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. : )

SHOW and TELL

Nothing has been done to pretty up our home yet (walls, floors, etc.), but I am still keeping my eyes peeled for pretty things to put inside. If you won't mind the brown carpet, fake wood paneling, and cracking walls in the background, I'll share some of my recent treasures with you. If all the brown gets to you, just pretend you have been zapped back to the 70's and you will think the house is really groovy...

Not the most fabulous photo, but here is a taste. David and I found this 1950's floor rocking chair (I'm sure there is a better name for it) at an antique store in Sebastopol. David was immediately drawn to it because it pretty much looks like a gaming chair. When we sat in it and found out it's super comfortable, we were sold. It is the same dusty pink as my sofa. I've never seen another like it and am excited to have it in our home. When you come visit, I'll let you test it out.

I found this floral painting at another Sebastopol antique store for $5. It fits in perfectly with our living room color scheme (which will be revealed at a later date) and I love it more and more each time I see it. Excuse the cat sitting in front of it. He gets in the way sometimes.

I have loved these kitchen squirrels for a long time. They sat on my grandma's kitchen counter for as long as I can remember and now have a new home with hubby and I. The one on the left is a cookie jar, hence the cookie, and the one on the right is a napkin holder. The cookie squirrel will get some nose love and will be ready to guard cookies once again. Such sweet little guys, don't you think?

I'll show and tell more as more comes along, and maybe someday I'll surprise you with a background color other than brown! I said maybe.

these are a few of my FAVORITE THINGS

To make up for all the complaints I have about our cooky little house, I'd like to share a few of my favorite things...

Yes, I spent my 2005 tax return (and then some) on this pink velvet sofa. You might say it was impulsive, but I still love it!

I just used my KitchenAid for the first time in July after getting it as a wedding gift from my uncle and aunt in August of 2006. It's so fabulous and easy to use- and it's pink! Could it get any better?

Hubby gave me this owl bank for Christmas last year. The plastic dinosaurs came from mini-golf celebrating Justin's birthday. David and I won them playing arcade games. I love them too.

I don't know if this is actually a church chair, but that's what we call it. My grandma Johnson was getting rid of things in her house a year ago and she asked if I wanted this chair. Um, yes!

My hubby isn't a thing, but he is my ABSOLUTE favorite!