Tuesday inspiration

My family has a thing for vests.  My grandparents, aunts and uncles, parents and my sister and I all love wearing vests in the wintertime.  Maybe we think our limbs are just superfluous parts of our bodies but there's nothing that can heat up your soul like a cozy vest, leaving you free to dress or adorn your arms however you so desire.  Function and freedom - what else can you ask for from clothing?

But here's the other thing, none of us look good wearing vests.  We don't wear vests with cute colours, fun linings or snug and form fitting shapes.  Our vests are always a swamp green or off-tan polyester smock with lots of pockets.  Not just the standard two on the front.  I'm talking six pockets, from your belly to your neck.  No need to ever carry a purse or even keep a filing cabinet for that matter.  But I don't feel bad about my fashion faux pas actually.  I stay warm and secure in the knowledge that someone is walking around in this.  And has paid $350 for it.

You go, guy.  Way to warm your core and not give a flip what people think about it.  And that, my friends, is inspirational.

O Christmas tree

This is the third Christmas tree that I've put up with Frenchie (okay, so it's the same fake tree every year) and we have slowly been adding special ornaments and a yarn / felt angel topper.  The ornaments have been red and gold but this year we added tartan ribbons cascading down the sides.  I'd love to have an All-American preppy Christmas.  It's traditional, warm and strikes a contrast to the all white and silver tree that my parents have at their house, complete with fake icicles.  Something about growing up in an Asian household excluded me from all that and I'd like to have at least one. 

And yes, that's a early Christmas present you see under the tree.  A Staub dutch oven!  Frenchie bought it on sale over the weekend and I can't wait to braise and stew in it to my heart's content.  We really need an exercise plan after this holiday season.

Our tree!

Thanksgiving snapshots

Here are a few snaps from my favourite holiday.  My dad cooked the bird, even though he and my mom are vegetarian.  He uses a different recipe every year and this year's was basted in mayo - interesting.  We also used these "disposable" cloth napkins.  You can buy them in rolls on amazon, wash them six times and then throw them away.  I didn't think we would be using orange napkins too often.  Anyway, please enjoy the pictures!  I hope you all had a lovely weekend and aren't dreading the work week too terribly.

Rounding up the moose herd - Ikea for 50 cents!

  

Our first real table setting EVER!

 

Moose by candlelight



The main attraction



Paws Up if you think this place is sweet!

I apologize for the slight break in the regular scheduled programming.  I've been recovering from the overdose of turkey, pie and potatoes.  To help for the relapse, I'd like to share this picture perfect setting for Christmas - The Resort at Paws Up.  The Christmas package includes a personal Santa for your family, a Christmas Eve dinner and a horse-drawn sleigh ride, among with many other amenities.  The best gift of the season?  Not having to stress about decorating, cooking or entertaining for the holidays.  Just family time and a wonderfully white Christmas.

Ever wonder about C. Wonder?

I was flipping through the pages of a magazine this evening and saw a cute monogram belt buckle design for $50 from a brand I never heard of: C. Wonder.  If you're smacking your forehead in disgust at how behind I am in fashion and retail news, I want you to know that I've been known to live under a rock.  Your frustration is duly noted. 

Back to the belt buckle.  The price and design were too preppy to pass up so I immediately popped it into my search engine and BOOM - cwonder.com.  And... no e-commerce!  Initially, I was confused as the magazine clearly stated that the buckle could be purchased from the website but after digging a little deeper, I also found some other interesting tidbits.  The private equity firm that owns the C. Wonder brand and concept is called J. Christopher Capital.  It happens to be named after its founder, one Chris Burch.  Yes, as in Tory Burch's co-founder and Tory's ex-husband Chris Burch.  Looking at these C. Wonder designs and products, I get just the oddest sense of deja vu.  Like I've been there, seen that, worn this brand before.  Hmm, must just be me...

C. Wonder's angle is to target the customers who like the geometric, bright and funky TB / Kate Spade-esque designs but want to buy them at a lower price point.  What do you ladies think?  Is this a store you're definitely going to have to check out, especially once they start e-tailing in a month or two, do your loyalties lie with Tory, or are you sick of seeing these "prepster" type products everywhere?  And if you've been to the store in Soho, please share!

The belt buckle that started it all



C. Wonder Housewares via Curbed

 

Flagship Soho store via C. Wonder



Orange and white

Here's a sneak peak of my Thanksgiving week / weekend to come.  These little guys are going to be popping up all over the place.  Today was my Fake Friday (aka "I'm taking the rest of the week off") and it couldn't have come sooner.  I'm hoping to be able to post more frequently for y'all - gotta have some type of a break from all the food and football right?  I have a slew of winter wonderland vacations to share and a "preppy" Christmas to plan for.  Check back again soon - can't wait to hear how your respective turkey days are going.

Stables in winter

There's something about a warm and cozy barn and heads peeking out, knickering at you for the carrots and apples you've got squirreled away in your pockets.  Big or small, classical or rustic - it's what I look forward to most when I browse large properties (totally dreaming, you know).  I hope this Thanksgiving week brings you all serenity and warmth - please take some from Texas, it was 85 degrees today!


Martha's stables

Another view of Martha's stables

Heritage Horse Farm

Riverside Farm

Via Ashley Grace

Fearrington Barn - not a working barn but a wonderful wedding reception site



Sister sister weekend

There's nothing like some sister time over the weekend to set me back on track.  I started the weekend in a slight frenzy, trying to make it to West Elm in time to grab some tableware for Thanksgiving.  After fighting through some terrible traffic, we got to the store right before it closed.  I grabbed the very last large "Wish" plate (see previous blog entry). 

Siri had a work event in town this weekend and stopped by on Saturday evening.  Frenchie and I mixed up a beef and red wine stew of our own concoction and I practiced baking dinner rolls, which they both sampled.  We all spent the rest of Saturday night lounging around and watching hilarious movies.  My sister is planning on baking the family favourites for Thanksgiving - pumpkin and custard pies.  She makes a deliciously flaky homemade crust but is a super procrastinator so we typically end up baking until the wee hours of the morning.  I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with her - playing iPad games, watching Always Sunny and the Cowboys and making fun of mom together.  Are you guys going to spend some quality time with someone this week?  Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions that you share with them?

via pinterest

Antsy pants

I've got the itch to go on vacation somewhere.  Maybe it's because I haven't done an international trip this year or taken any more time off than a few days, but I want to get out of town and go see stuff.  At work, my co-workers and I have been sending around different ski resorts and tropical spas but the Carnaval de Quebec was the one that really caught my eye.  This year it is held between Jan 27 and Feb 12 and features snow slides, dog sledding, fireworks displays, sleigh rides, three different parades and so many more activities.  Excessive food and excessive fun?  I'm in.  Every year, Frenchie and I promise each other that we are going to vacation somewhere warmer.  But it's tough not be in the holiday spirit after seeing these winter wonderland pictures.

Could this be cured by going to a good Christmas festival somewhere?

My mind is sufficiently boggled

Found here

My dear friends that I've referred to in previous posts are having their first baby and I have been invited to their baby shower!  This is the first "friend" shower that I've been to and I'm a complete and utter n00b.  We checked out several places they've registered but, as she's already had three showers thrown for her, most of the items on her registry are already gone.  This in and of itself is okay as myself and a few of our other close friends are going to go in on a present together.  We decided on a car seat - easy enough, I thought.  I was sadly mistaken.

For instance, did you know that:

• You need a "base" along with the car seat.  Apparently the seat itself is not adequate to hold the baby as you go barreling through the suburbs.  Also, you should buy TWO bases, for both you and your spouse's cars.  The bases, that I saw, were $85 each.  EACH!
• A car seat can fit onto a stroller.  However, you may not want the stroller that fits with the car seat so you would then need a separate stroller
• Side note on strollers - If you plan on jogging or running with your baby in a stroller, you can (if you are so inclined or if someone is kind enough to gift you one) get a B.O.B.  It's a $500 stroller.  Just for jogging.  It also has a seat that can detach and fit into another "base" that can go into your car.  Of which you probably want two.  Does it ever end?!
• Car seats apparently don't grow along with your child so this first one we buy will only last for a few months.  My friends will then need to switch to a different car seat.  I am unclear on whether or not you need to switch bases as well
• Car seats have tents.  W-T-F...
• Apparently, I've only scratched the surface regarding babies.  What other things do you need to know?? 

Table the issue

Is Thanksgiving a big family get together at your house?  It is at mine and we've always had family and friends come over and squeeze around the table until we literally cannot fit any more.  I'd like to have some semblance of a Thanksgiving-themed table setting this year, keeping in mind that the table surface will be crowded with food.  This will be the first year my family will have done anything like this.  Below are a few holiday table inspirations I found on the internets!  Any easy and cheap decorating tips that you'd like to share?

I like Real Simple's simple red ribbon and placemats paired with print napkins - this can easily be translated into a Thanksgiving colour scheme

A bold coloured napkin amongst a white tablecloth and white dishes also makes a statement - although you'd have to make sure your servingware can fit with the theme as well

Maybe a glint of gold among your typical orange and browns?  (PS - The plates are at West Elm and are on SALE!)

These floating candles are easy and the glass pebbles could be changed for different colours

Create a simple centerpiece with the white pumpkins left over from Halloween

Boathouse on land

I love it when houses surprise you.  This beautiful home sits on an expansive 20,000 square foot lot across from Rice University, which in and of itself accounts for the $2.4 million price tag.  The house's unassuming exterior, although on a lush green lawn, is nothing stupendous.  And I actually don't care much for the interior, which you can view here.  But check out this great room.  Doesn't it feel like you're in an upside down ship?  If I lived in this home, I would just live in this room.

Pretty but normal exterior

And then BOOM!  Yes, of course that's a vintage 1874 Austrian chandelier

Jerry's House

Frenchie, the Bills fan, bought tickets for my whole family and me, Cowboys' fans, for the game this Sunday.  We won, but he wasn't happy about it unfortunately.  Jerry's House is just as everyone says, the epitome of excess.  We sat near some pretty rowdy and crass fans but my mom thought they were hilarious.  I hope y'all had a lovely weekend and spent some quality time with your family and loved ones.

Sometimes it's healthy

To want to run away, right?  I feel like I may be constantly running away from my life and trying to get to somewhere better.  Except I'm not sure where that better place is, all I believe is that it's better than where I am currently.  Which isn't to say the spot where I am in my life is terrible.  In most lights, it could be viewed as ideal.  It's just not where I want to be.  I know I should be grateful for the little things and also be thankful for my health / family / career / Frenchie.  But why can't the place that I am be a little more like this... 

Christmas Card Conundrum

Last night, Frenchie and I spent over an hour trying to pick Christmas cards for this year.  Yes, I said OVER an hour.  We hemmed and hawed over 10 options that I've been accumulating since September.  And we still haven't reached a decision.  I have been through 150 pages of etsy to no avail.  We're looking for something modern but not cold, festive but not campy, unique but not too expensive.  That's not too much to ask, right?  Last year I actually bought four different sets because I couldn't make up my mind and ended up using just about all of them.  I've included some of my favourites from etsy below.  Please me know if you've found some that you really love.

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, this last one just KILLS me

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6



When rhinos fly

Bringing you a little bit of whimsy this Tuesday...I saw this via the shortlist yesterday and thought there was no way it could be real.  The endangered black rhinos are asleep and being flown via helicopter to a secret location in South Africa.  Surprisingly, this is a more humane way to transport the rhinos, as they are asleep for a shorter period of time.

What would you think if you saw rhinos flying across the skies?

Early Christmas present for the booklover

I just stumbled across these necklaces on etsy and LOVE them.  They are perfect for that book lover in your life - you know who I'm talking about.  The person who reads the novel before it's made into a movie, who buys both the e-book and physical version of a book, who spends way too much at amazon.com and has books spilling out of bookcases, kitchen cabinets and overflowing off of end tables and counter tops... happy shopping!

My personal favourite - a la Game of Thrones

For the mischievous HP fan

And my most favourite Tolkien quote