Happy Holidays!!!

Wear something fancy...

Treat yourself to something sweet...

Count your blessings...

Just enjoy!

[Images originally uploaded to Flickr by Pamela Klaffke. Find her prints on Etsy.]

Retro Atelier Historical Reproduction Photos

I recently discovered the photo reproductions of Retro Atelier, and I'm completely addicted to the website [and to dreaming of having my portrait taken by them]. They specialize in the photographic aesthetics of the past, and they have gorgeous models who play their parts perfectly -- taking on the roles of everything from Pre-Raphaelite beauties and deco goddesses to 50's pin-ups and 60's modsters. Here are some of my favorites...

Gaylord OpryLand, Nashville, TN.

The Tennessee trip has been relaxing so far and I appreciate your indulgence in allowing me to go completely off-topic for a few days. There has been much shopping and eating involved, and while I have been enjoying the down-time immensely, I feel there will be much make-up work to do when I return [i.e. studying for exams, catching up on my blogging, and extra workouts on the treadmill...grrrrrr.]. Yesterday my boyfriend and I drove to Nashville to visit Opryland and shop at the INSANELY large outlet mall there...

Apparently Opryland is one of the largest hotels in the U.S. and people come from all over the world [particularly during the holidays] to see the decorations and attend country music shows. The picture above is the outside of the hotel [I didn't actually take this photo -- it was raining outside]

The interior is rather eclectic -- like a mix between an indoor jungle [with a river and waterfalls], and southern town, with balconies, flowers, and little gift shops...

The decorations were lovely -- loads of lights, bizarre animatronic creatures, and poinsettias everywhere...

There I am -- very tiny at the bottom of the tree...

I hope to get back to my normal blogging routine on Monday...though with the holidays and visitors it still might be a bit slow -- I'm sure you all understand! I do have a few goodies in the blog-idea-queue, though. I also look forward to checking in on what you all have been up to and responding (finally) to comments. Until then...

Cheers,

Tara