new.

i am ringing in 2011 in northern michigan with my parents, my sister and her fiance, and my dear c.  i feel pretty content as 2010 comes to an end.  i hope you do too.  happy new year, a spot of whimsy readers!

 

 

i have an assignment for you all - don't worry, it's not mandatory - but it is extremely helpful for those who like the idea of resolutions but find them trite or simply difficult to keep throughout a 12-month period.  jess of makeunder my life suggests writing an "intentions letter" to your future self, stating, in the past tense, all that you will accomplish during the coming year.  she posted this explanation last january (and this recap earlier this month), and it easily convinced me to write my own for 2010.  i reviewed it twice throughout the year, seeing what i had done and what i needed to refocus on, and in the next few days i'll be rereading it for the last time, reflecting on how it went, and then sitting down to write my 2011 letter.  i credit this letter with giving me the push and the courage to start this here little blog, so i'm a big fan of the process and of jess for sharing it! 

xo. di.

*image 1 via plush palate, image 2 & 4 via toast, image 3 via save the date for cupcakes

magpie.

i'm so glad it's acceptable to wear sequins and glitter around the holidays.  they make everything more fun!

 {ban.do sparkle clips via oh, joy!}

 {via net-a-porter}

 {via kate spade 2010 holiday campaign}

{put together by belle of capitol hill style}

 {from the intermix holiday lookbook, via coco+kelley}

"i like sparkly things.  i'm a bit of a magpie.  i think most girls are."

-blake lively

xo. di.

*all images as noted above

grateful: week 36

inspired by my reading of the happiness project by gretchen rubin, i am instituting monday "gratitude" posts (read here for more detail), where i will list "3 things i'm grateful for" from the previous week.

the 3 things i'm grateful for this week are:

1) my family.

2) my friends.

3) christmas!

 {my first knitting project, a baby blanket, complete!}

 {wrapped presents}

 {christmas eve dinner}

this week's blog love:

• florals and stripes' christmas cottage image is perfection.
• i loved SHE's look at the burberry prorsum pre-fall 2011 collection.
• home's collection of images of the snowfall in london was stunning. 
• more tips for better photographs!  this time from centsational girl.
• pretty christmas wishes from a glimpse of glamour.
• the new york times had a darling story made of cookie dough and sprinkles.  too cute.

here's to another grateful week.

xo. di.

*all images from my personal collection

believe.

merry christmas, dear readers!  hope santa was good to you!

xo. di.

p.s. posting will likely be a little light next week, but back to normal in january!

*image from my personal collection

the trimmings.

i almost let christmas go by without giving you all a quick peek into my christmas decorating (i know, you would have all been very sad!).  hope you enjoy!

 

merry christmas eve!   i generally like today better than christmas day.  all that great anticipation and last minute preparations, it's just exciting.    how about you?!  hope you're all home safe and sound today, enjoying some time with loved ones!

xo. di.

*all images from my personal collection

christmas in the city.

between the rockefeller center tree and the famous department store window displays, i know new york city has the corner on the ideal "christmas in the city" look, but i think chicago does a pretty fine job as well.  and i'm not biased or anything. 

 

{"zoo lights" at the lincoln park zoo}

 

{macy's on state street}

{the iconic walnut room at macy's on state street}

 

{christkindlmarket - a german christmas market - in downtown chicago}

xo. di.

p.s. a most fantastical birthday to my darling boy c today.  wish i was with you!  

*image 1 via matchbook mag, all other images from my personal collection

santa's coming!

eek, just 3 more days until christmas!!  but do not panic!  today i come to you bearing gifts: 2 super easy and super fast recipes for last minute christmasey desserts!  both are proven hits!

TURTLES

ingredients

1-2 packages of rolo candies

pecan halves

snyder's snaps (square waffle pretzels)

1.  preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  lay pretzels in single layer on ungreased baking sheet.

3.  place a rolo on each pretzel.

4.  bake for 2 minutes only.

5.  take out of oven and immediately press pecan on top of rolo and down about 1/2 way.

5.  move to a cooling rack.  allow to cool completely 

(takes several hours, i try for overnight if enough time).

SWEET AND SALTY SNACK MIX

ingredients

1 (10 ounce) package mini twist pretzels

5 cups cheerios

5 cups corn chex

1 (14 ounce) package red and green m&ms

2 (11 ounce) packages white chocolate chips

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups peanuts (optional)

1. line 3 baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment.  set aside.

2.  in a large bowl, combine pretzels, cheerios, chex, m&m's, and peanuts.  set aside.

3.  combine white chocolate chips with vegetable oil and melt according to instructions on package (i tried both on the stove and in the microwave, and the stove chocolate came out much smoother and thinner, so i suggest that method!).

4.  pour melted chocolate over cereal mixture.

5.  mix well, making sure to coat all of mixture.

6.  spread onto prepared baking sheets.  let cool (to speed up - stick in fridge or in cold garage for an hour).  break apart and store in airtight container until ready to serve!

  

 "SANTA!  i know him."

- buddy the elf

xo. di.

*all food pictures from my personal collection, last picture via

holiday guide: the wrapping

leading up to that most special of days - christmas, of course! - i thought i'd share ideas i find for gifts, wrapping, decorations, and all of the little details involved in making a wonderful holiday season. 

so i  learned quickly this year that the wrapping is a great way to keep my pledge to support independent and handmade artists.  there are many special paper good supply stores on etsy and independent websites, some of which you'll find below.  

"six inch ribbon curls, honey."

"that's impossible."

"SIX.  inches."

-elf

 {l: scrapbits on etsy, r: rue magazine extras}

{l: paloma's nest r: petits details on etsy}

 {handmade paper tags on packages via design*sponge}

 {old brooches on packages via design*sponge}

 {add a teeny bit of greenery via design*sponge}

{a hint of glitter via knot and bow on etsy}

{a white (and cream) christmas from grey likes weddings via style me pretty}

this year i decided to go with simple brown kraft paper, and then use twine, glittery ribbon, and handmade gift tags to dress them up.  i admit to not being done with the wrapping yet (there's still time!), but here's my work-in-progress:

{my 2010 wrapping supplies}

{a finished package for c}

diane's favorite online 

paper goods/wrapping supply stores

olive manna

knot & bow

caramelos

petits details

in haus press

the twinery

primele

the creative place

brown paper packages tied up with string: these are a few of my favorite things. . .
 
xo. di.

*all images not identified above are from my personal collection