Lates 2009! Plus, 1999 flashback!

With some 10 minutes left in 2009 and in this decade, I thought I would take a quick glance back on where I was 10 years ago in 1999 at this time...and it's pretty funny how different, yet how much the same things are:

• Then: A senior in high school who had just turned 18.
• Now: A 28 year-old who has had a real job (that I love) for almost 5 years.
• Then: A lover of pink who was once told that no one over the age of 6 should wear the color.
• Now: A lover of pink who is joined by many (yay!)
• Then: A cheerleader.
• Now: An accessories designer.
• Then: Scared to move 30 minutes away for college.
• Now: Live 3.5 hours away from home (and that's super far for me!)
• Then: Waited in line at midnight for the release of the new *NSYNC cd (ok, that was actually 2001).
• Now: Waited in line at midnight to watch New Moon with my Mom and Aunt.
• Then: Would rather spend time at home with my family than go out.
• Now: Would rather spend time at home with my family than go out (proof...New Year's Even and here I am spending time alone with Cooper, Cooper's friend Rocky and building some shelves for my sewing room. Also, occasionally Skyping with my parents. Nerd Alert? Maybe. I don't care.
• Then: Annoyed people with my shortening of words (the word "whatev" specifically.) Oh, I also called everybody Dawg.
• Now: Annoy people with my shortening of words (basically all words.)
• Then: Obsessed with Carolina basketball...had only seen them play in person one time.
• Now: Have seen Carolina win a National Championship in person!
• Then: Lover of my family, my friends, animals, chocolate, staying up way too late, and basketball.
• Now: Lover of my family, my friends, animals, chocolate, staying up way too late, and basketball.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful 2009, and I want to sincerely express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me this year...whether personal or Mandizzle-wise, I love you all and cannot thank you enough.

My wishes for the sweetest 2010 for you all.

♥ Mandi

P.S. I will try to find some embarassing 10 year-old photos to post. :)

Happy Holidays!

Here is hoping that everyone had a wonderful holiday! I got to spend some time at home with my family, and it was around 50 degrees on Christmas...which was actually pretty nice!

Below are a few photos we snagged on Christmas Eve and Christmas:

My stud nephew Bradon and I. I love that look on his face.

Coop will let us dress him up like Santa and will even strike a pose. Such a good boy. :)

Birthday Wishes

I've got all I could want on my birthday - I love my fam so much and I am so fortunate to be surrounded by such great friends and of course my little Coop.

My wish for you on my birthday is to enjoy 20% off everything in my store today only! Use the code BIRTHDAY when checking out. :)

In the meantime, I'm going to post some photos of things outside of my awesome fam and friends that make me smile:

Ice Cream Cake

I've said for at least 10 years that I'm going to go get a pig, monkey, and mini horse someday. Today is not that day...but it will happen!

My future husbands...of course {{yes, I'm 28 today...not 12}}

...and sleeping in. About to go do more of it even though it's almost noon! Yay!

Have a great day, and I will be back for more of my loves later.

What up, Elfster.

To all of you who don't know what Elfster is, I sincerely suggest that you open your world to the magic that it beholds. Seriously.

A group of friends from work arranged a Holiday Gift Exchange and we used the magnificent Elfster to set the whole shindig up. It selects who everyone will be giving their gifts to, and it allows you to ask anonymous questions and create anonymous group posts. Pretty amazing stuff (it's much cooler than it sounds, I promise.)

Anyway, we had our exchange party tonight and it was totes fun. We had some drinks (I went away from my regular Dub Z and drank Orange Vodka and Cranberry. I suck at drinking), ate delicious food, and even though I was a Bumpit virgin, I ended up doing 3 Bumpit tutorials on a Flip cam (someone received them as a gift).

My little friend, Stoibs, drew my name and she got me this amazing gift set from Philosophy (because the girl knows how I love my baths.)

I literally used the stuff 5 minutes within walking in the door (after putting the trash out for the first time at my new place, yay!) and it.is.amazing. Thank you, little Stoiby!

Hope you've all had a great week!

♥ Mandi

P.S. Tomorrow is my last day at the age of 27. Any ideas how I should spend it? :)