Today was my first day back at work after the long holiday break, and wow, was my body not ready to be back on a schedule. This was the first year since living in Chicago that I stayed in the city for Christmas, and it felt sooo good to get to celebrate with Steve in our apartment and then lounge around for the days after. We both were off of work from the Friday before Christmas through the new year, and I feel like we really took advantage of our time in Chicago. One of my favorite days was when we strolled to all of the winter sights – starting with photos at the Wrigley Building tree, then watching ice skaters at Millennium Park, and ending with a soft pretzel and apple cider at Christkindlmarket. I asked to go by the tree first so I could snap these photos in daylight wearing my favorite holiday sweater. Some might call it an ugly Christmas sweater, but I would argue it’s not! It’s…wait for it…a-dog-a-ble! (Eek – couldn’t help myself!)
A few years ago I picked up several seasonally-themed sweaters and I continue to break them out every winter. Now is the perfect time to shop and add to my collection, and you can grow your own! I noticed several of my coworkers embraced an animal trend this year when it came to dressing up for the holidays. It’s a trend I applaud! What other time of the year is it appropriate to wear a cutesy dog in a ski cap on your sweater?
Oh, and I didn’t have a shortage of Christmas-inspired hair accessories, thanks to Hobby Lobby. They weren’t premade, though. I plucked this ribbon off of our Christmas tree and bobby pinned it in my hair.
I hope your holidays were just as merry and joyful. And if you’re going back to work this week, good luck! It’ll be hard to get back into the groove of things, but it’s nothing a little evening of Internet shopping of sales can’t help. Soon those ugly Christmas sweaters will show up in the mail and you’ll be excited for next year’s festivities all over again.