3 Ideas

Since talking about the weather has basically consumed all of our lives, I'll try and limit my commentary on the matter to just the basics.  

1. It's very cold.  

2. Every time I think the worst of it is probably behind us that turns out to be, in fact, not true.

3. I'm getting a little stir crazy.

4. Can't.  Can't do it.  Need it to be spring.  

As you can see, I'm working through a few weather-related issues…here's a few tips and tricks I'm attempting to employ to battle through it. 

1. I decided very early on in the week that I was gonna stay in the house for as much time as possible…you know, avoid the cold and the roads and all that nonsense whenever I could.  It was a very logical call, but I'm realizing it's definitely contributed to my near breakdown.  I'm still trying to be smart about when I leave and where I go but I'm also making some calculated trips above and beyond work and the grocery store.  Today I walked around Anthropologie for about ten minutes and I feel like it brought me back to life.

2. This may not be your favorite suggestion, but hear me out: while you're stuck inside, do the stuff you've been avoiding.  That annoying organizing/cleaning/sorting project you've been avoiding?  Tackle it while you don't have a ton of better options.  When the sun comes back out you really won't want to do whatever it is so turn that into motivation and get it done.

3. Looking for practical ways to beat the cold?  The Today Show reported on a few mostly ridiculous but definitely interesting gadgets…check out the story here.

Holiday Gift Guide: One for the Kiddos

There's no getting around the fact that kids are fun to shop for.  Their clothes are adorable, their toys are fun and- if they're smart like my nephew, Blake- they make a big deal out anything you give them...which in turn makes you want to buy them more.  For our first gift guide of the season, I picked out a few nifty items I think kids and parents alike will love....it's almost too much cute for one post.  Honestly, my face hurts from smiling.

1. Striped Bunny, Polaryn O. Pyret $22  2. Orange Fox Slippers, AlexandAlexa $17  3. R2D2 Baby Costume, Etsy $48  4. My Food Passport, Uncommon Goods $10  5. Knit Turban, Zara Kids $9.90  6. Chalkboard Laptop, Anthropologie $68  7. Pride and Prejudice BabyLit Book, Amazon $9.99

Welcome Winter

I typically have a really difficult time with winter.  I don't do well in the cold, hate getting the sniffles and have some serious gaps in my closed toe shoe collection.  But to me, the worst part by far is the early nights.  4:00pm should never resemble 11:00pm...it's just beyond depressing.  That being said, I got to thinking yesterday and felt so encouraged that I just couldn't help but jot down a few thoughts.  The first day of winter (aka yesterday) is the shortest day of the year- which, as previously discussed, is all kinds of yucky.  But the good news is this: the worst is over!  While it won't get better overnight, we're at least moving in the right direction now.  So yes, it's gonna get colder and icier and all that good stuff, but it's gonna get brighter too.  And there's something to be said for that.  

Photos Via: Flickr, Deviant Art, We Heart It

The Tacky Christmas Sweater Solution

So, it's time for some real-talk about tacky sweater Christmas parties.  In theory, they're an awesome idea...put on what is essentially a costume and take hilarious pictures with your friends.  What could be more fun?  In my experience, however, when a girl tells me about a tacky Christmas sweater party, what she's really saying is "I plan on dressing as adorably as possible".  When I read between the lines with an invite from a guy, I hear "I'll more than likely show up in exactly what I'm wearing right now due to a combination of laziness and indifference."  I've played the role of sole-tacky-representative more times than I can count...case in point, me and a few girls from my college sorority at a so-called Christmas sweater party.  Yeah...that would be me in the embroidered vest.  Looking good, Gabs.

My enthusiasm for dressing up knows no bounds, however, and I just can't bring myself to disregard a party theme entirely.  For that reason, I'm sure I haven't seen the last of my friends' "wow, you actually wore a Christmas sweater" startled expressions.  Next time, however, I'm rocking something like one of the pieces below...silly but still kind of awesome.  Live and learn, friends.  Live and learn. 

(P.S.- I posted a close up picture of my killer Christmas vest on Twitter.  Check it out @designmuseblog)

1. Reindeer Merino Wool Sweater, 3.1 Phillip Lim $385  2. Intarsia Leggins, Free People $48  3. Bow Stud Earrings, Kate Spade  4. Reindeer Ring, Verameat  5. Sweater Socks, Target $10  6. Oversized Orange Sweater, Wanelo $38.99

Holiday Gift Guide: Gabby's Favorite Things

I've got great news, gift-givers!  Every Friday between now and Christmas, I've got a new and exciting gift guide for you to unwrap right in this very space.  I'm taking a unique approach to this 'lil mini-series series, so make sure you stay tuned.  I wanted to start with a few items I know for a fact are awesome.  How can I be so sure, you ask?  Great question.  I own and frequently use all of them.  Some were gifts from friends and family, others I bestowed upon myself.  Either way, I can personally vouch for these guys.  If I was Oprah, this is the stuff I'd be giving away (plus a car or house or country or something).  

1. The Survivors Club, Amazon $6  2. Stila In The Light Palette, Sephora $39  3. Mircorplane Herb Mill, Williams-Sonoma $19.95  4. David & Young Airy Woven Fringed Infinity Scarf, Nordstrom $22  5. Monogrammed Mug, Anthropologie $6  6. Roman Holiday, Amazon $5.99  7. Celestial Coasters, Anthropologie $32 for 4  8. Dinner & a Suit's Since Our Departure, iTunes $9.90  9. Voluspa Baltic Amber Candle, Amazon $18  10. Menage a Trois Red Blend, $12  11. Cooking with Italian Grandmothers, Amazon $26.40  12. Chemex Coffee Maker, $40

The 12 Cards of Christmas

Just a heads up- when I get married and have kids, I'm totally gonna be the person that sends out Christmas photos of her color-coordinated family to any and everyone.  It's just cheesy enough to be delightful and you'll never convince me otherwise.  Now, since I can't dazzle the world with my adorable children just yet, I'll have to stick to dazzling them with my superior stationary-picking skills (totally the same thing, right?).  I searched high and low and I'll tell you what- if these aren't the most smile-inducing Christmas cards you've ever seen then I give up.    

1. Winter Foliage Cards, Rifle Paper Co. $95 for 25 personalized cards  2. Happy and Delightful Holiday Cards, Sugar Paper $34 for 10  3. Season's Greetings Mosaic, Egg Press $5  4. Christmas Gram, Etsy $3.75  5. Merry & Bright Card, Etsy $4.81  6. Illustrated Vintage Holiday Cards, Rifle Paper Co. $85 for 25 personalized cards  7. Kaleidoscope Christmas Card, Egg Press $3.50  8. Holiday Octopus, Paper Source $12.50 for 10  9. The Merriest Set, Etsy $18 for 6  10. Tis the Season Christmas Card, Etsy $9 for 10  11. 'Tis the Season Card, Rifle Paper Co $4  12. Peace Love & Joy Letterpress Cards, Hour of Nine $18 for 8

Knit, Purl, Accessorize

Despite the temperate weather we've seen over the last few weeks (which- believe me- I'm not complaining about) it's definitely prime sweater season.  Once you cross into Thanksgiving territory it seems like cable knits and cashmere should be an automatic part of the package.  Since my sweaters aren't getting a lot of action at the moment, I gathered a few pieces to fill the void in my otherwise sweater-less heart.  Warm spell or not, these wreak of instant comfy cozy.

1. Sweater Lamp, Country Living  2. Linus Throw, CB2 $49.95  3. Knitted Cushion Cover, Etsy $30  4. Cable Knit Hobo, Old Navy $19.94  5. Sweater Small Vase, Crate&Barrel $16.95  6. Hand Knitted Cream Slip Cover, Etsy $690  7. Hitting The Slopes Yellow Mittens, Mod Cloth $29.99