MISTLETOE

Wishing you the best of wishes throughout this holiday season.




With love,

the de Leon family + Chloe and Archie

A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHRISTMAS

Sorry if this comes off as Scrooge-like, but for the past few weeks I hadn't really been anticipating Christmas. Perhaps it was the fall-like weather we have been experiencing. Even working in a mall being serenaded by the Salvation Army's band at 6PM every evening didn't seem to phase me.

Christmas just isn't the same this year. Usually, our family (my mom's side) gets together on the Eve for lots of food, catching up, and fun. My mom is working tonight, so it's just me, my dad and our dogs this year. A quiet and calm Christmas. Amongst all this, I'm thankful for my family and friends. I didn't get caught up in the holiday hoopla this year, but I have gotten the chance to spend some time with people who make my life nothing less than lovely.

I still hope to see a bunch of others before the holidays are over, and before I leave for California/Las Vegas! Around this time next week, I'll be surrounded by some beautiful ladies whom I adore, amongst thousands of strangers in Sin City, counting down to 2012. I'm excited and still can't really believe we're actually going!

On another note, I have finally gotten to cleaning my room/drawers. I'm quite the hoarder, of pretty much anything that triggers nostalgia (photos, old cards, letters, etc.) I've scanned in a few polaroids I found. I can't even guess what age they were taken at.

I hope everyone has a great Christmas/Holiday. Load up on the stuffing, drink 'til you drop, and share kindness/happiness with your loved ones. And strangers too. Especially through Boxing Week - considering people get pretty hostile during this time. Funny how people go from joyful to ju-jitsu mode within 24 hours.




Gotta catch 'em all


Myself and my (pretty much) sister - Kimi (Krystel)







Tito and Tita



Getting artsy and stuff. Or confused about how to use the camera...



Momma and pops <3
Shine, Kimi, Myself



And the best photo of us...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VINH & DOM

As of late, I've been at work, or doing one of the following: getting some sleep, or spending time with people I love. This past weekend we celebrated the (early) birthday of Vinh and his fellow barista, Dom. Aka Wine (Vin) et Dom Perignon! Thanks to Heineken's sponsorship of "The Gift" event and someone's negligence with drink tickets, we were supplied with free beer all night at Guvernment (which apparently runs 'til 7AM. wtf!). My legs were tired and my eyes were closing come 4AM. Amazing time with beautiful people.

love you tranny. thanks again for the outfit :)



werk

Some photos c/o Sherwyn P.

LIFE DISCUSSIONS X INDULGENCE

At 4:40 PM on Thursday, I finished my last exam (for the semester). *Insert cries of joy here* I had the privilege of hanging out with my fellow YSDN classmates in a lab other than Tel, amongst other downtown spots, consuming food, drinks and causing havoc. It's been an exhausting but jam-packed weekend and holiday thus far, and I plan on continuing it in this fashion. When I'm not living at work, I'll be out and enjoying the frigid weather. And hopefully squeezing some sleep in there too.

A lot of people don't like signing up for e-mail lists and such because it often becomes spammy or an addition to their already cluttered inboxes. But sometimes entering contests and such pays off! I was selected as the "VVVIP" winner for one of the contests. Thank you to Jack Astors, who covered the tab for our bill on Sunday!

Later that day, I headed downtown with Mel and Raniel to grab some sweets from Pusateris. Found spots at a nearby Starbucks, and spent hours talking about life. Gotta love the Fs: Food, FaceTime, and friends.

Post-history of design exam: smiles and blue tongues all around

My tummy and wallet thank you, Jack Astor's! :)

And the FaceTime fun begins...

HELLO-DAYS

I have finally decided to take some time to post something in my very lonely and practically nonexistent blog. As per my discussion with Sophia, I'll debut my blog with a few photos from the Topshop/Topman Christmas party last night.

Being almost done the fall term, I'll hopefully be picking up more shifts. Oddly enough I love going to work despite the commute, and everyone is super great. And I must mention that Rachel Bilson and Hayden Christensen were shopping in our store yesterday. Swoon alert! I offered them assistance and they politely declined but it gave me a good 20 seconds to admire their gorgeous faces.

Our staff party was held at the Peridot Resto Lounge down at Yonge and Bloor. Everyone looked lovely and had a nice time, especially with alchy in the equation. After downing shots to catch up with everyone, my squinty eyes were in full effect. Typical! But it didn't hinder my ability to witness the impressive dance moves I saw people bust out last night. Maybe if we didn't have to play that same playlist over and over again in the store, we'd witness it more often. Just kidding.

I'm excited for the rest of December, and plan to completely end my hibernation come Thursday at 5PM. Cheers to holiday festivities, feasts, and drunkenness!

Thank you to Jordan, Kevin et al. for providing the soundtrack for the night





You'll be missed, Rommel! Good luck with everything




M'love Sophia and I

By the way, everyone's wearing all Topshop err-thang. Not really, but almost!