year in review*

Love nephew#3 sanfrancisco kayak laughter providence ichat sun art NYC tea sailing confusion kansascity architecture beach rain bigsur music camping exploration berkeley 2009 blessed airports JUMP beauty capecod challenge BFF boston home wander redstripe german faith ponder sisters snow wine newport rockclimb change brownUniversity family smile wisdom brooklyn library music phenomenology sunshine chicago tears LIFE

[ It was kind of a mess. Cheers to '10. ]

A Sweet Song

A Fine Frenzy - You Picked Me

Love Bug

1.	Love Bug	82 up, 17 down
	buy love bug mugs, tshirts and magnets A disgusting creature that burrows into someone's brain when they least expect it and then lays eggs which then travel through your blood stream and into your heart, thus contaminating you with the vile feeling that people call love. I think he's got the love bug..I guess we must tear off his head. Thank you, UrbanDictionary  for that lovely description.

Oh, Christmas Tree

There I am, trespassing to pose with the giant christmas tree.

*
Hyvää 
joulua!

Mutlu
Noeller!
Весела Коледа!

FelizNavidad!

Joyeux Noël!

СРождеством!

Frohe Weihnachten!

Merry Christmas
*

Since when is Brown Not a Christmas Color?

I just had quite a time wrapping up Christmas presents.  This year I opted for a neutral, sort of vintage packaging theme.  I bought brown paper, so yes, that is intentional and not a last-minute grab at grocery bags for wrapping paper.  I wanted the brown.  I love the simplicity.  It reminds me of a present from back in the day (whatever day) where the glittery, shiny, loud paper was not an option.  Sort of an early 1940s feel to it, which I (inaccurately?) associate with simple, pure times.  
 I may be the only one excited about it.  The poor people receiving the gifts may be less than enthused.  I got some ribbons to jazz it up a bit & my favorite part is the bells attached or tucked inside.  Especially for the ones that will be received in the mail rather than in person. How exciting to have a package that jingles its way across the land+sea into your hands!

 

















Let's start with photo #1.  They didn't get to take pictures with the other presents because they have been en route across the world.  That white one is hopefully getting close to Bremen, Germany, and the little brown guy safely arrived in San Francisco 2 days ago.  So simple.  So cute.  Unfortunately, due to my blogger audience, the contents inside them are super top secret until all presents have been received and opened by all.

The next pictures are obviously my sweet little brownies aforementioned.  That big one being attacked by bows is for my mom.  Hence, the "Mum" written on the card. Yeah, its a mixer.  She asked for it, but it's definitely more of a practical gift than any mind-blowing extraordinary present.  It was probably my favorite to wrap because of its size and shape.  I also like the attack of the bows.

That little rectangular guy on top of it is for my little nephew.  It's a brain quest.  I am the aunt that refused to walk down the ever-exciting (and crowded), favorite among the kids Star Wars aisle.  I just cannot get myself excited about Star Wars, so I could not get excited about giving such a gift.  With a brain quest he can learn lots of fun math facts!  Plus, I didn't completely banish the Star Wars idea.  I grabbed a coloring book full of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi (which is super fun to say), R2-D2, lightsabers, and Darth.  So, you see, I am not actually the worst aunt/gift-giver.

His sister got a Tinkerbell doll, of which I think both Giver and Receiver will be happy about.  Tink is such a sweet little character.  It is a win-win situation.  And if Kellen asks why Grace got a good gift and he didn't, I can always use the youngest of the three to make him feel better.  That is because I don't even have a present for the 3rd little tike.  So if anyone got the shaft, it's little Karson.  I mean what do you get the 10 month old who has everything?  That's on my list for tomorrow.  For tonight, I am off to place these presents under the tree and tuck in for the night.

Merry Almost Christmas Eve!!

Hey, Santa

This morning on the radio they were asking listeners to call in and share what they would ask Santa for if he could bring them anything for Christmas.  One lady wished for a new back, one lady wanted Taylor Swift tickets, and one guy wished for a new WIFE.  How sad is that?  Even worse, they have only been married 3 months.  Best of luck to that poor guy (and to his gal too).

If I could ask Santa for one thing, it would be to spend New Year's Eve + Day in Germany with my sweetheart.  Oh, what a pleasant thought.

What is your wish??

Come on Santa, please exist. . .

What I Did Today

This afternoon I attempted to make
homemade blackberry jam.  
I say attempted because I am still waiting to see if it sets properly.

I cannot believe how much sugar the recipe calls for.  *Yikes*

And now I sit and wait, fingers crossed and breath held.
I hope it is deliciosa.

Happy Saturday

just for fun

Would You Rather...

be mechanically induced to scream at the top of your lungs for an hour

-or-

have your eyes glued shut for a day?

While naked, fall flat on your back on 30 set mouse traps

-or-

have a potted plant dropped on your head from 5 feet above?

Bite the curb and get kicked in the back of the head
-or-

get a paper cut on your eyeball?

have an elephant as a close, personal friend,

-or-

be born with a refrigerator on your back?

[Borrowed from Zobmondo]

Happy Friday!!

Thanks to my favorite 5 year old

for picking me up from the airport

& insisting on carrying my suitcase.

Sweet little pea.

I like Christmas trees.
Menorahs are pretty too. 

If Seth Cohen can celebrate Chrismakuh, by george, so can I. 

snow!!

I just love the first snowfall of the year.  The anticipation of work/school closing, the hyped newcasters preparing us for the worst, and the need to bundle up in scarves and mittens are a few reasons why I prefer seasons rather than static weather conditions.

And guess what else?  I have a special visitor coming in two days!! 

I hope it continues snowing and snowing and snowing

so we can be like these people in the picture.

A Dream To Be Realized

Built-in Bookcases!!

They are just so charming. . .

          

P.S. Am I old-fashioned for thinking the TV above the mantel sort of kills the charm?  Maybe its just me.

"Mmmm."

One of the best aspects of the holiday season is the warm scents that make you close your eyes, crack a smile, raise your shoulders a bit, and say "Mmmm."  The sweet smells of cinnamon sticks, baked apple pies, homemade hot chocolate, peppermint candles, some gingerbread, perhaps--these are what make the cold winter months so cozy and exciting...or at least tolerable.  That, and the return of those winter fragrances that have been so sadly ignored during the summer months.  It's Burberry Brit time!

I am a lover of most things Burberry: The nova check handbags, classic trenches, the English nostalgia of the name, their captivating ad campaigns (nice work, Christopher Bailey), and the timelessness of their products.  I have even developed a slight girl crush on Emma Watson, without ever reading or watching any of the Harry Potter series.  Most importantly, I just love my Burberry Brit.  I always get compliments when I wear it, and as I sit at my boring little desk, evilly glaring out the window at the gray sky that matches the gray trees, the lifeless grass, and the ugly little squirrel, I catch a whiff of that "green-oriental blend of lush fruits, sweet nutty essences, and soothing amber, vanilla, and Tonka bean."  (That lovely description was borrowed from Sephora.  I couldn't have said it better myself. :)  When I catch that whiff, it puts a slight smile on my face, raises my shoulders a bit, and makes me go, "Mmmm."  Happy Winter.

Sometimes life isn't what you expect.  

Sometimes it's better.

Favorite Lately.

Mini Babybels.  They are yummy & adorable.

{Happy Thanksgiving}

Same Words, Different Songs

These two versions of the song, Heartbeats, are so opposite.
One is precious; one is playful.  I like.

Life.

Sour Balls

A couple months ago, I visited the Exploratorium in San Francisco. One of my favorite spots was a room where they play an ongoing collection of short videos with a wide range of topics.  I captured some photos of one where several children were given sour ball candies, and their reactions were recorded.  Aren't they funny?

sweet sidewalk in SF

my case of the reds

Inspired by my foul attitude this morning [that, and my desire to wear red lipstick any day other than Halloween], I put together some mean reds of my own.

"The mean reds are horrible.  Suddenly you're afraid and you don't know what you're afraid of.  Do you ever get that feeling?"
-Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany's

What I learned today.

Sesame Street is 40 years old.

Some people really do rock.  

Some people really do suck.

My closet needs a puffy vest.

Home has my heart.

Red is better than white.

Love is contagious.

Tea is better than coffee.

I want to live in Copenhagen.  Later.

I Want That.

My most realistic dream at the moment is to have a cozy chair to spend hours upon hours in browsing the internet, reading, drinking tea, dreaming, and blogging.  Sure, there is the minor problem that I have a tendency to move from one side of the country to another from year to year, selling most furniture in the process, but one day I will be settled enough to purchase the chair of my dreams.

Now, I understand the world makes wicked cool chairs of all sorts, but let's keep in mind that this particular chair's main purpose is to be a comfy place for me to park on chilly winter evenings and hot summer afternoons.  I found a great variety over at room and board, which theoretically could be my favorite website (if I owned a house).  These are some of my favorites:

I love that they are so basic, yet not dull.  Not to mention, the throw pillow possibilities.  If you are in the furniture market, or at least enjoy looking at some neat pieces, I recommend you head over to room and board.  For now, I will remain in this boring desk chair, dreaming of the day when one such chair finds its way into my home.

today's score

heart 1 : head 0

happy day after halloween!

what were your favorite costumes this year?

français 101

In honor of my costume for the upcoming holiday, let's review a few favorite french words and sayings, shall we?  yes, we shall.

mademoiselle [miss]
enchante [enchanted]
pamplemousse [grapefruit]
je suis [I am]
touche [touched/hit]
je t'adore [I adore/love you]
je t'aime [I love/like you]
bon appetit [good appetite/enjoy the meal]
avant-garde [on the edge/innovative]
c'est la vie [such is life]
femme fatale [deadly woman]
je ne sais quoi [that indescribable 'something']
joie de vivre [joy of life]
soiree [evening party]

amelie poulain [if you don't know her, you should]

Take a Listen

Beyonce cover. Creative.

*I Wish

I wish I had my very own telescope 
so I could see the stars just a little bit closer.

pretty as a pumpkin

I recently read in Self magazine about the power of pumpkin in the form of a face mask.  My sister and I intend to try it tonight, and I am hoping it turns out as good as it sounds.  The article explains, "Pumpkin contains antioxidants such as Vitamin A and C, as well as phytonutrients that help keep you looking young," says Michelle Schlekewey, spa director at Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego.  Here is the recipe if you decide to try it yourself:

Mix together...

• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup bentonite clay (found at health food stores)
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp almond oil
• 2 tsp cinnamon

Apply to face, and leave on for ten minutes.  The article also stated, "Almond oil moisturizes, clay draws out impurities, honey replenishes collagen, and cinnamon improves circulation."  Sounds magnifique, don't you think?

WOW.

Favorites Lately

• the library
• charisma 
• handstands
• kate spade 
• comments from my four year old niece
• vanilla flavored tea

While browsing online for some new scarves to add to my closet before the temperature really starts to drop, I came across this little number.  I am really loving the scarf and the jacket, but even better is the story behind the picture.  Click on the pic to read the silly little tale that accompanies this lovely ensemble.  And her lovely facial expression.

"Wheresoever you go, 

go with all your heart." 

-Confucious

come sail away

 

I went sailing yesterday for the first time ever & what a magnificent way to spend a day!  we slept on the boat the night before and woke up bright and early to set sail to angel island for lunch.  sunny skies, bellinis, chocolate covered strawberries, catnaps, and one crazy crew.  that pretty much sums up my last saturday in san francisco.  it certainly was a delightful one.  two more days here and then its back to the east coast.  we'll see for how long. . .

What I learned today.

I can survive without coffee [Day #3!!].
Yoga is hard. Red nail polish is sexy. 
People are funny. Dogs aren't terrible.
Bussi [informally] means kisses in German.
Goals are necessary. Facebook is the devil.
The first steps of knitting.
Obama thinks Kanye is a jackass.
Life is intense.
Things change.

the good kind of stranger

sometimes strangers aren't so bad.  you know there are the ones who whistle, hoot, and holler out their car window as they drive by.  the beggars who aren't afraid to get in your face and ask for change.  the drivers who cut you off unnecessarily.  the guy at the gym who won't let your out-of-town friend use the 7-day free guest pass because she doesn't have a local ID.  there are those strangers.  and then there are the good ones.

today I encountered one such good stranger.  a gentleman I passed on the crosswalk, seemingly and probably homeless, simply said as we crossed, "smile there, sunshine."  I admit I wasn't smiling.  the day had taken a toll on me, and I was in no mood to flex my face muscles into a smile. but his comment was simple, without motive, and harmless.  and just by him saying it, I did crack a smile.  the day got brighter after that, as I realized the littlest things can help at the toughest of times.  thanks, seemingly and probably homeless guy.

soup.

after a tiring week of seeing sites and exploring the city of san francisco, I took today off from pretty much everything. chilly weather and a craving for soup resulted in my spending a good majority of the afternoon in a local french cafe.  an intriguing crowd, free wi-fi, and a cozy warm vibe -- it was a no-brainer to stop in.  not to mention the yummy bowl of vegetable soup.  what a pleasant afternoon indeed.

you're bootyful

as much as I love hot summer days, I am readying myself for the cooler, fall weather to come.  a good place to start = habitat shoes, where they recently added their fall collections.  I am a little bit in love with these booties:

fact: sometimes the world looks better upside down.

"God is a comedian, playing to an audience too afraid to laugh." 

-Voltaire

when in san francisco.

happy to be in the lovely land of san francisco

an abundance of wine & incredible foods

among the very best of company...new friends and old

need I say I am enjoying myself?