Good morning from an extra cold and super windy Sunday at the lake!

On Saturday morning we got some snow, and I was actually supposed to go into the office for a few hours starting at 8:30 but when it was time to leave I couldn't even get out of my driveway! Luckily it cleared up by the afternoon, and my family, Rob, and I went to see Les Miserables, which was so beautiful, before stopping by the grocery store to grab a few things. Then at 5:30 I had a few of my close friends from work come over (a  lot of them haven't met Rob yet) and we had dinner and drinks and it was just the best time. Patrick and Chad are in town, so they came over from next door, and it made my heart so happy to see my old friends have such a great time with my new ones. I went to bed tired from dancing and laughing and feeling so, so happy.

[Saturday was a soup-for-breakfast kind of day.]

I know it's not Friday, but I wanted to share a few links from things I've loved over the past few days.

I have two pieces of blog-related business first:

I hit the 1000 mark this week with GFC readers, and I thought that was amazing because it was actually one of my resolutions for this year. Just in time! I'm so excited and so thankful for all of you who actually come to this blog and read what I have to say every day. You're all amazing.

If you'd like to place an ad on Freckled Italian this year, please know that you can save 13% on any size space from now until New Year's Day with the code 2013. Take a look at my sponsorship page to make it happen, and if you have any questions or comments, just send me an email!

Why We Love "Les Miserables" despite its miserable gender stereotypes. I can't wait to see it again. And then maybe again. And then get the soundtrack.

Kelly posted her first vlog, which reminds me that I haven't done one in a really long time! I'd like to put a few together soon. And good luck, Kelly, in training for that half-marathon!

What's Your Perskinality? I took the quiz and got "Lucky and Lovely." I'll take it!

I've been reading my way through my copy of Blasphemy, which I was pleasantly surprised to learn is much larger than I thought it would be. I can't recommend Sherman Alexie's work enough--the first time I read anything by him was in high school and it actually changed me. He is so talented and writes some of the most hilarious, most depressing, most beautiful stories I've ever read.

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Rob and I are heading to northern Virginia this afternoon for the New Year! We're going to a thing with some friends from college to celebrate (that's really about all I know about it--I hear there's a buffet, though!). What are your New Year's plans?

I feel like I say this every Friday, but this has been an unbelievable week. I don't think I've ever been so busy at work! Last night was our office holiday party and even though I had to rush a bit to get there in time, it was fun to get all dolled up and relax with my work friends. 

Photo by LHC.

Here's a quick list of some links I've loved over the past week or so:

I'm not even a fan of Pope Benedict XVI, but for some reason this story about him on Twitter warmed my heart.

(But then I read this and I'm like ugh, nevermind.)

A thoughtful post from Vanessa: Our Daughter's First Haircut & Teaching Girls Independence.

The Great Gatsby cast looks so fabulous in these posters.

A good read about Anonymous and the Westboro Baptist Church. Read the whole article and you can find a few links to sign petitions to legally recognize these terrible people as a hate group and also have their tax exempt status reevaluated.

This gold and brown Marc Jacobs watch is so perfect that I want to eat it.

How You Can Help: Memorial Donations for Sandy Hook Victims

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Tomorrow I'm off to Arizona for Christmas! Have a wonderful weekend!

[This one is called Megan, on Monday.]

Take a peek at a few links I've loved this week:

Jigsaw London's Holiday Handbook is beyond magical. I love everything this company does, and I can't get over how wonderful their products and customer service are. The handbook is full of gift ideas, recipes, crafts, and outfit ideas that are just perfect for this holiday season!

Sorry, Vegans! I thought this article was super interesting, and it made me even happier with my Paleo lifestyle choices.

Reading about things like this makes me feel so hopeful about the next generation of girls.

Say hi to some Freckled Italian sponsors:
Danielle is an adorable West Virginian living in Seattle (one of my favorite cities!) with her husband, and Kelly was born and raised in New Jersey and now lives in Pittsburgh. They both have sweet lifestyle blogs and you should go meet them this weekend!

Young Latino Students Don't See Themselves in Books--you definitely have to do a little searching to find some diversity in Children's Literature. Studies show that being able to relate to characters is really important, and so many kids don't get it.

Will someone get me a furry snood for Christmas, please?

This helpful dog sends me into fits of laughter. What a sweetheart!

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I'm off to northern Virginia again, this time for a housewarming party and Rob's office holiday party! On Saturday, Melissa and I are getting our hair done at Drybar and I absolutely can't wait. And I have a great dress. And shoes. I love any excuse to get all dressed up, but I think it's really going to be fun. What are you up to this weekend?