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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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Get a jump start on your health goals with @onepeloton’s amazing deals this holiday season! Having a Peloton Bike in our home has made getting a good sweat in on my own schedule so convenient. From sweating it out while moving my body during an interval and arms Peloton class to unwinding with a needlepoint canvas, I’m a better version of myself when I find little windows in the day to do something just for me. #sponsored. Save up to $500 on Peloton Bike or Bike+ Purchases. Terms apply.

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. ⭐️

I loooove going to the movies by myself! Such a perfect break from the real world and some great alone time 🙂 You go girl!
I remember when there was an article on Bethany Hamilton in the American Girl Magazine ahha 🙂
I read an article about Bethany Hamilton a looong time ago (I'm talking five years or so) and I absolutely fell in love with her story. Since then, I've been so excited about the book, and am now really excited to see Soul Surfer as a treat once exams are done next week! Thanks for the review. 🙂
I also like going to the movies alone! However, this year (freshman year) I've been surrounded by friends who think it is absurd and even scary to eat in the dining halls alone (which I do more often than eating with somebody).
Glad to see another self-confident girl not afraid to be seen alone 🙂
Hahaha @WhatMissLoves I remember that article too! I'm actually going to see this movie sometime next week (after exams of course) and I can't wait! I've always loved her story and the message that it holds, I was just so surprised that it took someone so long to make a movie out of it lol
I'm just letting you know I gave you an award on my blog! I love yours! 🙂
http://meg-captivated.blogspot.com/2011/04/one-lovely-blog-award.html
Ohhhh I want to see it!!! I'm glad it was wonderful! xoxo
I love going to the movies by myself! Doesn't bother me 🙂
I really want to see this movie – I've heard great things about it. Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm the same way as you are! I love to go see a movie by myself!
I havent't seen this movie yet but plan to. I saw her on Oprah after her accident and was so inspired! Glad to hear it was good!
-Emmy
http://www.sprinklesoneverything.wordpress.com
I go to the movies alone sometimes too 🙂
I saw Black Swan by myself (in the middle of the day, not at night!) because all of my friends thought it looked too scary. I went to a theater in Uptown Dallas and most of us were there solo. It's nice sometimes to go by yourself, especially if it's a stressful week and you need a little escape.
I haven't seen Soul Surfer, but my best friend agreed with you when she saw it- inspiring and lots of happy tears. I just might have to go see it!
I kind of want to see it now, the story seems really interesting. Personally, I have to go to the movies with people because I'm a huge movie-talker and I need someone to appreciate my witty comments. 🙂
I want to see this so bad!
Aww I saw this movie and felt exactly the same! Such an incredible movie…and I could not believe how grown up AnnaSophia Robb was!!! She portrayed Bethany perfectly!
I actually went and saw this by myself, as well! I enjoyed it just as much as you did. It was so inspiring, and I felt they treated her story with such grace.