Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice is an event that I begin to look forward to in October when the days start to become noticeably shorter and darker. Then in December when it is snowy all day and the sun sets at four o'clock I start to get cagey, cranky & tired. I am glad this day has arrived, not only because it means that Christmas is only four short days away, but because the days will only get lighter and longer from here on out. Happy Winter Solstice Everybody!


One day I hope to be in England on December 21st so I can attend the Winter Solstice at Stonehenge, looks pretty amazing (especially with Gandalf & Harry Potter at the same event, it's enough to make a nerd's head explode.)



photos courtesy Google imaging.

Thanks Emily

I had forgotten how much I LOVED Amy Grant Christmas when I was growing up. And thanks to Emily, I have reunited with the Christmas music of my childhood. She posted about this earlier, and at first I started to laugh and then began singing along to the top of my lungs. Please, enjoy.

Nice to meet you

I had an epiphany today, it has always been really hard for me to learn other people's names. For years I just thought I was cursed with a poor memory and I felt so bad because I'm that person that is always like "Hey you, it's so great to see you." All the while wiling my brain to remember their name.

But today it hit me, I know why I can't remember any one's name. Here is how a conversation would go the first time I meet someone.

"Hi I am Joe."

"Hi Joe, I'm Meikel."

"Miguel?"

"No, M-e-i-k-e-l."

"Oh sorry, Mickell?"

"That's OK, it's like the month M-a-ykel."

"Oh, Nice to meet you May."

"No it's actually one word, Meikel (insert some joke about how my parents must have hated me)

"Oh well, good to meet you."

"Yeah, great to meet you too . . ."

And by the time this oratorical circus is over I have no idea what this person's name is. From now on I am going to write their name down first, and then pull up a chair for them and walk them slowly though the pronunciation. At least now I know the root of my problem, and knowing is half the battle.

I promise, no more posts about my name.

pull up a chair

I had the day off today, and since it was basically a blizzard I took advantage and holed up at home. I sat in my favorite chair and read Harry Pott . . . I mean Catcher in the Rye, yes Catcher in the Rye that's it.
I would love to spend an afternoon in any of these fine seats. (However I will have to have a much larger bank account to do so, a girl can dream.)





1. Sustainable Luxury Collection leather "Sylvan"
2. Calandria Chair, Mod Garden
3. Nathan Turner for Elite Leather "Flores"
4. Eames Style Lounge Chair
5. 1934 Dining Chair
6. Mid-Century Studio Stool

all you need is love

Call me cheesy, but I LOVE this scene from Love Actually.

Happy Birthday Joey

Today is Joey's Birthday and in honor of this event, I thought I would share our favorite birthday that we spent with our dear Joseph. Four years ago Joey, Justin, Beth, Luke & I decided to take a trip to Rome, Florence, Athens & Naxos.

The whole trip was tremendous, but I do remember the amazing meal that we had on Joey's birthday in Athens. Probably one of the cheapest and best meals I have ever had. We wish we could be in Spain to celebrate with Joey today, but instead we send our best!

New Year

Have I mentioned that I like paper? I do, a lot. And I just picked up this beautiful calendar from Orange Beautiful's Etsy Shop. When you are done with a month the bottom dates just tear off leaving you with a gorgeous print. Nothing like a great calendar!

Dear Santa,

A few things I would like for Christmas:



And of course, World Peace.

Nerd or rather, Herd

Ahem, I don't believe I have made it known publicly that I am a Harry Potter Nerd. I am, a big one. I mean I don't have a scarf or glasses or a wand, but I could rattle off quite a few spells if asked to do so. So, naturally I am dying to read this latest bit of greatness from J.K. Rowling. I am however waiting for Christmas because I am a huge nerd and am waiting for a special occasion.

Also, it has come to my attention that Twilight and Harry Potter are being compared as equals. This must stop, Harry Potter is in a whole other echelon of nerdiness, the great kind. Twerds are a whole different breed of Nerds (mostly distinguished by the fact that they have never read Lord of the Rings and that they tend to have black & red themed parties.)

Let's make sure that pre-teen literature remains compared to it's correct peers. Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings and Twilight to the Baby-Sitters Club. Now I have angered 4 different kinds of nerds, impressive I know.

This is great

The "This is" series by Miroslav Sasek are now some of my favorite children's books. I didn't grow up with them, but I am going to make sure all my nieces and nephews do! The 1950's graphic art is amazing, I almost want to take these books apart and frame them. The series includes: Rome, Venice, Hong Kong, Ireland, Texas, Edinburgh, Britan and Isreal (I know they say that Texas is like a different country, but I find it a bit odd it got into this mix.)
Pick up these books on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Evening with the Stewarts

We got to spend a marvelous evening going to Body World's (thanks so much to David for the tickets) & Temple Square with the Stewarts. Body World's was amazing, if you have the opportunity to go I highly recommend it. Traci was especially pleased to see that they had a three headed camel at Body World's, after all they are very, very rare.

As always the lights were beautiful as is Temple Square, but we did notice they cut back on the lights a bit this year. Nothing like an evening of Christmas lights and plasticized corpses to get you in the Christmas spirit! Merry Christmas everybody!
photos of Body World's v. Google imaging.

got me some of these . . .

"If you see a white woman and you are trying to figure out whether she is liked or just merely tolerated by white people, the best thing you can do is get a quick look at her haircut. It is a known fact that white people love women who wear their hair with bangs that hang straight down."


"When you are introduced to a group of white people, it’s a good idea to befriend the girl with the bangs. She’s probably the most popular."

White people LOVE me.
Photo and text v. SWPL

this ought to clear things up

I'm thinking of having this made and wearing it all the time. It ought to clear up the immense confusion about how to say my name, and I wouldn't have to think about what to wear in the morning. Win-win.

baby steps

A few of my friends have had babies lately, and that got me looking for some great gifts to bestow on the little ones. While perusing the vastness of the internet, I stumbled upon what very well may be the cutest shoes ever. I am already a sucker for all things felt, but these make me seriously consider having a child. (Is it wrong for retail to inspire motherhood?)


Aurelia & Annalise, who of course are on Etsy offer a great selection of these darling shoes for very reasonable prices. They also have adorable hair clips , bands and hats. Find them here.

days of christmas

The marvelous Lovelands of Loveland Miscellany are offering this free advent calendar. I am tickled and will be putting mine together this weekend. Get yours here.

just can't get enough

I have not stopped listening to these five albums in constant rotation for days. I love them, you will too. From top left:

Vampire Weekend, Vampire Weekend
Kanye West, 808's & Heartbreaks
Colplay, Viva la Vida (Prospeckt March Edition)
Yelle, Pop Up
Orignial Motion Picture Soudtrack, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist

I didn't link to these because I got them all off Itunes, I haven't bought a CD in years so if you would like a CD I suppose Borders, or Amazon would have these.

*I have also been listening to the fantastic mix that Emily made me, I hope some of you were luck enough to receive Late Fall, Run to The Lights Of the City. It is wonderful, as is Emily.

I judge books by their covers

Or rather I judge food, candles, beauty products, stores, office supplies, home items and you name it if it comes in a cute package chances are I will buy it. Thanks to The Coterie, I have found this great website dedicated to the art of packaging. Check out The Dieline here.