Craft Room

It's my DREAM to have a craft room in my house, and my husband promised one to me yesterday (when we upgrade to a new house in five or so years). So, in the meantime, I'm starting to collect photos for inspiration. And maybe I'll keep my tiny office clean now as training for my future room. (Riiiggghhttt)

All photos courtesy of Flickr!

Craft and Creativity

Tara Anderson

Help a blogger out

And visit Snippet and Ink's blog today to take the reader survey! Kathryn's hoping to take her reader's opinions into account when creating her blog. How wonderful is that!? Also, be sure to poke around. GREAT distractions.

Seriously. A Jane Austen wedding? I want it!

Etsy find

I LOVE this Japanese textiles store! The children's prints are the best, and I'm bookmarking this site for when I'll need them. In the meantime, the ribbon is too cute to pass up!

Melissa Jill

Over the holidays I discovered Pheonix-based photographer Melissa Jill. I absolutely adore the song that plays on the homepage of her Web site. Sometimes I just leave it up while I'm checking my e-mail. But, I also love poking through her blog. Great pics and wonderful, bright, vibrant colors!

Confessions of a negligent bloggerette

My absence of late has been a combination of laziness, an insanely busy schedule, and a wee bit of depression and resulting lethargy. I tend to get this way at this time of year - I just want to huddle up in front of the fire, watch the food network and practice my recipes! But, my lack of blogging enthusiasm hasn't saved me from the daily obsession of collecting inspiration. And to be honest, I've missed posting my daily blabber. But, when I do have some time, I'm usually chasing around the puppy!

So, back to it! I'm making a belated New Years resolution to blog every single day. Hmm, wishful thinking? Well, let's see how I can do, shall we?

I recently saw this Vera Wang pic and just simply died. I LOVE the jacket!

Our Christmas Treats!

We left the cherries whole and added a little extra cinnamon! So easy and delicious!

Cherry, Almond and Cinnamon Granola
Show:
Barefoot Contessa
Episode:
Holiday Surprise

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

2 cups sweetened, shredded coconut

2 cups sliced almonds

1 1/2 cups dried cherries, chopped

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/3 cup good honey

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Toss the oats, coconut, almonds, and cherries together in a large bowl. Pour the vegetable oil and honey over the oat mixture. Add the cinnamon, and stir with a wooden spoon until all the oats and nuts are coated with the liquids. Pour onto a sheet pan. Bake, stirring occasionally with a spatula, until the mixture turns a nice, even golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes.

Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool, stirring occasionally. Store the cooled granola in an airtight container.

An update on the pup

I just can't resist. She's too cute and such a little devil!

Clearly mom is beat after a LONG day at work!

Sorry it's been a while

The culmination of all of my hard work at the office was Tuesday, and it was an enormous success. Now I find myself sleepy, worn out and needing to do a TON of Christmas shopping. Life has been eventful, and it's beed great and uplifting to come home each day to a new ornament:

Room and Board

I love this light pendant from Room and Board.

But, what I'm currently in the market for are lanterns. I'm trying to add a little spice and twinkle to our living room, and I'm thinking of hanging a number of different lanterns, at varying heights over the TV/ entertainment corner (a la West Elm).

Know any good places to look?

Norma Lynn Hood

I'm sure you all saw this post on Oh Joy!, but I loved it so much that I had to include something about Norma Lynn as well.

I've never had the desire to learn crochet, but these delicious treats definitely made me want to pick up the needle and teach myself. YummO!

Ornament Swap

Hooray! I got my first ornament in the mail over the weekend:

And, despite frequent trips outside with the puppy, I finished my ornaments and am ready to ship them this week! Phew!

Introducing ....

Winifred (Winnie) Cheramie Walz!

We picked her about about three hours ago in the Poconos (about a three hour drive from Philly). She's a bearded collie, and she's just eight weeks old. She was one of nine, so she was a little scared coming into our house today, but she's quickly adapting! I'm in love already!!

(Forgive my frizz and paleness, but my sweater's cute, right? My husband bought it for me yesterday!)

A vendor recommendation

Philly/Jersey/NYC gals, listen up! My make-up and hair artist for my wedding - Daneene Smith - was fantastic, and I want to all to know about her. Her prices were great, she was super fun and chill to work with, and boy is she skilled! Check out her website and see for yourself! Here are a few of my shots (sorry they are small! I'm working on getting some larger images.)

Christmas Wish List #7

From Pottery Barn, the ultimate craft organizer. And creative ones, it's on sale too for just $139 (you save $50).

Christmas Wish List #6

Did someone say cashmere?

Buy me at Banana Republic! I'm cute, inexpensive and tres chic!