Thursday, December 20, 2012

Gingerbread Houses

I've undertaken some gingerbread houses with Clementine this year, and I was so excited about it, but man, I have a new appreciation for the adorable ones I see. It's an art form for sure. Ours are currently sitting roofless on the kitchen island, and may remain so. But these, these are my inspiration. So very lovely. 




I find myself most drawn to the simple ones with just gingerbread and white icing, not the crazy elaborate ones (with some exceptions, below).






And these lovely simple ornaments:






A little fancier ...




A city building, so sweet:




And Villa Villekulla! Love!




And Moominhouse!




And a dragon!




And a whole interior!




But really I most love the simplest ones, like these sweet deer:




I love little displays and tableaux with vintage deer:






And if you want to make some gingerbread houses without gingerbread?

These adorable paper ones:





Did you make any gingerbread this year?






Tuesday, December 18, 2012

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

just got her, at Russian booth at Bryant Park market. Love!


Have been meaning to post something holiday-ish, so here, finally. Pictures! 

At least, of the one area of the house that's not too messy for pictures :-)




Oh, I love Shiny Brites. I can't resist them. On the tree, in tarnished silver platters, hanging from strands of chandelier crystals, in big wire baskets, anywhere I can put 'em.

































Clementine stalks the advent calendar, brings back such memories!






And ... a non-mess-free zone, the toy-scattered floor, and glimpse of wrapping-loaded dining table:




Happy season to all! We even got a little sweet snow today, but it's already gone. I hope we get real snow this year, but maybe after Christmas, so it doesn't mess up anyone's travel plans!

XO






Thursday, December 13, 2012

A brief hop to New York



Hi all! Look at that! This was the Exciting Event: MY FIRST MOVIE PREMIERE! Very exciting and fancy, and oh the movie is soooo good, even better than I expected, and I expected a lot, considering that the first note of the trailer makes me cry every single time! More on that later, when I have time and wits. This is just a quick hello to refresh my stale blog before I dive back into work. 

My mom and Clementine came with me to New York for a very short couple of days of soaking up the holidays and seeing a show. It was lovely-lovely-lovely :-). And the weather was lovely-lovely-lovely. A little drizzle on Monday, but Tuesday was blue-sky perfect and no jacket needed. Crazy! We strolled up 5th Ave to see the department store windows and Rockefeller Center, FAO Schwartz, etc. My favorite windows were at Bergdorf Goodman, very vintage glam:










And Bloomingdale's (we only saw one side):








We are agreed that this would be a lovely holiday tradition (but Jim must come next time, he was too busy with a deadline this time): a trip to NY in December, but longer, with a day for museums at least, time to ice skate, go to Central Park, get good pizza, and evenings enough for a couple of shows. We saw Annie, and it was fabulous. I didn't realize how many kid-friendly shows there are! Saw marquees for Mary Poppins, Matilda, and A Christmas Story, just for starters! As soon as the curtain calls ended, Clementine was up and tap dancing and didn't stop until she crashed into bed. Ha! So fun.

Our other main occupation were the holiday markets at Bryant Park and Union Square, both fun and gorgeous. And, oh, Patience and Fortitude say hello :)





Saturday, December 8, 2012

Some Portland Shoppies



Yesterday, in need of a dress for A Very Awesome Occasion (which I will tell you about when I'm not afraid of jinxing it!), I took the advice of a fashionable friend (thank you Cyndi Koon!) and tried Radish Underground in downtown Portland. They're known for carrying local designers -- Portland has a cool design scene that's unfussy and down-to-earth (and, you know, like, affordable, for the most part) -- and I like the idea of that, but didn't know what to expect. 








Well. I loved everything in there, and had a heck of a time choosing between two awesome black dresses with just the right mix of cool-elegant-but-funky-simple-but-not-too-simple. Ended up getting one designed by Bryce Black, one of Portland's many winners of Project Runway (I think there are now four winners from Portland!) and true to what I said before, for a limited edition unique dress, it was crazy affordble. I love you, Portland! 

I will show you the dress when I post pics of The Very Awesome Event, which is on Monday in New York. I am so spastically excited!!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! Major fangirl swoony EEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! :-)

Around Radish Underground are other very cool boutiques, like Tender Loving Empire, next door:




... where I found some excellent stocking stuffers.





And Woonwinkel at the corner, a home goods shop with great gifties, where I found a couple of special things for Clementine that I'm sure I will not see in any other store.











 As I love independent bookstores, so too do I love independent retailers of all sorts, and Portland is a rich place for them. Had a hair appointment across the river after this little shopping endeavor (girly day!) and was able to stop in at a top fave Portland shop, Frock, on Alberta.


It's small and adorable, and any time I go in there I find a dozen things I want without even blinking. Dresses, jewelry, hats, thingies. A lot of local designers here too but not only. It's dangerous. Back slowly away. Got a couple cute things for my niece. Yay!










And today is Crafty Wonderland, the big holiday craft sale of amazingness at the Convention Center! Will hopefully finish the Christmas shopping there.


Love :-)


How's your shopping going?






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