too sick to blog

{also too sick to find were I got this adorable image}

Monday, December 28, 2009

too sick to blog

~
I got a very special Christmas/Birthday present that seems to be sticking around. Good news? I lost all that holiday weight in a couple of hours! Bad news? Well, let's not go into detail.

savoring the fruits of no labor

{image via here }


Tuesday, December 22, 2009
savoring the fruits of no labor
~

Per Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post, Aerators are all the rage this year as holiday gifts. Mr. McIntyre also believes that the gift is just a bunch of hot air (bad pun intended). I, on the other hand, tend to disagree. I was gifted a Vinturi aerator recently because I'm known to my friends first as a lover of good wine and second as an instant gratification type of gal. 


I understand that I may be missing the point of savoring a fine Bordeaux - if it can spend years aging and enhancing it's subtle flavors- why can't I wait the hour to decant it? I'm busy and thirsty. That's why. So I would recommend (and will give) the Vinturi aerator this holiday season. 

i'm making my list

{ image via here }

Monday, December 21, 2009

i'm making my list

~

With only four days until Christmas and five days until my birthday, I thought it was only fair to give my loved ones some helpful hints on what I'm dying to find under the tree- or wrapped in quasi birthday-Christmas paper. Please note that two-for-one presents are frowned upon by all those lucky enough to be born in the shadow of our dear lord. I'm not bitter - promise.

these adorable French Soul pirouette shoes  would be perfect for strolling around D.C. on the weekends. They would also look great on a weekend getaway to Paris (hint hint )

{Image via Country Attire }

It is particularly snowy and wet out side right now. I've been dreaming of slipping into the classic Hunter Wellies . An added bonus- they are conveniently monogramed with my last name- so there's never any confusion!

Oh the drama! These elbow length Portolano gloves would really spice up my jackets and with a pure silk lining I would always feel wrapped in luxury. Available at Bergdorf Goodman. 

Now, I know what you are thinking- these gifts are all well over $100. I know I have expensive tastes... it is a curse, but while I'm dreaming big I would also like the following items: 

A Smythson pocket memo 'jotter' with gold embossing. for all my important meetings and what have you (I have few meetings - so this would be used primarily for doodles)

{image from here }

Lastly, I would love to unwrap these gorgeous hemstitched cocktail linens from Leontine Linens of Louisiana . 

can we all agree that cupcakes are over

Sunday, December 20, 2009

can we all agree that cupcakes are over

~

Please. If I never see or eat another cupcake or read about a bakery that only sells cupcakes (diversify people!), then I'd be delighted. 


What I can really sink my teeth into is the work of Wayne Thiebaud . His colorful, imaginative pop art is the kind of sweet treat I'd like to have. The best news of all? It hurts your wallet, not your thighs.

a recipe for perfection

{ image via rifle paper co. }

Saturday, December 19, 2009

a recipe for perfection

~

My husband and I spent yesterday baking. Yes, I took the day off to bake- how domestic of me! I scanned the internet for some great new recipes, but I have no where to put them. These retro recipe cards would be perfect for collecting old family recipes and new ones yet to discover.

making (my) spirits bright

{all images via me}
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
making (my) sprits bright

~ 

  For the last few years my good friends have invited me to The White House to view the holiday decor (I'm one of 50,000 who will pass through this season- so don't get too excited). This year I was delighted to hear that the famed designer, Simon Doonan, was involved in the planning and decorating. I was hoping for the usual high drama decor that Doonan is so well know for in his position as creative director of Barney's New York (remember Andy Warholidays? Genius!). Though the zaniness was at a minimum this year's pared down decorations were elegant and managed to get me into the spirit of the season. 

Here are some highlights:

The White House was decorated with beautiful arrangements the one picture above has festive pepperberries and amaryllis. 

dried hydrangea that were recycled from old floral arrangements and hung on wall sconces

The most obvious bit of recycling was the christmas tree in the blue room- the tree's ornaments made an encore appearance. In true Obama fashion, working across party lines, the glass ornaments from the Bush Administration were a large part of the tree (sans the tinsel that was out in epic proportions last year).

This years holiday decor had subtle style and stayed true to the new american tenor of 'less is more'.  As guests entered The White House there was a recycled cardboard tree where everyone was invited to take a scrap of paper and make a wish. the "Wish Tree" was not only visually stunning, it immediately made the viewer look at the decorations in  a different light. The theme this year was "Reflect, Rejoice, Renew" and although the drama and excess that makes me adore Mr. Doonan was missing, I really enjoyed the overall experience and think it reflected all of the lovely things that this new administration embodies.

bonjour

{via Honey Lux }
Sunday, December 13, 2009
bonjour
~

If you are a young working urbanite in the city -- unless you the beneficiary of a trust fund-- you are forced to make certain compromises:

A cramped studio apartment with skyrocketing rental prices in the city or a spacious 2 bedroom in a suburban apartment complex. Crystal champagne flutes or flat panel high def tvs.

If you decide to get some more mileage out of the tube tv while still living terribly chic in the heart of the city...welcome to a place that knows you all too well. Here you will not be judged by the size of your apartment or the flatness of your tv screen because The Working Class Bourgeois understands that it's what is inside your heart and mind (and maybe your china cabinet) that counts most of all.