show and tell: the CHRISTMAS LOOT

Santa (and by Santa, I mean my hubby and family) was good to me this year. I can't wait to be well enough to enjoy these gifts!


Row 1: Miss Monocle by The Brilliant Magpie, Deux Lux Pintuck Satchel from Urban Outfitters, Ash Canvas Toms, Joshua Radin: Simple Times
Row 2: Old Navy V-Neck Pocket Tees, Retro Falling Print by Jelly Beans, Singin' in the Rain DVD, Born Potion Boots
Row 3: Marled Fingerless Gloves from Urban Outfitters, Coldplay: Prospekt's March [EP], A Walking Snowstorm by The Brilliant Magpie, All Wired Up by Mark Lareau
Row 4: Keane: Perfect Symmetry, Authentic Lo Pro Vans, Signature Bootcut Hudson Jeans, What's Behind the Mask by The Brilliant Magpie

I also received an adorable owl ornament, book bag, and some jewelry from Baksheesh, one of my favorite stores ever. Only 3 of them exist, all in the wine country, but if you ever visit Healdsburg or Sonoma, you have to check them out. They are a free trade shop that sells beautiful and inexpensive jewelry, home decor, and musical instruments from Third World countries. Unique, inexpensive, and free trade- win, win, win.

One of my favorite crafted gifts was a creative memories book my sister made for me that goes through my and my hubby's dating, engagement, and then wedding. There were photos in it that I've never even seen before. It means so much because after 2+ years of marriage, we still haven't gotten wedding photos developed (long story about picking the wrong photographer). I love it.

All things considered, it was a very strange but blessed Christmas. And in light of being sick, I realized how little it mattered to me what I got, but that the important thing was the time with my family and love we all share. So even though I love my loot, it was my family that made this Christmas extra-special, and really- that's how it always should be. : )

COLD WEATHER cravings

Wow. I just went outside and brrrr. I know it's not cold here in NorCal compared to many locations in the U.S. and the world, but being that we just had a few days of weather in the 70s and 80s, 52 degress is quite a drop. Yes, I am a cold weather wimp and I will be the first one to admit it. This disease was passed down to me from my mother (thanks, mom) and plagues me in the following ways:

• It takes me way too long to get dressed on a cold winter day... I've got my long underwear, pants, wool socks, leg warmers, Uggs, then a tank, tee, long-sleeved tee, thermal, sweatshirt, jacket, scarf, and gloves- again, I know many of you have it much worse... I am forever grateful that a parka is not included in my list.
• My feet are never warm. I have to go to sleep with socks on in the attempt to warm my tootsies up, but I can't fall asleep with socks on, so when my feet hit a semi-comfortable temperature I kick my socks off only to have cold feet again.
• (Luckily I married the warmest guy in the world. He is like an electric blanket, hot water bottle, and -40 degree down sleeping bag all rolled into one. Score.)
  
• Drinking any beverages with ice pretty much turn me into a human ice cube.
• I have to always bring several layers with me to any location, even if the weather is supposed to be tolerable because you never know- I may walk into a store with air conditioning and freeze on the spot.
• And whenever the cold weather hits, I immediately want to shop for ridiculously thick and much too expensive (for me anyway) sweaters that can only be worn a couple months out of the year. Which brings me to my cold weather cravings of the moment...

THE TEA:

Cinnamon Plum Black Tea via The REPUBLIC of TEA

I have never tried this tea but it sounds delicious and soothing to me right now. I mean really, can The Republic of Tea go wrong?

THE SCARF:

Cupcake Winter Scarflette via jmaccknit

I'll take this scarflette or any of her beautiful and unique neck warmers.

THE MUSIC:

Winter Song by Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson via The Hotel Cafe Presents Winter Songs

There is some definite winter ear candy on this album.

THE BOOTS:

Woman's Suburb in Antique Light Chestnut via Ugg Australia

Ugg has some amazing new styles this year. This is one of the many I will accept for Christmas. ;)

THE BLANKET:

Charcoal Wool Felt Blanket via Pfeifer Studio

THE MOVIE:

The Holiday

I can't help it. I love this movie. The actors, the locations, the scenery, the humor and warmth, not to mention Cameron Diaz's wardrobe... I just love it.

Enough about me and my never-ending wishlists. What are your cold weather cravings?

my christmas list: DRAFT ONE

The time has come to start my Christmas list and figure out what I am going to make or get for family members. I feel like I blinked and was teleported from August to the week before Thanksgiving (maybe I've been watching Heroes too much). It is the holiday season. Where did summer go? Where did half of fall go? If you figure it out, let me know. But for the time being, if I want to get any presents from hubby and the family, I have to get cracking on a list because my Christmas list usually has first, second, third, and fourth drafts before it is final. Here we go on draft one:

Peppermint Teardrop Vintage Garden Metal Hoops via Lily Pottery

Timber Set of Three Wall Mirrors via Burke Decor

Medium Carthage Pierced Covered Lantern via Burke Decor

Nintendo NES Super Mario Bros./ Duck Hunt

my sister and her hubby had two Nintendo NES's and we inherited one, but we need some games!

Citizens of Humanity Ava Straight Leg Jean via shopbop.com

Frye Jenny Short Boot in Olive via Nordstrom

Kyuuto! Woolly Embroidery book via fredflare.com

Love Nest Necklace via Luxe Deluxe

Alpha Firehawk Leather Jacket via Urban Outfitters

Keane's new album Perfect Symmetry

Are any of you done with your Christmas shopping already? If so, do you want to do my shopping? ; )