see you in 2009!

will be doing a bit of resting....back in 2009 xo   image: the lovely Audrey Hepburn

deals to be had!

The upside to the end of the holiday season is all the fantastic sales happening right now. Shops are selling off their floor samples left and right, and most items are 50-75% off (hooray!). I scored a tree floor lamp (above, happy in it's new home) for $70, and plush hand towels at PB for $4 for each bathroom. Happy deal hunting!

the final countdown

The stockings are stuffed, the cards are sent out, and I'm ready to wrap the rest of the gifts. It's the final countdown until the holiday's bring us warm wishes and hope in the new year. Time to reflect and to be so thankful for all we have. I am bursting with gratitude for all that you all have given me, taught me, and shared with me. 

p e a c e  &  l o v e, amber

holiday cards {2008}

Talk about waiting until the very last minute! I've noticed I work best under pressure, I made these last night and sent them all out in the morning. It was like a card factory in my dining room, the printer was cranking and I was cutting away. I'm happy with the results!

the holiday fairies

Ruby's ballet performance was the sweetest group of tiny dancers, all dressed in head to toe sparkles. I'm still smiling.

getting {gorgeous} holiday hair

All this talk about holiday dresses/shoes/clutches/jewelry is great - but any girl knows, it's all about the hair. A bad hair day can completely throw any gorgeous outfit. These quick (and totally great) tutorials are at the top of my hair-to-do list for the next few holiday gatherings. I may have to try low messy side bun this very minute. Both from ...love Maegan. the perfect wave & low messy side bun

happy friday!

The first of the holiday parties began last night, all fancy dresses and festive finger foods. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

seeing red

Love the way these chairs pop in this "au natural" dining room. How cool is this room??

get your {wrap} on

I can remember reading an ancient issue of Martha where she showed us her "wrapping station". I was floored. It was the perfect alcove organized just-so, all trimmings and wrap at arms reach, the tape and scissors neatly hung, and a rainbow of ribbons at the ready. Even though my wrap is currently crammed into my office closet, if space weren't an issue, this  would certainly be something to aspire to.

I {heart} Kate

So.Darn. Cool. I just got an email from Kate, a fellow blogger, who was inspired by my Whish logo to get her very first tattoo! She first painted it on her wall in her Brooklyn apartment, and now this beauty lives on her back.

message in a {sea bottle}

I've kind of been lusting after these bottle beauties ever since I stumbled on them in a shop in southern CA. I love the imperfections of the vintage medicine bottles combined with the natural beauty of the shell.

off to The Nutcracker!

Today my mom and I are taking Ruby to The Nutcracker in the city, I can't wait to see all those pretty ballerinas in their gorgeous costumes! image: Rachel Papo

cucuyo!

My designer-friend Ana has started Cucuyo, a baby accessories company with a great line of goodies for your little munchkin. Cucuyo is getting great press and is featured in lots of the top baby shops. She's offering 20% from now until 1/31/09 - just enter the code JOY at checkout.

hotel cafe {winter songs}

Give this wintery holiday mix a listen, not only is the cover design beautiful, but the songs are worthy of play all year long. via black eiffel

holiday movies {the line-up}

We celebrate on the Eve of Christmas, a savory holiday feast with family and friends, a gift unwrapping frenzy, plenty of desert, and sometimes a heated game of Pictionary if we can all stay awake. This makes for a relaxing Christmas day, we stay in jammies until noon and watch Ruby play with her new loot. By the afternoon, it's movie time, and any of these  holiday flicks will do just fine. What do you do on Christmas day?

Confessions of a Shopaholic

Four Christmases

Nothing Like the Holidays

holiday wrap {budget style}

This adorable handmade eco holiday wrap gives me the warm fuzzies. Little sewn bags made from burlap and cloth, decorated with pinecones and tied with twine. I wouldn't even care what was inside I'd be so thrilled with the sweet package.

{happy friday} to you

Have the loveliest of weekends, be sure to drink some hot cocoa and surround yourself with the one's you love, xo

the {wish} list

Ruby has been hard at work in her room for the last few days writing this adorable wish list, and this morning she presented me with it. I was instructed not to get any stains on it and to hang it on the fridge so Santa will see it. I kind of want to frame it.

get the goods!

Gossip Girl's wardrobes go one sale the day of each episode on the InStyle site. Shop by episode or just by browsing - who knew??

Tartine {pastry heaven}

Yesterday I met up with some friends in the city (SF, that is) for lunch and then deserts and coffee at Tartine. What a complete treat - I have never seen or tasted such exquisite pastries in all my life. 

home {lust}

I've been coveting these images from the designsponge flickr set. Seriously awesome pieces throughout her home - that bed, the orange gourd lamp, the round chair,  and that lotus flower hallway light - I've had my eye on one from Target and now it's sold out (I have procrastination issues). Enjoy!

gossip, dresses & drama {drool!}

Last night, after much cinnamon toast was consumed, I had myself a girlie night. Not hard to do since the husband is away, but it consists of a cup of tea, painting my toes and watching Gossip Girl. This episode was like a little gift under the tree - it was fabulous. That Chuck Bass just broke my heart, Blair in her gorgeous dresses proved she does have feelings, and can someone please tell me why Serena is seeing that greasy haired Aaron? We'll have to wait until January 5th for the next dose, but this one was good enough to watch twice.

food {for the soul}

I know better than to turn to food when I'm feeling down, but sometimes it really does do the trick. The days here have been bitterly cold, I'm not working, and my husband (get this) is in Nicaragua surfing in the warm sunshine. Hmmph. Cinnamon toast to the rescue! Just a day-old sourdough baguette toasted up with butter, honey and cinnamon. No complaints. But still, Nicaragua? C'mon now.

crafty little minx

These handmade wreaths are to-die-for! I'd love to hang the bright yellow one on our guest room door.

a window {wonderland}

These gorgeous window installations would make me stop in my tracks! Each meticulously crafted by the uber talented Zoe Bradley. 

crafting {by the book}

There are some fantastic crafting books out this holiday season, this one is tip-top on my wish list!

nyc {simple style}

I sure wish I'd had this rad easy-peasy map/poster when I was in NY this summer.

and a {happy friday} to you!

Have the happiest of weekends! May you not find yourself caught in the crazy bustle of a mall...xo

flower garlands

Everywhere I look there is another beautiful flower garland out in the land of Holiday. Draped 'round the tree or hung over a doorway, you can't really go wrong. This may just be the next {budget} project on the list...stay tuned.  white felt, red fleurs, filigree, dogwood

gifties {for the 'lil crafters}

Some of the best kids gifts I've ever given & received have been from this site. Wonderful crafts, kits & toys and nothing that says Disney.

crafty {budget} wednesday

I've always thought that crafting on a budget makes you more creative. And, since I'm not receiving those lovely paychecks anymore, I'm learning how to do fun holiday projects that are free (gasp!). My neighbor gave me a stack of tree cuttings and the idea to make these super simple wreaths with the kiddos. No wire, no stores. All stuff around the house! The base is a rolled up paper grocery bag, the cuttings are tied down with simple string (from the sewing machine), the goodies were a gift, and oila - wreaths! I'll be posting more budget holiday projects as they come my way.

oh. goodness.

My freelance job has pretty much dried up (deep sigh), giving me plenty of time to develop Whish, but it's also allowed me the luxury of watching missed episodes of Giada. Boy do I love her cooking, it's all so mouthwatering and fairly simple, too. She made these zeppole the other day - and omg - I want & need them.

fresh lemonade {for all!}

This adorable lemonade dispenser is a bit summery on this overcast day, but what a bright little ray of sunshine it would be in the garden or kitchen!

saltwater

Not only is the name of this British fashion shop brilliant, but the clothes are pretty great, too.

all under one roof {bodega}

A week away with our family to celebrate Thanksgiving, birthdays and the fine art of relaxation. It was rough; we played backgammon, took nature walks, watched movies, spent long days at the beach, built bonfires and cozied up together. F U N.

{loving} bell sleeves

There's nothing I like better than a comfy bell sleeve top (and I probably have way too many of them!). jacket, long sleeve T, cardigan, black sweater, black bow-tie top

the modern farmhouse

I am really loving this combo of modern + farmhouse, it's the best mix of rustic and cool. So cozy, don't you think? This room, with it's beautiful beamed ceilings is my ultimate home fantasy. via sara's fab day/image traditional home.

'tis the season of the brussel

These vibrant brussell sprout images from the swedish blog Blomsterverkstad make me want to be a food stylist. I love how she makes the image look wintery but fresh at the same time.

turkey day {design ideas}

The kids table (adorable!),the grown-up table (simple & festive!),

and some table setting ideas...

This year we're heading to the beach for Thanksgiving week. Lots of time to relax and be with the family and, of course, EAT. We usually celebrate at our house, so this year I'm thinking up festive table settings we can do out at the beach. I love the images of the adult & kids tables best.

photo backdrop

I've been searching for the perfect occasion to set up one of these backdrops at a party. I'm guessing it'll have to wait until Rubys 6th birthday, but I'm loving the idea of the constant backdrop, some sort of fabulous fabric. It's an old Martha idea - an oldie but a goodie! image by Marissa Kaiser

shopgirl

Today I'm playing shopgirl, helping my friend by working the day at Haus, her beautiful clothing/home/gift shop in Sonoma. I am surrounded by dreamy cashmere, jeans and glittering jewels. Imagine a cozier Anthro filled with fairy lights and so much eye candy that I can hardly stand it. Website to come...

corners I covet {the bedroom}

I just had to share these new prints in our bedroom. Vintage botanicals in thick, glossy white frames, they make me smile every time I get into bed. Sweet dreams!

surf art {andy davis}

If you like gorgeous surf art like me, you'd be happy to know that Andy Davis now offers prints of his original pieces. His work is whimsical and peaceful, and makes me want to live on an island and surf all day.

floating colors

I love these images - if I owned that floaty yellow sunshine dress, I'd never take it off.
images by Dirk Rees