Happy New Year - Highs and Lows

Highs and Lows of 2010

Highs:

• Got studio space and made some nice books
• Angela moved back to California!
• I got to see Emily 3 times this year!
• I got to see Andy 2 times this year!
• I got to meet my Grandmother's Sister Lynn in New Mexico and my Mom's Cousin and his family.
• Beach House!
• I got to visit with Sara and Aurora from NZ twice!
• Work trip to Austin, even though it was work, it was fun - got to visit Raquel and August.
• Started consistent ballet class at ODC

Lows:

• Family home sold in Michigan
• Peanut passed away
• Final and Official letter regarding discontinuation of adoption was sent (we had no choice, they told us there was no agreement in sight between US and Vietnam adoptions - either keep paying to keep things updated with no end in sight or pull out, ech...)
• Pulled my sartorius muscle - very painful and took a loooong time to heal.
• Tim got laid off after 9 1/2 years at his job - right before Thanksgiving
• Due to the above - ballet has been cut out of the budget
• Brent Cyr passed away
• No real vacations this year where I could totally unplug

Serving Plate

What to add some height to your special occasion table (holiday table in this case)?

It is very simple and you probably have all of the items you need in your house.

An extra set of hands helps too!

Here are photo instructions...

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...

Merry Christmas

Split lip and hospital band...even then I would have done anything to get attention!
Love you all - have a wonderful day!

Packing our bags...

We are going to Arizona tonight to visit my parents. My sister Emily and her boyfriend Matt are going to be there too, so there will be plenty to eat, drink and be merry about. Plus the weather forecast is not too shabby either!

I am excited at the possibility of not having to wear shoes so I packed my flip flops which I plan on wearing the entire day on Saturday. I hope to be able to sit outside at some point, get some sun, have some cocktails and just hang out.

Wishing all of you safe travels this Christmas holiday.

Say a little prayer for our travels and we will do the same for all of you.

Next post will be from El Mirage, AZ.

From the Bird's Nest

The week of Thanksgiving I took my Mom to see my little Bird's Nest and there was a package at my door from my landlord. I put it on my work table and didn't get a chance to look at it until today! I am telling you, I have the best landlord at my studio ever! This is the second pack of goodies she has left me and they are right up my alley. Honestly, you couldn't give me anything better. I love photos and ephemera of any sort. Julie, if you are reading this, you rock!

Here is a sneak peak...This was in there and is one of my favorites, he may get framed in a tiny little frame and put on the wall, the only marking he has is copyright 1881 - I super love him!

The one thing this box of tricks has inspired me to do is get my scanner working again. For some reason when I plug my printer/scanner/copier in, my computer can't find it. I need to reload the disc but first I need to locate the disk.

Anyway, just wanted to share my treasures. I feel like the luckiest girl on the planet and can't wait to get some studio time next weekend to really dig in.

One more thing, one of the best things about making books is you always have random book pages laying around. Why not use those pages for something fun like snowflakes? Wish I would have thought of this sooner, I would have made some to decorate my little tree.

Well, off to do some more work now. 2 more days until Christmas!

Elle January

I love the cover of January 2011 Elle Magazine - probably because I love Sarah Jessica Parker. I have not even cracked it open yet, waiting until I get on the plane tomorrow along with two other magazines I got in the mail yesterday.

Conversations at the Mall

I overheard this conversation while in line at H&M yesterday. It was all I could do not to bust out and laugh so hard. Where do these people come from?
When reading this please use the worst valley girl with a jawbreaker in her mouth accent.

"My worst retail experience like ever was when I worked at Bath and Body Works one time."
"Really? What was it?"
"Well, they have like these wallflower things on the wall...they hold like essential oils and stuff. Well, one of them spilled all over me and the scent was gross, it was like called creamy nutmeg. It was like so nasty and I smelled like it all day."
"Ewe, like nuts?"

Priceless. What was even more funny, was when I reenacted the conversation for Wendy once we left the store. I think the entire mall heard us laughing.

Wrap Star

If you put your mind to it, you could be a wrap star. No need to bust a rhyme or have any rhythm in order to make award winning wrapping paper.

Got a grocery bag or packing paper? Rubber stamps? Leftover ribbon lengths? Let them all rip and have a good time with your gift wrap. Here are some of mine from this year.Giving money? Take the time and fold it in a fun way, especially if you are giving to children. Below are two versions of the money shirt, Tim made one on the left, I made the other that looks more like am money tunic or mini dress.
Save old maps and foreign newspapers from vacations and use them as gift wrap. Get creative and have fun!

More from the Middle Sister

I saw two more labels this weekend I had not seen before...

You know I may have to buy one just for kicks and see what it is like - probably close to grape juice, but would be fun to taste.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

But this faux fur hat at H&M is soooo delightful!

PS - had to try it on while in line, didn't purchase but it was tempting.

*{Fabulous Find}*

Who couldn't use a little height, for the holidays? Have no problem putting that star atop your tree with these high stepping strutter's. For $17.99 at Target you can grow from 5'7" to 6'1". These shoes are like magic beans for your legs!
I super love these shoes and believe it or not, they are not that uncomfortable, I believe it is the rubber faux wood sole that gives them some cush.

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing to my parents Christmas Eve Dinner...

Super Lux Christmas List

If Santa said, you can have ANYTHING you want this year, this would be the start of my list.

.. Gucci Techno Horsebit Hobo

Louis Ghost Armchair

Apple iPad

Nos Da Throw Blanket

Yves Staint Laurent Y-Mail Clutch

Kate Spade Laptop Sleeve

James' Butter Mint Salt Water Taffy Rolls - love that packaging!

Nordstrom Colorful Leather Gloves

Happy Birthday Emily

Happy Birthday (yesterday) to my sister Emily.
Emily, it is hard to believe we are 10 years apart....
You are my best friend, my confidant, my therapist, my sounding board, my coach, my inspiration and best of all....my sister.
The world, and life itself would not be the same without you!
I love you!

Thanks for always understanding, especially today, I swear you won't have to punch me, ever.

*{Fabulous Find}*

I super love this elephant hook! This would look amazing in my little entry way and give me a mighty fine place to hang my purse and jacket instead of tossing it somewhere that leads to me search for it the next morning.

Click here to check it out at P.O.S.H. Chicago.

Middle Sister Wine

I saw this wine at Target and had to take photos of all the labels, I think it is super cute and being the middle child makes me love it even more! Not sure about the wine quality, but I super love the labels!

George Bailey (BayLee)

I haven't posted a photo of BayLee lately, so here he is. I took this yesterday morning while he was trying to relax on his cat tower but he was just so cute I had to get out the camera.

Oh, and by the way, his name is George Bailey this time of year a la Its a Wonderful Life.

Too Hot to Handle?

Love the cookware but hate that the handles on the lids get too hot to handle without hot pads?

Here is my solution...

I have some lids that require up to 5 corks, but they sure work good and when you are done and the lid has cooled, just slide em out and use them again at another time.

Ladies that Lunch

Yesterday I had a small group of my lady friends over for lunch. It was super fun and so nice to see everyone. Thanks ladies for driving so far to join me for the afternoon.

I made the following:
Poinsettia Cocktails
Creamy Tomato Soup
Spinach and Gruyere Quiche
Caramelized Onion and Gorgonzola Quiche
Mixed Green Salad with almonds and pomegranate
Caramel Crumble Bars with Vanilla Ice Cream

I was on my A Game on Saturday, made the soup (just didn't blend it), made the crusts for the quiches, made the dessert and prepped all the veggies for the quiches. Sunday, all I had to do was bake the quiches, blend the soup, set the table (which I love), have a cocktail and have a good time with my friends. The best part...I rented the table, chairs, linens, flatware, glass wear and china so all I had to do was fold up, rinse out and shake off and return back to Classic Party Rentals. I would do it again in a heartbeat, it is worth it. When the lunch was over, all I had was the salad bowl with serve ware in it to wash which was wonderful!

After lunch I gave everyone a little personalized gift (don't say what it is in the comments please - I have a couple more to hand out). Around 4 PM everyone headed home and I had the evening to put the living room back together and watch the tube with Tim. What a great weekend!

Manic Monday

If I had the closet of my dreams, this is what I would be wearing today...