Cheesy

I love cheese. More than I should. Aren't these cheese knives just fantastic?! I love it when cute and functional meet! And until December 30th you can get them at 20% off thanks to InStyle (use code INSTYLE09)! Buy them at Delight.com.

Alice

I am just going to put this out there. I love Alice in Wonderland. A lot. Tell me who cannot relate to a story about finding yourself (both literally and figuratively) in the middle of a crazy place with crazy people. Is that not every typical day for most people? I know it is for me. I also loved the wonder of Wonderland. The beauty. I think Brandi Milne captures those feelings perfectly in this painting. (Which is both available in print form and Gelaskins form!)

After watching Alice on Syfy, my Alice obsession has really been kicked into high gear. I thought I'd put together my list of Alice inspired things that I just love.

Anthropologie makes the most beautiful and unusual things for the home! I just love this tea cup lamp. Perfect for any Alice themed room.

How unique is this bracelet by Tom Binns! I love the cut pieces of tea cup linking it all together. This is from an upcoming line he has put together in conjunction with Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Which yes - I am just on pins and needles waiting for it to be released! (picture by Jens Mortensen)

The tiny little mushroom is adorable!!! I just imagine Alice slipping it right into her pocket after she takes a bite! (via YellerCracka)

Aren't these just the most amazing Alice inspired pieces of furniture you've ever seen in your life! Walking around your house would feel like falling down the rabbit hole! (via dust*furniture)

There is no way I would be able to wear these heels - but - how very (sexy) Alice are they!! The little tea cup heel is just killing me! (shoes by Mui Mui)

Wouldn't this Alice invitation be the perfect way to announce an Alice themed event! (via whatkatyhad)

I love the idea of putting out drink bottles at that event with these tags on them. (via pinkcherrymama)

Postsecret

PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

Simple truths are beautiful.

Traditions

I just read about a friends joy at watching her children's excitement when looking for the "Christmas Elf" each morning. I've never heard of this tradition, but upon doing some googling, I've totally fallen in love with it. Whenever Mike and I have kids, they will certainly be visited by the Christmas Elf! But this got me thinking about my Christmas traditions. Though a small list, they are all close to my heart:

• Putting the tree up (especially with my Mom) - I understand that doesn't sound like a tradition, but the way Mom always made that time special - it was and it was always the weekend after Thanksgiving.
  
• Shopping with Mom the first weekend in December.
• Baking cookies - Spritz Cookies are a must, and these Italian cookies are a new/old must. We would make these cookies for Easter actually, but I just LOVE them for Christmas. The Nobel Pig posted this spot on recipe last year.
• Grandma (and now Grandpa) Angel - After my Grandma passed away when I was 4, Mom would hide a Christmas present for me to find after opening all my other gifts that would be from Grandma Angel. It was a wonderful way to keep Grandma a part of my life and make me feel like she was still watching over me.
  
• Late Night Christmas stocking shopping - My husband and I started this our first Christmas together. We would stay up late and go to someplace like Walmart, go our separate ways with a small budget to buy silly little gifts that we would then go home and immediately open. This is also repeated for Easter baskets. 

In addition to that main list are also watching White Christmas, driving around Riverside to see the Luminaries and the Blow up house, baking my pumpkin bread, and probably a few more things I can't think of now.

So I'm wondering, what other traditions are out there. What are traditions that you hold dear? I'm always looking for things that keep the holiday spirit going!

Blessings

It is a cold rainy day here in Florida. Very rare, but somehow appropriate for the less than stellar day I'm having. I listen to Pandora while I work, and just now the perfect song came on - Count your Blessings Instead of Sheep by Rosemary Clooney. Not only an all time favorite (and from my favorite holiday movie), but a good reminder that even on bad days, I still am blessed. What blessings are you counting today?

StoryCorps

This experience is one of the best things I've ever done. It lived up to every expectation I had for it. I asked mom one simple question - what were your happiest times, but I asked her that question in relation to the people that were most important in our lives. Every person I asked her about, besides me, has passed away, but it is our memories that live on.This recording will always help me remember mom and her happy times - and my happy times with her.

Check StoryCorps out for yourself. I promise you both laughter and tears. I strongly suggest if the mobile unit is in your area (or if you are lucky enough to live near a permanent unit) to take advantage of the opportunity. You'll be happy you did.

Macarons

This, my friends, is the first bite of the first macaron I've ever had. For years I've been dying to have one. I've drooled over countless pictures and recipes.

Macarons are a traditional French pastry and this one was worth the wait. There are no bakeries around me that make macarons (I had this in Vegas), so now that I've had one - I'm just going to have to make them myself. And let me tell you, I am scared! Making these little suckers is all about technique.

Generally my baking skills are good, my technique - that could use some work. But I love a good challenge, especially in the kitchen. I'm going to us a chocolate recipe from a great resource - David Lebovitz. So if you are interested in going down this rabbit hole with me, stay tuned as I soon will be tackling this on my own!

In the meantime - look at all these beautiful macarons (and get a head start on making some for yourself if you dare!)

 

Updates

She had no idea, but he had her phone ready to go for her too. You can see his actual tweet here!

Daydreaming

It is gloomy outside and I can't help but wish I was somewhere else.
Like maybe Venice or Las Vegas - or both!
(side note: This was my first mobile blog!)

Wish

I am loving this cute intricate little bag from Starbucks and all their Christmas wish stuff. Always keep making wishes!