Packaging with a little love...

February 14th is looming...  I'm not a huge fan of gift-giving on Valentine's Day, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate wonderful V-Day packaging.  Here are some DIY goodies for you love-stricken folks out there!

Use a straw to make a lovely little arrow.  Pairs well with a plain paper bag!

Use cupcake cups to make faux flowers.

Another arrow, but with a sweet little heart on the tail end.

A box wrapped with your love letter.

Popsicle sticks on a string!  You can personalize them with little love notes.

Friday Round-Up

Things I desperately want...

Bicycle with leather seat and handles.  And that basket...

Wide-wick candles.  Wood tray.

A mug.  That holds cookies.  Genius!

A nesting doll wearing a Burberry coat.

My very own pocket lynx!

A spot of honey with my tea.

Happy Friday, folks!

Lovely Spaces

I'm in the process of looking for new digs.  Part and parcel of that are obsessive apartment hunting and daydreaming about decor. 

And some of the non-stop daydreaming can be blamed on...

Warm blankets with lovely colors. 

Exposed brick wall.  Doorway.  And oh, the frameless art.

Guest room, secretly used as a mid-week retreat.

Jane Austen room.  No other comments needed.

Old, natural kitchen with exposed beams and copper pots.

A house is not a house without books.  Lots of them.

A living room with a view.  Clean and fresh.

The charm of mismatching frames.  And good art.

Organization of your gift-wrapping propensities!

The perfect background for a chat.

A true retreat.  Low-lying sofa, exposed beams, and chandelier.

My dream work station.  If only...

A dog and your favorite chair to come home to.

Of course, the furniture (and living space) I actually own are nothing like the above, but one day.  A girl can dream.

A Bit of Style

I'm a self-proclaimed fashion disaster. Color sense?  Paint me color blind.  Matching or fashionable mis-matching of items? A complete mystery. Knowing how to wear hats and scarves just so?  Like solving a Rubik's Cube...blind-folded.

Having said that, I know what I like. When I see it. On other people. 

And this is what I like...

The polished look.  The sweater is simple, a little severe,

but softened by that beautiful, silky bow and flirty but modest skirt.

The staple look.  Since moving up to the PNW, this look seems to be a

staple.  Neutral sweater, tight jeans, beautiful loop scarf, tall boots,

and a bit of pizzaz with the purse.

The mini swag.  I had to add this picture because this kid

makes the outfit.

As I slowly attempt to get back into blogging, I hope to share more fashion, home decor, and random tidbits with you all!

Happy Thursday!

A New Proposal

Cannibalism is an underestimated and misunderstood form of affection.  At the very least, it staves off hunger and controls explosive population growth.  Yes, Mr. Swift.  Cannibalism for everyone.

Beat & Rubbish

With a dash of pepper and salt...

Let us eat each other into oblivion.

Weakness

When you have a man...

and a dog...

and they're both so exquisite to look at...

Life becomes very unfair.

Early Winter

Yesterday, I experienced my first snowfall...ever.  I've been to snowy places, but I've never watched the snow fall from the sky. So pretty!

It started out nice and gentle...

That's my dog, sniffing suspiciously at the white stuff.  He's a Californian like me.  By evening, we had about 3-4 inches of snow, which may not be too bad for other places used to harsh winters, but it's bad for Seattle - when snow falls on an ill-prepared city, you get trouble.

And  it wasn't without its mishaps - I took the bus yesterday because I'm a wimp and can't drive in the snow.  After 2 hours of sitting in traffic, a group of bussers and I decided to walk home...5.5 miles in the wind, chill, and snow.  I bought makeshift winter clothes from Sears, which was the only store close by, and trekked through crazy cold for 4 miles (at one point, we linked arms so we wouldn't get blown down the bridge ramp) before calling my roommate to pick us up.  Even then, the danger wasn't over.  We still slipped and slid all the way home!

I got home at 9:00 pm.  My other roommate, who drove that day, didn't get home till midnight.  And she still had to abandon her car 6 blocks away because it couldn't make it up the hill.

However, today is officially...SNOW DAY!!!  I don't have to go into work!  When I woke up this morning, I immediately got into my new winter kicks and ran outside...  I love snow.  :)