It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Even though it was in the sixties last week and I (literally) keep forgetting that it's December, it is officially Christmas in my apartment....

...because, I have my very first Christmas tree!

Jim and I went to the Home Depot last week to buy it. Things are looking extra festive around here.

The first tree we looked at was the perfect one...
 I also needed  a tree stand...
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All decorated...
And sparkly...
Katie sent me a little stocking to hang, too...
And Jordan suggested that since I won't stop blogging about Hunters, I should get the Rain Wellie ornament from Crate and Barrel to tide me over. It would look pretty cute on my tree...

::major girl crush::

"I felt like I'd walked into an American teen movie. I picked up the red cups. I was like, Wow, they really do drink from these."  â€“ Emma Watson, on attending her first frat party at Brown University, to Vanity Fair
Normally I don't fall for Brits this easily, but I'm adding a new girl crush to my list (in addition to Kate Middleton): Emma Watson.

I haven't even seen the Harry Potter movies, but after reading the December issue of Marie Claire, I'm smitten. She seems so down to earth and is absolutely stunning. I think we could definitely be friends.

In fact, I think Kate, Emma and I would all have a lovely time together.
After reading the article, I have also fallen for the Minnie Mortimer shorts she wore for the cover shoot. I don't normally  go for winter shorts, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since I saw them.
And, as if I didn't have enough reasons to keep this issue of Marie Claire forever, it also introduced me to People Tree, which was my complete, 100 percent inspiration for this week's Freshly Rooted post.

If all of those reasons don't constitute a tried and true girl crush, I don't know what else would...

PS: I can't mention Emma Watson without noting that Duke totally saw her first.  So, if it comes down to one of use really having a chance, I'd have to bow out (gracefully, like Emma would, of course).

From Ralph with love

My tree is up, my balcony is decorated, I listened to Christmas music all day long, and I've watched the Kate Spade Christmas Slide Show more than a few times.

And today, I began a Christmas tradition that accidentally became mine a few years ago...

Putting together my family's Christmas card.  How I earned this project, I'm not entirely sure, but Snapfish has become my very dear friend in recent years.

I thought I might get creative this year and switch up the site for card generating.

In the process, I've fallen for Ralph's Grocery.  The cards are so cute! Although, in the time I spent picking which ones to post on my blog, I think could have put an entire card together on Snapfish...

But I really can't blame Ralph for that.

For the candy caner....
For the caroler...
 And for Little J....
Ralph's Grocery via apartment 34