deep thought thursday...

(via the lovely kimia, alkeemia)

happy new year!

(via we heart it, la child, darling dexter, the cherry blossom girl)

Book club.

So, my friends and I have recently formed a book club and I am hoping that this will encourage me to actually finish books more often. The first pick is the classic, Lord of the Flies. I am 3/4 of the way through and it is a true adventure. Have any of you ever been in a book club? In my opinion, reading is very important and I just don't do it often enough. With the start of a new year, it comes at the perfect time.

(via la child)

Tea for two...or five.

Today I went to afternoon tea with my mom, sister and a couple of friends at Homestead Manor in Franklin, TN and it was just such a charming, cute experience. We got to choose from over 80 loose leaf teas and let me tell you it was not an easy feat. I finally choose the Bryana tea, which was one of their award winning black teas. It had a hint of raspberry which went perfectly with the apple scone and little pastries! They also provide you with 4 finger sandwiches and a variety of condiments to boot. (can't forget the Chantilly cream!) The gift shop had tons of goodies but one that stood out to me the most were these teapot cozies. I had never seen anything like it...so, of course, when I got home I googled them and they are all over! I am slightly obsessed so I had to share. I found cozies made out of all sorts of materials from felt to your basic cotton fabric....they'd be the perfect gift for a tea lover.

Owl Tea Cozy from Recycled Sweaters

Girl with Bird Red Teapot Cozy

Scallop Tea Cozy

Deep Orange Embroidered Knitted Felt Tea Cozy

Have yourself a merry little Christmas!

Hello dears! I am flying out to Tennessee in about an hour for the holidays! Just wanted to say farewell, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! (I am taking a few days off) Looks like I am just missing the snow in Colorado which is a bit of a bummer but my family is pretty good at making it feel like Christmas so I'm not worried. My sister and I are doing most of the cooking for Christmas eve dinner and we have quite the menu planned (for 16 people!). I am making this pie and this dip and much more. Phew! Hope I make it out in one piece! x.

(photo via me...our tree last year)

These are not the contents of my fridge...

Can you believe it? This hyper-realistic work of art is actually a painting! I am not sure how I feel about paintings that look like photographs but I have to say they are very, very impressive. The artist, Robert Bernard, is so phenomenal at painting light and reflection that I just had to share. (see more paintings here)

(via Roberto Bernardi)

Have a beautiful weekend!

Hello loves! Can you believe it's the last weekend before Christmas? I am so so excited to go home and see my family on Tuesday. Do you have anything planned for the weekend? (besides last minute shopping!) I am spending the weekend tying up loose ends before I leave. A little bit of shopping, signing the lease on my new place (!) and some family time (with my other family). Have a wonderful one...

Oh and here are some lovely bits to happily occupy your time...

These sketchy Santas are cracking me up!

I heart these gloves...

How amazing...2009 photos of the year.

Tacky christmas lights winner! (PLUS...another unique tree)

Loving these etsy shops right now...here and here

This piece would be a wonderful addition to a new apartment...wink, wink

It's not too late to send out your holiday cards!

Leather and lace brings happiness to my face.

Oh yes...Vintage costume jewelry!

Hum. Gin and Tonic cupcakes?!

Living in The Christmas Story...who could forget this lamp!

These stools are works of art.

(via Berta...)

Deep thought thursday...

Vintage magazine covers...

Aren't these vintage magazine covers are so creative and cool? You could frame them and hang them on your wall like works of art! It is so much more interesting than a famous actor posed and perfect. Find many more here.

5 things that brightened my day...

1. A soft boiled egg on marmite toast. Favorite breakfast of the moment.

2. Getting approved to rent a very cute, one bedroom apartment on Capital Hill in Denver...this shall be a slightly scary but very exciting new adventure!

3. Wonderfully tacky Christmas lights on the way home from work...

4. This dress from Modcloth is just so adorable. I might just have to buy it...hum...what do you think?

5. A cup of earl gray with a splash of milk and a dash of honey. The perfect nightcap. Maybe an episode of 30 Rock to top it all off...

(via Grete Howard, 24 free dinners, queen of tacky, splitroads)

Style inspiration: bedroom decor

In a couple weeks I will be moving into a new apartment and I really want to think about personal style when decorating it. I love the clean slate that comes with moving and I think it is a good idea to look at inspirational spaces to create new ideas. Here are some very creative bedrooms I've come across...

A taste of nature

Heart photo display


Umbrella light fixture

Suitcase bedside table

It's the weekend!

Hello my darlings! How was your week? Mine was absolutely freezing! I am looking forward to it warming up this weekend, although I have quite enjoyed the snow. This weekend I plan on finishing up my Christmas shopping (I am almost done!) and doing some cookie baking! Other than that lots and lots of curling up on the couch and movie watching sounds right up my alley!

here are a handful of lovely things I found on the web this week...

These floral recipe cards are just too darn cute!

Loving this vintage-inspired purse made from wool blankets. (it looks so soft!)

Wonderful 2010 calendars here, here, here and here!

Unique retro style expresso cups

The most beautiful gypsy earrings and smocked textile jewelry!

Wouldn't this be a perfect holiday dress?

This Paper Hot Air Balloon would be a magical sight! (see the video here)

DIY: terrarium ornaments!

Homegrown teas to warm the soul.

Nathalie Lete's work is so gorgeous! You might recognize her from this collection in stores now at Anthropologie.

A new way to display your photos.

This tomato soup would be a perfect weekend treat!

103 holiday cocktails to liven your spirits!

The cutest cup of coffee I've ever seen.

(via viva amore)

Deep thought thursday...

(via .naa.)

More family tradition: Sugar cookies

I know, I know, I am so late today. I am so sorry but everything seems to be moving so much slower now that the weather has dropped to single digits...including the internet. So okay, running with the theme from yesterday, I thought I'd spend the rest of the week sharing a few more of my family traditions with you. I have to admit, I don't often make cookies. In fact, I really only make them, well, from a box. Ugh, I really hate admitting that but it's true. However, during this time of year, (when my mom is making the homemade dough) I like to make an exception. I am always the designated decorator and I take that job very seriously. It might take me up to 5 min per cookie, no kidding! I have yet to make my mom's famous sugar cookies this year but I plan on doing so very soon. (with Amy Grant blaring in the background of course!) So, I wanted to share the recipe with you...Oh and p.s. this is a great place to stock up on cookie cutters!

Mom's Sugar Cookies

Cream together 1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar

Blend in 1 medium whole egg

or 2 small egg yolks

Sift together and

add to mixture 1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking powder

2 cups flour(sifted-all-purpose)

Blend into mixture 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Bake on lightly greased cookie sheet at 400 for 8 to 10 minutes

Icing:

• powdered sugar
• water
• food coloring (green and red are a must!)

Preparation: This isn't really an exact measurement. Just pour the powdered sugar in a bowl and slowly add the water while stirring it with a spoon. Keep stirring in water until the icing is a think paste. If it is too runny then just add more powdered sugar. Color the icing as you please! (and don't forget the red hot on the tip of the reindeer's nose!)

(via ?- tell me if you know!)

Tradition...

I watch White Christmas every year around this time. It is a family tradition that's been going on since I can remember. When I was little my sister and I used to preform this little number by memory. We even had the furry fans! I think traditions are one of my favorite things about the holidays (no matter what you are celebrating). I'd love to hear some of your favorite traditions!

Google.

Don't the Google logos make your day just a little bit brighter? Well, todays did for me, so I thought I'd share a few of my favorites (including todays-- the top one). There were so many it was hard to choose but here is a sampling from the past year...

E.C. Segar's Birthday (December 8, 2009, born December 8, 1894)

Children's Day (Google India- November 14, 2009)

Day of the Dead (Google Mexico, November 2, 2009)

Mark Chagall' s Birthday (July 7, 2008, born July 7, 1887)

The First Day of Spring (March 20, 2009)

Halloween (October 31, 2009)

Earth Day (April 22 2009)

Take a look: Anna Williams

Food and photography are two of my most favorite things, so when I first saw Anna Williams' work I was absolutely delighted! In my opinion food can be very difficult to capture well, but she has done it so beautifully. Her talent has not gone unnoticed for has been shooting commercially for over 10 years. Her photos have been seen in Real Simple, Martha Stewart Living, Food & Wine and O Magazine. Doesn't it all look so yummy?!

Roses.

Here are some roses to brighten your day. I'll be back later. ;)

(via miss wallflower)

Have a wonderful weekend!

This weekend is supposed to be down right freezing here in Colorado! I am planning on staying nice and cozy by the fire and drinking lots and lots of tea. On Saturday, I am planning on doing some apartment hunting and going to this craft fair in Denver! I am so excited to see all the beautiful handmade goodies! What are you up to my darlings? Well, whatever it is make sure to keep your toes warm!

Here are some interesting things to sip your tea to...

Couple updates relationship status on facebook at the alter. Funny or sick, what do you think?

Things you've been meaning to do.

How incredible are these striped icebergs?

Such beautiful snow globes.

Upgrade your christmas sugar cookies with these 3D cookie cutters!

A winter tea dress...gorgeous!

Bedroom inspiration here and here

50 best protest signs of 2009!

The evolution of hipster. (I'm pretty sure they all still exist)

Cardboard bikes!

Speaking of fashion inspiration, Milan street style is oh so chic!

Sick of the same old desktop background? How about this?!

Incredible shadow puppetry film...Wow!

The Evolver (I'm putting this on my 100 places to see before I die list!)

(via wasting)