ugh, i hate new year's

i'll celebrate by watching this movie again.
i also use this movie to celebrate fall/halloween and christmas.
what can i say? it's versatile.

Oh dear, it's ending.

This is cute though.

Have a Merry One

xoxo

Love this too much

The Crossgates Mall flash mob was dreamed up by Leslie Eliashuk, a 23-year-old College of Saint Rose student getting a master's in music education, and some friends. They spread the word through Facebook and e-mail to church choirs, amateur music groups and anywhere people get together to sing. Twenty people practiced once before the event. More than four times that amount showed up.


That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
<3

Decking the halls

I attempted to Christmassy-up my place yesterday...unfortunately that resulted in a lot of broken glass and a super amount of frustration. Many of the (breakable) items seen in these photos are no more, and will have to be replaced. Grrr. The small trees are unharmed, which means I can continue to photograph them obsessively from every conceivable angle.

It's that time again...

Getting a jump on the Christmas baking for this year. I always make way too many, and as much as I love it, it can become a bit exhausting, especially if I wait until too late in the month to get started. Some of my favorites/staples each year: chocolate dipped coconut macaroons, chocolate crinkles, and this butter cookie recipe which can be used to make all sorts of various shapes and sizes of cookie (great for spritz cookies). New this year -- I think I'll try out this recipe. Got any favorites of your own? Share away!

The Family Stone

I forced myself to wait/allowed myself to watch this the morning after Thanksgiving, huddled in bed with hot pancakes and coffee (and kitty). Yes it's a Christmas movie, but seeing how I think about it all year long and start wanting to watch it around October, November 26th doesn't seem so bad. I love love LOVE everything about this movie, words cannot explain. The fact that it's 1. jammed with a bunch of my very favorite people (hello Diane Keaton, Claire Danes aka Angela Chase, Luke Wilson, COACH!, SJP and Rachel McAdams) 2. I want to live in that house, 3. it's full of awkward, painful, this-could-be-your-life moments, and of course, 4. Christmas. It's sort of a comedy, if you file it under dark comedies. It figures heavily into my rotation of Christmas movies.

Happy Thanksgiving!

***
A funny looking dragon in 1931 -- and men in hats :)

A Good Year

***

***

A lot of really great things happened in 2009. I finally got the job I've been working toward for seven years. My photos were on exhibit in a local art show and were made into a book. In the spring I went to Florida, and wandered around New York City with my camera for an afternoon. During the summer I threw a couple dinner parties. I started shooting film. And I made some great new friends.

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to make this blog a little part of your life. I'm looking forward to finding out what 2010 will bring. Happy New Year!

Books and movies and chocolate, Oh My!

Hope you had a lovely holiday, dear readers. The day after I'm typically left with that "now what?" feeling. For me, "now what" has consisted of leafing through new books, watching some of the DVDs left by Santa, stuffing my mouth with chocolate, and lots of serious lounging. In a couple hours I have plans to see this movie. How about you? What do you do the day after Christmas?

It's Here

have a merry merry one, friends. xo

{photos}

Let the Merriment Begin

Officially on vacation!
Here's to holiday fun, friends, family, and hot cocoa.
xo

{picture}

The Weekend Before

Hard to believe Christmas is less than a week away. This weekend was jam-packed with merry making. Saturday it was Cookies! Cookies! Cookies! Sunday it's Cards! Cards! Cards! My plans for wrapping gifts didn't quite happen, but that's ok since it's a three day work week.


On Friday night I had the rare opportunity to see my all-time favorite Christmas movie in its original form on the big screen. My friend Rob and I took in some classic Jimmy Stewart in the grand old Palace Theater - reason number 233 why I love my city. The old film was scratchy and jumpy in places, Donna Reed dazzled, and I couldn't help feeling that this was the way movies were meant to be seen.




{movie poster}

Gorgeous Under Glass

In love with these gorgeous ornaments - I'm not quite sure if they're considered actual terrariums or how long they would last, but they are beautiful all the same.

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

It's officially the twelfth day of Christmas. There is a darling little tree set up in front of my window, I got some shopping done and some cookies made. Now if only I didn't have to go to work tomorrow...

Have a Lovely Weekend

What are you up to this weekend? It is absolutely freezing here in New York. I think my weekend will involve much staying indoors and cozying up with a cup of something warm. On the other hand, it is the most magical time of year, and I don't want to miss out on the festivities. I still haven't started much (any) Christmas shopping at all, there's an unopened box of cards waiting to be written out, and I'm really feeling the need to bring a Christmas tree into my tiny apartment. I'll have to scout out the smallest one I can find...



{images via design*sponge}

Quoth the Raven...

This Halloween costume cracks me up. Perfect for anyone who needs a last minute idea.

To all the great ones...

{me and my dad, circa 1984ish? my love for striped shirts apparently started here!}

my job as a teacher has taught me many things, one of them being the fact that all dads are not created equal. that is to say, it takes more than having a child to be a father. a lot more. i consider myself lucky everyday to have possibly the most dedicated father on the planet, who's never been afraid to stand up for what he believes is right for his children, and who has contributed so much to the person i've become. love you, dad!

happy father's day, everyone!

Have a Lucky Day!

Ahh, the green. The shamrocks. Actual leprechauns walking among us. But seriously, let's take a moment to stop and reflect on what St. Patrick's Day is really all about - the Irish Soda Bread!!

Have a lucky day, all! Here's a quick Etsy roundup to get you in the mood.

hair pins

silk wrap

adorable ring

handmade soapposter