austin typography.

y'all, the people-watching in austin was out of control. if i weren't so shy about taking pictures of people, i'd have quite the photographs to show you. instead... some typography. :) happy monday.

things i love thursday.

this new-to-me book, full of handmade ideas and scandinavian style.

mini chocolate birthday cupcakes made by a dear friend.

this old photograph, because it's our neighborhood some eighty years ago.

the way our living room plant is reaching towards the sun, just like me. :)

this old, faded duffel bag, because i can't help it. and it means we're going on a trip.

happy thursday, and happy 30th to me. :)

on my bookshelf.

upon the recommendation of a friend, i picked up room by emma donoghue about a week ago. it is quite possibly the strangest-- and most riveting-- book i have ever read.

the story is told from the point of view of five-year-old jack who lives with his mother in a room that measures 11 x 11 feet.  the kicker? he has never seen the outside world.

it is both disturbing and heart-warming, sweet and terrifying. if you're interested in learning more, check out the official book trailer. it's very well done.

have any of you read it? what did you think? 

lemonade.

when summer feels really far away, a guaranteed pick-me-up is a big glass of lemonade. 

the combination of the fresh citrus scent and the bright yellow color always cheers me up. bonus: there is something so satisfying about squeezing a big ol' lemon-- call it anger management. :)

 

p.s. i also recommend drinking it out of a straw, because that makes everything more fun.

have a wonderful weekend, everyone!   

birthday bunting.

warning: if you stare at this bunting long enough, you'll start craving cupcakes with rainbow sprinkles. (both of which are perfect for a thirtieth birthday, i've decided.)  happy thursday.

oatmeal with cranberries and dates.

this morning, a very rare occurrence: i jumped out of bed, threw on some socks and then ran upstairs to check on the slow cooker. ahhh. heaven in a bowl. warm, hearty steel cut oats.

now i am sitting here rubbing my belly, and dreaming of what i can try next. it's official: my slow cooker is my new best friend.




      

this and that.

on friday, i popped into one of my favorite vintage shops in davis square. as i was running my fingers along the stacks of old records and daydreaming about owning pieces of the dusty furniture, i spotted this sweet little car and truck. i'm still not sure if they were left behind by a busy toddler, or if they were for sale... but i love them. can't you just imagine the little hands that have made them go zoom zoom across the floor?

p.s. we are not big into valentine's day in our house, but in classic simon style, he arranged these gorgeous flowers on the dining room table for me to find. :) the scent of the lilies has now filled up the condo, and i am a happy girl. happy valentine's day!

right now.

i am listening to norah, dreaming of trips to france, and waiting for my coffee to brew. 

this week has been a little blah. but i am grateful for decadent lunch dates with friends, late-night glasses of cabernet, smiling yoga students, and a husband who has been working from home for two straight weeks. 

my goal for the weekend: pick up my camera. you?

p.s. it is freezing here today. when the "feels like" number is a single digit-- like today--it's only a matter of time before i hide under a pile of blankets, close my eyes and pretend i am on the beach in california.


(photo credit: lesliee) 

beginning anew.

over the weekend, simon and i had a little painting party. our dining room and kitchen walls are now brown teepee. (of course, i think the color looks like 'creamy coffee.' yum.)

we also rearranged the furniture, moved the art around, and made piles of old textbooks and novels to donate to our local reading tree.

it feels so good to mix things up in the dead of winter, don't you think? now all we need is a little sunshine.

(photo credit: allie bishop pasquier)

oh honey.

simon has been fighting off a nasty cold for the past few days, so i've been making him soothing concoctions of green tea, lemon, honey and ginger. for two people who don't like the taste of honey, we both agree, it's actually not bad.

call me a sucker, but i've also been rubbing his back, and encouraging him to watch silly things on television, like the super bowl. :)

what are your favorite natural remedies for when you are feeling under the weather?

p.s. another great idea: a steam bath. 

polaroids of new zealand.

 

 

 

it's only been a few months since our honeymoon, but i miss new zealand already. sigh.
(you know what else i miss? the sun.)

luckily, simon and i haven't finished watching all of flight of the conchords yet, so the beautiful kiwi accent is at our disposal at any time, (in case of new zealand withdrawal emergencies).  

i wish i had the power to beam myself there right now. anyone care to join? :)

p.s. can you spot the horse?

have a beautiful weekend.

                 

here's a little summary of my week:
homemade biscuits and chocolate cake. three canceled yoga classes due to snow. (boo.)
the help. simon working from home, (which means lots of mid-day jokes and stolen
kisses). crossed fingers and toes for good luck. icicles as far as the eye can see. flickering
candles. waterproof boots. impromptu yoga stretches in the living room. and an epic trip to
trader joe's, where i walked away with more bags than i could carry. how was your week?

p.s. more importantly, what are you up to this weekend? it's taco night in our house! huzzah.

(photo credits: floraison)

getting through winter.

today is another snow day in boston. i'm beginning to forget what our sidewalks look like. so, in an attempt to stay positive, here are a few of the things that keep me sane during the cold, dark days of winter.

1. books. it goes without saying, but curling up with a new novel is one of my favorite things in the world. thanks to the suggestion of meredith, i am now hooked on indie bound. i also downloaded the indie bound iphone app that helps me keep track of all the books i want to read. love.

2. thick, wool socks. i wear them inside my boots, around the house, and sometimes even to bed. handmade ones are the best, although these look pretty cozy too.

3. hope in a jar. i'm not usually into expensive cosmetics, but this lotion is divine. it's light, non-greasy, hydrating, and smells really good. goodbye dry skin.

4. knitting. it keeps me busy when i'm cooped up inside, and the gratification of finishing something is nothing short of glorious.

5. tea lights. we have them all over our condo, and they make even the gloomiest of days feel just a little bit cozier. fun fact: did you know that they were originally created to keep tea pots warm? :)

6. crosswords. every night, simon and i climb into bed, turn on our bedside lamps, and try to solve the day's crossword puzzle. i have to confess that every once in a while, i fall asleep before we finish. but it's one of the best parts of my day.

7. messenger bag from moop. it's big enough to haul around all my winter gear: hat, gloves, extra scarf, tissues, book, and even a snack. i don't know what i would do without it.

8. pretty mugs. whether it's for my daily cup of coffee, my afternoon tea break, or a hot chocolate with marshmallows, i firmly believe that mugs should be fun to look at. this particular one is from here.

9. good radio. i feel so lucky to live in boston where we have emerson's station, "music for the independent mind" and another independent station called "the river". what else is there to do on a snow day, but listen to incredible tunes all day long? of course, there is always wait wait, don't tell me, too, which never fails to entertain.

so, tell me, what do you do to stay sane during the winter? 

february.

as i type this, the snow is falling fast and furiously outside my window. luckily, i'm cozy inside, drinking a cup of tea, and thinking about the fact that i am turning thirty this month. thirty! oh my goodness.

i am actually very excited. simon and i are going to celebrate in austin, texas! any recommendations of things to do or places to eat?

p.s. a hilarious cooking video you should all check out. happy tuesday!

(photo credit: shawnisabelle)