Who Arted?

I drew this portraits for my sister, Liz, and her husband, Joe, for Christmas this year. She told me she would really like it if I drew her a picture or their family! I love drawing my own special caricatures of my friends and family :) So I thought about it, and decided to make individual portraits for each member, Wrigley the Weimaraner included. I even hand cut their name from the same paper I drew them on! Very careful work with an Exacto knife...

Last Spring, I did some other portraits commissioned by a girl I went to college with. She wanted me to make something for her son based off of the longer piece below that had been claimed by someone else already.

Trail of Fears, 2011

Going along with the monster theme, I created a series of school portraits. I cut out their silhouette, adhered it to Masonite wrapped in fabric, and framed them. I thought they came out pretty cute!

Huey

Colby

Thora

Post graduation has been pretty uninspiring as I haven't been creating much artwork. Now that I don't have to for an assignment, I decide not to. I'm getting to complacent. I'm getting soft. Creating the Denman's portraits was fun though. I need to get my hands on some Modge Podge, markers, and paper stat!


Adios!
Anna

Those Crazy Girls...

Marybeth and I took these pictures yesterday right after we picked up some things from our favorite local thrift store. I had gone the day before after subbing at a nearby elementary school. How could I help myself? I found this sweater, with these darling sequined shoulders. And from H&M to boot! But the price tag had fallen off sometime in between when I first picked it up and when I was at the register; no price tag, no sale, they told me. So I had to come back the day after to buy it. Poor me. I also picked a couple belts, including this black one, during my second trip. How could I have not had a skinny black belt before yesterday? Now I don't need to borrow Marybeth's. I don't need to... 

-Anna-

sweater, skirt, belt: thrifted

tights: Target

shoes: I can't remember

Funny thing about these pictures too... Our dad sells firewood, and there was a family in a minivan waiting in our driveway while we took our pictures. Haha, they probably thought we were crazy taking pictures in the snow without any coats. Oh well. We are crazy.

Adios,

Anna

Kinda fell behind there...

{Tree branches in our front yard}

So, the holidays were a pretty busy time for Anna and I. I feel bad that we've neglected our blog for so long. But that just means we have lots of lovely photos to show you! Above is a picture of frost covered tree branches in our front yard. SO pretty! We still haven't gotten a lot of snow yet so when I saw this one Sunday morning I knew I couldn't pass up a chance to capture it. Now... where to begin?

Let's start with our oldest sister Liz's birthday/Christmas Eve, otherwise known as Lizmas Eve. (yeah, she's a Christmas baby :]) We went out for brunch December 24th to celebrate our big sister turning 30! (She'll probably kill me for revealing that. haha) We went to a little breakfast place called Benedict's. That place is so cute and has realllly great food. We go there as a family often for special occasions. We gave Liz her birthday presents and enjoyed our bloody marys and mimosas. YUM!

Anna was keeping it cute and comfy that day.

She's wearing:
Sweater- GAP
Shirt- Thrifted from H&M
Pants- American Eagle
Boots- Forever 21

After brunch we came back home to rest our full bellies and to relax before the nights festivities! Our wonderful mother cooked us a delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Liz and her husband Joe came over, along with their pup, Wrigley. Our Grandpa came over for a bit as well and Max was there too! Then we exchanged Christmas gifts and had a couple glasses of wine before our parents, grandpa, and Liz & Joe went to midnight mass at our church. It was a great night and I couldn't wait for morning to come. 

I'm wearing:

Dress- Forever 21

Shirt- Target

Tights- Forever 21

Belt- Charming Charlie

Shoes- Payless

Necklace- Macy's

Bracelet- Mother's Day present from Max. XD

Then came Christmas morning! We all got up bright and early because I wanted to do Christmas morning at home with my family and also at Max's family's home too. All before noon when we were expected at our other Grandparents house for the Flores family christmas lunch. Our Christmas tree was LOADED this year! I know I checked a lot off my wish list that morning. I hope Anna got what she wanted as well. 

Above and on the left is our Christmas tree at home. The one on the right is the one at the O'Neill's. I think they need a bigger tree. ;]

{Max and our daughter puppy Storm on our way to the Flores' house! Which is actually right across the street from Max's house, if you can believe that!}

{Storm says MERRY CHRISTMAS!}

So we made it to Grandma and Grandpa's in good time. Not even the last to show up! Grandma Flores made an amazing lunch, as always! We all got to sit around drinking and joking around. I love gatherings at the Flores'. It's always so warm and happy. Before lunch and presents though Anna and I snuck Max off with us to take pictures in our grandparents yard because it is amazingly beautiful! Max sure enjoyed that part. haha

Again, I kept things pretty out of season but I had just gotten this blazer from Liz for Christmas and was dying to wear it.

I'm wearing:
Blazer- Forever 21
Shirt- Thrifted
Pants- Thrifted at Buffalo Exchange
Belt- Thrifted at Village Discount
Shoes- Payless
Necklace- Christmas present bought at American Eagle

{Max even let us take a picture of him!}

Anna looked amazing that day! I wasn't home to see her get ready so her outfit was a great surprise.

She's wearing:
Dress- Urban Outfitters
Tights- Target
Sweater- borrowed from Marybeth
Belt- Thrifted
Shoes- Can't remember
Headband- Charming Charlie

{I made her the cute collar as a Christmas present. I got the idea while stumbling through blogs.}

Here's Anna and I outside our grandparents house. We were sad we didn't have a white Christmas this year. But I was just happy that I got to spend this year's Christmas with Anna. I'll be lonely without her next year. :[

{The "infinity table" at the Flores'. Keeps getting longer!}

{A shot of the family room filled with family. :]}

{Liz and Joe looking cute as always. Maybe next year there will be a little bundle of joy between them.. eh?}

 So that was what Christmas looked like this year! It's great to have so much family around and to be able to celebrate each new year the way we do.

Speaking of New Year... New Years Eve this year was a blast! Max's sister, Brooke, and her girlfriend, Sam, hosted a Mafia themed party at their house this year! It was so much fun using the week in between Christmas and New Years to shop for an outfit worthy of Mafia night. And even though the night went by so fast, it was still so much fun! Perfect way to ring in the new year! It was crazy to think, as I looked around the crowed living room and at every one counting down to midnight, how much had changed since last year and how much was still the same. I was glad Anna was here this year though. I cried last year from missing her so much! (alcohol didn't help either haha)

Here are a few shots from the night!

{I bought Max's suit at a thrift store for $12! He looks GREAT in it! Anna found this fur shawl at Goodwill and the dress I'm wearing was one of Anna's old homecoming dresses and she let me borrow her shoes and costume jewelry.}

Needless to say, it was crazy! But also the BEST! Wish I had gotten a picture of the next day. Their floor was so sticky from large amounts of who knows what being spilled on it all night and their counter was filled with half finished bottles of alcohol! haha We really appreciated them having the party at their house though and I tried to help clean up the next morning as best I could. Brooke and Sam are the best! 

January 1st 2012 also happens to be Max and my 3 year anniversary! So we left Brooke and Sam's around 2 or 3 pm and went home to get ready for our date at Melting Pot, the most delicious fondue restaurant around! 

{Max looked adorable that night. I look like a hot mess here. haha But it was an unforgettable night.}

{Our waiter surprised us with this little treat! 3 candles for 3 years. <3}

Dinner was amazing and afterwards Max came over to my house where we popped open a bottle of champagne, turned on a movie, and cuddled on the couch with our puppy. I couldn't ask for anything more. I'm so grateful for the amazing life I have and for all the wonderful people I get to share my life with.

Well, that about wraps things up. Anna's visiting her boyfriend Cole this weekend and when she gets back it's back to work for her being a great substitute again. :] School starts for me in a week. I'm really looking forward to this semester. It's going to be my last semester at ECC and then... well I'm not sure what's next to be honest. But I just hope that whatever my future holds I'll always have the people who mean so much to me around. I hope you guys all had happy holidays and grand new years! 

See you around,
Marybeth

P.S. Can I use the word amazing any more?? haha

This Will Be Our Year

Happy New Year! I'm not one for New Year's resolutions because you can change something anytime of the year. Aaand I never maintain them. Working out, eating right, not worrying so much are all good ideas, but I'm just going to be honest here. I will continue to do my best day by day. Day bidet. Ha.


But here's to a good year ahead. Hopefully, I'll be in Korea soon enough teaching EFL, and before I know it, I'll be celebrating New Years in Seoul. Who knows what else is in store? I'll keep an open mind and a happy heart.

 

-Anna


 my point exactly
Am I a Debbie Downer?

First snow!

{Our backyard}

We had our first snow of this winter! The night it snowed Anna and I were hanging out with two of our friends and when it was time to go we came up from the basement to see the beautiful flurries coming down outside! We were hanging out at home so needless to say our friends were not as excited about the slight snow on the ground because they were going to have to drive home in it, but I walked them out to their cars and I kid you not it looked like it was glittering out. It was so beautiful. :] It's kind of sad that the first snow of this year's winter was so late though. We're in December and this is our first snow?? Seems like global warming is real. 

Global warming or not the first snow fall means it's officially time to bring out my winter jacket! Well, one of them at least. This is actually one of Anna's old jackets but I am seriously in love with it and have adopted it unofficially. 

This outfit I wore to lunch with Max and his family including his aunt Chris and uncle Paul visiting from Texas and their niece who we spent 16 hours in a car with once when we all took a road trip to Chris and Paul's home in Texas. She's super sweet and really cool too so it was very nice to see her again. We went to this Polish restaurant in Harwood heights, which is right by Chicago. It's called Old Warsaw Buffet and is seriously decked out. The Polish really know how to accessorize a restaurant. :D I've been there a couple times before with his family. It's sort of a tradition to celebrate Christmas there with members of the family that they won't see on Christmas. It's always nice to be with the O'Neill's. They are the best. 

I have finals this week but I can honestly say that I'm not stressing out too much. It might be because I don't really have much of a heavy load this semester with only 3 classes but I like to think that it's because I really did learn a lot. haha Two finals down already and one more to go on Thursday and then I'll finally be on break! I'm very excited. 

{Jean jacket and dress: thrifted, belt: borrowed from Anna, tights: Forever 21, shoes: Payless}

<3
Marybeth

Movin' Right Along

Hello!
I am pleased to announce that I have lived 23 years as of this past Monday!!! And to be honest, it doesn't feel much different than 22. Or 21.. they all seem to blend together after awhile. Sometimes I feel like I'm old, and I think I'm cool. And then other times, I think about the things I haven't accomplished yet. I'm a recent college graduate and I'm living with my parents. I want to leave for South Korea this February, but the process is excruciatingly long. So in the meantime, I'm substitute teacher. But after Korea? I don't know what I'm going to do...

And then sometimes I remember that I'm young. I'm still so young, and I have my whole life ahead of my still. I have plenty of time to enjoy life while I'm living it. It can be exhausting just counting down deadlines; always anticipating the future, without focusing on the present. I am so grateful for everything I have. Or at least, I strive to be. I'm at my parents house while I transition from the academic life to adulthood. The best part is, we actually get along (most of the time). I love my family. A lot of other people aren't as fortunate as that. I try not to take for granted the things I have now. I can only imagine how tough it will be once I'm actually on my own: living dirt cheap in a small apartment with leaky pipes having only my cat to keep me company. And even then, I'll do my best to consider the bright side: independence, sustainability, adventure, home decorating..

So here's to enjoying your life!

shirt, shoes: thrifted, sweater: American Eagle, skirt: borrowed from Marybeth (also thrifted), necklace: handmade! tights: I don't remember.

I made this scarf/necklace out of an old t-shirt! I have a bunch in different colors. They're so versatile!

my winter look (it was cooold out today!) coat: thirfted H&M, knit hat: we've had it forever, it seems.

Until next time!
Anna

p.s. I've been listening to my new Muppets covers album I got from my boyfriend, Cole, for my birthday. I love it! I especially like My Morning Jacket's rendition of "Our World". I also saw the movie this past weekend, and I really enjoyed it. The Muppets definitely haven't lost their touch!