Dear Santa...

For Christmas I want:

1. Long luscious locks.

I miss the feel of my hair whipping in the wind. Like this.

Or this. Actually, if you could just insert my into this picture, I wouldn't mind. The hair, the dress, the cardigan, the scenery... take me there.

Or, if you can't just give me the hair, can you at least make mine grow faster? It takes FOREVER!

2. Cozy sweaters and boots. To keep me warm. 

Like this.

And these.

3. And finally, could you please just slow time down? Or maybe stop it altogether?

I need a good long vacation in Italy. So I can pass my Italian final tomorrow morning! Really, it's not a want, it's a need!

And so I can have time to work on all the projects I have planned in my head. Like making amazing reversible sweater stockings, inspired by these.

And do this to our bedroom wall.

That's all, ok? Simple requests, really. Ready... Go!

*amber*

To get you in the Christmas spirit...

Here is a holiday classic. I know you'll enjoy it.

Isn't it fantastic? In a perfectly creepy yet awesome sort of way?

"I was vaccinated against all known poisons." Classic.

Merry Christmas...

*amber*

Announcement! With some visions of sugarplums on the side.

Ok, are you ready? Here it is...

We're going to Disneyworld for Christmas!!! 

I seriously cannot wait. This is going to be me.

Yes, the one on the left. Furreals. She is my idol and I've wanted one of those dresses since I was 3. I'm determined to find one in my size this time.

We're smack in the middle of finals, but all I can think about is, "Florida, here we come!" It doesn't help that I've had major travel fever since this Summer. I've never been to Disneyworld (or Florida), so if you have and have any good advice, please share!

* * *

In other news, because of finals and the fact that we won't be here for Christmas, I decided I didn't feel like decorating. Not even our tree! I don't know if you realize how big of a deal this is for me. I'm a decorating freak. Seriously. Any given day, you can ask me what decorating projects I'm planning or thinking of and I'll talk your ear off. So it's no wonder that when I told Seth I didn't feel like putting up our tree, he asked me what I did with his wife.

Anyway, that's just how I felt this year. Then, last Saturday, I went to the Festival of Trees with some friends from work.

Yes, Seth was photoshopped in hehe. He couldn't come because he had too much homework :(

The Festival of Trees is a charity event where people donate decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, quilts, and other crafts to be silent auctioned and all of the proceeds go to Primary Children's Hospital. It's a fun Christmas event. They have some of the most creative trees I've ever seen there.

So I started getting into the Christmas tree spirit. Except, I still didn't feel like doing it. Mostly just thinking about Christmas trees. (Still weird. In my mind, any form of creativity or expression is totally worth the work.) So I decided to post some pictures of our lovely tree from last year. So I can still look at my beautiful tree. Maybe I can't bask in the warmth of the magical glow it casts throughout our house, but at least I won't be lint rolling fake snow off my clothes for the next three months.

Here you are.

Mmm... lovely. I love Christmas trees.

Merry Christmas everyone! And if you have a tree, enjoy it for me!

*amber*

Thrifty Gift Guide 2010: Anthro Lookalikes

Did any of you get the December Anthropologie catalog recently? If not, I highly suggest you look at it here. I got mine in the mail a few days ago, and the whole thing made me swoon! The main spread was shot in a forest in Sweden. The scenery was all trees and moss and fog... mother nature at her prime. The ethereally beautiful model was lucky enough to wander around this breathtaking landscape, clothed in the most perfect and cozy sweaters, dresses, and tights. In case you wanted to know how I wish I could dress every day, just look through the catalog :)

Although I can honestly say I loved nearly every single item in this issue, there was one thing that caught my eye. Remember these little booties from page 18?

I can't quite decide how I feel about them. They are darling and simple and outdoorsy, all at the same time, but I'm not sure if I'm daring enough to wear something so outside my personal style comfort zone. Maybe. Someday. Either way though, I think they're fantastic.

Anyway, today I stumbled upon their lookalike at Forever 21!

 

Rasmus Booties from Anthro: $148

Lace Up Suedette Boots from F21: $25.80

So if you are one of those who DID recieve the Anthro catalog, and decided you can't live without these cuties, you're welcome. My Chrismas present to you is $122.20 that gets to stay in your wallet.

Happy Holidays!

*amber*

Oh Ingrid...

How do you always write songs that fit me so perfectly?

Dearest Seth,

We might not have any money, but we have our love to pay the bills.

So... 

Let's get rich and buy our parents homes in the south of France,

Let's get rich and give everybody nice sweaters and teach them how to dance,

Let's get rich and buy a house on a mountain making everybody look like ants,

Way up there, you and I... you and I... (will actually have time to spend together!)


* * *


Ok, I'm not that superficial or money obsessed... but wouldn't it be nice? Seth is two weeks away from graduating. I, on the other hand, feel like I will perpetually be haunting the BYU campus. We are both going crazy. Seth, because he has 5 days of classes left to finish about 3 weeks worth of work. Me, because I just want to graduate, get a wonderful job in public relations, and start living a normal life. The college student life can really wear on you.

Perhaps this isn't the best time to be feeling this way. Finals are a week away. But I just can't help thinking of the day when I'll be free and we can do what we want with our time. Maybe I feel like this because my week has been ridiculous and Wednesday night I got a grand total of 2 hours of sleep, because I spent all night putting together two group projects. Ugh.

Yesterday, I felt run down and burnt out. Seth totally didn't have time for it, but he took the time to take me on a date. We went wandering through a thrift store, then got frozen yogurt. It was wonderful to spent time with him, because we hardly have time for date nights anymore. Now today is one of those days where I just want to snuggle under the covers all day. Unfortunately, that is SO not an option.

Blah... but listening to this song over and over seems to be helping some :)

Also, we are going on an amazing vacation very soon. More on that later.

*amber*

Thank You

The last three weeks have been the craziest of my life. I've been through many experiences that have changed who I am and the way I see the world. In many ways, I feel years older. I have been through emotions I didn't even know existed. But, I have loved deeper and more profoundly than ever before. I am so thankful for all of the help my family has received, and continues to receive. There are so many people that have touched each of our lives, and I don't know how to adequately say thank you. 

So thank you, to all the close family member and friends who made sure we had food, help with hard things, or just company whenever we needed it. Thank you to distant friends or friends of my dad who sent their love and support without even knowing us personally. Thank you to random strangers who have been kind on the street, or considerate on the freeway. No small act of kindness has gone unnoticed, because each one has helped us survive. And finally, thank you to our Father in Heaven for all of the miracles, reassurances, and knowledge of this beautiful plan. Death is a part of life. It has brought some darkness, but has also brought to my attention all of the beauty in this life. 

*amber*

My Amazing Father

  Saturday night, we found out my dad had passed away. It came as a complete shock because as far as we knew, he was completely healthy. This week, we have been so busy with arrangements and have barely had time to let it sink in. Today, the obituary was published. Ironically, who would have thought my first time being published in the newspaper would be for my father's obituary?

* * * 
 
Chad Randy Christiansen 

Son, Husband & Father 

Randy, age 49, passed away on October 23, 2010 in the mountains near Duchesne, Utah, his favorite place on Earth. He was born July 6, 1961 in Murray, Utah to Kelten W. and Carole Louise Christiansen and married Natalie Nelson November 6, 1987 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have three children; Amber (Seth), Austin, and Alyse. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Sublette Chapel, 2115 Sublette Place Sandy, UT. Friends may call from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior at the place of service. In lieu of flowers, a donation account has been set up at Wells Fargo for the children's college funds under the name of Chad Randy Christiansen Memorial Fund. Online condolences at CannonMortuary.com. 

* * *

I love you dad. Thank you for teaching me to be so strong and faithful. 

*amber*