D300. I have an old Canon Digital Rebel (6 megapixel) that is nice, but I never really gelled with it. I would love love love to upgrade to a new(er) Nikon!!

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I've also been needing some Instax in my life. The new Instax Wide is ridiculously huge, but the pictures are so amazing!

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I love everything over at Berkley Illustration. I tried to pick a favorite print, but I couldn't! These are just a few of the ones I love.

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I really think business cards are the next step in my blogging/Etsy life. I just bought my domain name a few weeks ago, and I would love business cards to hand out and send along with Etsy orders!

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I haven't been tattooed in a very long time. I've said it before, but I feel like I'm a heavily tattooed person in a non-heavily tattooed body. I can't wait until I can start working on the bigger pieces I've been dying for! I have so many planned out, and I have a shop I love, but the pennies are nowhere to be found! I don't know how some people can do it- be young and covered in gorgeous tattoos- but I have serious envy (and slight jealousy) of those who can make it happen.

Christmas is on of my favorite times of the year, but it's become one of the most stressful in the last few years. My family understands that while we would love to get everyone gifts, it's not really possible. There are a few kiddos in the family that will for sure get some awesome stuff from us, but we've got an understanding going with the adults, sort of a we-can't-get-you-anything-so-please-don't-get-us-anything kinda thing. Even though they usually end up getting us something small anyway! Regardless of all the stress, though, I am really REALLY excited for Christmas this year! We have enough room in our house for a tree, and we can put lights out on the porch and make cocoa and watch the snow fall! For as much as I hate winter in Illinois, at least it gives me gorgeous white Christmases!!

What's your favorite thing about the upcoming holidays? Do you have a holiday wishlist to share? Leave a link to it in the comments!!