A final thought for 2010...

Have you made your New Year's resolutions?

I've been sick all day and just pulled myself from a tangle of bed sheets to pen mine.

I'm feeling a little blue to be so sick on my first New Year's Eve in a new city.

My best friend is in town too and sadly, I don't think I'll make our special dinner plans.

But, I won't enter a new year with heavy boots.

Instead, I'll just consider this the 'purge' before a brand new year.

I love the promise of a New Year, don't you?

I'm especially nostalgic this New Year's Eve,

 as 2010 was a particularly poignant year for me.

I am appreciative beyond words and gestures,

for the adventure that this past year created for me.

From the deepest, most secret part of my tender heart,

I am

grateful.

I've mentioned more than once that

I'm no good when it comes to change.

I'm clumsy and stubborn and it seems to be a constant struggle for me.

Every year I resolve to be more flexible, more forgiving and more calm.

This year, I will try again but with a different approach.

2010 taught me that many changes, although difficult,

can be really amazing.

I welcome 2011 with a full heart and an open mind.

I hope you do, too.

xo

Happy Birthday Lil' Sister

Happy Birthday to my silly little sister

who, after 23 years,

 still thinks having a birthday between Christmas 

and New Years is pretty special.

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She cracks me right up!

Oh, December babies; extra wishes to all of you

because let's face it- your presents are totally bundled. 

xo

A Quiet Hush in the After...

Following all the frenzy and fun,

it's officially the 'after' as in, 'after Christmas.' 

I am counting my lucky stars that I was graced 

with snow while home in Connecticut.

And not just a dusting mind you, a big old blizzard. 

I enjoyed simply moments with my family and friends- 

most of which took place on a couch with a fire roaring.

The above photo is our living room mantle. 

Isn't that string of tin ornaments cute? 

This, is the lazy girl's trip home. 

And I am loving every minute. 

More later, friends.

xo

Oh Little Tree...

While I love my little tree in San Francisco,

I thought I'd share the magnificent tree 

that is waiting for my arrival in Connecticut.

What a tree!

I wonder if it knows it was destined for beauty? 

xo

On Dasher, on Prancer!

Heading home for the holidays this morning!

Cross your reindeer hooves that this California rain won't stop me.

A friend snapped this photo during some travel earlier this week, and it makes me giggle.

Oh, how I love the excitement and anticipation leading up to Christmas.

I don't even mind the hectic energy in the airports,

especially when they lighten the mood with funny boarding information.

I've been dreaming of gingerbread houses and cracklin' fires all week long.

Safe travels to those of you packing up your candy canes and yule logs.

Talk soon, friends!

xo



Cliff Hanger!

Good grief.

This is equal parts exhilarating and terrifying.

Actually, it's definitely more parts terrifying.

But something so very cool about it, don't you think?

I don't think I could ever be quite that brave.

I spotted it on Cup of Jo 

who spotted it here

and the whole thing makes me feel pretty silly 

for considering myself  to be somewhat adventurous. 

xo 



California Christmas

I love these succulent Christmas trees.

Don't they scream California Christmas?

I spotted them on 100 layercake...

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...and I cannot stop gushing.

 I think my sister should try and make these.

Oh California, you are too darn cool.



Gingie Ningies

UM.

I spotted these adorable and sassy little gingie ningies on

hither and thither

and they really brightened my day.

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I want to be the guest that brings Ninjabread Men

to the next holiday cocktail party.

So cute!

Humph.

Yesterday was plain awful.

Today kind of stinks too.

Filled with a lot of, "I made a mistake... and I'm sorry's..."

All I want to do is wear big wooly socks, curl up on the couch with Little Cat

and drink hot chocolate and watch Little Women.

Tomorrow will be better.

Plus, I'm baking a cake tonight, so.. it has to be.

Cake tomorrow!

xo



Champagne Celebrations

'Tis the season....

 to pop the question and put a ring on it!

Virtual champagne toasts to three very dear friends

and each of their lucky lads.

Whew!

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San Francisco, Greenwich and New York

have a whooole lotta love in the air.

Three cheers to the beaming brides-to-be and their grinning future grooms.

xo

Scenes from the Weekend

This weekend proved that indeed, things are beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

My sister was in Vermont, and she sent me a photo of two reindeer

who look like they're prepping for the upcoming flight with the Big Man in Red.

I also managed to scrounge up the Charlie Browniest

Christmas Tree of them all. It took approximately 4.5 minutes to set up,

and it has but one lonely ornament on it's sweet little branches.

Saturday night I discovered some pretty festive holiday lighting near the Pan Handle.

I was waiting for some friends to head into a party,

and was quite delighted with the sights.

And finally, every time I get a little blue that there will never be a

White Christmas in San Francisco,

I should look at this photo of the sunset we were graced with on Sunday evening.

Mother Nature provided the most magical and merry light show of all.

Happy Monday, friends.

xo

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree

Whew!

Pardon my pause.

It's been a busy week of bustling about gearing up for holiday parties galore.

Tonight, I'll be rockin' around the Christmas tree in my bachelorette pad.

I have a friend coming over to help me string lights,

so that it feels a bit more merry and bright.

I've been a little 'Bah Humbug' about Christmas in San Francisco,

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but this weekend is full of holiday craft fairs, cocktail parties,

and all sorts of tinsel-filled fun. I'll be channeling my inner-snow angel too.

It's 69 and humid here in California this weekend. 

Maybe I'll throw on some mittens tonight just to feel more winter-ready.

Enjoy all the reindeer games this weekend, friends!

xo



A Love Letter To New York, at Christmas

Dear New York,

It's impossible to put into words

just how intensely

 and immensely

 I am missing you during the holidays. 

I've tried now, for two days...but I just end up gulping down a cry.

In fact, I feel a very long way from home.

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So,  please.

If you can,

just know that this December, I am thinking of you.

I am thinking of you.

All the time.

And for the very first time, I feel incomplete here...

without your glorious Christmas glitz.

xo 

Sick Day

I'm sick as a dog and spending the day

at home, curled up on the couch.

I'm hoping my sniffles and sneezes will cease for the weekend.

Lots of excitement planned...

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Happy first weekend in December, friends!

xo

Festival of Lights

In my family, we tinsel the tree and light the menorah; how lucky is that?

Plus, Festival of Lights has such a nice ring to it.

I love this floral menorah card by

Rifle Paper Co.

Why is it that all Hanukkah cards are so serious

with their deep royal blues and gilded golds?

C'mon people, it's a festival after all!

Happy Hanukkah, friends.

Here's to a delightful December.

xo