Two Thousand Eleven

For last year's words belong to last year's language and next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. - T.S. Eliot

The actual notion of a ball "dropping" to signal the passage of time dates back long before New Year's Eve was ever celebrated in Times Square. The first "time-ball" was installed atop England's Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. This ball would drop at one o'clock every afternoon, allowing the captains of nearby ships to precisely set their chronometers (a vital navigational instrument).  

10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.

H A P P Y  N E W  Y E A R ! xoxo

(Image via, Info via)

New Obsessions

Stella has two new obsessions lately...shoes and tutus.  When she saw what Santa brought her, she yelled "shoes!" and made a bee-line to them.  She's been walking around the house in her dress-up heels that my aunt gave her and every day we venture out, she wants to wear her "toots" as she calls them because she likes the way they "wiggle".  

My new obsession are these gold polka dot high balls that are a perfect addition to our bar.  I first spotted them here and they immediately went on my wish list.  I'm about to head to Pier 1 to get more since they are now on clearance.     

I also got this picture of Central Park South, which we hung above the bar.  I love the rain-soaked streets, the cloudy skies, the lights on in a few of the windows.  It really evoked something in me and I just had to have it. 

What are your new obsessions?

 

Little Valentines

Christmas is being ushered out the door and overnight Valentine's Day is already on the shelves.  I realize it's a tad early but the stores are forcing me to think about how cute it will be to help Stella make handmade valentines to hand out at school (putting extra hearts on precious Andrew's). 

On a totally different note, aren't these children dressed so adorably in Papo d'Anjo?

My Christmas

I hope everybody had a wonderful holiday.  I am a little envious I'm not where it's snowing, although I'm happy to be safe and sound at home and not a stranded traveler.  We're slowly making our way through piles of wrapping paper.  I didn't make a big fuss over wrapping gifts this year, but I do love this ribbon I found:

On Christmas Eve, Stella pretended to be a reindeer, wearing my outfit from when I was 5 years old.

Christmas Morning:

Christmas Brunch at my mom's house:

I LOVE my mom's tables.  This was one from two years ago:

This little one had lots of fun!

But I think I need a long winter's nap!

HAPPY HOLIDAY

HOLIDAY: Based on the English words holy and day, holidays originally represented special days of the Christian Church calendar. The word has evolved in general usage to mean any special day.

HOLIDAY:  A 1938 film starring Katherine Hepburn and Cary Grant.

HOLIDAY:  "You can turn this world around.  And bring back all of those happy days.  Put your troubles down.  It's time to celebrate.  Let love shine.  And we will find.  A way to come together. 

And make things better.  We need a holiday!" - Madonna

My holiday has begun!  My little Stella Holiday is in school til 3, which means I have already begun my date with the Starbucks drive-thru and my living room floor to wrap gifts and watch TV (Top Chef, holiday movies, etc).  Sigh....I'm happy just thinking about it.   

I want to wish all of you a very

Merry Christmas...a happy HOLIDAY...

from the bottom of my heart.

XOXO

Felt Trees

Aren't these simple felt trees the cutest?  I think I just saw cream colored ones at Anthro.  The possibilities are endless!  p.s. Anthro just marked down a lot of things this morning so hurry, hurry, hurry if you have last minute shopping!     

{Inspired by Hip Hip Hooray's post}

This Is What It's All About

Random Weekend Thoughts

Twas the weekend before Christmas when all through the house...

New stockings were hung.  I'm forever on a quest for stockings because I can never find the perfect ones.  We now have three sets but these are my new fav I just picked up at World Market for less than $9! 

And while I've been known to wrap an Escada ball gown around the tree (a $10 flea market find), I love this Martha Stewart tree skirt I bought years ago.

I placed candy canes in the cabinet...

you know, just like Aerin Lauder...

 only, my dining room looks like this instead...

(it's a work in progress.  please send donations.  just kidding.)

My sister, Bo, who Stella calls Mombo (because Bo thinks she's really Stella's mom), came over for dinner and then we decorated sugar cookies.  Only, I couldn't find the cookie cutters I had just bought and then we had no clue what we were doing "um, do we put the sprinkles on before or after they bake?"  We'll get it together next year!  They turned out surprisingly good...

even if they don't look like it...

If you want to see some better cookies, check out Nelle's;

she used a vintage cookie press!

Also this weekend, I framed some of Stella's artwork...

I kept racing to the mailbox for all these precious cards...

Here was the picture I used on our card this year...

We made jars of Cinnamon Honey Butter (thanks, Darby!)...

And Stella unwrapped an early present from her friend, Blake;

ladybug slippers!

Nite-Nite.

Modern Folk Living

My close friends grew up with the gorgeous model, Carolyn Murphy, so my bunny ears tend to perk up when I hear anything about her.  If you're not familiar with her name, you undoubtedly know her face...

She recently packed up and moved from her mini farm in Ojai, California and headed back to New York City and soon, she'll be launching her own brand, Modern Folk Living.  It will focus on the modern mom who embraces simple traditions such as gardening, cooking, crafting, etc.  I can't wait to see what it's all about.  You can keep tabs of the spring launch by way of her blog. 

Wish List

Don't you wish your family members had access to your Amazon book wish list (or you had access to theirs)?  I have such random books on mine and some have been on there for years.  Maybe I'll treat myself to one for the holidays.  Here are just a handful of some on my list - what's on yours?