Christmas in Cali {travel}

For the holidays, my husband and I spent 11 days with my family in Southern California. My mom lives in the town I grew up in, Riverside and is still in the same house, 16 years. It was definitely eventful... check it out:

On Christmas Eve, my husband and I strolled down to the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights and looked at all the lights, they even had an outdoor ice skating rink! It was phenomenal! 

Then we went over to OOKA Restaurant & Sushi Bar for dinner at the Plaza. 

All of our stockings hung up Christmas morning, Santa was good to us!

The table set for 25 friends and family. This is a long lasting tradition, my mom {who owns a party rental company} invites all of our friends who don't have family in town, to become our family around the Christmas dinner table. I have enjoyed it so much and it was great to see everyone and catch up. Plus everyone brings a dish that is their specialty, so you get a wide arrangement of delicious eats!

My mom decorated a "memorial" tree this year. The big bow on top is the bow my grandmother and her sister would pass to each other for over 30 years. When my great Aunt passed away, the bow was passed down to her daughter and then continued the tradition. Both my grandmother and my mom's cousin passed away this last summer, so the bow now belongs to my mom and will be passed to her second cousin, Alisa. I <3 p="" tradition.="">

This is how my Christmas day ended :( apparently, my appendix wanted to stay in California and I had to have an emergency appendectomy. Don't ask how that happened... it just does! Unfortunately, mine happened on Christmas.

Our plan was to head to Glamis for New Years, but my appendectomy put a delay on things. I still decided we needed to go, I just had to rest. This was about the extent of my desert riding {around the camp}.

The Gift of Giving {Gift Basket Design}

I was a gift giving machine this year {I love giving gifts} and decided to start making gift baskets, which I am now adding to my resume! I got such great feedback, I just might have to make gift baskets every year.  

I went all out on this one for my best friend Laura! Her and her husband bought their first home, so I knew I needed to include "for the home" items. The tub is from Target, along with a few items from the Threshold collection: Pitcher & Gravy Boat. The paper table runner from Paper Source was the inspiration along with these paper place mats, "Live the life you've imagined" sign, and monogram stationary. She LOVED it!

All wrapped up!

These gift baskets for my co-workers & friends included Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Harry & David White Chocolate Martini Mix & White Chocolate Covered Star Pretzels, Handmade Felt Mistletoe from West Elm along with their glitter bird ornament clips. I also included Martini Glasses from Crate & Barrel and a beautiful tray I fell in love with at Target. They were a hit!

Merry Christmas 2012 {Holiday Cards}

Now that I am getting to this post {post Christmas}, I was extremely busy during the holidays with orders, gifts and advertising. See what I've been up to:

I was able to send out 200 business holiday cards to my 2012 clients this year... next year, I'm hoping it will be much more! My in laws were in town staying with us for a week, so I got an assembly line going and were able to get them all mailed just in time for Christmas {a BIG thank you to them!}. 

Next year, I am definitely hiring someone!

This is the holiday card I sent to all of my family and friends this year. Nick and I took this photo when we were in Idaho in November and thought it was very appropriate! Also, I wanted to announce to everyone that Stewart Design Studios is going full time {yes, I quit my day job and now I get to do what I love every day} so you will be seeing more of me!

Along with the holiday card, I decided to write up an email explaining what I will be doing and what Stewart Design Studios is all about. So, just in case you didn't know...check it out:

Little Precious Noah {Photography}

Nick and Emily are wonderful friends of mine. As you can see from my many posts of them in the past, I enjoy photographing them! Now they have a new bundle of joy and he is more precious than ever. Not only was it my first time meeting Noah, but I had the pleasure of capturing his sweetness! I am so happy for Nick and Emily and am in love with this little man:

Rebecca & Her Boys {Photography}

I love watching Rebecca's family grow and we have so much fun every time we all get together! Her boys run circles around me while I try and capture their smiling faces! These are some of my favs:

Adaleia @ 6 Months {Photography}

Adam & Keri Odekirk have such a precious little girl and she's 6 months old! Time flies! We had such a great time at DU on a rainy day. Adam attended DU and they are all Super Fans! Not predicting the weather, we were still able to take some photos, running from building to building trying to keep dry. Adaleia was still a ball of joy and such a gerber baby! Take a look at her preciousness: