Weekend Revelry.

I had a one of those, "I'm-so-happy-and-glad-to-be-alive-and-in-love-weekends."  You know the ones.  Where it's good friends/food/music/weather.  Here's some of my high points:

1. Cindee gave me an amazing owl necklace!


2. Romantic dinner for two at chez Yazzie.


3. Watching Anna and Jonathan get their improv on.


4. Discussed the direction of my website with my Bunnie/graphic designer.


5. Dinner and a movie {Cafe 101/The Green Hornet}


6. Finished reading The Diving Bell and the Butterfly.


7. Cleaned the house.


8. Lots and lots of kissing.


9. Wore my new shoes.


10. Eating a home made dinner with my L.A. family.

*What did you do over the weekend?

Parcels.

I love receiving parcels.  Imagine my delight when I signed for a late Christmas present from my best friend Amber.  She gave me a mint tea setup, gorgeous tea blossoms {can't wait to watch them bloom in my tea cup!} and an ornate personal mirror.  Each of these were treasures from her miracle working trip to Vietnam.  Thanks friend!  I enjoy pretty little things as much as the next girl. 

Creativity Tuesday: Present Revealed.

I realized that I never revealed my anniversary present.  Well, Bryan switched my presents actually.  He gave me my traditional 7 year anniversary material present of wool on Christmas, then my Christmas present on my anniversary.  But, either way....I have a Fuji Instant camera!  {It's like a tiny Polaroid.}  I'm freaking out.  The pictures are the size of a business cards.  Pictures are to come.  And yes, my hands really are that big.  Bryan and I have the same size mitts.  

New Year's.

2010.

This past year embodied checking things off of my to do list. It was all about getting the things accomplished that I've said I wanted to do. Turning wants into reality is NOT easy. It meant being uncomfortable and having my fingertips turn to prunes. It meant going out of my comfort zone.




January brought a gig for Bunnie.  He is always happiest when he's creating music.  It also brought a serious automobile accident for my sister Chanelle.  I am grateful for her not only surviving, but making physical progress daily.  

February brought some spiritual goals to fruition; including visiting the Temple more often. After Chanelle's accident and spending a week in a hospital waiting room, I craved quiet reflection.  I took a break from auditioning because I needed some time to heal.  In happier moments, I mastered French Toast {here.} which was a huge culinary triumph for me!

March brought my sister to California.  After months of rehabilitation, she needed some down time.  We visited the Farmer's Market, had adventure, played with chalk, and annoyed Bryan.  It was a pleasant time filled with food, giggling, and shopping....of course.  I also enjoyed modeling Rachel's beautiful dress.  

April ushered spring and change in the apartment. Bryan continued flourishing in his design work doing free lance design for a local retailer. Meanwhile I saved money to take an acting class, and participated in work shops. Oh, and then I chopped five inches off of the length of my hair. 

It felt amazing. It looked sassy. It curled by itself.  It was great. But yes, I have been growing it out ever since.  I just love having ridiculously long hair.  So what?  Who cares?

May carried the Yazzie clan to the desert cities stowing our families. We drove through Arizona and stopped for a night with my mom, curving up to Albuquerque, visiting Uncle Marty for a few days.  I loved Santa Fe and spending the day as tourists. Our final destination was Farmington, which brought my favorite destination of the year, hiking the Aztec ruins.  It was incredible.  

June brought Bryan's Birthday, and Soba's first extended road trip. I started a new feature on my blog coined as "What I Wore Wednesday."  It's been a challenge trying to style new outfits, and to make the photos visually interesting.  

Our little family continued to laugh, flourish, and endure a cold July.  We only used the pool twice all summer long!  We saw The Dead Weather play at the Palladium.  It was epic. Our friends Chris and Melissa were pregnant, and moved to Philadelphia for promotions with Urban.  The greatest personal triumph of the month, and year for that matter, was finishing my first ever demo reel!  {here.}

August was a creative month for me.  Two of my favorite wardrobe/stylings came in August. I loved the lighting and color. Bryan and I ran into a bout of bad luck; my car was broken into/stereo stolen, and Bryan's car was severely hit by a drunk driver being chief on the list.  I was grateful for Scott offering for Bryan and I to stay at his family beach house at Seal Beach.  It was breathtakingly gorgeous. 

In August we fell in love with the t.v. show MAD MEN, I found the courage to wear a bikini, and I started film reviews every Friday for fun rentals.  

September is my favorite month of the year.  It brings change, cold weather clothes, tights, boots, mulled apple cider, and my Birthday.  I had a fantastic dinner party with girl friends, nibbled on cupcakes, and wore my beautiful, new lace dress.  I was also cast in a short film entitled, SWEET APPLE PIE.  Where I was the principal character.  She was a tough broad.  I didn't like her much.  But I loved playing her. I also enrolled for a film class focusing on auditioning for network television.  This was huge for me.  Huge!

October.  October meant Bryan landing a dream-come-true promotion at Space 15 Twenty, after submitting an extremely detailed, elaborate proposal.  I cried.  We also had the Annual Yazzie Pumpkin Party.  I love going to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins.  I made Bryan watch THE GREAT PUMPKIN CHARLIE BROWN {against his will of course.}  I thrived in my film class, though it came with much crying fits, and feelings of inadequacy.  I felt that I was making progress, and that brought me happiness. 

November was gorgeous.  It was filled with concerts, including my favorite concert of 2010; BLONDE REDHEAD at the Music Box Theater in Hollywood.  We had Thanksgiving with the Nobles, and Court's family at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Beverly Hills.  It was lovely.  I jotted down many things I was grateful for.  My family and sweet heart made the top of the list.  I also fell in love with black ribbon, and used it everywhere.  

December slipped through our fingers.  Bryan started his promotion.  We visited my mother and sister in Arizona, and completely enjoyed ourselves. I decorated the house by myself, an early Christmas present to Bryan!  We celebrated 7 years of a remarkable, loving, comical marriage.  We had the best dinner ever, at Craft of Beverly Hills. We chatted about our favorite highlights of our marriage. We celebrated Christmas. We loved the season, and the year.  We feel fortunate that 2010 started out with tragedy, but blossomed into a brilliant opportunistic year.  We look forward with bated breath for 2011.

Muddy.

Nothing says Christmas Eve like an extremely muddy run through Griffith Park.

It came upon a midnight clear.

Christmas came to our home.  In the morning we binged on doughnuts, played Christmas records, and called our families in Arizona and New Mexico. Each member of the Yazzie family had exactly three gifts to open.  Soba received; a dog tag from our neighbor Fred, green and red raw hides, and snowman toys. Bryan received; a wool blanket, a work pack, and lessons for archery.  I received; a wool cardigan, a native print romper, and a beautiful silk frock. {loved!}  Side note:  I had several costume changes during Christmas. 

Being from the southwest, our family has a tradition of eating Mexican food for Christmas. This year I made rice, beans, corn, sauteed shrimp, guacamole and chips, and let Trader Joe's provide the enchiladas and tamales.  It was delicioso.  I love my little family.  Do you have any odd Christmas traditions?

Merry Grinchmas.

This little family wishes you the Merriest Christmas. We had such a lovely Christmas Eve dinner with friends and much cheer. Today was incredibly enriching spending time together, watching the Beavis and Butt-Head Christmas special, eating our traditional Mexican dinner, and opening presents. {Pictures to come!} Most of all, we are grateful for the birth of the Christ child. For His life, ministry, and atonement. Merry Christmas.  

Creativity Tuesday: Gothic Gift Tags.

This year my Holiday wrapping aesthetic was inspired by my favorite director Tim Burton.  A black and white theme has taken precedence over that of red and green motifs. I made personalized luggage tags tied with a snippet of black ribbon.  Another cool tag alternative would be my U.O. price tag book marks {here.}  And lastly, I also found another great free, printable tag option via My Paper Crane {here.}

Bits of Christmas.

This year I wanted to shake up my regular routine for Christmas decorations.  I found that time of day really helps usher more patience and creativity.  I thought of some odd twists to throw in.  Changes I made this year:

• I didn't use the stable.  I took a pop art approach by adding bulbs to symbolize stars and angels.


• My cake stands were stuffed with colorful bulbs.  


• I didn't hang our stockings.  I'm hoping to find some prettier replacements soon. *Everything looks so festive and cheerful.  Do you have your decorations up yet?