Tuesday Giveaway!

Update: The winner is Here Be Dragons!

This week, I have a giveaway for you courtesy of Etsy shop pine street photo. The photographer, Jane, is an American living in Spain and has captured beautiful images during her travels around Europe and the US.

Check out her shop, then leave a comment below before midnight on Sunday, December 5th, telling me which photo is your favorite. (I'm partial to those gorgeous pears.) You could win a 5x7 print of your choice. One lucky recipient will be chosen at random.

The Rest of the Weekend

this year's Christmas craft, a felt garland

turkey noodle soup

turkey on pumpernickel with cream cheese and cranberry sauce

After Thanksgiving, I had three glorious days of getting our apartment Christmas-fied, sleeping in, and comfort food (the all-important turkey leftovers, mulled wine, and cinnamon rolls). The closest I got to Black Friday was a little browsing on jcrew.com. It was bliss.

Thanksgiving in Photos

On Wednesday afternoon, I headed up to Central Park to see the Macy's parade balloons getting inflated. I've never been motivated enough to brave the crowds on Thanksgiving Day, but this was a fun, if not strange, way to see some of the action. I can't get that face-planted Pillsbury Doughboy out of my head.

Thursday was happily spent in the kitchen. The fruits of my labor included a roasted 12-pound turkey, my favorite tacky but tasty Thanksgiving side, enough other sides to crowd a plate, and a new delicious pumpkin pie recipe courtesy of City Bakery. What were the highlights of your holiday?

I'm Back!

My computer is fixed and it ended up being pretty painless, so yay! Just wanted to drop in and wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving one more time. I'll be back on Friday with a recap of mine. Pumpkin pie may have already been consumed.

Technical Difficulties

You know what I'm not thankful for this year? A broken laptop. Yep, the poor little guy had a breakdown last night and is in the shop, which leaves me writing you this from the world's creepiest internet cafe. I know, I was surprised they still exist too.

I'm bummed, but hopefully by the time you've eaten your turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie, I'll be back to blogging. Fingers crossed.

Wishing you all a most wonderful Thanksgiving!

Finishing Touches

daisies + laboratory flower vase

pretty penguin classics

ikea nightstand + anthropologie knob

dried flowers + vintage globe from 13bees

favorite books

my mom's latest painting

A few weeks ago, I mentioned focusing on the details in my new apartment, which is exactly what I've been doing. These are a few of my favorites.

Holiday Dish

I love West Elm's selection of holiday dishes. They're festive, but still sophisticated. Although I'm afraid if I bought them, they'd stay out year-round.

Locket Up

Remember that time on Arrested Development when George Sr. said, "I'm having a love affair with this ice cream sandwich." No? Just me. Well anyway, that's how I feel about this locket.

In other news, we have a giveaway winner.

[spotted on: life according to celia]

Music to my Ears

Last night, I saw Sufjan Stevens perform at the Beacon Theatre. It was more like performance art than a concert, complete with silver space costumes, some spastic dancing and a balloon drop. Here's one of his more understated numbers, which I've been playing on repeat all morning.

Sweet Times

The girls' weekend was perfection. Highlights include late night laughter, successful wedding dress shopping, French comfort food, a bluegrass brunch and an exorbitant amount of macarons.

Happy Weekend!

It's a college friends reunion this weekend. One is engaged, one is pregnant, one has been living in Spain for the last year, and then there's me. We'll need several brunches to cover everything. What are your weekend plans?

Enter this week's giveaway if you haven't yet!

Coats of Many Colors

The great 2010 coat search begins. It's gonna be a nail-biter.

[honey coat; hooded dress coat; double cloth coat; vintage blue coat; ruffle coat]

Wednesday Giveaway!

Update: Monica of Homemade by Monica is the winner!

I have a giveaway for you this week courtesy of girls can tell. This Etsy shop is filled with screen-printed tea towels, napkins, tote bags, bottle openers and more featuring the most clever illustrations/diagrams.

Check out the shop, then leave a comment here before midnight on Tuesday, November, 16. You could win these felt Brooklyn Bridge coasters. Perfect for people who need a brief architecture lesson and a place to set their tea. One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

For Love of the Pomegranate

Have I ever mentioned how much I love pomegranates? I think they're the most beautiful fruit. I've long wondered if those gorgeous, shiny, ruby-like seeds could be made into jewelry of some form, but I'm afraid they would rot on my neck.

The pomegranate is truly the star of this simple fruit salad, which is currently my favorite breakfast and after-dinner dessert option as I remind myself to put down the peanut M&Ms. Making and eating this fruit combination could be the best 10 minutes you spend all day. And bashing the pomegranate is particularly therapeutic in a Dexter sort of way, just beware the splatter.

Antioxidant Fruit Salad
Recipe courtesy of Nigella Lawson and the Food Network

1 mango
1 cup blueberries
1 pomegranate
2 teaspoons lime juice

Cut the mango in half around the stone, and then criss-cross the flesh of the mango halves with a knife into 1/2-inch squares. Push the diced mango flesh outwards and then slice off the squares from the skin into a bowl. Tumble in the blueberries, then halve the pomegranate and bash out the seeds with a wooden spoon over the mango. Finally squeeze over the lime juice and serve.

Little Lady

I wish these dresses came in grownup sizes, and I wish I was as stylish as this little model.

Thoughts of the Week

I wish I had more shelf space for adorable creations.

Hey everyone, you can find my Christmas list in here. Thanks!

When did clocks become so exciting?

It's that time again. Peppermint hot chocolate is calling my name.

Ink stains on your clothes? No problem.

I'm thinking it's a pizza and Mexican coke kind of night...

...followed by macaroons. Lots of macaroons.

These stools deserve a home.

Is it possible to wear green tights without looking like an elf? I think I'll give it a shot.

Hope you all have a happy weekend!

Road Trip on Film

As most of you know, my husband and I drove cross-country from Seattle to New York last month. I've been finding it really difficult to sum up our trip, but I think this little video we made, most of which was shot from a moving car, offers a nice sampling. This is one beautiful country. Also, a buffalo family is the cutest thing ever.

[music: Lost In My Mind by The Head and the Heart]

On the Move

I love these moving announcements despite the fact that I'm too preoccupied unpacking/lazy to send any of my own out. I figure if someone really wants to send me mail, they'll find me. In a Batman sort of way.

[Ella Mae Designs; Old Sweet Song; Inner Realm Designs; Blondie]