White and Fluffy

Rabbits and snow... ah... some of my favorite things!

Image from Snow Zone

We were scheduled for some flurries this evening, but so far we've had a nice sunset and a nice chill in the air. All the stores are decorated with lights and tinsel, Christmas music is already in the air. Working at the mall has me thinking about the holidays. The Pings family is planning on cutting down our own tree this year! We have to get permits before it's too late! Mr. Pings also reserved tickets to see the Moscow Ballet perform the Nutcracker! I've asked father to record a holiday CD with some classics so we can listen to it while decorating the house. The holidays are the best time of the year!

What are some of your holiday traditions? Favorite holiday music? Tastiest winter food/drink?

Moscow Ballet

What Dreams May Come

Today I'm missing Apple...

Since September I've dreamt of seeing Apple (our grandma) numerous times. Last night I had yet another dream of seeing her with the family. In one part of my dream the entire family was across the street from Apple's house, enjoying an afternoon picnic in the sun. My imagination created this amazing little stream that the children raced boats on, little tents filled with lemon ice and sweets, airplanes flew around us, and we sat on vivid green grass. It was very relaxed and everyone was happy. Other dreams she has shown up in a grocery store with a big list of items being checked off one by one with a pencil. She doesn't talk to me, just keeps drawing lines on her paper, leaning on her cart, smiling and humming.

Another dream was around the holidays, with snow fluttering outside, Christmas lights, and family members taking pictures (I'm not the only one taking photos in a dream world)! The family was gathered to watch a Christmas performance of Ellie's school play! Although the dreams were very happy and I woke up feeling a sense of love and euphoria, it made me sad that I couldn't talk to Apple in my dream. We used to have conversations in my moments of slumber, but since September that has been silenced. I'm not sad that she isn't on my speed dial, she won't be there on holidays, or that she won't send cards in the mail anymore, but it is difficult to let go of those nice little conversations we had. I know everyone feels the same :)

New (to me)

Twig and Thistle

Sycamore Street Press

My Tree and Me

I'm a collector of blogs and websites, and these little gems are some of my new favorites! I love the family trees from My Tree and Me - what a perfect gift!

Red Hot

In attempts to be a cooler person, I've been venturing out into the music world a little bit, thanks to Patrick. Patrick is the drummer in a local band, who not only has extensive knowledge in music, but just about everything else you can imagine. He is our Wednesday night trivia secret weapon. He is super cool, reads the New Yorker, has a vivid imagination, and did I mention he is an only child, like yours truly? Since we've known Patrick, he has made countless mix tapes (CDs) for us that have changed our music listening habits.

I've been listening to independent bands from all over the world, many coming out of the NY scene. Yesterday I finally picked up Dark Was the Night, a mix of bands I'm really digging right now. Here are the artists involved with the project:

Andrew Bird, Antony, Arcade Fire, Beach House, Beirut, Blonde Redhead, Bon Iver, The Books, Buck 65, David Byrne, Cat Power & Dirty Delta Blues,The Decemberists, Aaron Dessner, Bryce Dessner, Devastations, Dirty Projectors, Kevin Drew, Feist, Ben Gibbard, Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, Jose Gonzalez, Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Kronos Quartet, Stuart Murdoch, My Brightest Diamond, My Morning Jacket, The National, The New Pornographers, Conor Oberst, Riceboy Sleeps,Serengeti, Dave Sitek, Spoon, Sufjan Stevens, Gillian Welch, Yeasayer, Yo La Tengo

Paris, je t'aime

Darling Clementine

One of my ex-students emailed me with this fantastic excitement that he will travel to Paris this Thanksgiving! It will be Ben's first experience traveling to Paris, but since we studied Paris and French art extensively in my art history class last year, he feels connected to The City of Lights. I somehow feel validated for making my freshmen sit through an entire year of art history! In a way I've reached my ultimate goal, connecting my students to the outside world and the art that surrounds us all. At least my students left my class knowing about the Louvre, Mona Lisa, Primavera, Dada, Santa Maria del Fiore, Caravaggio, and how Vincent Van Gogh really needed some medication and a little love, just to name a few things... But when it all comes down to it, Ben best expressed the excitement of going to a city like Paris:

I will take an open mind, it sounds rad! I'm pumped for the cheese, but really everything sounds great.

French Films, Ooh La La!

To get into the spirit, why not watch some French Flicks on this Fabulous Friday?

I had to add this clip after Gramercy Gaslight Girl's delightful reminder of a scene in Paris, je t'aime! Merci! I love this scene too!

Hand in Hand

Kate Spade Mittens

"we worked with war survivors in bosnia through our hand in hand program, a partnership with women for women international, to create these charming colorblocked mittens. knit entirely by hand, they're expertly crafted with a sweet striped print. hands down, the perfect pair"

Three little kittens,

They lost their mittens,

And they began to cry,

Oh, mother, dear,

We sadly fear,

Our mittens we have lost.

Oh dear, don't fear

Come in and have some pie!

Big Shot

Yesterday morning I FINALLY got my seasonal flu shot! Although it is not the H1N1 vaccine, it will have to do. I don't have a problem with shots or needles at all (I've had way too many surgeries and hospital experiences to care at this point), but OUCH my arm is really sore today!!! Last night the pain woke me up because I think I rolled over on my left arm. Yikes!

My Tuesday felt more like a Monday. After my trip to the doctors office Joseph made lunch and I was on my way to work. It is my 2 month anniversary at J.Crew, so I was finally able to pick out my Crew Clothes, free clothes that I can wear to work! I think it is a nice offer - Anthropologie never gave us clothes. J.Crew rolled out their Winter/Holiday collection (part 1) yesterday so start getting your Christmas lists ready! How can you resist ballet slippers and soft pajama pants? Think cozy thoughts...

I picked out very simple items that we will always have in our store, dark matchstick jeans and a grey boyfriend-style cardi. It reminds me of the sweaters college boys used to wear back in the day when college had some style. Or maybe the college of my imagination. Of course there are new pieces that I just couldn't resist, like my "farm" checked shirt! In the period one week, we saw Jamie Oliver and a girl working for Hugh Fearnly Whittingstal both wearing it!

I got home late and was feeling weak and tired (the nurse warned me of this) so I cleaned up the house a little, ate dinner, and watched two of my favorite movies, Science of Sleep and Adventures in Babysitting! It's one of those movies I watched over and over again when I was younger. Plus it's one of mom's all-time favorites too! What is YOUR favorite 1980's movie? (So many to choose from)

I love the quintessentially 80's opening scene!

Simple Fleabag

White, clean, simple.

When we go to the flea market, the grocery store, or any other place where we are likely to buy a ton of stuff, we have very specific requirements about the bag we bring along: it has to be big but not unwieldy, chic but functional, and possibly made out of earth-friendly materials. And look! We have found something that fits our myriad of requirements— miracle of miracles! The Fleabag is made out of organic cotton/hemp canvas, with a vegetable-tanned leather bottom to keep it tough. These limited-edition bags, which are lined in cute striped material, have the edition numbers right on the front so recipients know they are getting something that is truly unique.

Watercolors Into the Ocean

While reading Paper + Cup, I saw this darling little post about a new magazine called Lonny. I was charmed to see a new style magazine (since the closing of Blueprint, sniff), one that has clean images and lots of pretty things, of course. One of the magazine's illustrators, Caitlin McGauley , paints simple little watercolor images of all things NY City! I checked out her blog immediately after, and what can I say? I'm in love! I used to adore painting with watercolors, until I moved back to color pencils, my fav. I believe we share a similar aesthetic - capturing little colorful details that catch our eye, little jewels, treasures, and pleasures of everyday life. It makes me want to do some art again!

Enjoy her portfolio here and read her blog!

Monday Fffffound

Happy Monday everyone! I was just looking through some images on Ffffound to make my Monday morning a little bit more colorful! Back to the old work week after a nice week of pretty fully snow, hot chocolate, and r & r.

Today I'm doing the usual - teaching the students then off to J.Crew for a night of folding!

Thank you for all your wonderful Halloween cards! I can't wait to see some Halloween photos!

Happy Halloween

Wishing a frightful night for all!

A Halloween Poem from Judy! Enjoy!

IT’S HALLOWEEN … IT’S HALLOWEEN… THE WITCHES ARE UP HIGH

RIDING PAST THE GLOSSY MOON, AWAY UP IN THE SKY

THEY SNATCH THE LITTLE CHILDREN TO PUT IN A WITCHES BREW

TO SATISFY THEIR APPETITES WHILE RIDING BY THE MOON

IT’S HALLOWEEN … IT’S HALLOWEEN… THE GOBLINS ARE OUT TOO

THEY SCARE THE LITTLE CHILDREN, JUST BE SAYING “BOO”

FOR SURE IT’S HALLOWEEN WITH THE WITCHES MAKING BREW

AND THE GOBLINS SCARING LITTLE CHILDREN JUST BY SAYING … BOO!!!

Some of my cute students dressed up for the Halloween party!

Pumpkin Carving Friday

Joseph and I made the most of our Halloween weekend by having an all-
pumpkin Friday night, including Pumpking carving, baked spiced pumpkin
seeds, pumpkin beer, and a scary movie (okay that isn't pumpkin
specific). Earlier that day I had the school Halloween party (pictures
soon to come) and dinner at the Pings' house. Our post-dinner feature
flick was the classic Young Frankestien, Grandpa's favortie!
Despite my intense fear of scary movies, I was able to watch The Sixth
Sense without being scared of the dark or having bad dreams! A big
step for yours truly ;)
Here's Joseph, beer and knife in hand, carving his pumpkin from Rock
Creek Farm.

Fun in the Snow

What better way to spend a snow day than with good friends, a snowball
fight, food, and drinks?! We hit up our favortie spots in Denver -
Falling Rock, Osteria Marco, and Wazee - for some amazing beer,
dinner, apple cobler, and Scotch for the boys. Honestly, it felt more
like Christmas than Halloween!
Below, right to left: Vivi, Erin, Cory Cakes, Marc, me, and Joseph

Snow Outting

Emergency! What good is a hot chocolate without (organic)
marshmallows? This calls for a stroll in the high snow to Whole Foods!
It is evident Joseph agrees with me!
*shout out to my Hunter Wellies, yet again! I heart you, shiny black
Wellies!

To see pictures of Denver's first snow storm of the winter season click on the Denver Post slideshow HERE!

This photographer has a really nice lens - and a great eye for fun shots! enjoy!

Snoooowwwww!!!

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Another snow day! Even Joseph has the day off today! We are making the most of our lovely day off together. So far the house is clean, rabbits are fed, waffles have been made, Bonbonerie opera cream coffee brewed, and Harry Potter Marathon has begun! Slated later for this afternoon - a romp in the snow, a drink with friends...