Photo above is from my Out with the Old photo project from 2009.
The thing I learned from being a fly on the wall around dudes, is that if you want to get laid by your date, you have to really not be expecting it to happen at all. Just clear the whole idea from your memory. I think I went into the holiday season with the same approach.
I was really not expecting anything for Christmas. I had really low expectations. I feel like all I deserve is coal. Well, kairo. Kairo are those little disposable Japanese heat packs that are primarily made of coal. 
They last for hours and have the most adorable packaging ever. Thanks to my Floridian years, wearing two of them under my layers of clothing is necessary for daily survival in this weather.
I ended up buying a ton of them as a gift to myself. Then I started receiving the most amazing things in the mail! I had a really amazing Christmas. I got the following:
A KitchenAid, from my mom!
If I had the option of trading my arm for something more useful, I would trade it out for this attachment. Its made everything I do in the kitchen so much easier.
A Wacom tablet from my siblings
Tins, from James
Candy, from his dietary restrictions.
Abest friend, from Atlanta. (so what if he’s not an object)
A Christmas card that looked as though it had been shot at by a bedazzler, from Nixon.
A few pairs of really comfy sock slippers and a few really endearing Christmas cards, from my nana and great aunt.
Betsy Johnson lingerie, from a secret someone.
and some of my favorite perfume to go along with it.
Twin massive bottles of lavender soap, from TC.
a new adorable keychain, from Twinkie Chan
a Leica R3 rental (shot with my new 50mm), from Frank
This long feathered earring, from Gala. Along with the bone barrette that I made, I feel like a very fancy indian, sometimes.
And a very goofy Indian, at others.
The only gift that I can’t take photos of, is my trip to Thailand and Vietnam, that will be happening in February! What an exciting gift to segue me into the new year!
Although I brag, I know its not about the gifts as much as the people who gave them to me. Everything I received is about to get some heavy usage (except for the candy, which is already gone and the friend who, again, is not an object.) and I’m going to be able to be reminded of where and who it came from , on a daily basis. I’m an unbelievably lucky girl with some really amazing friends and family.
What did you guys get for Christmas?!
Shoplifting in a Ghost Town 