Feeling Sparkly

I've never owned anything with sequins. Well, that's not true. There was the one embellished red sweatshirt featuring a sparkly green Christmas tree when I was 9, but this stuff is so much better. It's sophisticated and chic and perfect for holiday parties. I'm obsessed.

[everything courtesy of j.crew]

Winter Warmth

I can't help it. It's a cocoa kind of day.

Also, we have a giveaway winner!

[spotted on: mybricole; amy-couture; tartelette; a sweet spoonful]

Christmas Crafts for Dummies

A few of you wanted to know more about the felt ball garland I posted earlier this week. Truth be told, I'm not a crafty person. My attempts usually end with quiet resignation and mild embarrassment. Even in this instance, my initial goal was to make this beautiful wreath, but once I realized the dexterity, patience and number of felt balls required, I quickly changed the plan to a foolproof garland. Grab a needle and thread and string together some felt balls purchased on Etsy. Done. And you still get that crafty high.

Jordan of Oh Happy Day also made her own garland. I like how she gets more bang for her felt ball buck by spacing them out a bit.

Also pictured above, my other homemade decoration, a pretty bottle full of cranberries floating in water. Sometimes I amaze myself. Have a wonderful weekend and enter this week's giveaway if you haven't yet!

These Dogs Bark

Last weekend, I ventured to Brooklyn for a high-quality hot dog. It's a little place called Bark, warm and cozy with communal tables and exposed brick walls. The hot dogs are everything you could want, delicious with no mysterious pig product, and the buns rocked my world. My favorite touch: they provide a list of all their food and beverage sources, so you know what you're eating and where it came from. Unfortunately, it was too cold for a gelato-based milkshake, so I'll have to head back on a warmer night.

Christmas Sights and Sounds

husband and me from last year's December visit to NYC
apparently Christmas joy makes us squint

It's officially okay to start listening to Christmas music now, right? While I don't normally care for songs with parenthetical titles, U2's version of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is one of my favorites. Mostly, I enjoy an '80s-era Bono sporting hat and vest. What's on your holiday mixtape?

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.