Joyeux Noel (Plus A Few Blinks!)

This image makes me absurdly happy. (photo by Leela Cyd Ross)

These Books of Art by Isaac Salazar are pretty incredible. (via Swiss Miss)

This Morning Frost Meadow print by Anna Emilia reminds me of the months ahead and how beautiful they can be.

Feeling all kinds of love for this cute-as-a-button Swedish children's shop, Little Studio.

Next year, I'm going to make this beautiful doily light garland.

I agree. (via Brain Pickings)

Mesmerized by these botanical studies from Frances Pelzman Liscio's portfolio.

I saw these in person at West Elm yesterday and had a difficult time resisting the impulse purchase.

 How to make gingerbread cameras.

60 tiny love stories--reading these made me cry. (via Brandi)

Happy, happy, merry merry! It's somewhat mind-boggling to me that Christmas is actually here, and with it, the end of another year. It's been a good while since I compiled a quality list of blinks: hope you enjoy the random stuff that's piqued my interest recently. Peace and love to all.

I leave you with a quote from Hugo. It gave me chills in the theater earlier this week and I find it apropos to the spirit of the holiday: "I address you as you truly are: wizards, mermaids, travelers, adventurers, and magicians. You are the true dreamers."

Bringing Back the Blinks

Blinks take a decent amount of time to compile and can sometimes feel like a lot of pressure to maintain on a weekly basis. However, there are many lovely and inspiring things out there and I believe they should be shared. I do my best to highlight products, photos, ideas and articles that haven't already been blogged to death because then it just feels trite and monotonous.

Enjoy the latest and greatest of what's recently caught my eye:

Have you seen the beauty that is Amy Merrick's new website?  Floral styling and event design has never looked prettier

Paris green and gold might just be my favorite color combination. (photo by Little Brown Pen)

 Great typography + message. (via One Off)

How beautiful is this photo print from the Handle With Care shop? (run by the same duo behind Mr. & Mrs. Globetrot)

Not in the market for a new coffee table, but if I was, I'd choose this little guy from West Elm

Admiring the patchwork of color in this upcycled wallet from Holstee (via Mint)

 Love love love the deep plum and yellow pigments on this pillow from the fall collection at H&M Home. (via Bright Bazaar)

I really want to try this tutorial for making teacup candles. (Visit Hey Gorgeous for the full instructions)

Oh weekend, precious weekend. It's going to be a special one because Tiho and I are celebrating two years together. My, how time flies. It feels like just yesterday I wrote this post.

Hope yours is filled with sweetness and plenty of light.

Sayonara 2010 + A Few Blinks

Rounding out with a few New Year's Eve blinks (blog links)...

Coveting this sweatshirt so badly. (spotted on Size Too Small)

Mmmmm. Dulce de leche can do no wrong (via Seesaw)

 Would I spend $48 on a bottle of olive oil? Probably, but just because it looks like this. (via Oh Joy!)

 Simple truth from a favorite artist. (spotted on Patterson Maker)

 Hello pretty office space. I like you muchly. (spotted on Delight by Design)

How cool is this juice box film camera? So cool. (via Swiss Miss)

Beautiful painting by new-to-me artist, Jenny Parsons (discovered via Amateur Couture)

 Because sweaters should go on everything. (DIY tutorial from Sweet Paul)

 So fitting. (printable poster by idea-obscura)

Peace out, 2010. You've been stellar. Plunging into 2011 with a big smile and open arms. Oh, and lots and lots of Prosecco. Time to go draft a few resolutions. Catch you all back here in the new year! xo.

Tis the Season

Tis the season for cutting paper snowflakes, sticking bows on anything & everything, and drinking hot chocolate with extra goodies on the side, like marshmallows and peppermint sticks.

I'm off to do just that, plus a whole lot more, including a road trip to Boston (my hometown!) to spend Christmas with the paternal side of my family.

Posting will be light and maybe not at all until next week. We'll see. I'd like to unplug a bit as one year winds down and another is welcomed. Remaining wholly present while spending time with individuals I don't see often is my priority right now.

Here's to an abundance of joy, light, peace & love for you and yours :)

(all images linked to their sources and found via Nice Package)

Giving Thanks (+ A Few Blinks)

Did you really think I'd leave you hanging without blinks this week? It's a long holiday weekend for me, so I compiled a few fun things for you. Enjoy...

Put on your dancing shoes (even if it's just around the kitchen). I do it all the time. (image spotted on Civetta)

What's not to love? Tea + Gold + Polka dots justify a fist pump. (via Ez)

And what do you know, here comes tea + blue + stripes! (cozy image spotted on The Lil Bee)

Did you see Justina's incredible typeset tray "before and after" on Design*Sponge? Now if I could just get my hands on one...

 I spotted this book in the latest issue of InStyle and immediately added it to my amazon wish list.

I agree with the rest of the blog world and think that the Spade's apartment is pretty stellar

My idyllic Thanksgiving table scape. (seen on Snippet & Ink)

Great gallery wall. Styling is pretty bangin' too. (spotted on Sfgirlbybay)

 Absolutely adore this color study locket first seen on Lovely Morning

I've spent the better part of  today cleaning my house from top to bottom and double checking that we are fully stocked with all necessary ingredients for tomorrow's Thanksgiving dinner (5 sticks of butter and counting!). It's my first time hosting the holiday and I can't wait to spend the long weekend devouring stuffing, mashed potatoes & cranberry sauce (my favorite Thanksgiving foods). Family members are arriving within the next few hours, so I'm going to go pour myself a glass of wine and relax for a bit before the gorge-fest commences. I've got a lot to be thankful for this year and can't wait to spend the next few days reflecting on that. 

Wishing you an abundance of love & laughter. Until Monday, friends.

BlogNog! [Gratitude Books]

When Liz Stanley of Say Yes to Hoboken fame emailed to invite me to participate in her BlogNog Holiday Series, I just about did a back flip. Come see my Thanksgiving-inspired contribution right here!

A gigantic "thank you!" to Liz for having me.

Scenes From The Weekend

click on images to enlarge

My weekend was exactly what I needed. A bit of creativity, some fruitful productivity, and lots and lots of lounging around. After work on Friday, I spent a couple of hours in my former neighborhood in the city (Union Square) to sit in the park and browse The Strand Bookstore. I hadn't been in a few months and think I more than made up for it. When I got home later that night, we lit candles, brewed a a pot of tea and enjoyed a cozy Friday night in watching Netflix.

After sleeping for 11 hours (that's nearly double the amount I usually get during the week), Saturday greeted us with a few errands; first to the AT&T store because my blackberry finally gave out, so I gave in to my upgrade with a new iPhone, and then to the craft store to pick up supplies for an upcoming project. I spent the rest of the afternoon staining a wooden tray (the result of which, I actually dislike, so oh well), reading, and updating my budget for the next several months (not so fun, but necessary...the hair pulling photo represents my "oy vey" state while in the process).

Sunday was characterized by requisite graduate writing, a lazy home-cooked brunch and later, dinner, and (wait for it), more relaxing. We went for a walk in the afternoon for some coffee and to pick up a $25 chair I found on Craigslist. What do we think? Keep it as is or paint it?

I'm quite the homebody, especially as the weather turns, so this weekend felt wonderful. How was yours? Any tales of grandeur? Delicious meals? Funny stories? Do share :)