Non-Mushy Valentines

Found! At laura crow's Etsy shop.

Your Name Here

Wouldn't mind having my own set of pencils sitting right next to me on my desk.

Nanadebary Green

Who wouldn't want this adorable bottle on their dresser?

Sail Away

A couple of years ago, I bought a Sea Bag (made from an old sail), that I love. Best beach bag ever. These bags at Old Navy sort of remind me of it--quite a bit cheaper, but pretty darn cute. (saw them on ali loves curtis).

Miracle Cream

I have cured my winter dry hands and ragged cuticles with this cream. I'm not kidding, this stuff really works. I got mine at Entebello; you can get it here, too.

Spring Is Just Around the Corner

"Um, yes, Hello? J. Crew? I'm going to need all these items for my dream trip to Mexico. Actually, I'll just take one each from your Spring collection. No, thank you."

Resolved

I rarely make New Year's resolutions, but this year I'm going to try three that I think I can handle:

1. Send birthday cards.

cecily ink

I totally dropped the ball on this last year. So I've already written all the birthdays in my new calendar, and I've got a fresh stack of cards ready to go. Except I've already missed Jen Kay's (Jan 2).

2. Try yoga.

Or meditation. Or deep breathing. Just something to free up some space in my anxious mind.

3. No more lip gloss.

Clearly, I have a problem. I am not allowed to buy another tube until at least 3/4 of these pictured are empty.

We'll Always Have Paris

The minute you leave Paris, you can't wait to get back. When I get back, my first stop will be the Tuileries for some pistachio ice cream (though, sadly, I probably won't be wearing those shoes). Second stop will be Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido, for the Serge Lutens you can't get over here. In the meantime, I'll be keeping track of everything else in this notebook.
{images: sartorialist, beautyhabit, amazon}

Test 1, 2, 3

Just trying out my new scanner that my sweet husband gave me for Christmas. Not only can I scan pictures, I can print things out, too (for some unknown reason I gave my printer to my dad). No more transcribing Mapquest directions and Giada's recipes in '08!
{images: anthropologie}

Holiday Wrap Up

Note to self: Must be more creative with wrapping next year, e.g., these packages found on my new favorite blog, ali loves curtis. She has some more great ones here.

Home From the Holidays

After criss-crossing the great state of Georgia for the past week, I think we're finally home to stay. I wanted to post these pictures of my Mom's beautiful mantel. She really took the oranges with cloves idea to the next level.

P.S. Brilliant Asylum--she was totally on top of the squirrel trend last Fall, too!

Merry Christmas

White Christmas

Back in December 2000, Martha did one of my favorite layouts ever, her White Christmas. It included my favorite wreath of all time, made with white gumdrops. I still love it, but have since given up my seven year quest for that many large white gumdrops.

Juliska Love

I have a bit of an obsession with Juliska. As a matter of fact, I'm hoping there is some waiting under the tree for me next Tuesday morning. Each piece is mouth blown, and incredibly delicate and unique (and supposedly dishwasher-safe, but I don't believe that for a second). So unique in fact, that I was afraid I'd received the wrong glasses as wedding gifts because of their varying heights. Whatever, I love it. The company is only six years old, and has quite a sense of humor.

Olive, The Other Reindeer

Olive is my favorite holiday book, ever. The illustrations make me smile, and parts of the story make me laugh out loud.

How to Avoid a Holiday Meltdown

Meltdowns are not just for two-year olds anymore. When I get down and (family-ed) out during the holidays, I find the only remedy is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Grilled cheese made from Kraft singles and white bread, and this tomato soup, which I promise, is the best ever.

Shabby Chic

Montezuma, Georgia

A new Shabby Chic opened at Lenox Square not too long ago. While I haven't been in the store, those words came to mind while doing some holiday visiting in South Georgia last weekend. Oh, to think what those houses once were, and hopefully will be again.

Holiday To Do #6

I guess this is the last one. The tree is up, (most of) the gifts are wrapped, and the wreaths are hung. Now all that's left is to actually enjoy it. Maybe with a nice cup of hot chocolate and some really pretty marshmallows.
{images: marie belle, martha stewart, plum pudding}

A North Carolina Christmas, 1872

sorry it's a little blurry

Lee Smith is, absolutely, my favorite author. I've read everything she has ever written, and one time I even wrote her a letter telling her how much her work has meant to me. Her Southern Appalachian characters are real, flawed, and beautiful. I love this passage from her most recent, and one her darker novels, On Agate Hill. Set in North Carolina just after the Civil War, the story is told through the diaries and letters of the characters, a style of which Ms. Smith has achieved complete mastery.

Go Tell It On A Mountain

Episcopal Church

Presbyterian Church

Methodist Church

According to legend, in 1875 two developers drew lines from Chicago to Savannah, and from New Orleans to New York. At their intersection was one of my favorite places in the world, Highlands, North Carolina. While, as the developers hoped, major trade routes did not evolve along those routes, Highlands did become a wonderful summer resort for many southeastern families. A quick trip up there over the weekend reminded me that the Georgia and North Carolina mountains can be just as lovely in the winter. The town doesn't change much, and I'm always enchanted by the churches along Main Street.