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Carly A. Riordan
a little bit of life, a little bit of style, and everything in between.
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Just want to go on record to say that I have loved bows and worn bows in my hair before it was cool 🎀
…. and I’ll still wear them when the trends move on 😜
📸 by @carterfish

📌 Save this post! Can’t get over the MAGIC that is @backtonature.nj’s Christmas Market during the holidays! 🎄🌟🎅🏻🧣The decor this year is on a new level. If you need to get into the holiday spirit (or pick up speciality gifts or more decorations for your home), 100% recommend making the drive! It’s worth it ❄️

When you don’t actually feel cute but then kind of end up feeling cute because you put a bow in your hair, slipped into a dress that fits, and swiped on your favorite red lipstick 💋 @hillhouse @annmashburn 🎥 by @carterfish, maybe I’ll post the video without music so you can hear her hyping me up, because you can’t imagine the crowd the bore witness to the making of this Reel 🫣

And then there were three ❤️❄️🎄🌟⛸️ Needlepoint stockings are a huge undertaking… they take hours (and hours and hours) of stitching. The final results are more than worth the effort though. These will hang on our mantle every Christmas and I can’t think of anything more special than that. I finished Mike’s stocking at the end of the summer after stitching almost every night for seven months. I am taking a little break and then I’ll start on the baby’s stocking for next Christmas!! 🥹
#needlepointstocking #needlepoint #ndplt

FROM THE ARCHIVES ❄️⛸️🌲some of my past favorite winter looks mostly because I miss real pants and being able to button my coats

This tree feels extra special this year. 🎄💫⛸️❤️🕯️ Jack is fully embracing the magic of Christmas (“kiss miss”) and his enthusiasm is downright contagious!
Not one of my best qualities, but I typically feel immense pressure trying to make things feel extra special and perfect and then I get disappointed when the reality doesn’t live up to my (unrealistic) expectations. I wish I could blame social media for this.... but I know the call is coming from inside the house.
This tree seems perfect to me, though, just the way it is. It was a true group effort getting it here. Another one of my not-so-great qualities is that I’m terrible at asking for help when I need it.... this year, I can’t ignore it though. I needed help, and a lot of it. Mike got every holiday storage box up from the basement (no small feat) and hoisted the into the house and got it up in the stand within minutes (then redid it twice to get the angle of the tree just so); my mom and I took multiple trips to the hardware store and drug store for the “right” colored lights (in case you’re wondering, “bright white” is warm yellow and “warm white” is actually bright white... make it make sense); my mom wrapped the tree in lights a second time when we learned the hard way that when the box says you can’t plug in more than five strands together they mean it; and Jack was there to help and hype us all up to say how “boo-full” the tree and lights are– and keeping us in line by scolding and reminding us that we aren’t allowed to touch the ornaments 🤭
I feel a little pang of sadness that we aren’t celebrating a first Christmas with a baby who was supposed to be here, while also struggling through a third trimester (just feeling physically tired and exhausted), while also cherishing our last Christmas as a family of three, while also getting excited knowing our baby will be here before we know it. Sure, it’s a lot of pressure to put on one single tree, yet here I am. ⭐️

Spent the weekend decking the halls 🎄 the garland is up, the tree is up, the wreaths are up! Fueled by three peppermint mochas, one bag of Milanos peppermint slices, one batch of chocolate chip cookies, and one loaf of zucchini bread… my mom and I got it done 🙏🏻

I will for sure be making a trip to Starbucks tomorrow morning to indulge in a latte or WCM and probably a lemon cake! Also, my friends and I are planning on going to dinner and seeing The Vow tomorrow evening. Girls' night!
You have such a great attitude about V DAY! I usually play the cynic and drink wine and eat chocolate while hating the happy people. But this year, I have a date on Friday so I'm a bit more optimistic about love. And I plan on spending tomorrow night with my evening running group! Healthy distraction 🙂
That Starbucks cup is just too cute. I may have to make a Valentine's Day trip down to get one tomorrow, especially like you I have papers and exams coming up like nobodies business. Whenever someone asks why I don't have a boyfriend I say the same thing, I just don't have time. ha ha. The life of a nursing student! Hope you have a good Valentine's Day!! =)
http://pinktattooblog.blogspot.com/
Grear post I feel the same too busy.Have a nice V day
I don't think you'll get much excitement out of my plans (sorry) – I have class till 8 o'clock! But I will definitely be wearing pink and/or red. 😉 Also, I know you said you're single but Valentine's Day isn't all about romantic love – don't forget to treat yourself to something really special and show your love for yourself. 🙂
Happy Valentine's Day!
xo,
Kristen
krisgris.blogspot.com
Coffee and a treat from Starbucks is on my list for Valentine's Day as well! I wish I could provide you with better plans, but unfortunately I have none! Haha I tell people that I don't have time for a boyfriend either, so I'll be spending the evening at dinner with my mom – something that I enjoy now that I'm home from college :]
Happy Valentine's Day!
I have a BF but we're both pretty busy this week so no special plans for us either. I have a girls' night Friday and then we'll spend some time together on Saturday after I go to a open house for a grad school I'm looking at. We're both busy and it's not always easy but I believe when you love someone you MAKE time for them. Not just on Valentine's Day but every day. That being said, I will definitely be wearing red and spending some quality time with my first love (coffee) tomorrow! Happy V-Day! 🙂
Definitely going to Starbucks! I'm going to have a mani/pedi in the afternoon after class! And then either having ice-cream / cake from this fabulous place in Greenville with some of my girlfriends!
You're attitude about Valentine's day is spot on – if you're happy then it's a wonderful day!
who needs boyfriends when you've got girlfriends?! hey i have it all the worse by attending an all women's college haha. i hope you'll have the best day regardless of your relationship status!
It's my boyfriends birthday, so generally we forgo the typical Valentine's Day plans and make birthday plans! This year we are going ice skating and grabbing pizza and beer.
No worries about being single! I'm actually not doing anything Valentines Day, since I have class all day. However, my sweet boyfriend actually took the day off work yesterday so he could be with me on my free day as an early Valentines Day surprise. He showed up and completely surprised me with a big bouquet of tulips and daisies – my favorite! I am wearing lots of pink and red today though (just because I love the colors and today so much). Hope you have a great day today!
Aww man! I went to my local Starbucks this morning with my BF and we both got a regular cup… *sigh*
Good luck on your search for the special cup and that special someone as well! 🙂
Eating Twizzlers at home with my sweet dog Hogan tonight! Happy Valentine's Day, Carly!
I definitely stopped and got a Valentine's cup at Starbucks today – they're too cute to pass up! I actually have no idea what my plans are tonight because my boyfriend won't tell me ANYTHING. Have a great Valentine's Day!
SHF
thechroniclesofs.blogspot.com
Well, Hey! At least you can stare at the preppy boys on Valentines Day!!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/09/the-preppiest-colleges-in-the-us_n_1266748.html#s680753&title=Alabama
nothing wrong with being single, especially not when youre so busy and passionate about the things you DO love!
my boyfriend has all sorts of surprises up his sleeve… i have a feeling he's coming and surprising me at lunch at work! we also have dinner plans at our favorite restaurant tonight, and fingers crossed he'll be arriving with a rose gold monogrammed necklace for me! 🙂
I love being single. Some of my friends have way too much boy drama in their life and I am so happy to not be involved in that. I do not have time for unnecessary stress (not that all relationships are stressful). I also wish Starbucks would keep the Valentine's day cups year round (I've been to Starbucks a bunch over the past week and have yet to get a fun cup…)
Have a great day! 🙂
http://royalsoutherncharm.blogspot.com
I'm with you! It's a single girl Valentine's day for me…and I'm totally fine with it! I used to hate V Day, but now I look at it as an excuse to dress up and wear pink/red. And, of course, ANY excuse to celebrate coffee and get Starbucks is ok in my book!
http://bowtiedbelle.blogspot.com/
That's the cutest cup of coffee! Love!
Hi Carly,
I'm single and happy on Valentine's Day too! It's easy to get upset when it seems like everyone else around you has a significant other to spend the day with, but like you I'm just too busy to worry about anyone but myself and all my various projects! I'm genuinely happy to spend my Valentine's Day at my desk working — I think it's the entrepreneurial blogger mindset 😉
Best,
Cat
http://www.catziac.wordpress.com
I have a studying and chocolate cake date with the boyfriend. We both have classes and meetings and midterms, but chocolate cake and some company definitely makes studying for bio more enjoyable =)
I kind of feel the same way; I mean it'd be nice, but I'm really too busy, and the second a guy gets close I freak out! I'm probably just working, too!
Hubby and I invited my single twin sister over for a delish Filet Mignon dinner 🙂 Exchanged cards and had a very nice time. {love} the Starbucks cups — I included one in my v-day post as well {smile}.
Found you through Pinterest. New Follower 🙂
Kelly
http://www.livelaughrowe.com
I agree! The two things i'm most in love with right now is the fact that 1) I'm surviving law school (barely these days) and 2) your nail polish! Do tell what color it is – it's adorable! xoxo