The Ultimate Holiday

Forgive me friends, for I have sinned. It's been almost a week since my last post. How did that happen? Pinky swear I'll try harder because there's so much fun stuff I want to talk about! I just need maybe 10 extra hours in the day to get it all done. Or the cancellation of at least one reality TV show. Either would be fine.

So. Anyway. Have y'all heard? Thanksgiving and the start of Hanukkah fall on the same day this year. It's like the perfect storm of holidays. It's huge. It's a once in a lifetime occurrence. It's THANKSGIVUKKAH.

The interwebs have been all aflutter. There are recipe mash-ups (pretty sure I'll be making these, or maybe a cake with this, and I need some kind soul to loan me her bubbe to make me these), t-shirts (H will be sporting this one), even menurkeys. I cannot begin to express my disappointment over the fact that the Mensch on the Bench is sold out until 2014. Elf on the Shelf? Creepy. Mensch on the Bench? Adorable.

My cousin (Hi, Sarah!) and her husband are hosting our family Thanksgiving this year. They have an absolutely gorgeous home large enough to accommodate running children and napping husbands. As I've mentioned before, our home is tiny. Teensy. Itty bitty. Someday I know we'll have a house that is large enough for entertaining, because as a southern gal, I love a good soiree! In the meantime, I whipped up a little inspiration board for a Thanksgivukkah dinner at my pretend pad. Our family get togethers are always low-key, so the vision I had was for a casual meal where everyone brings a family favorite and we all gather together to enjoy good company and good food. Because isn't that what every family meal should be?

I am thankful for every single one of you (all three of you!) for stopping by to read what I send out into the world wide web. Y'all are fabulous, and I hope you keep coming back. Invite your friends!

Gobble Tov! XOXO

Platter; Table Runner; Napkin Ring; Napkin Pestemal; Serving Stand; Chambray Tablecloth; Etched Wine Glass; Churchill China in Tonquin Brown (no longer available); Mother of Pearl Inlaid Flatware; Juliska Stoneware; Hanukkah Candles

What I'm Wearing: Leather Leggings

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I scored a bargain-of-the-century-type deal last week on a pair of leather-front leggings from J.Crew. I'd been wanting them for a while, especially after seeing so much leather on the runways for fall. But leather can present its challenges. Anyone remember this episode of Friends?

Yes. Well. Let's all just take a moment to thank the good Lord and various and sundry fashion gods and icons for the advancements that have been made since 1998. Simply put, the J.Crew leggings are amazing. The leather is buttery soft, and the fabric on the back has the perfect amount of spandex to keep everything sucked in the way you want. But lest we forget, they are LEGGINGS. And--say it with me--LEGGINGS ARE NOT PANTS. The key to styling leggings is finding something for the top that also sufficiently covers the bottom, front and back. Nobody wants to see what's going on in your lower 48, ladies.

I've put together two looks to share with you here, but there are so many ways to wear them. I would love, love, love to hear your suggestions!

J.Crew Collection Leather-Front Pixie Pant; Oats Cashmere Poncho; Stella & Dot Mercury Necklace; Stella & Dot Linda Studs; Tory Burch Easton Smoking Slipper; Stella & Dot Assorted Bracelets; Stella & Dot Vintage Studs; Old Navy Sueded Short Zip Bootie; American Eagle Metallic Finish Knit Loop Scarf; Land's End Long Sleeve Flannel Tunic

Let's Hear it for the Boy

Little H turned three in October, which makes him not so little anymore. I was looking through our family pictures from this time last year, and—in my eyes at least—he still looked very much like a baby back then. But watching my wild child running around the living room right now is proof positive that he is a BOY. So before I get all weepy, I’ll get to the point of this post: transitioning H’s nursery to a room fit for a big boy.

One of the advantages of living in a teensy house is that it keeps you laser-focused on things like color scheme and functionality. When you can see practically every room from the other, having colors that work together helps in creating the illusion (and believe me, it’s definitely an illusion) of a larger space. Furnishing rooms with pieces that can be moved from one space to another as necessary (think ottomans, stools, shelves) is also key. 

And let’s not forget the most important element of design: budget. Like our home, it’s small. Fortunately, we already have the larger pieces of furniture on hand (bed, wardrobe), some being really lovely—and sturdy!—family hand-me-downs. As for the other items, I’ve been a consummate sale hunter, stalking my prey until the prices drop and then pouncing. Case in point: the Serena & Lily Cabin Quilt that pulls the room together was a little much for my wallet, but I used the code HOLIDAYPREP (valid through Tuesday) and saved $50. That was all the justification I needed to order the Tangerine Flag Sheet Set as well!

Now, about the actual design. I’m kind of in love with it. I really feel like it’s a room that H can enjoy now through his teenage years with very little updating required. I mean, I’m sure there will be posters of some god-awful band or swimsuit model at some point, but I’ll deal with that when the time comes. The rug is plush and soft, which makes it the perfect place for H to play with his cars and trains. The bedding is classic and masculine without being too lodge-y. The artwork is fun, and the vintage pennant (an eBay find) even gives a nod to our little town. Sources are listed and links are provided if items are still available. 

Anthropologie A Walk in the Woods Knob; Lulu & Georgia Belvedere Hanging Lamp; Serena & Lily Tangerine Flag Sheet Set; Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter; Serena & Lily Cabin Quilt in Army/Aqua; Deer with Gym Socks Print; Serena & Lily Arrow Rug in Persimmon; Seaside Print in Blue; Serena & Lily Rolling Storage Crates (no longer available); Pendleton Chief Joseph Blanket

 

Well, hello there.

My first blog post! Wow! Welcome to, what, 1999? Oy vey. So. Burning questions, right?
Why blog?
Why now?
Why you?
And my answer to all of the above: Why not? It goes without saying that I am not on the cutting edge of pretty much anything... I mean, come on, my (now) husband and I didn't have a microwave until 2002.
Anyway. I want this blog to be a place to share the things I love--fashion, food, drink and design. And the occasional potty training post. Keeping it real, friends.