warning! sap alert!

i can't help but feel the joy of christmas this holiday season.  i've always loved christmas but there's something different about it this year and i'm not sure why...

for one, i'm the poorest i've been since.. ever...

secondly, i'm in a less than pleasant housing situation...

and i'm still consumed with the feelings of confusion and uncertainty when it comes to my life and what i should DO with it...

but i feel more blessed than ever!

i have experienced some awesome love and support from my family this year and we're all getting very excited for my brother's upcoming wedding! and to top that off, i'm so excited to have a sister-in-law!

anyhow, i hate to pull a "timmy" on you but i'm feelin' the holiday spirit and i hope you are too!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

i'll leave you with a cool wreath idea!

{tutorial here}

geiser grand

took a modest road trip last weekend to baker city and stayed at a lovely historical hotel. i didn't get any photos of the cozy lobby or the restaurant but here are some photos of the hotel room...

i love this chandelier! they were everywhere too

a cute little nook to get ready for the day

close-up of the antiquated ottoman

i wasn't crazy about the green but i do love the wainscoting!

the ceilings were so high!

outside view of the geiser grand.

j'adore paris

this day last year was my final day at work before leaving to europe for a month... i am left feeling nostalgic.

i miss all of europe but i miss paris especially. i miss walking along the champs-elysees at night with all the christmas lights shining, i miss pain au chocolat and i (perhaps surprisingly) miss the metro and the colorful characters that came with...

here is a nod to you paris, in all your splendor. je t'aime.

simply wonderful

i have to apologize for my lack of posting lately... i hate excuses but my explanation is that it's been a crazy week (month, year) and actually i haven't been greatly inspired recently either...

i did however attend a lovely get together at kirsten grove's house the other night.  the photos of her house on her blog simply don't do it justice! it is so creative and inviting!

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despite everything...

despite everything, i believe that people are really good at heart nothing beats cheap rent

everyday minerals

my search for the perfect makeup continues...

my latest find is everyday minerals.  i've read about this product on many a blog and websites (including real simple). it's only available online but you can order free samples (which i have done) so i'm excited to receive those and try them out!

i'll keep you updated!

this is what i ordered...

soft butter peach base

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pick me up ivory concealer

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pearl mint powder - perfect for counteracting the natural redness in my face

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umbra wonderful

i was surfing through marie claire's online holiday guide and came across some wonderful gift guides, party tips and clothing and accessory guides... among my favorite finds was umbra.com - a very cool store with surprisingly inexpensive items that will add character to any bedroom, office or bathroom... here are a couple of my favorite pieces...

i love multi-functional furniture pieces like this

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and this colorful chair...

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i always want to read while soaking but i can never seem to get the technique down...this would be perfect!

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a mod clock anyone?

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these wallflowers are soo sweet!

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my favorite pieces

one of the major setbacks of living in an apartment is the inability to permanently modify anything (ie. no painting)... sometimes i get a little bummed over the matter, but then i think about all the cool stuff i've brought in to spruce things up a bit... here are a few of my favorite things

 a wedding gift to my parents 27 years ago - a vase to me

jack and lulu (i can't help but name inanimate objects) set atop an antique anheuser-busch crate

i got the american tourister at a yard sale and the samsonite from the youth ranch (which has pink polka dot lining!)

i got these cool hand-carved crayons at a pittsburgh flea market this summer

 

i gotta have my boots! my texan grandparents sent me these lovely cowboy wonders for my birthday a couple years ago and i picked up the hunters in london last winter

framing greeting cards (and wrapping paper) is one of my favorite, and inexpensive ways to keep things fresh!

hand painted ceramic plates from anthro

pretty handles from anthro

got this avon leather after shave at an estate sale in new york a few summers ago - it still has a wonderful smell to it too!

the epitome of class, the lovely audrey hepburn

a hint of cool made possible by ikea (chair) and urban outfitters (rug)

and my beautiful cruiser, roxy

things that delighted me today

... more like things i'm craving today...

a goofy mug for my latte...

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to go with a classic edition of one of my favorite books...

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while wearing a pair of fabulous joes jeans...

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and a cool puffer coat for when i just want to be comfortable...

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true that

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feeling gray... in the best way

i just got my latest jcrew catalog and thought i would share a few of my favorite things in the ever classic color palette

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i want to fall in love

that is all.

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and they lived happily ever after

today i'm celebrating some of the wonderful things that the marriage between paper and fashion has procured... if you thought my paper dresses were interesting, then get a load of these pieces of splendor...

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things that delighted me today

dresses with pockets...

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things that delighted me today

saying i'm sorry, i love you, thank you, i miss you...
 
1.hello! lucky 'i'm sorry' greeting card

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2. vilmain's 'i'm nuts about you' key chain

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3. greer's civilettes thank you cards

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4. a vintage typewriter to reconnect with someone...