This blog is about to change. A lot. I purchased my first big kid camera this weekend and feel like I’ve been given a new life. It’s taken me a long time to purchase this, even though I’ve needed and wanted it for a long time. The simple reason why I waited is that I officially paid off 5 years of credit card debt last week!!! I made a goal for 2011 to never use a credit card again and slowly but surely, I’ve paid it off and saved enough to purchase this camera in cash. It feels so so good.

I’m excited to share more of my work and the experiences and objects that inspire it. The photos will be exponentially better than my iPhone shots to say the least… I can’t wait!

Almost four and half years ago I met a man who’d change my life. Here’s wishing my fiancé, Scott, a very happy Valentine’s day! Love you!

{ our tree! (and the Bud Light Dog that guards it) }

December has been such a great month and although I’ve been somewhat MIA on the internet, I’ve been enjoying some good quality time with Scott, holiday shopping and parties, getting ready for a week in Ohio and a new year on the horizon. So here are some snapshots from the month and some of the reasons I’ve been missing in action!

{ early Christmas shopping and early presents like my new gold flatware  //  Macy’s Christmas lights and downtown Philly shopping & eating } 

While we’re nowhere near done buying furniture and other necessities for our apartment (I’m still in search of the perfect dresser) we’re pretty happy with how things are coming together. While I’ve been purging and sorting and re-organizing everything in our apartment, I’m still very much into the treasure hunt of finding unique pieces to make this space our own.

This weekend, I spent my Saturday exploring Philadelphia for new thrift stores to get my fix. I came back with a pile of vintage clothing and some of the gems that I added to the other great finds I purchased in Columbus and Cleveland. Here’s just how thrifty I got:

1. chinese bird vase, $2 at Penny-Wise Thrift, wooden wine crate, $1 from the Short North Yard Sale 

2. hot pink ampersand, $2 at Three Potato Four, bronze owl, 50¢ from Ohio’s Thrift Store, blue bird cup, $1 from Gabriel Brothers

3. the best purchase of the weekend: an art deco necklace from Nearly New Shop for $6!!!! I’m about 80% sure it’ll be worn for my wedding, whether in my hair or around my neck. It’s such a stunner.

4. 1920s-1950s travel labels, $12 total from 20th Century Cincinnati in a frame from IKEA, red arrow, $2 from Three Potato Four

5. wooden letter S, a gift from a friend and originally from a Cleveland thrift store, orange clock, $5 from Short North Yard Sale (and how great is the dog print by Sycamore Street Press?? It was gift from Eva after I helped post on her blog. It’s found a great home in our kitchen! ), Jack Daniel’s tin sign, $5 at Marc’s, Great Lakes Brewery tin sign, a gift from Scott’s roommates.

{ my S overload thanks to Three Potato Four }

I’m so happy to find a few good places to add to our home. There’s just nothing quite like a house that looks unique to you.

My friend from Ohio is coming for five days and I’m going to keep her busy! I’m looking forward to this holiday and crossing off a few more things off my Philly to-do list. We’ve made quite a list and so I wanted to share some of things we’ll be doing. Tuesday-Friday I’ll be posting something fun to be had this weekend or things that when you visit, you need to make time to do!

First up: Cheese & Honey Festival at Terrain. It was postponed from last weekend because of Irene, so I’m thrilled we actually get to go! A trip to Terrain is a must anytime you visit and because I didn’t have time to shop when I went for the blogger meetup, I’m excited to pick up some Lavender Syrup, cheese and honey, and maybe even a plant that I’ll try my hardest not to kill. A fantastic way to kick off September and the fall season upon us.