see you in 2011!

{image via design*sponge}

Happy New Year to all my lovely readers! Thank you so much for visiting my blog this year, it means a lot. I'll still be posting some "memorable moments of 2010" tomorrow and the next day, don't judge me because they weren't all finished before the new year. I don't usually like to make resolutions but there are a couple of things I wouldn't mind fixing in 2011. We'll see how that goes, for now I'm filled with happiness that 2010 is over and we can all start fresh!

Have a happy and safe new year!

memorable moments of 2010 {franklin}

At first I really wanted to kill Jacob for bringing home a Jack Russell puppy. I came home from work and, just as I always do, said hello to Bruce first but then this teeny tiny little thing, for he was only 5 pounds, came out from under the chair. I won't repeat here what I said when I first saw him, but let's just say it wasn't very lady-like.

He won me over though, that sweet little thing. Even though he can be a lot of work and he has more affection to give than any other dog I've ever met, I am very happy he came to live with us.

fingers crossed

After having my flight canceled due to the huge snowstorm on Monday, I am finally able to fly out today. A three day wait isn't so bad I guess when you think of all the people stranded in Europe over the holiday, but I'd rather not have any more delays. SO cross your fingers for me, please and thank you!

memorable moments of 2010 {paris}

Paris. Sigh.

I had always wanted to go. I had planned on it several times and somehow over the years they each fell through. The opportunity arose in February and I made a last minute decision to go. By last minute I mean I decided on Monday at 2:00, bought a ticket and left 24 hours later. It was one of those moments where I could almost feel the opportunity slipping away and I wasn't sure when it would come up again. So I went. I stayed in a lovely little hostel in Montmarte and visited my dear friend Reba.

It was February so it was gray and cold for most of the time I was there, but there were some days where the sun would come out. We spent a lot of time seeking warmth inside cafes, museums, bookshops and more cafes. I don't think I need to tell you that we spent a majority of the week eating, that much should be expected. Laduree became a favorite of ours. Their rose tea and macarons were amazing, but even more so was the decor. It's hard not to sit within those pink marble walls and not feel special enough to lift a pinky when drinking tea. We also spent a good amount of time sipping hot chocolate at Cafe le Flore, a treat I haven't stopped craving since.

My sister had given me Breakfast, Lunch, Tea for Christmas and I had to go check out Rose Bakery. I think we had three different meals there, but my favorite was their basic bacon and eggs. It came with a roasted tomato and the best mushrooms I have ever had. Also they asked if I wanted a "big coffee" and I almost died with happiness at that point, having grown somewhat tired of drinking espresso. I know, I know, but sometimes when you're away from home little thing like that can be such a comfort.

We also stayed warm by purchasing banana nutella crepes every chance we got. "Oh, are you cold? Well I know we just had dinner and dessert but we could get a crepe, I mean strictly for warmth right?" Let's just say I needed a week of detoxing from food when I returned home.

Anyway, Paris was definitely a highlight of 2010, one that would love to make a highlight of each year if I could. Perhaps I'll be able to visit again in 2011, I'll keep you posted. :)

WHAT a gleek.

OK, hear me out.

I didn't want to do it. My cousin made me.

Oh who am I kidding? My name is Samantha Huba and I'm a GLEEK. It happened so fast, I don't even know where to begin. When the show started I thought to myself "I love show tunes, why not watch it?" and then moments after I thought "because I'm 24." However, I have, on occasion, when nothing else is on, turned on the Glee, and I must admit, it's cheesy, but done really well.

Being raised with a love for broadway and musicals, I should have seen this coming. It was only a matter of time before I too was sucked into this flamboyant show. Laura and I have been watching the first season for the last two days and I'm hooked. Maybe it's the show tunes that I can sing along to, maybe it's Rachel's crooked mouth or Kurt's ability to do the single ladies dance really well, or, even more likely, it's Finn's adorable baby face. Either way, I don't care. There's no turning back now.

memorable moments of 2010 {homeownership}

Probably one of the most terrifying and momentous events of the year was purchasing {and moving into} our new home. It's still a mystery as to how we fit all of our belongings, ourselves, and Bruce in our tiny garden apartment prior to moving, but somehow we managed it. We had a small amount of room to walk around, but it was mostly set up as a maze. When we moved into the house, it took a little bit of getting used to all of our space.

Now, you've seen the semi-finished product of our living room, but it started off as an incredibly daunting empty space. Decorating and renovating the house has become, and I say this in the least cheesy way possible, really rewarding. It's been really fun to pick stuff out and take on new projects with Jacob. There's a lot more that we need to accomplish in 2011 but I think buying a new home in 2010 was a pretty good start. Also, buying and moving without killing each other is an accomplishment in itself.

snowed in

So I've been in New York for 5 days and it's been cold but pretty quiet in terms of the weather. Of course the day I'm supposed to fly home is the day there's a blizzard. My flights claim to be on time, but we'll see. My main disappointment is having to leave the beautiful snowy wonderland. The first day of a snow has always been one of my favorite things, sitting by the window, sipping hot chocolate with a fire roaring in the background. I'll be sad to leave it.