Christmas Wish List 2010

I'm a little late in getting around to this, I know.  But what the heck... here are a few things on my 2010 Wish List I wouldn't mind living without.  Heaven knows I'd be fine with a set of letterpress cards, a nice latte and a movie night with Ryan.  But here are few more special things, just for the halibut. 

A Cozy Macbook Sleeve

A Reason to Splurge Local at Red Tree B-more

A Monday-Friday Subscription to the NYT

A Variety of Delightful Nothings from Anthropologie

A Different Kind of Rodent

Beans, Beans, and Beans

Tips from Alice Waters

Garlic Rocker

More Music, i.e. investing in CD's I've been meaning to get for years...

Indulgence. Truffle Oil, Artisan Cheese and $8 Gelato

*Updates:

Mixing bowls suitable for double-boiling

More tights!

P.S. Santa came early with a cashmere throw! Yummmm!

P.S.S. Previous Wishes. 

California Christmas

I'm thrilled to report that our Christmas plans have been booked-- we'll be in the Bay Area area for a week enjoying family, good food, good fun and fresh(er) air.  I cannot wait to soak up some time on the west coast.

I'd love to hear your San Francisco favorites, so leave a comment with your great ideas and I will be ever-so-grateful for your kind suggestions.

Coffee Bar

I'm so curious about KA-POW!, a "looks like chocolate, but it's not" bar.   More designer (chocolate) bars here, here and here. 

Glitz

These elegant earrings from Emma Stine would make a lovely gift for a special lady in your life.  They're reasonably priced, too. 

More Emma Stine. 

I miss the NW

This kitchen reminds me of a modern home you would find in Seattle, Portland or in fact, Brentwood, CA.  It reminds me of pine trees and a gentle wind, snow flurries and morning coffee with dim light.

East coast museums or west coast ski resorts, I can't decide! 

Brilliance

LEGO storage box.  {via swiss miss} 

Seasons Greetings from Baltimore!

As Christmas cards make their way to your mailbox, consider this a virtual card from me to you.  Season's Greetings from our house to yours!

Here are few of my favorite ornaments hanging on our tree... 

New blue mercury glass ornaments

Our gift from Martha Stewart for being good audience members 

Sparkling glitter balls

A glass heart my mom gave me 

Our 2010 Christmas tree time-warped to 1950

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Holidays to you.  And thanks a million for reading my blog.  It means so much to me, really.  xo

Don, you're really chapping my hide.

I guess the fun is over; we finished Mad Men Season 4 last night which means one thing: we're caught up. I hate it when this happens. 

Not only am I addicted to the show and bummed there are no more new episodes until next summer, but damnit, Don Draper, I really didn't appreciate your behavior this season.  Just like every season, now that I think about it.  What are we supposed to think/feel/do about you? 

Your smile and charm are just a front for your evil, selfish ways!  You're the guy we dated and dumped when we realized there is no fixing a guy like you.  I'm in a tousle.  

P.S. A great Betty and Don themed Etsy treasury.  

Handmade Holidays

This year I'm feeling especially giddy about the holiday season.  Ryan and I got our very own little Christmas tree and spent the weekend hanging lights, unpacking ornaments and procuring some new ones, too.  It felt cheesy, silly and all around wonderful.

Have you been over to Etsy lately?  The gift guides alone are reason to take a peek and support hand made.  Happy gift hunting!

Sunday in Cape Town

Happy Sunday lovely readers!  Here is a set for a warm Sunday in the Mother City of Cape Town, South Africa- one of my favorite cities in the world.  

Shorts, sandals and a just-in-case sweater would be perfect for the warm December temperatures of the southern hemisphere. 

The Nutcracker

Speaking of ballet, if all goes to plan this Christmas, I'll get to see the San Francisco Ballet perform The Nutrcracker!  I've only seen The Nutcracker performed professionally once by the Pacific Northwest Ballet, so I think seeing it in SF will be a real treat. 

Keep your fingers crossed for time-off work!

P.S. My childhood ballet teacher who owns The Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, WA was Conan O'Brien's first guest on his new show.  I bet my grandma was sooo jealous!

Black Swan

The new Natalie Portman ballet thriller Black Swan opens tonight. It looks creepy, intriguing and beautifully shot.

Portman did all the dancing for the movie herself and trained for over a year to do so. I'm looking forward to seeing it this weekend.

+++

I keep a running list on the left-side column of my blog that features films in the theatre, rentals and tv series I've seen as of late, in case you want to compare notes sometime.  I'd love to hear what you and yours are viewing!

Crinolines

My dear friend Emily who is a fashion designer has been making crinolines for a recent commissioned project.  I'm dying to see pictures of her work, so until then these are the kinds of images that are floating in my head of her day-to-day life.

P.S. This crinoline inspired chair is quite nice, no? 

Red Cap Cards

My friend Elka turned me onto Red Cap Cards and I have to say, I'm smitten over over them.  My favorite is the city scape card.  

Are you sending holiday cards this year?  I want Ryan to come up with a cute drawing and incorporate our stamp somehow.  We better get crackin'... I can't believe December is already here!  What happened to 2010?

Nobody likes a bruised Apple

Aren't these MacBook sleeves great? I love the sleek look of the felt and the leather embellishment.  

Do you have a Mac?  Does it rock your world?