It's the Holiday Season at the Sheep Camp!

My husband Mat's family has a ranch in Utah (aka the Sheep Camp) and this year we went there to take Christmas card photos. While I'm no big fan of getting my picture taken these days, I have to say the scenery and backgrounds were gorg.

The Old Cabin at the Sheep Camp. Mat & I are in a fight over which is better: this black/white OR...

This in-color edit?

The fact that Dexter is laying down is a success... looking at the camera is just asking way too much. 

Awwww, mother-daughter moment.

Somehow, she is the Dexter Whisperer.

Mat & his siblings

After the blood, sweat and tears involved in this photo shoot, here is our finished Christmas card:

Front

Back

I found these ridiculously adorable cards on Etsy, and the REAL photographer from the Sheep Camp photo shoot took the front picture. The real photog also happens to be Mat's cousin and she is, in a word, amazing. She did all of our engagements and wedding photos and is basically da bomb. Book her while she's hot. She is a real photog; Mat and I are wannabe's.

Ho Ho Ho!

Well, Christmas has come and gone, and so has my money! My Christmas present to myself was my super fancy (to me) DSLR camera. I got the Canon Rebel EOS T3i - definitely an entry-level but totally capable DSLR. It came with a standard 18-55mm kit lens, but I'm planning on upgrading to the EF 50mm lens in either the the f/1.8  or the f/1.4 depending on how rich I'm feeling. So far, I'm pretty much a noob. My husband keeps hogging it because he actually has some working knowledge of how to use such a fancy camera, but I have taken control of the editing process so maybe we make a good team after all. For those of you that use Photoshop Elements, you know all about actions. I am obsessed. They're easy to use and give your photos that professional look that amateurs always drool over. So far, I've only dabbled in the free ones... I ain't no profesh. But I did find a million awesome ones at The CoffeeShop Blog.

Snow day in SLC! 

Oh how Dexter wishes he was off leash...

My husband's adorable cousins at his family's Christmas Progressive Dinner. 

Mat was practicing with filters on our camera. He's so artsy fartsy.

More artsy fartsy from Mat... ahem, Mathew Raymond Photography. 

Christmas morning with Mat & his sister Alli.

By the way, here is the best post-Christmas pin I wish I would've seen pre-Christmas. And, be sure to check out your local craft stores. I know Michael's and Hobby Lobby have awesome sales post-Christmas!

It's Turkey Day!

Happy belated Turkey Day! With the holidays coming (and going), if you're anything like me you're doing your best not to host. While I may not be hosting, that doesn't mean my planning skills are going to waste. Ohhhh no. This is a lifestyle, people. So this Thanksgiving, I helped my mother-in-law set-up and decorate, Pinterest-style.

The tablecloths were $10 from Bed, Bath and Beyond. I stopped by Harmon's on my way and spent a few minutes arranging the center pieces. 

Don't forget how to "properly" set the table! 

I got this super cute banner FO FREE from a cool party site I found on Pinterest. I searched for "Thanksgiving Printables" and came across an awesome Pin with a few different options. Then, I just printed them out myself and hung up with clothes pins attached to brown ribbon.

Alli & Grandpa Etcheverry haming it up!

It's amazing how a few minutes on Pinterest and some flowers can really perk up a room. Printables are my favorite way to brighten up any party to make it look more party-official.