let's get it started

Hello 2011. So happy to meet you. You seem like a great year and I hope to remember you as the best year ever in twelve months. Should we strike up the band and enjoy each other's company? Let's get it started!

starting fresh

Our winter snowstorm has put a "slow down" for ringing in 2011 but it feels very pure and clean at the same time. It's almost like Mother Nature is giving us a fresh start for the New Year. Time to toast the past and make plans for the future...whatever it may hold.

layers

love the idea of throwing the "seen everywhere on everyone" fur vest on top of a jacket or sweater to spice things up.

bundle up!

brrrr...it's cold.

*from here, here

let it snow, let it snow

When people think of Arizona they usually think of fun in the sun which is true 325 days out of the year...but every once in awhile Northern Arizona gets pounded with snow and today was it. This is a shot from my front door...magical.

packing it away

We're taking the last of our holiday guests to the airport tomorrow and starting the process of packing away the sparkles, the lights, and the memories of this holiday season. Are your decorations still up?

*image Polly Wreford

resolutions?

This is the week. Do you make resolutions/goals for the new year? Care to share?

*from here

happy holidays

all of our stockings were hung by the chimney with care...hope your weekend was filled with sweet memories.
*pic by me

home for the holidays

Everyone is starting to fly in and it's time to get Christmas in full swing. Here's to happy holidays; enjoy your family and friends; and take time to stop. listen. and hear the bells. Merry Christmas!

must be the moon

In the PM hours I usually pack orders, catch up on blog reading, and every once in a while do a couple loads of laundry. Tonight, I'm baking cookies. Maybe it's the lunar eclipse that's throwing off the schedule; but I'm sure we'll enjoy these sweet morsels in the next few days. Are you baking up any favorite treats for the holidays?

delicious

Looking for something new to bake this season? Look no further my friends. What Katie Ate just released a nearly 500 page magazine for you to drool over, tempt you and teach you how to make some new Christmas favorites.
And it's not just recipes! The pics are amazing, the fonts are fabulous, and there is so much packed in here it's just perfect for holiday reading. Enjoy!

all my bags are packed

This is the week...traveling anywhere?

*image here

follow, follow

sometimes we don't exactly know where we're going but following is part of the fun of the adventure. Click to follow us (over there; on the right) and join the ride.

Holiday

School is half day today and we're off for two weeks. Color me happy!

*via here

it's cool

Our weather is starting to cool down...just a bit...and it really feels like winter and the holiday season. What's up with turning lights on in the late afternoon though?! I don't think I could live in a place where it was dark for weeks on end.

*images here and here

office party

The children at my school get SO excited to have their Christmas parties this week. It makes you smile to realize how little it takes to make a great party for the 6-12 year old crowd. There's no loud music (maybe a few Christmas carols playing...),the food table includes sugar with more sugar, no alcohol, and no lampshades, but the kids have the best time. Maybe the adults can learn something from them?

love it all

the stripes. the flowers. the lips, the eyes. the scarf. everything.

perfect

A gorgeous day in the 70's although the forecast predicts our weather turning cooler. I suppose it is December so we should expect it, right? It's my last week of teaching for 2010 and looking forward to a relaxing two week winter break. Are you done with your shopping?
*via here

it felt so good

If it was beauty sleep...then I'm gorgeous. I slept until 9:30 AM on Saturday and Sunday and it felt wonderful. Sometimes you just need to catch up I guess. Are you an early bird (and if that's the case you were already out for a run and picked up a few things at the grocery store before I began to rise and shine) OR are you a night owl ?

happy winter weekend!

I will be (finally) finishing up the decorating, seeing some old friends, and preparing a guest room for some anticipated holiday guests. What about you?

girl talk

The girls got together last night to catch up with wine, appetizers, and of course a dessert to split. Sometimes I don't get to see these besties for months on end but when I do...it's like we start right back where we left off.

whitewash

Why is it that today of all days, when I wear a crisp, clean, classic white shirt to work I feel as if I'm dodging markers, ink pens, and general dirt of the world?

Dear Christmas,

Do you send Christmas cards? I used to be SO good with handmade cards with an update of our lives but not so much anymore. This year I'm planning on jetting off a few of these adorable holiday postcards to wish people "Happy Christmas" and catch up later with a telephone call or visit. Do you snail mail holiday greetings?

chasing butterflies

When I was paying for groceries the other day I noticed there was a lottery ticket in my wallet that I had never checked to see if I had won anything or not. I don't really buy a lot of lottery tickets but every once in awhile it's fun when the jackpot goes into double digit milliions to be given away.
Anyways, I happened to remember that the winning lottery ticket last week was purchased in Arizona where I live and had not been claimed. Could it be? I hadn't checked my ticket so maybe...
I brought my ticket to customer service where the sweet checkout girl said "oh! you know that the winning ticket is for $95 million, sold in Arizona, and it hasn't been claimed yet. Maybe it's you?" I looked at her and said "Maybe it IS me? Wouldn't that be something? Do you think we would jump and yell?" She smiled and inserted the ticket into the lottery ticket machine.
It's funny. In that moment you really wonder. What would I do with all that money? What would you do?
The picture is a necklace I recently purchased-vintage repurposed jewelry with an elephant (trunk up for good luck of course) chasing butterflies...sort of like how I felt with my lottery ticket in hand.
*jewels from here

monday

Hope your Monday is magical. Lots going on this week but my shopping is almost done...just waiting for packages to be delivered.

finally friday

Happy weekend. We'll be decking the halls, trimming the tree, and enjoying some homemade cinnamon rolls.

damages

would you? would you buy a sweater that is torn and tattered and wear it? I do with my jeans all the time...but not sure if I could pull it off above the waist.

catch my breath

Amazing. A shoe you want to plan a party for.

hello December

well, hello there Mr. December. Where did you come from...it was just September last time I looked.
*image here

day by day

when your best friend is not feeling well; YOU'RE not feeling well. Our poor pup has went through an upset stomach a week ago and is on the other side of a miserable vestibular syndrome (think of your dog having vertigo). Hoping for smooth sailing for the holidays.
*image here

it's all in the mix

Love this look of mixing the delicate lace with the knit fur vest. Don't know if it's faux or not...and what are your feelings on faux vs. real vs. vintage fur?

*image here

first snow

Last night we received our first dusting of snow and ice and these pictures seemed perfect to go along with the cold and sparkle on the ground. Has it snowed where you are?

*images via here, here

fine doodles

As a "once upon a time in another lifetime" art teacher I have a soft spot for children's art. The honesty, the joy, the "I am what I am" about it all --BUT-- what if you took one of your kid's masterpieces and *ahem* made it better?
What if you added a little color here or some background there--you'd hold on to that sucker for a lifetime instead of two weeks on your refrigerator. And that's just what Summer Hopkins Myers at A Fine Doodle does for you and your wee little artist.
A Fine Doodle is an acrylic painting based on your child's original drawing. Send her your child's artwork and she will reproduce it in vibrant, hand-painted acrylic. The child's drawing will be returned with the finished product and you've got yourself a one of a kind piece of art or gift for the artist or their adoring entourage of relatives.
Interested? Better act quick for the holidays and find out more here.

games people play

Holidays mean family and family get togethers mean family game night! What are your favorite games to play that are fun for a crowd?
*image from here

enjoy each other

Have a wonderful holiday weekend with family, friends, relaxing, shopping and enjoying

the blessings of life.

*image from here

time for thanks

My school district gives teachers the day off on Wednesday so we are thankful for an extra day to shop and prepare the feast ahead. Here's to a safe, joyful start to the holiday season. Are you traveling? And more importantly; are you setting your alarm clocks for Friday morning?! This girl will be snoozing, but best of luck to you and any deals you may grab.

*image here

the dog days of Thanksgiving

"Do you have the grocery list? You don't want to forget the list!"

"Of course I have the list! Have I ever forgotten anything for our Thanksgiving dinner?"

"well...there was the pumpkin pie that one year..."

* no drama but all fun and adorable dog found here.