Friday, December 26, 2008

a designer home of sorts


This dollhouse was created by architect Joshua Prince-Ramus for the Calvin Klien for a holiday display at the 5th Ave store in NYC. It is a 1,000 lb, miniature, four-story dwelling of sorts furnished with all things CK, reproduced in miniature. Pretty stinkin cool. Ahhh to live in NY and to see it for myself. Full story here.


Pic and story via
The Coolhunter.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

the first noel

It's finally Christmas Eve! Tonight will be a night filled with family, giggles from adorable little girls, food food food, Christmas carols and cocoa. I pray that your holiday is cheerful and cozy and full of warmth and love. Merry Christmas from me to you.


Cest Noel via This Is Glamorous.

I pray on christmas, he'll get me through another day

Cover of Harry Connick Jr's "I Pray on Christmas"


Tuesday, December 23, 2008

music to set the mood

A meloncholy song for a meloncholy morning.

Ben Harper "Waiting on an Angel"


Nope. Not Christmas music this time. Just a song that reminds me of an old friend that I haven't heard from in a long, long time. Funny how the holidays tend to make you remember.

---------------------------------------------------

On a brighter note, I am tingling with excitement for tomorrow. Although I have to work in the morning (boo), I can't wait for fesitivities with C's family and midnight mass. Have I mentioned that I love this time of year? Today, with its cold drizzly fog, feels like the perfect day to cozy up with some cocoa (spiked?) and finish wrapping presents.

Santa comes on Thursday. Are you ready?

Monday, December 22, 2008

inspiration, martha stewart style


Did you know that THE Eddie Ross from Top Design/Martha Stewart fame has a blog? (You probably did.) It is chock full of crafty, Martha Stewarty home decor inspiration courtesy of repurposed flea market finds and (my absolute fave) antique treasures. The archives are a treasure trove if you are looking for a little bit of pretty. I have always loved me some MS (p.s. Did you catch her on Top Chef last week?) and Eddie's experience there shows in his meticulous attention to detail. Also, he was a little over the top on Top Design, which of course I loved! He was a fave, and I definitely did not think he was "granny" like they accused him of being. He is fab!

Enjoy the archive diving!


Photos via Eddie Ross.

what are you doing new year's eve?

I will be across the country in North Carolina with family and the bf and good friends. Doesn't get better than that. What are you doing New Year's Eve?

P.S. I think this is a really well done version of this song. The guy has an amazing voice. It sort of reminds me of Ewan McGregor in one of my all time faves Moulin Rouge.

the christmas spirit


Now, this is a great example of the holiday spirit and spreading the joy. I wish you peace and joy and health and love this Christmas.


Grinchy postcard from PostSecret.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

i heart hayden-harnett


Do you? You should! The goodies are beautiful. And right now Hayden-Harnett online is having INCREDIBLE sales on almost everything-handbags, clothes, accessories. I have been getting a daily email from them with a Secret Santa item that is marked down like crazy. Today's deal was this beautiful Sonia Tote. Originally $540, marked down to $135. Wowza!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

obamarama


Kate over at For Me, For You posted these pics of a young Obama in his college heyday from Time Magazine. I thought I should probably repost for the bf as he is the Obama lover in our family. Regardless of how you feel about him, he has some pretty rockin style. Love the hat and the high-waisted pants.

in rememberance

If you are the praying type, will you please pray today for the family of an old friend, Amelia Hinsdale? Amelia passed away last Tuesday from lung cancer. She was 23. Today is her funeral in Tucson, AZ.

I pray that her husband and family can find a sense of peace knowing that she is no longer suffering from cancer. I pray that they know that there are people out there who remember Amelia as a kind, fiercly smart, slightly sarcastic and ever loyal woman with a heart of gold. I pray that we can be reminded that life is short and we should live it to the fullest while we can.

God rest your soul, Amelia.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

chestnuts roasting


Ahhhh to have a fireplace. One of my favorite things about Christmas is when my dad gets the fireplace going in the formal living room and we all crowd around with coffee or an adult beverage to open gifts. Today we have snow and ice and all the winter wind you can stand. It is definitely a fireplace kind of day.


Fireplace photo via
Cupcakes and Cashmere, via Domino.

just for you, just because


Did anybody else get one of these? It was such a happy surprise. $50 just because. Perfect for my current shopping hiatus (which is more or less working out).

Monday, December 15, 2008

genius



This homemade photobooth on Inchmark would fulfill one of my goofy Christmas wishes. I really want a few silly strips of me and C to add to my inspiration board. (Is that really so much to ask?) I will need to work on this when we take our road trip across America in a few weeks. In the meantime, if I had half the creativity Brooke has in her little finger, I would attempt to rig one of these up. Until then, I will keep on wishing for a photobooth run-in.

wrap it up

Brrrrrr. It is a bone chilling 38 degrees with wind and drizzle in Dallas today. Good thing I am crazy for coats. Either of these would fit the bill. They have been added to my Christmas list. (Am I still allowed to add to the list when Christmas is just a week 1/2 away?)

Handsewn ruffles. Perfection. Plaid Plum Coat via etsy seller Little Houses.

Oh how I love estate sale finds. Red Military Dress Coat from etsy vintage seller Good Grace.

Either one could easily be topped off with one of these bad boys. Love it.

Chunky Oatmeal Cowl via etsy seller Spratters & Jane.

cloudy with a chance of snoozing


Today feels like one of those days where I could have phoned it in. I would have loved to stay out of the cold and curled up in bed, lazing the day away. Alas, there is work to be done.
Cozy boudoir via You Are My Fave.

Friday, December 12, 2008

get in here


Wouldn't this be perfect for a newlywed couple? Good thing I know a few. So maybe ummmm I need one too. It's a strong possibility. 

chilly willy


This weekend I leave you with a question. What is the coolest cold weather place you have ever been? I would definitely have to say Sitka, Alaska (and the rest of Alaska too). Whooo wheee is that place beautiful!


Alaska pictures via moi.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

advent


Seriously, how cute is this Advent Calendar that Brooke from Inchmark hand sewed for her children? I used to love the Advent calendar as a kid because my sister and I got little goodies every day before Christmas. How awesome is that?


The ornaments are to-die-for. Check them all out over at Inchmark.




Pics via Inchmark.

chain, chain, chain


I love me a great keychain. No seriously, ask the bf. And I especially love this one made from a letterpress key from etsy seller letterfest. You know, I think my stocking could use one of these. Initial A, please and thank you.

blog friends are so stinkin cool

Sometimes the www is good to me. This is one of those times.

1. I entered a blog giveaway contest at The Bridal Wishlist, and I won! My prize is approx $200 worth of beautiful custom letterpress notecards from Parklife Press. The notecards are gorgeous and the site offers tons of beautiful invitations, business cards and more. I ordered 1/2 for me and 1/2 to share with my mom. Thanks so much to Janice from BW and Travis from PP for the goodies!

Pic via The Bridal Wishlist, via Parklife Press.

2. I posted awhile back about my search for the perfect orange bridemaid shoes and I requested that all of you lovelies help me out. Well the lovely Anne from Perfect Bound came through for me! And boy did she ever! She scoured the net for me, and here is the compilation of beauties she found.


From top left: Nine West Women's Juliarae Sandal; $80 but only in a 10, Nine West Women's Argent Slingback Sandal; $24, Boutique 9 Women's Camryn2 Slingback Sandal; $36, Nine West Women's Korisa Sandal; $24



From bottom left: Nine West Women's Michoman Pump; $24, Nine West Women's Luxious Pump; $30, Nine West Women's Solelyn Slingback Sandal; $24, Charles David Women's Trifle Sandal; $58 and VIVIAN-LS in burnt orange from Nina Shoes; $89


Thank you Anne for all of the ideas and for all of you lovely comments on my posts. I am so excited to have a new reader! Pic and shoe descriptions via Anne from Perfect Bound, a great inspiration blog you should visit. Seriously.


3. I am participating in two holiday blog swaps this year. The first is The Gift Exchange hosted by Stacy from one of my favorite daily reads, La Boudoir. I have mailed that package off to a lovely lady in Chicago. Once I am sure she has received it, I will post pics of what I sent. I am excited to receive a package sometime soon!


The second is The Great 2008 Greedy Girl Calendar Swap hosted by Caroline at Greedy Girl. The rules are that the calendar has to be unique and lovely and cost $20-25. I won't ruin the surprise and say what I ordered, but I think it is good. Caroline paired me up with Erin from the uber-fabulous Apartment #34. I can't wait to mail off her gift and to see what she got me. Also, at the end of the swap, we are all supposed to upload pics of our goodies to Flickr. It will be neat to see what everyone came up with.



Pics from La Boudoir and Greedy Girl.

4. Finally, I just want to mention how much I love when all of you dear readers comment on my posts. So thanks! Most days I feel like I am writing to myself, which I think is probably the equivalent of talking to myself, which probably isn't very cool. So, please help me be cool and comment when you stop by. I love to know who actually visits my little blog, and if you blog, I would love to read it!

couple cuteness

I think this umbrella built for two is just too cute! I am not sure how it would work if the two people were not similar in height, but it certainly makes for a cute picture!


Umbrella for Two via Once Wed.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

riddle me this

(Please ignore the heinously tragic quality of the cell phone pics of my tv. I know it is truly bad.)


A GG study in questions (some if which may be best left unanswered):

1. Is this really what Serena would consider an appropriate funeral outfit? I mean her stepfather died and all she could come up with to wear is half of a 90's prom dress? Come to think of it, this IS what Serena would wear to a funeral. My annoyance for her just keeps on growing.


2. Why do Little J's hair AND wardrobe people hate her so much? This "couture" clutch reminds me of those big plastic diaper pins that people attach to those clever baby shower cakes made out of Pampers.

3. Is this almost a man-kiss? Chuck can definitely smell Dan's aftershave here.

4. Isn't this the funniest looking face? Haha. I just had to include it. Also, does Chuck really think it is Dan's fault that Lily made it with Rufus? He sure does! Also also, would a boy from the UES really call his stepmother a "whore" in front of all those other rich people?

5. Did anyone else notice that Blair runs a little bow-legged? (Wow this picture is particularly crappy. It's not really my fault. It is an action shot.) Also, how many tears did you cry after Blair said "I love you" and Chuck just turned away? Sigh.

6. Could it be? Is Blair really warming up to Mr. Hall (from Clueless, duh)? I loved her tears in this scene. Very dramatic.

7. Isn't Dorota the world's cutest bridesmaid?
8. Is Chuck "Richest Kid in NY" Bass really a vampire? Ok, no. Real question: Why would Chuck have meet with the PI who was the last person to see his dad alive? Wouldn't he be a tragic reminder of his father's demise? Moreover, how come we didn't get to find out what the "accident" was? Also, wasn't Mr. PI Sherlock Holmes in Bart's limo with him right before Lily announced the accident?


9. Who told Rufus that this tight man turtleneck was attractive? Eww.

10. Don't you love it? Why do Blair and Chuck seem like the most grown up people on the show when they are supposed to be 17-18? Who cares, I love them.



Bonus Question: On a scale of 1-10, how psyched were you that you didn't have to see Vanessa at all in this ep? Oh an 11, you say? Me too.


All craptastic cell pics via me.


P.S. White Lightning did a hilariously good post on this too.

ewww

This Christmas, do all of us holiday spirit lovers a favor, and please don't do this to your poor, unsuspecting car.


Antlers and a red nose? How tacky, I mean twee.

Friday, December 5, 2008

shorts


I love this. It's funny how this makes me long for shorts season when we are just now getting to enjoy the cold. And even though I would think that shorts with flats would make me look stumpy, it looks great on this model. Must be her mile long legs.

Happy Friday. Have a wonderful weekend lovelies!

Alexader Wang S/S 08 via style.com.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

true love is...


...an evening with the most adorable little stinkers in the whole wide world. We went to C's niece's Christmas program at her preschool on Tuesday night. It was too adorable.

layering, celebrity edition

One more layered look that I absolutely love belongs to Maggie G. Isn't she lovely? No matter how you feel about fur, there is no arguing that she looks great. Plus I just adore the hair and lipstick. She is great. (Peter on the other hand looks a little bitty bit too outdoorsy, if you know what I mean.)





Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard via the Fug Girls.

baby it's cold outside

Let me just say, I LOVE the cold. (Not to be confused with how much I hate having a cold. Which I do. I have one right now. Ugh.) One of my favorite things about a chill in the air is bundling up in a layered look. It just comes off so chic. Sweaters and scarves and coats and capes and tights and boots, oh my! Here are some examples of layering done oh so right. I would gladly trade wardrobes (or at the very least, outfits) with any of these women. Wouldn't you?


I will take one of these hats for Christmas, please! Epic fur hat via Coco + Kelley.


The ultimate in model style. Coco Rocha via google images.





All the lovely ladies via the ever inspiring Sartorialist.



P.S. It is pretty obvious I have a thing for scarves. When I went on our family cruise to Alaska, I took 9 for 6 days. And that wasn't even 1/3 of the number that I own. Whoops!


P.P.S. Did you notice that all of these lovelies, with the exception of Coco, have really great bangs? Have I mentioned that I am into bangs too?


P.P.P.S. I saw the cute ruffley gray coat from the third picture on sale at Anthro the last time I was there. Maybe you need it?

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

a holiday haiku

Christmas time is here.
Joy found not in boxes, no.
In family, dear.



A little bitty bit of poetry I came up with while shopping for angels from the Salvation Army Angel Tree. I plan to use it on all my gift tags this year.

a note to college football fans

Dear cool guy OU fan in the Honda Accord,

When your super awesome CAR FLAG is half the size of your entire windshield, it is time to get a life.

Sincere Regards,
Concerned Citizen

gossip

New Gossip Girl ep on last night. Of course I didn't get around to watching it in my cold medicine coma. Will have to do so tonight. Maybe my TV twin over at TV is My Boyfriend posted about. I will have to check on that. (P.S. She did. Thanks!)


Anyway, just thought I would mention that it is so.not.cool. if this is true. Vanessa and Chuck? Really? I just can't understand the attraction of Jessica Szohr. Maybe it is because her character is so annoying and off-putting. It probably has nothing to do with her in reality. At any rate, I also don't understand why I can never be at the airport when famous people are around. I mean, come on! Everyone knows Chace Crawford is from Dallas and went to high school approx 10 min from me. Couldn't I get at least one GG sighting? Sigh.



Pic and juicy gossip tidbit via
NYMag.