Art , Dogs & a Baby

That's what's on my list for tomorrow--visit the Columbia Museum of Art and shop for the dogs at Pupcakes Pet Boutique with Jones.  Then, tomorrow night we'll indulge at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for dinner with some close family friends, a December 23rd tradition, (or as my Dad calls it- Christmas Eve Eve).

image via here

I am dying to see the Hudson River School Painters Exhibit; just gonna pop Jones in his sling and expose him to some beautiful art.  Then, we'll venture to Pupcakes to get new collars and treats for the dogs for Christmas.

I am off of work and Jones is out of school, and I can't imagine a more perfect day.

Happy Holidays!

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A Word for Wednesday

 


ejune: lacking knowledge or experience; uninformed

As in: a line from the NY Times' review of Joan Didion's A Year of Magical Thinking: "Hard sweet wisdom.  That 'hard sweet wisdom'-the literary critical phrase that once seemed strong- after experience feels jejune."

Read the entire book review here.  If you haven't read the book, you should.  It is an emotional and very visceral account of the grief the author feels following her husband's sudden death.  Not an overly sad or sentimental book, just a very real account of grief by a very smart and sad woman.

image via here

Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische.

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Wanderlust

Wanderlust is an ever-present feeling in my gut.  As a result, and also because of my love for almost anything vintage, I have a fascination with old globes and maps.  San Francisco artist Wendy Gold turns vintage globes into works of art.

 My favorite:

image via here

Peace:

image via here

Now...where shall we go?

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Christmas Card

Merry Christmas!

Photo Card

View the entire collection of cards.

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Holiday Movie Love

I have been searching for days for my copy of Love Actually.  I have the DVD case, just no DVD.  It has put a bit of a damper on my holiday spirit, I think.  It is by far my favorite Christmas movie, and I need to watch it.  So, I will be purchasing a new copy later today and watching it tonight.  Merry Christmas to me.  (and you!)




The flashcard scene is the best ever...

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A Dangerous Method

I was a psych major, so I am a total dork for the theories and lives of Freud, Jung, Pavlov, Skinner, and a host of other influential, (and often off-their-rockers-crazy), scientists who studied the human brain and behavior.

This is on my short-list to see:


See the official website for A Dangerous Method (and a more risque trailer) here.

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A Pretty Thing

Possibly the most stunningly beautiful man-made thing I have ever seen:

Lobmeyr chandelier in Kennedy Center Opera House via here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had the privilege of touring The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC a few years ago, and after experiencing this chandelier--and you truly must experience being in the room with it; it is huge and elegant and grand and the picture does not even do it justice--I swore I would come back for a show in the Opera House someday.

image via here

Anyone seen a show in The Kennedy Center Opera House?
Happy Friday!

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Horns and a Stand-Up Bass

I love horns-trumpet, sax, trombone.  I get it honestly, my father really only likes music that includes horns...he used to say of the rock 'n roll/pop that I listened to as an angsty teenager: "3 guitarists, a drummer and a singer does not a band make.  Where are the horns?!"  Of course, because I was an angsty teen, I rolled my eyes and tried not to sing along too loudly when he played his favorites with horns- mostly Motown and beach music like The Embers, The Four Tops, and The Four Seasons.

Lots of horns in this classic--beloved by my Dad (and me):



I also love a stand-up bass (aka cello).  One of my favorite REM songs includes an amazingly well-timed cello solo:...wait for it, it's at the end:



So, those things being said about my love of horns and stand-up-bass, here are a couple songs from new-to-me artists I was excited to come across on NPR's list of 5 Artists You Should Know in 2011.  Enjoy.

Of Monsters and Men:



J.D. McPherson: 


Any new music you're loving?

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A Very Crafty Christmas

I love the adrenaline and pressure of staying up late to finish holiday projects. I am a holy-horrible-procrastinator by nature, and I get it honestly: I vividly remember my mother staying up into the wee hours to complete sewing projects when I was a kid.  Here are some of the crafts that I am working on (or planning on working on by December 24th!) for the holidays:

image via here

1) Popsicle Memory Game- this one is actually already complete!  The printable pattern and instructions can be found here at a favorite blog, Eat, Drink, Chic.  This is a gift for my 4 year old nephew, Ben.  He is obsessed with anything sweet, popsicles especially.  I got a glass jar with screw-on lid from Hobby Lobby and decorated it with popsicle stickers.  I also Contact-papered the popsicles so they'll last longer.  Really cute, and easy.

image via here

2) Ribbon Wreath- Finished this last night!  Instructions and material list were found in the December 2011 Woman's Day magazine.  Don't have a great picture of the one I did with Candy Cane-striped red and white ribbon, but the one above was created using the same instructions, borrowed from here.  I am gifting this to my sister today.

image via here

3) A-Frame Tent- This is what I am most excited to make (and give) this year...this is for my almost-11-month-old son, Jones.  The complete step-by-step instructions I found here, on one of my favorite blogs, Cakies.  I always loved making temporary pillow-and-blanket forts as a kid, and I hope that he will appreciate this fun handmade tent for years to come.  My husband is handling the wooden frame and I will be sewing the fabric piece.  I ordered the vintage Sesame Street sheet below to make into the tent cover. 

images via here

Pictures to come of the finished product, (but don't expect them before December 25th!)

What are you making this holiday season?

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