Make A Wish

Today is my 25th birthday!...That feels so strange to say! Growing up, twenty-five always seemed like some super-special-adult-age where you could to do really cool and fun things-- Although I'm only a couple hours in, so far it seems totally true so here's to hoping that next 364 days go just as well!

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OH annnnd just in case one of you lovelies out there would like to buy me a present, please consider this adorable little Cavapoo puppy. Too much cuteness! 

How Time Flies...

Oh how time flies, friends! I can't believe that we're already to the midway mark of February and this is my FIRST post of 2013.

So, what have I been up to?

I went to Qatar--holy cow, what an amazing trip! 

Day one- working away in the media center

My official United Nations accreditation badge 

Speaking on an United Nations Environmental Programme pannel on behalf of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization

Doing a few warmups before getting started on the pannel! 

Reuniting with old friends in Qatar

Sitting in on a panel with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

Channeling my mother circa 1983 while finishing up a piece 

Trying out the United States negotiating seat!

Gorgeous chandeliers in the main negotiating hall. Each cost one million dollars...

I'll let you all do the math! 

Doha skyline

Spices in the Souk Waqif (market) in Doha 

FANAR Qatar Islamic Cultural Center

 Attending an amazing UN Non-Governmental party at the inland sea

Lights in the Souk Waqif 

Dinner at a delicious Turkish restaurant in the Souk Waqif

Outside of the gorgeous Museum of Islamic Art in Doha 

Museum of Islamic Art- Doha, Qatar

Inside the Museum of Islamic Art. This museum is a must visit!

A special thanks to Katherine, Becky, Lindsey, Katie & Lindsey, & Jen for fabulous guest posts while I was away!

I hosted a baby shower for L and Baby B

Mommy and Baby B

Holding my nephew for the first time!

L and I with our mom's. We took the same photo on the first day of Kindergarden!

I hosted a baby shower for N and Baby Z

For N's birthday we usually have an ugly sweater party...so we mixed things up a bit this year and made it an ugly sweater baby shower. It served as a fun birthday/baby celebration!

I celebrated the Christmas with my family

Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa

First holiday with the boy!

My cousin asked me to be Maid of Honor in her wedding!

With the lovely bride-to-be

I took the GRE..yuck. This isn't very exciting but it was torture, so it had to be mentioned 


I tried a new hair style

After slowly trimming it away, I finally took the plunge. I'm definitely missing my long hair, but am loving the new look!

I experienced a tough loss

My family lost our sweet boy, just one week shy of his 16th birthday.
I'm so thankful for all of the years I had with my friend..

I visited L and Baby B

Isn't he the cutest?!

He experienced his first shopping trip with his mom and auntie--he was such a good boy!

I started a new job that I'm oh-so excited about and absolutely love

Lovely flowers from my mom and dad on the first day!

I met baby Z!

Holding a baby that is only a few hours old is probably one of the most touching things I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing

Finally, I celebrated Valentine's Day with one great Valentine 

And that brings us to today-- Which also happens to be my last day of my 24th year...Tomorrow I'm going to wake up and welcome whatever a quater of a century brings me! Much like the begining of a new year, I think that your year is what you make of it, but I can't help but shake the feeling that year 25 is going to be a great one for me! Have a wonderful Monday!

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all wonderful new year! I'll be back in 2013 to fill you in on my trip, the holidays, and my plans for the year!

xo,
Holly

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Pearls & Lace Guest Post

Hi, loves! Please give a warm welcome to Jen of Pearls and Lace! Jen has an absolutely adorable blog, so be sure to stop by and say hello. Enjoy!  

Hi I'm Jen from Pearls & Lace and I'm thrilled to be guest posting for Holly while she's wrapping up her trip in Qatar! Her blog is one that I read on a daily basis and I'm always excited to see her new posts! We hit it off right away because I always love her fashion picks...blame it on our similar style! Since Christmas is only 13 days away I thought we could all use some help finding that last minute stylish gift for a lovely friend without breaking the bank! I'll admit I'm totally addicted to J.Crew and Anthropologie (with a dash of Kate Spade here and there), so I thought it would be great to find some affordable gifts from the stores which top many girls' lists! All of my picks are from J.Crew, Kate Spade or Anthropologie and they're all $25 and under! Happy shopping!

xo jen 

Head-wrap/ Glitter Hairpins/ Bow Key Chain/ Glitter iPhone Case/ Kate Spade Calendar/ Candle Holder/ Link Bracelet/ Pink Bangle

Monday Pick-Me-Up

Greetings from Qatar! I hope that you all have been doing well and are enjoying the holiday season. I recently ran across the words below and found them fitting to share while I'm away. Working as a writer in Qatar has been based on equal parts luck, timing, and courage. Here's to hoping that you find that bit of embarrassing bravery that you need today!

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Stately Things Guest Post

Welcome to Katie and Lindsey of Stately Things! These two ladies have the loveliest little blog that has become a regular read for me. As many of you know, I have a weekly Thursday Love List where I share three things items that I'm loving. I'm so excited that Katie and Lindsey made their own Love List to share with you all today! 

1. We can't get enough of these glittery heels -- perfect for dancing the night away on NYE.

2. If there's an easy way to revamp a room, it's with a new set of chic pillows.  We love this one from Etsy designer Arianna Belle!

3. Don't forget to treat yourself this holiday season.  This lovely gold trinket tray has been on our want list for ages (and it might just be time to give in).

Images: 1 // 2 // 3

Flimsy Lindsey Guest Post

Please give a warm All Things Charming welcome to Lindsey of Flimsy Lindsey! I'm so happy to have Linds as a guest today because as you'll soon learn, we have known one another since childhood. I can't even describe how special it is to have someone that I've had so many amazing life moments with here today! Enjoy, loves! 

Hi ATC readers!! I am so honored that Holly asked me to guest post for her while she is out making this world a better place. Can we raise the roof for Holly and her passions? Whoop whoop!! Holly and I have known each other since we were little. We have cheered and danced together for years, spent I don’t know how many backyard family barbecues together and are now both avid bloggers. And I absolutely adore her. One thing (among many) that Holly and I have in common is the love for the well-placed word. While Holly’s blog is covered in wise quotes and beautiful phrases, I have recently found myself pining over feel-good words in a bit of a different way.

I am longing to wear the word. On a shirt, on some gloves, on a scarf, on a necklace....I really don’t care. I just want to wrap myself in these feel-good quotes. My slight obsessions with this trend may have been jump started when I got the “Eat Cake for Breakfast” handbag from Kate Spade in May. That woman is the queen of happy thoughts, I swear. I smile every I take it out and I think it make others grin as well.

So what do you think? Are you interested in wearing the word?

It was such a pleasure visiting All Things Charming today as a blogger and not just a fan. Feel free to swing by Flimsy Lindsey and visit me some time! I talk about clothes and love and life and clothes and happy things and clothes. Cheers!