Goodbye Wedding Proofs

Last week was my last week with my wedding proofs and I have to admit that I am now going through a little bit of withdrawal.  Selecting pictures for our album was the last wedding task I had on my plate and I was procrastinating making my final decisions as long as possible (the proofs are due back to the photographer tomorrow).  It is hard to believe that everything wedding related is now complete and it makes me a little sad to think about.  Luckily, our online gallery is still up and running so I can still look at the pictures until my album comes.  Our photographer did a fabulous job and took over 400 pictures!  Here are a few of my favorites of just us.

All photos taken by Valentino's

Holiday Treat

With Thanksgiving just days away I am trying to decide what I will be bringing to my in-laws house this year.  Last year I baked and brought these cookies, they were well received but deemed the Yankee cookies.  In an effort to not be a repeat offender with Yankee cookies I am contemplating making these Sugar Coated Pecans.  We have made them on numerous occasions and they are always a HUGE hit (people cannot get enough of these little guys).  

(source)

These are so simple to make and only require a few ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your house.  They are great for any holiday gathering and would make an adorable gift!  

Google Fashion?

Yes, you have heard that correctly Google has started a Fashion Shopping site - Boutiques.com.  I clicked over to check it out and am happily overwhelmed by all of the options, pictures, and capabilities this site has to offer.  For more details click over to the New York Times Article or just go explore the site!

Boutiques.com

Mental Health Day

It is that time of year where I think we could all use a mental health day.  Sadly, I am at work but thinking of anything but work.  I am thinking about: my parents coming this weekend and how we need to pick up the house, how we have nightstands in pieces that need to be finished, how we are leaving to visit B's fam in a few days and I have not heard from my kitty sitter, how I need to return my wedding proofs ASAP so I don't lose my discount, how my bedroom is about 6 different colors right now from all of our paint testers, how I need to start decorating for Christmas, and how I totally do NOT want to be at work!


Anyone else have days like this?


I leave you with a picture of my Einie-bear curled up in front of our fireplace - he has it rough!

personal photo ( I apologize for the quality, it was taken with 

the camera on my computer)

Going Green

These little "bombs" were spotted over at apartment therapy.  This ingenious combination of clay, compost, and seeds, produced by COMMONStudio, are available in select locations from a vending machine, much like those that dispense gum balls.  For a small amount of change you can anonymously be your neighborhood gardener!  I would love it if these machine were all over my city.  


Has anyone spotted these near them?

apartment therapy

Monday Sweetness

Apple Cranberry Caramel Tarts

Nerd Alert

This is totally for Bruce!  I saw this today over at Party Perfect and immediately thought of my crazy scientist husband.  He is an organic chemist and totally gets a kick of stuff like this and I have to admit I think it is pretty cute too!  I am also loving this little kid's Einstein hair and bow-tie.

science party

science party

science party

Christmas Splurge

So after getting back from my conference I realized how few weekends were left not only between now and Thanksgiving but between now and Christmas!  I have to admit that I had a minor panic attack and then tried to regroup.  During my regrouping I went a little over board and wrapped Christmas present's for B's side of the family last night (we are bringing them with us for Thanksgiving so this is not as early as it seems) and wrote out all my Christmas cards (yes that was excessive).  I think my holiday anxiety comes from the fact that we have events scheduled every single weekend except two between now and Christmas!  We have even decided to host a Christmas gathering this year at our house adding a little more planning to the equation.  


My splurge came in during my trip to West Elm last night.  We received their catalog in the mail and I think I looked at it about 10 times and decided to just pop into the store.  Luckily, I restrained myself and only bought what I had gone in for but boy could I have done some major damage.  There are so many cute items this season, not only Christmas items, that would be perfect for the house.  


My purchase:

West Elm

I spotted them in the West Elm catalog and knew exactly where they would go.  I do have to say even though they were a splurge I am happy that I went when I did because the availability of these wreaths was limited and I did not have to pay the shipping (boy they are heavy!).  My goal for decorating the house is a White Winter Wonderland.  B was not sure about all the white but I told him that it does not snow here so I have to make my own white Christmas which he immediately understood and went with it.  We are a little snow deprived, although we did get a snow fall that shut down the city last year, 4 inches.  

I will have to slowly work towards all of the items I want, most of which will not be coming from West Elm due to the price tag but these wreaths were too cute and too perfect for the windows by our fire place.  

Have you already started Christmas planning?  Have you made any holiday splurges?

Back Home

After travelling to a conference in Baltimore I am happy to be home and ready to start posting again for the week!

Words to live by from Prudent Advice

Two bits of wisdom from Prudent Advice that I found quite compelling.

You are more than a footnote 

in someone else’s story.

A woman can run a country 

(not just be Princess).

Chevron Curtain Conundrum

Bit by bit we have been putting our master bedroom together.  No one sees it but us, so why rush?  I did finally purchased our nightstands that we are going to hack and they should arrive later next week.  

I have slowly been looking for inspiration and this image caught my eye.  Bare with me, I know the zig zags on stripes is a bit much, focus on the curtains.  With our non-patterned bedspread I figured we could get away with a bolder pattern.  What do you think?

(source)

I made a trip to our local JoAnne Fabrics and almost died by the non-existent selection of material.  I hopped online and after some searching I found these three lovely options and my swatches arrived in the mail yesterday! 

Zig Zag Village Rust

Zig Zag Brown/Natural

Zig Zag Titan/Birch

We knew in an instant - Titan and Birch was the winner.  Now I just have to measure, order, and get sewing. I have to admit I am pretty pumped about my little project.  

Tag Along

Everyone has been posting pictures from the latest Anthropologie catalog this week and I said I was not going to do the same thing but I could not help posting this picture of the kitty in a sweater with a mouse hitching a ride!  OK, how cute!

Anthropologie

Happy November!

That's Happy

Peekaboo Jam Muffins

This recipe was posted just two weeks ago on Cooking with My Kid and I have made them twice already, that is how good they are!  I did change up the jam used, the first time I used blackberry (very tasty) and the second time I used apple butter (equally as tasty).  There are not many ingredients and they are incredibly simple to make, you do not even need to break out the mixer.  Do yourself a favor and try these out!

Cooking with my Kid

Dia de Los Muertos

I meant to post this yesterday but ran out of minutes in my day.  Look how wonderful this papel picado inspired necklace and cuff are!

Single Picado Necklace

Single Picado Necklace

Picado Cuff

Picado Cuff