our dog didn't ruin our gifts

Remember how I would never have gifts under our tree here because I never had time to wrap gifts early enough? Well, now that I'm on sabbatical with a lot of time on my hands, I got to wrap gifts early and even got to meet up with friends who gave their gifts early. So the bottom of our tree has been filled with gifts.

I was worried our dog would pee on them or pull on the ribbons & tags. But she didn't!

And I just love that Noah has been holding gifts up to his ear while shaking them in eager anticipation of finally unwrapping them tonight on Christmas eve!

Enjoy your Christmas eve!

Photo from annnniegirl.

Click here & here for previous posts on our dog. Click here on how I got to wrap gifts so easily this Christmas.

Santa's just like us

I couldn't help but smile at these photos depicting Santa in everyday moments that we all - apparently, even Santa - experience.

Turns out Santa also has laundry day.

And also needs to find parking. Haha!

For those of you doing last-minute shopping today, I sure hope you find parking at the mall! :)

Photos from annnniegirl.

Noah says...

Noah was singing Jose Marie Chan's Christmas In Our Hearts...

"In every pray'r and every song, the community unites, celebrating the BURP of our savior Jesus Christ."

Oh, my little devil, er- angel!

Photo from happythings.

Click here for previous posts from the Noah Says... series.

a different kind of Christmas lights

Remember the delightful surprise of the heart-shaped red light on Valentine's day in Bonifacio High Street here? Well, they're now Christmassy!

A Christmas tree for the green light and a star for the red! Aren't they the cutest?

They're quite different from the customary sparkly, twinkly Christmas lights. But I have to say they are adorably charming! Certainly made me smile (and circle a High Street block a number of times to get a good picture).

BHS folks, I <3 you!

Photos are my own.

my pretend closet: boyfriend pajamas

I am so drawn to these vintage-style - or as J.Crew puts it, "borrowed-from-the-boys classic" pajama sets. Am not usually a pajama set type of person: I wear a tee with my typically printed pajama pants. But I am loving these sets with a boyish charm!

There's always something sexy about borrowing your man's clothes - whether it be his crisp, white shirt or jeans. And boyfriend pajamas are no exception. Especially this nightshirt version.

Too bad my SIL already left New York when I found these PJs. I hope I can bear to wait 'til she flies back there to order them from J.Crew. For now, I am willing them to stay in my pretend closet rather than in a tempting (but not shipping-cost-free) box to Johnny Air Cargo. 

Photos from annnniegirl, acupofjo & j.crew.

Click here for previous posts from the My Pretend Closet series.

what's adorning your door?

What adorns your door at Christmas?

This Christmas, our doors aren't adorned with store-bought wreaths. They are decorated with paper parols (Christmas lanterns or stars) that Noah & Isabella made!

Noah brought this home from school one day. He was so proud saying "Teacher didn't help me one bit!" So he hung it on his bedroom door...

And made new ones...

... to hang on my bedroom door...

... and Isabella's door...

They're actually quite easy to make...

Isabella made a parol out of paper boats...

... and we hung it, and two more of Noah's parols made from the adcube, on our front door...

Every time I enter the house, or any of our rooms, I can't help but smile at the homemade Christmas parols adorning our door. Sure beats any store-bought lantern! :)

Photos are my own and from annnniegirl.

Today, I am loving...

Today, I am loving... my early Christmas gift from my buddies K & C! It's not exactly from Tiffany's, but it's in a lovely Tiffany blue color - my purrretty Matroyshka necklace!

I was already smitten because as you know from here & here, I have a thing for Matroyshka dolls. To my wonderful surprise, it didn't just look like a cutely fat Matroyshka, but it was an actual nesting doll!!!

I was in love!

So I wore it everyday after that.

To a friend's birthday dinner...

To the Sting concert...

On errands the following day...

Today, I am totally loving... my adorable Matroyshka necklace present! Super thanks K & C!

Photos are my own and from annnniegirl.

Click here for previous posts from the Today, I am loving... series.