merry christmas from the highlands!

I've been stuhruggling to get in the holiday groove this year. My shopping is done and presents are wrapped, but for some reason, I can't buy in to the fact that Christmas is just next week. Where did December go!? 

However, last night, my roommates and I had our own Christmas celebration, and I am now, finally, beginning to believe it's really here. Midway through Melissa and Katie both admitted they, too, were having a hard time getting in the holiday groove - and we all agreed that our happy celebration was just what we needed to make it feel like Christmas.

We exchanged gifts, went on a long walk to look at lights, then watched a Christmas movie and ate the cookies that our neighbors brought us. I feel so fortunate to live with these two - and am so happy we got to celebrate together.

Melissa got us all vino-to-go cups, which came in handy immediately on our walk.
Merry almost Christmas!

{the year of}

I started 2012 by proclaiming it was the year of Whitney, but it turns out it's actually more like the year of injury (maybe that's what you get for trying to dedicate an entire year to yourself?).

I finally kicked off my boot for good, only to get hit in the head by the trunk of a minivan as it was popping open. I'm not sure why I don't wear a helmet all the time, but I'm about to color coordinate one with my outfits and make them cool. I split open my eyebrow, earning a solid black eye and some stitches. To say it was both a smooth and sexy move would be an understatement, I think.

Ironically enough, I am fairly certain the only thing protecting me from seriously hurting my eye were those free glasses, which I had received just an hour prior. Turns out they actually reduce risk! If that's not meant to be, I really don't know what is. Amiright?

So. Here we go 2013 - the year of an injury free Whitney!

(Can someone knock on some wood, please?
And also come fix my now very crooked glasses?)
image

specs

I'm typically a big advocate for monogamy, but I'm having a change of heart this week.
 
You see, I've been a one-lens kind of girl ever since I came across Warby Parker. We had a lovely summer together. I even went public with our romance last week.
 
But a few weeks ago Firmoo contacted me about their glasses and asked if they could send me a free pair. And I love love my Warbs, but I'm falling for my Firmoos too. They're really similar, and, right now, you can get your first pair free. You just have to create an account and pay for shipping.
 
I picked my pair, then about two days later, got an email from Firmoo that they had shipped. Next thing I knew, they had arrived. I didn't enter my credit card or give any personal information, aside from a delivery address.
 
I'm not normally someone who believes in "too good to be true." I much prefer the idea that it's that good and true, buuuut before referring anyone else to it (and after falling for a few scams. I'm looking at you Kronos shampoo), I thought I should dig into it. I found this Slate article about why they're so cheap, and then a whole bunch of other bloggers that also tried out the free glasses (i.e. here, here and here).
 
For me, it was completely risk free, and I walked away with a new pair of glasses. Who says reward always has to come with risk!?
 
Happy seeing!
 
*just to confirm, I don't get anything if anyone buys glasses :) they did give them to me free, to write about honestly, but that's where the deal ends. Now I'm just passing on the news.

holly days, happy days

I love a detailed to do list and a well executed plan as much as more than the next girl but sometimes life calls for a little spontaneity - and this weekend, that was just the case. 

My bff Katie Z booked an impromptu flight to Atlanta, and I really could not have asked for anything better. She got in late Saturday night, but the activity that transpired Sunday was almost enough for an entire weekend. 

We went for a long coffee walk in the Highlands, went to the Falcons game, met our friend Ben for a drink, and went to Yeah! Burger with our friends Evan and Ryan. Which means - yes - everyone involved was from Indiana. How great is that?!
Other weekend highlights include a cocktail holiday party Friday night, and a tacky sweater party Saturday (pre-pick up). 



I hope your weekend was happy, with lots of holiday loving! Thanks for coming, Miss Katie!