to the honeymoon!

We're headed to Acapulco early in the morning for our belated honeymoon! Looking forward to warm weather and lots of sunshine. Happy New Year to all!

sweet tooth

Last weekend in Tennessee, we visited Mast General Store in downtown Knoxville. Part clothing, toy, outdoor, gift, and candy store, Mast General is a staple whenever we're downtown.

This time, however, instead of focusing on sweaters and Smart Wool socks, we hovered around the old fashioned candy barrels, squeezing funny rubber chickens and collecting all sorts candy for the 25 minute ride home including chewy sprees, sour patch kids, and blow pops. These colorful sugary treats taste just like childhood.

Crazy rubber chickens

And the 'yolk' that pops out when the chicken is squeezed. Ew.

Who didn't love Atomic Fire Balls?

sugar, sugar, sugar

candy cigarettes

Dad found a pint size sassy stool.

christmas crafts

I've been waiting to post this until after the holiday as not to give away any present surprises! My mom received several of the tile coasters I made, and my big sister took home a brand new MacBook sleeve made out of pretty Heather Bailey fabric and two buttons I scored on Black Friday!

 

For a tutorial on how to make the coasters and laptop sleeve head over to the fabulous The Cottage Home blog!

a bernina for christmas



{I'm a little bit obsessed with picnik's holiday photo embellishments}



Santa brought me (and Karl) a Bernina 330 for Christmas! My parents stealthy planned an errand to Gina's Bernina sewing store in Knoxville on Thursday morning, citing a need for new needles for my mother's older machine. When we got to the store, Gina, the owner, met us and pointed out a sewing machine in the corner wearing a bright red bow!

Here's a little breakdown of the experience:

 

so many stitches...

and an alphabet function!

p.s. Gina's has an amazing fabric selection....and I hear it's going on sale on Monday morning...which ones should I pick?

tennessee christmas

Merry Christmas dear readers! We're spending Christmas this year in Tennessee and taking full advantage of a chance to relax and re-charge.

Our vacation started with a holiday party with neighbors and friends (and a red velvet cake, of course.)

Pretty presents, cinnamon rolls, and matching pjs have made the last few days lovely, delicious, and cozy.

 

Finally, we're celebrating a couple of "firsts" this year---our first Christmas as a married couple, Karl's first Christmas in Tennessee, and the first time I've ever experienced a real white Christmas! We woke up to this:

Though it's nothing close to the blizzard from a few weeks ago in Minneapolis, a little snow goes a long way in making a southern holiday more festive!

Wishing you a relaxing, festive, and bright rest of your holiday!

blown glass

photo by Tamara Reynolds

I'm fascinated by the many bright and bold colors (not to mention the delicate craftsmanship) of blown glass. The picture above is from Glassworks in  Louisville, KY. The intricate glass bulbs sparkle like a rainbow of holiday lights. Here's a Christmas tree made entirely of glass ornaments at the Corning Glass Museum in New York: 

 

Pretty cool, right?

While I haven't been to Glassworks, I did visit the Corning Museum in conjunction with a whirlwind college tour some seven or eight years ago. The best part of the trip was the chance to create my own glass bead necklace, much like this:

It was pretty simple really--all I had to do was pick a few tubes of glass, don some protective eye wear and gloves, and twirl the glass rods over a small open flame. Once the bead took shape I added a few drops of coordinating colored glass for the dots and voila! Glass bead created. 

the perfect holiday party outfit

Here's what I'm dreaming about wearing to a holiday party. Definitely proof that pink and red do go together.
p.s. Check out Polyvore and get ready to feel like a fashion magazine editor and stylist extraordinare!

christmas packing list

Here's what I'm packing in my suitcase for a holiday vacation.

(ok, it's what I wish I was packing.)

grapefruit

My current obsession. Such a delicious snack. Or dessert. Or diet. (ok, so I'm not actually on the grapefruit diet. But it would be pretty sweet...er, sour.)

irish inspiration

Today I'm missing Ireland. I spent January 2008 studying literature and culture in Dublin, Galway, Derry, Belfast, and several little towns in between. One of my favorite shops we popped into was the Foxford Woolen Mills in County Mayo. I'd visit there all the time if I could find my way back. And, I'm definitely still holding on to the crush I had on all the c-o-l-o-r-f-u-l woolen blankets on display.

finding christmas--great gift ideas

 

This week's finding Christmas installment is filled with a few gift ideas from the south and Midwest. (well, most of them anyway!)

numero uno: a personalized Clairebella glass cutting board! Visit the Clairebella site for local vendors and links to online retailers.

i love a good monogram!

p.s. they have cell phone covers too!

2. Visit some local Etsy shops for handmade gifts galore. These next two are from Sweet & Simple Jewelry Design based here in Minnesota. The jewelry is unique, detailed, and reasonably priced. Plus, there's free shipping through December!

three. Any Minnesotan is bound to love this dainty print of our dear (yet currently cold) state. Find this little gift over at Too Many Suitors. (it comes in pink too!)

numero quatro: Cruise on over to utilemud's shop to find the prettier side of mud--in the form of bowls, colanders, mugs, pitchers, and jars. My dear friend Amy gifted us a set of three beautiful bowls made by this St. Paul potter for our wedding and I'm totally in love with her stuff. 

5. I couldn't write this post without including something from Boden. You know I love it---visit their site and I bet you will too. Here's a cute little basket weave beret that's currently on sale!

six. I bought this pair of rain boots during the fall after a particularly wet, cold, and gray day. They've transitioned well into snow days and would probably transition well into a gift. Order them from Zappos and you'll have them in a day or two! 

 

7. If you're in the mood to give something heartier, consider these two cookbooks. I've had recipes out of both and they were incredibly delicious (and pretty easy to prepare!) You can buy both From Our House to Yours (perfect for your potluck-loving friends) and Artisan Bread in Just Five Minutes A Day (an in-law family favorite) at amazon.com.

eight: Finally, Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without a few colorful and convenient jar mixes. Find a few new variations on traditional jar cookies, soups, and muffins over at Midwest Living.

Happy Gifting!