Some very lovely holiday family pictures at slate.com.

It's a white Christmas in Western Washington! The first time I've experienced this....

Listening to Simon & Garfunkel, making food and drinking Mexican hot chocolate.

Already made four laps around the house on cross-country skis. Perfect ski weather.

Merry Christmas world!

Winter Book Wish~list

Printing by Hand by Lena Corwin
Home is Where the Heart is by Ilse Crawford
Handmade Nation by Faythe Levine and Courtney Heimerl

Please do not buy this product. It is offensive to real bagels and people will think you are eating a Twinkie.

I laughed out loud the first time I saw this house driving home from work. Maybe this is par for the course in some places but in ho-hum Ballard houses a.) have no lights or b.) have one strand draped over a shrub.

Seattle-ites woke up Thursday morning to snow! J and I took the above picture on the way to the post office. We waited in a very long line to mail some packages but I think everyone was in a good-special mood because snow is such a treat. [Er...as long as you don't need to be anywhere.]


Green house, orange door.


A very leafy snowman.

"Cream of the drawer"...my ribs hurt from laughing. I can't wait to go to her show in February/March. E promised me I'd feel in the Christmas spirit after this show and it's true.

I came upon the BBC miniseries "Cranford" on PBS a few months ago. It is totally absorbing and and touching. Like a Jane Austen story but more overtly funny. I believe it's on DVD now. Good for the holidays. Everyone in my family loved it, including my dad. I may have to watch it a third time.

Ooh I would like to wear this bag. One left at etsy....hmmm.
moop

May I direct your attention toward a small (250 sq. feet), impeccably lovely apartment in Brooklyn...


What she has done with her space is so inspirational because it is both small and (was) very typical of terrifyingly white and boring apartment the world over. I seem to move every year and the looking can be so dejecting when the only places in my price range are cookie-cutter, pre-fab apartments devoid of character. But look what can be done!

Before I read the interview I was mystified by the behind-the-cabinet and under-the-sink photos (every bottle and box with a place) until I read that she is a professional organizer. [Can I go to school for such a career? I think I'm predisposed to be fantastic at it.] I love the following, "Laura is insistent on only keeping that which she uses. NOTHING MORE."

Edit, edit, edit. It's the mantra of the non-cluttered, perfectly curated apartment dweller. Or else they have tons of storage space. My friend Michael says there are more personal storage units than fast food restaurants in America.

Check out the closet. Beautiful. I need a hotel hook.


Follow the entire photo essay at Apartment Therapy

My moment of zen...via Apartment Therapy