We're getting down to the wire for holiday shopping! Still have a few people to check off your list? Me too! That's why I'm excited for today's post because I'm introducing a new candle company called Katya Candles. Candles have always been a go-to gift for me, because who doesn't love having their home smell amazing?! Another cool thing about these candles is each one comes with a ring inside that features Swarovski Crystals. Double win!

I checked out the Fir Balsam flavor and was sooo impressed! Since I was going to be in Washington for the holidays, we didn't put up a tree in the apartment this year, but if you walked in you'd think we had one thanks to this candle! 🎄 I feel like this is a scent that's kind of hard to nail down -- some brands' scents end up smelling artificial, but Katya Candles really got it right! Like standing in the middle of a Christmas tree farm right! It smells so stinking good! Even when it's not lit with the lid off, the scent really fills the room, which I love.

The candles are made of soy wax and are free of dyes, parabens, sulfates, pesticides or major allergens. They're also made in the U.S. and are all hand-poured California. West coast babyyy! Overall I was really impressed with the quality of the product. From the gift boxes to the glassware and the ring inside, you can tell they've really paid attention to the details.

Another cool thing about the company is that is was started by an awesome girl boss who has really put her heart and soul into the company (and it shows!) Since becoming a small business owner, I appreciate all of the hustle and hard work that goes into these businesses SO much more. One of my favorite quotes right now is "When you buy from a small business an actual person does a little happy dance" and it's so true! When you shop small you're supporting someone's dream which is an extra little bonus while doing holiday shopping for those you love!

If you'd like to get your shop on, click on the link below! The candles are also available on Amazon and through Etsy. Make sure you order before Saturday to receive your candle by Christmas Eve too!

*Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. Katya Candles provided me with a candle to review in exchange for a blog post. This post and all opinions stated are based on my own ideas and honest experience with the products and have not been influenced based upon the sponsorship.

Happy holidays everyone! You may have noticed it's been a quiet month on the blog and it's all been for good reason. Big life decisions reasons! Yeah, I know! 

So after a lot of behind-the-scenes decisions, I'm ready to share some of the dets! You ready?

Okay, after 6 years of being at my current position in my day job, I've decided to take the leap and try something a little different. Insert excited/sad/ambitious/nervous and surreal feelings here. I've had such an amazing tenure in my position and have been so lucky to have had a boss who has not only shown me the ropes of the industry but who has been integral to pushing me to try things a little out of my comfort zone -- she is the one who encouraged me to take a chance on NYC after all! When I was hired on as an intern in the dead of the recession in Portland, I had no idea where this journey would take me and I could never have predicted it would bring me where I am today! And I am SO thankful that my boss took a chance on little bright-eyed college senior Anna. The opportunities, the colleagues turned friends and family, the amazing clients -- I'll forever be grateful for it all. 

So what's next?! Dun, dun, dun! I'm going to be taking a walk on the wild side.. I'm starting my own freelance biz called Bold & Pop! 🎉 

As most of you know, I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and while NYC is great a lot of the time, those 2,500+ miles are always tough to swallow and after 5 years those drives to the airport to head back and say goodbye never get easier. Just the thought of it makes me tear up.. It's kind of been a constant battle for me. The struggle between missing home and the things that matter with family but then also not wanting to give up the life I've built for myself and those in it in the city has been a constant tug-of-war that never seems to have a winner. 

Which brings me to freelancing. A few years ago around this time at Christmas I made a promise to my mom that by the end of 2016 I would either move home or be bi-coastal. I had no idea how or if I'd be able to keep that promise but from that moment forward it's always been stuck in the back of my mind. Fast forward to this year when the timing just felt right for making a change and taking a chance. And that chance for me is freelancing in the social media, branding and web design world! 

The really awesome thing about the my field of work is I can do it anywhere my laptop is! Whichhh, will allow me to have a little bit of both of my worlds! Can I get a WOH HOH! Want to know my second woh hoh? I'm kicking off this dream with almost a month on the west coast. Yes, a whole 26 days! Cue those surreal/excited/nervous feelings again! 

I still have a ways to go before I can say I've met my goal but I'm dreaming big, taking a chance and putting one step in front of the other to make this dream a reality. You never know what can happen if you never try right?! I can't wait to see where this next journey will take me and I can't thank everyone who has been so supportive of me over the past few months while I've been working through my ideas on this decision. Bring it on 2016, I'm ready for what is next! And if you have any projects you could use my skills on you know how to find me 😉 hint, hint! 

I’m backkkk! Finally, I know! My holiday blogging break was a little longer than I planned.. The new year hasn’t been very kind to me so far, but I’m hoping that turns around this week! When it rains it pours, right?! Anyways, with the exception of the last few weeks, I had a really wonderful trip back to Washington during my break!

I haven’t really had a trip back recently where I just relaxed with family and this trip was just that. I watched more Hallmark movies with my mom than I care to acknowledge, got some of my favorite food fixes in and made 3 trips to Target. Just a good and solid relaxing trip with the fam bam!

I also got to check out the local movie theatre that plays the Seahawks games on the big screen. It’s free and they have treats and drinks for purchase. Someone had a seriously good idea with that idea — the place was packed!

Onto some of the bites of the trip… Donuts, Red Robin, teriyaki and some amazing mac and cheese from Kelly’s Mercantile.

It should also be noted, this was my dad’s FIRST trip to Oshio’s in Enumclaw. I’m not even sure how that is even possible, but it is.

I also got to catch up with a few of my favorites, Little Duck and Ang! So proud of everything Little Duck is doing! And it was so wonderful to catch up with Angie, who lives in New Zealand now! It’s not often we’re home at the same time so I’m glad I got to see her!

Another great trip home in the books! I got spoiled with a pretty awesome sunrise on my flight out of Seattle too. I mean, check out that view!

After an early morning on the west coast, I made it back to the east coast by the late afternoon, headed home to change and then I was on the go again to go kick-off the New Year!

And that does it for the exciting parts of my blogger break! I’m in the process of kicking some health bugs, but am hoping I’m on the path of recovery and will be back to my usual blogging now! Looking forward to another year together!