Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wandering Wednesday: Talulah Jones

Talulah Jones is filled to the brim with magnificent things. There is so much to look at that it's almost hard to concentrate. Nic-nacs tucked away in corners, displays covering the walls.... I could spend hours in this store. Since it is one of my go-to places for gifts, I found myself wandering in last week in search of the perfect birthday present for my sister-n-law. I was excited to see that among the usual cuteness, it was dressed for the holidays! (I'm kind of obsessed with holiday decor) I decided on some Butter nail polish and cuticle cream for the gift and spent the rest of my time wishing I could buy pretty much everything in the store. Alas, it's not the season to splurge on myself. Bummer. I should also mention that right next to the gift shop is a little children's store with some of the cutest clothing and toys. So, go now, and cross of a few people on your holiday shopping list!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Thanksgiving, according to my iPhone pictures

We had a huge group this year which made the holiday hectic but a good kind of hectic. 3 long tables full of friends and family. The food was fantastic and the company was even better. Sometimes I really hate that I don't live closer my family but it always makes going home a little more special.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

deep thought thursday + happy thanksgiving!

A more regular posting schedule will resume next week but I wanted to pop in and take a break from all the Thanksgiving craziness to write a short thank you. Thank you to all my readers, friends and wonderful family. This is what today is all about and I feel blessed everyday to have so many fabulous people surrounding and influencing my life...I couldn't do it without you. You're the best a girl could ask for! Happy Thanksgiving! Now go eat some yummy food!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Hey look...

Christmas came early ;)

Friday, November 18, 2011

Have a wonderful weekend!

Wait what?! It's already the weekend before Thanksgiving, how did this happen? I will be flying home in a mere 5 days to spend the holidays with my family in Tennessee. Woohoo! This weekend I don't have too much planned. I know tomorrow I am getting a massage (!) which is pretty much something I've been looking forward to for about a month now. The remaining hours will be spent reading, dancing, cooking and playing til my hearts content! Make it count folks! Only a few more weekends til the bitter winter months are upon us. xo.

Also, look at this...



- PRETTY illustration: 64 moons of Jupiter.



- WATCH: Marcel the shell! (I know this is all over the place right now but it's so cute!)


- DESIGN: love the natural elements in this little apartment!

- THANKSGIVING: leftovers reinvented.

- RUSTIC gathering: love this!


- MAKE: homemade almond milk....yum!

(photo via bleubird)

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wandering Wednesday: Design*Sponge @ West Elm + d Bar.


Last Wednesday I had a lovely evening out with the girls. Even though I already have a signed copy of Grace Bonny's book, Design*Sponge at Home (thanks Aly!), I had to wander over to West Elm to catch a glimpse of Grace in person...in Denver! I wasn't surprised when I walked in and was struck with instant eye candy-- a beautiful photo display, cupcakes galore, and a huge line of probably the best dressed women in Denver (and some straggling boyfriends of course). Since I already own a signed copy, I skipped out on the massive line and just walked around the store, sipping on sparkling water, ooohing and ahhing over all the beautiful things.

Afterwards, we decided to keep the night going with a trip to d Bar. I've heard so many wonderful things about their tasty desserts and drinks, I was excited to give it a try. So, I ordered myself a hot chai spiked with creme brulee liquor and wow, it was so good. It even had a crispy caramel top like the real thing! I will definitely be coming back for dessert some time in the near future. It was such a fun night...it kind of made me want to treat myself out more often. Sometimes it's just necessary!

Friday, November 11, 2011

happy weekend!

There is actually quite a bit going on this weekend--dinners, parties, a 'fakesgiving' tradition (more on that later). I am always a little lazy about going out during the winter months. Mustering up the motivation can be difficult when staying in sounds so warm and cozy. Well, this weekend I pledge to be a girl about town, kinda. Tonight I might have to stay in, drink beers and play rockband. Have a good one my lovelies!

Also, check out...



What a cute way to wrap a present! (p.s. download free gift tags from Shimtokk here)

Japanese kitchenware...why, oh why does navigating this website look so complicated?

Confession: I loved my dollhouse when I was little...this homemade one is so awesome!

Read: Matchbook magazine, Nov issue

LOVE this sweet {moving} image (p.s. this is one of my new daily reads, seriously the coolest family ever)

Home wants: Eames chairs and this coat rack.

Fashion tips: How I'd wear it, ankle boots

If only I had an old car to do this to...


The most beautiful cake servers-- just in time for the holidays!


The best gift guides for just about anyone.

(photo via dragontrees)

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Wandering Wednesday: Spinelli's Market


I decided to start a new installment on my blog...wandering Wednesday. It will feature places that I visit....maybe a restaurant, a store or really any place that has inspired me that week. This week I wandered over to Spinelli's Market to grab a sandwich for lunch (I got the Reuben this time, de-lish!) and some sausages for dinner. I love little markets. They are so much more pleasant to shop in than an overcrowded awful supermarket. It reminds me of those specialty markets that are all over Europe (where did we go wrong?). This place is like heaven--shelves stocked with San Marzano tomatoes, a rotating dessert display filled with cannolis, brownies and all sorts of goodies and a real-deal deli cabinet with everything from homemade sausages to cured peppers and olives. Oh and to top it off it's a family business of course and a cute-as-pie Italian couple owns the place. They are always working there together and last time I was in, I caught them flirting--in their 60's and they're still flirting. I'm aiming for that.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

banana pancakes...






last week it snowed and i had the day off. we made banana pancakes in the morning and stayed in our pjs and listened to records all day. we even borrowed milk from the neighbors which felt very old fashioned. it was the most wonderful day ever!

Friday, November 4, 2011

Have a restful weekend!

Well, we are officially dipping into the winter months--snow #2 happened earlier this week and the clocks change Sunday. I'm not quite ready for it to get darker earlier but I suppose it's not up to me. My weekend plans are pretty low key...resting, reading and staying warm inside. I'm not in the mood for too much action. Have a lovely, relaxing weekend my friends!

+ Watch: Faber Castell

+ And watch: I believe I can fly...

+ For the home: sweet cheese plates



+ Need Supply Co: online shop...cute+affordable!

+ Amazing ideas: bird piano.

+ Make: Coffee Cake Muffins (love the way she explains the steps)

+ Adorable etsy find: ceramic porcupines!

+ Camera fun: love this new lomo camera.

+ Want: deer necklace.

+ A little trick: to cope with anxiety.

+ Read: paper runway.

(photos via Ana Cabaleiro)

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

the endless dance of energy...


This abstract painting is by an anonymous Indian tantra devotee and dates back to the 1600s. There is something about its simplicity that captivates me. I also love that it depicts a meditation on the "endless dance of energy". Just perfect.

(via Old Chum)

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

grain.

A while ago a friend of mine gave me an expired roll of Kodax TMAX 3200. I've had it for a couple months now and finally wound it into my camera last weekend. I was expecting the photos to be grainy because of the extremely high ISO but these photos almost don't even look like photos. I kind of love how you can barely make out the fine detail. It also makes me want to shoot more b+w. It's been a while...