Scenes From The Weekend

This weekend took us to the twilight zone and back. We lost all electricity and heat due to Saturday's snow storm: yes, as I'm sure you've heard, the northeast experienced a fairly colossal October snow fall. That's just bananas. The heavy winds and 6 inches of snow caused numerous tree branches to fall down and naturally, all of the main power lines in our county.

It was a more than a little mind-boggling to go from this...

...to that (and in a matter of hours). I felt (still feel) badly for the trees. The beautiful colors of autumn were prematurely snuffed out. How rude.

We combated the chilliness with a serendipitous bottle of Pinot Noir (note the label) and plenty of blankets. We also kept the oven on long after the chicken was finished roasting in order to stay toasty. We were only without heat/power for 24 hours, which was long enough to convince me that I'd make a terrible pilgrim. 

The portion of the weekend falling before the storm was actually quite lovely. I met up with Alice after work on Friday to pick up a few of our wedding prints (yippee!). Afterward, Emma and I enjoyed a sister date in Union Square, complete with a delicious dinner at Max Brenner, a bit of shoe shopping and a viewing of Like Crazy (a really well-acted film with a powerful and highly relative storyline). Tiho and I cashed in a gift card on Saturday, allowing me to indulge a craving for creamy broccoli cheddar soup in a sourdough bread bowl.

When the power switched back on late Sunday afternoon, we celebrated by making coffee and doing five loads of laundry. I had big plans to vacuum/dust the whole house, but the lack of electricity kinda tossed those plans out the window and by Sunday evening, I surrendered to a few days more of messy home living.

And there I go talking about my vacuum again. I'll take that as a sign to say toodle-loo for now! Oh yeah, and Happy Halloween. I'm wearing a creamsicle-colored hoodie today, which is as far as my festiveness stretches this year. What can I say, I started devouring candy corn weeks ago. My sights are already set on Thanksgiving.

Go Do That

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go do that. Because what the world needs, is people who have come alive." -Harold Thurman Whitman

A thought to ponder this weekend. Enjoy yourselves, friends.

(image: Rimma by Tali)

Knock Knock...

Know any good jokes? I am notoriously bad at remembering them and therefore have a pitiful repertoire. In need of a good laugh today, so please, step right up to that virtual mic there. Here's one from a student:

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Who.
Who who?
What are you, an owl or something?

Photos are random and from the last several days. Can you tell how exciting life's been? I mean, I took a picture of our hand soap. (In it's defense, it smells uh-may-zing). Also, please ignore the scuzzy sink. I need to clean.

Story Paintings

Over the weekend, I was propelled into what felt like a state of wonder when I became acquainted with Becca Stadtlander's beautiful portfolio after spotting a glimpse on Le Projet D'Amour. While browsing her work, I felt a familiar honey-like warmth spread through my veins. Every single one of her paintings immediately flings me into the middle of some sort of story or conversation. They fascinate me in a way that can only be described as thrilling. I thought I'd pass along her portfolio/shop/blog to all of you lovely people, so you too, can share in the experience.

Scenes From The Weekend (Instagram Edition)

The weekend according to my second pair of eyes, Monsieur iphone:

Post-work pit stop at my favorite bakery for a mocha latte and a bag of sweets; Saturday afternoon indulgence at (where else?) Ikea. So greasy, so good.

The scarf I'll live in for the next several months; and surprise!--requisite stripes. I'm so predictable.

Giant pumpkin macaron (from the aforementioned bakery); late night snuggling & movie-watching.

Plate of leftover macarons at midnight (now we've officially pegged me as a cliché); newly purchased bathroom rug. It was a $20 impulse buy at Ikea, but we're both in awe of how it completely upgrades the space. Wish it came in giant size for the living room.

Famer's market carrots are better than all supermarket carrots; And obviously, so is farmer's market artisan bread. Note my "hell yes" face as I haul the loot home.

Clown pumpkin in pink plastic cheetah print; A lesson in observance (more on that soon).

Sunday funday means leisurely snacking by utilizing the oft-neglected teapot and china. Because, when else do I bust it out?

Not pictured: amazing animal puppets nabbed for $3.99 at Ikea; foliage walks around the neighborhood; a particularly chilly Saturday night outing for hot cider; home-cooked candlelit dinner for two; skype date with in-laws; blog browsing; slow-roasted brussels sprouts* and ginormous pasta bowls.

A good one indeed. Now, bring it, Monday! How are all of you fine human beings feeling today?

*I googled the proper spelling of "brussels sprouts," because spell check kept saying that "brussel sprouts" was wrong. Turns out, you need that extra "s" on "brussel." Hello random?

What's This? Blinks are Back?

A few awesome things I discovered on the internet recently...

I wish I could splurge on this gorgeous original painting by Israeli artist, Tali ($90)

Swirly, curly typography makes me smile. (see more on typography served).

I can't adequately describe how much these nebula-scapes are blowing my mind. You can download the images for free (and in high-resolution!) from Hubblesite. (via Armas Design)

Oh hey, let's all go and have breakfast! Amazing.

I really enjoyed this decorating article in the Wall Street Journal; 10 Odd, Yet Essential Elements of Style. It's an except from a forthcoming book by Deborah Needleman (a la Domino fame) entitled The Perfectly Imperfect Home.

The weekend forecast looks beautiful. Low 60's and sunny with only a minimal smattering of odds and ends on the agenda. After a week straight of 12-hour workdays, I'm looking forward to popping the cork on a bottle of red and putting my feet up. What are your plans? Whatever they may be, enjoy 'em!

They're Here!

Our city hall wedding photos are in! This was the very first one I saw and my absolute favorite. I'm still sorting through them all and will narrow them down to share with all of you soon. This week is a bit crazy with a major event happening at school, so bear with me. Many more to come.

(Film!) photo by Alice Gao.

Scenes From The Weekend

We mostly lazed about this weekend. A weird mood struck on Friday night resulting in a long, hard cry followed by a long, hard sleep. But damn, it felt good. On Saturday we woke with only an hour left of the morning and ventured to our favorite brunch haunt for a little something hot and a little something sweet. Hit the spot.

Closets were organized, groceries purchased, Mad Men season 1 concluded (I know, where have we been?). As the sunlight tapered off, we fixed a bread & cheese plate and ate it from a tray in bed. Man, I love Saturdays.

On Sunday morning, we walked the long way to the farmer's market. I felt nostalgic for the season even though it's still in full swing. Only two more weeks until Halloween, less than six until Thanksgiving, ten until Christmas. I feel like I've been living for my weekends lately, which worries me. The work week is always so busy and I'm struggling to find balance. One day at a time.

How are things in your neck of the woods? I'm aiming for a solid seven hours of sleep each night. A small but worthy victory if successful.

Present and in Awe

"This is how we are supposed to be in the world: present and in awe." -Anne Lamott

These tulips already found their way to the garbage bin, but for seven beautiful days, they were alive and kicking.  Often, that's all it takes: a cheery bunch of curious flowers to remind me what it means to be here now.

Have a wonderful weekend. I've got absolutely nothing scheduled and am thrilled about it!

Snapshots

...from earlier this week.

1). Self-portrait in which I unintentionally gave myself Angelina Jolie lips and upgraded eyebrows; 2). optimistic scribbles at the coffee shop; 3). cappuccino awesomeness; 4). view from the bedroom window.

(all taken with my iPhone via the instagram app. See my full feed here).

Happy Birthday, Tiho Piho!

This guy turns 26 today! I lose my marbles whenever I look at T's baby pictures. (Check out that buddha belly).

Happy birthday to my web designer/astro-physicist/math genius/adventure-lover/sky diver/tennis aficionado/snowboarder/recipe creator/all around awesome partner in life.

You're the bomb to my diggity.

Scenes From The Weekend

Pink pink pink pink. I'm all about pink lately. Thought I was beyond it, but nope. Everywhere I turn, my eyes frantically dart to the pink.

And this candle I picked up on Saturday? The one with the most deliciously perfect scent in the entire universe? This is not an exaggeration, guys. I am a very tough critic when it comes to scents. Add in the pretty packaging, and suddenly the $12.95 seems like chump change.

I mustn't forget my beloved orzo salad. I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe yet. It's simple. A pound of orzo, a cup & a half of (fresh) feta, a bag of dried cranberries, a cutting board worth of chopped basil & wild arugula, a couple of tablespoons of olive oil and the juice of two lemons. Mix it all together, season with salt & pepper, and serve at room temperature. I've eaten a bowl every day for the past four days. You will too if you decide to make it. Promise.

Ah, ciderfest. I've invented a new word: ciderific. Because cider is just that. Especially cider made from apples collected in buckets and then run through a 100-year-old wooden press. There was conversation and laughter, puppies and beer. Babies, trees, a potluck picnic, and leaves the color of fire. Fire leaves! It was all very ciderific.

See? Fire leaves. My camera lens almost melted from those colors.

Lately, I can't seem to satiate my craving for unscheduled down time, preferably in or around my home.  Books, sunlit windows, walkable neighborhood errands, dancing with my husband, dinner with friends, jars of tulips, new leather shoes, letter writing in the coffee shop--these familiar comforts--they're all I seek.

Happy Tuesday.