The dark winter days can be a bummer, but one of my favorite parts of the holidays is decorating our little fireplace. This weekend, we put up a garland, along with a grazing brass deer. Even though the fireplace doesn't actually work, the room already feels much cozier.
Speaking of weddings, Once Wed just featured the simplest and sweetest wedding I've ever seen... Johan and MeeSook tied the knot on a Swedish island overlooking a lighthouse and the sea. They exchanged rings and a kiss. MeeSook's absolutely beautiful dress is from Saja Bridal. Don't you love how it flows in the breeze? Next, confetti and Champagne! The guests also looked amazing, including the bride's sister in a dyed silk dress and a baby in a flower cap. Then the couple waved goodbye to everyone... And lived happily ever after. xo
Happy Thanksgiving, my lovelies! Where will you be spending the holiday? Alex and I will be going to our friends' house in Brooklyn, where we plan to eat lots of cheese, sit by the fire and play gin rummy. Alex has been working such long hours recently that I can't wait to have him in my clutches! Enjoy the long weekend, and, in the meantime, here are a few great posts from around the web...
Today's giveaway is from Ariel Gordon Jewelry, a gorgeous shop based in Los Angeles. She's offering a handcrafted initial necklace made of 14k gold. (The winner will be able to choose her favorite letter, of course.) Isn't it lovely?
For a chance to win, visit Ariel Gordon Jewelry and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!
Update: Maggie is our lucky winner. And a holiday bonus: All readers can get 30% off everything at Ariel Gordon Jewelry until December 31st, simply by entering CUPOFJO during checkout. xo
Elle Magazine's shoe diary blog reveals the gorgeous shoes that Elle employees wear to the office every day. Some are Gucci and Jimmy Choo; some are Nine West and H&M. Genius.
P.S. Can you imagine peeking under the conference table during a meeting?!
Alex and I have a new dinner obsession: Bullet potatoes. Have you ever had them? You rub Russet potatoes with butter and sea salt, pierce them with a fork, and put them in a 450-degree oven for about an hour. When the skin is hard and crispy (like a bullet!) and the inside is tender, you take them out, cut them lengthwise and add sour cream, cheddar cheese, shallots and lots of pepper. They are cheap, easy and might be the most delicious thing ever. Serving suggestion: Red wine and Curb Your Enthusiasm. :)
Anna Bond of Rifle Design is a genius at designing stationery. (We were thrilled to have her do our wedding programs.) Lucky for us, she just opened a brand new online store with her beautiful notecards and prints. Congratulations, Anna!
Don't you guys love the Dog Whisperer? He's cute, intense and can make pit bulls whimper with a well-timed "sshht!" Well, Alex wrote a funny article this weekend about how parents are borrowing the Dog Whisperer's disciplinary techniques (for example, always acting like the pack leader and having "calm, assertive energy") to help raise their children. It's kind of genius, if you think about it! The article made me laugh, so I thought I'd be the proud wife and post it. :)
My sweet readers, what are your plans for the weekend? My dad is coming from Michigan to visit, and we'll be taking him to brunches, seeing art exhibits and inevitably watching Seinfeld reruns. I can't wait. Have a wonderful weekend, and here are a few great posts from around the web...
Oh my goodness, my mom just heard the cutest study on NPR: Apparently, babies, even as newborns, mimic their parents' accents. For example, German babies' cries gravitate to lower pitches, and French babies melodically lilt up at the end of their cries. How sweet is that?
Today's giveaway is from ban.do, the adorable shop that just launched a new collection of headbands for $50 and under. They're offering one lucky winner this bow headband, made of sparkly rainbow threads on a satin headband. Wouldn't it be flirty and fabulous for holiday parties?
For a chance to win, visit ban.do and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!
Update: Jill is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xoxo
Have you seen the new HBO series, Bored to Death? It's about a struggling Brooklyn novelist who moonlights as a private detective, and I find it endlessly hilarious. Ted Danson is a genius.
Alex and I rarely burn candles, but last night, we had a cozy evening at home and decided to light this one. And we loved it. Inspired by the Champagne region, the scent has notes of ripe fruit, pinot noir grapes and earthy soil. Sometimes candles can hit you over the head with their heavy perfumes, but this was light and lovely. Do you have any favorite candles?
How pretty is this mint water? It's so easy to make and looks really refreshing. Wouldn't it be nice to have a few flavored waters in the fridge for Thanksgiving guests? Maybe lemon, orange, mint and cucumber...
As I mentioned last week, I went on a trip for Yves Saint Laurent to scout the best French style in American cities. Well, we got home on Sunday, and here's a final round-up of what I found... I bought a pair red tights so I could look like French starlet Anna Karina. My parents lived in Paris when they were newlyweds, and they told me about their neighbors' wine scandal... We went to Comme Ca in L.A. for a delicious lunch. (I devoured their grilled cheese, with sharp cheddar and gruyere. The secret ingredient? Dijon mustard!) In Chicago, we saw double at the Art Institute. And we took a red balloon to Hollywood, where it made a few "famous" friends...
(And, at top, my friend Max and I tried Langres, a French cheese you serve by pouring Champagne over it. (Fancy!)
See all my posts here -- I hope you like them! Thank you so much. xoxo