What are You Doing New Years Eve?

Now that Christmas is behind us {little sad face} it's on to the most sparkly night of the year - New Years Eve.  Last year around this time two of my favorite actors ever came out with a sugary sweet little rendition of "What are You Doing New Years Eve?"  Can these two please just get married already?  I can barely handle the cute level.

What are you doing New Years Eve?

The Magic of Snow

Today we were blessed with our first snow of the season.  While it was barely a dusting, it was just enough to add that much needed element of holiday cheer we had all been hoping for.  I was so excited, I actually woke up in the middle of the night to look out the window and see if it was snowing.  It is such a wonderful feeling gazing out onto a quiet street at night and watching the snow fall in the soft glow radiating from the street lamps.  

I have always loved snow - the way it adds a beautiful white shimmer to all it touches and seems to make the whole world stop, just for a moment, in a quiet and tranquil wonderland.  I remember being a little girl and my mom waking me up, bundling me up in my winter jacket, and pulling me on a sled through the streets of our sleepy town.  Still as an adult, the early morning walks through the fresh snow {where the only footprints you see are those of forest creatures} truly feel like magic.  

Wishing you peace and snow during this holiday season!

Image via

The Helpers

This weekend, I {along with the entire country} have been completely grief stricken by the tragic events that occurred in Newtown, CT.  I found solace in a beautiful quote from Mister Rogers {one of my heros} about trying to see the good in the world in the face of a tragedy.  I hope this can too bring you a little bit of peace during this difficult time.  Please remember to hug your loved ones a little tighter, as we never know how much longer we have in this world.

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.' To this day, especially in times of 'disaster,' I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world." - Mister Rogers

Paris Je T'Aime

I recently put together a short video with some footage I took of Paris during my last two trips there {once this summer, and again this fall}.  "Paris Je T'Aime" translates to "I Love You Paris," and it couldn't be more true!

Gift Ideas: Etsy

I discovered Etsy about three years ago, and since then it has been a go-to for gift ideas {as well as home decor and art}.  I love how it connects you with artists and collectors across the globe, and that you are supporting small businesses.  Sometimes however, I am a bit overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of sellers on the site and it can be difficult to find the piece you're really looking for.  Thankfully, over the years I have stumbled upon quite a few amazing shops...some of my favorites being:

Canterwick: How cool are these cloth bound classic that are actually iPhone chargers?  Jane Eyre is one of my all-time favorite classic novels and I would be much happier having that on my nightstand than an ugly white cord.

Doloris Petunia: Gorgeous, one of a kind statement jewelry.  The necklaces are a work of art that can be worn with anything from jeans and a t-shirt to the perfect little black dress.

Alicia Bock: The most dreamy collection of photographs.  I actually purchased three of them a few years ago, and they still make me smile every time I walk by.

maintenant: An incredibly well-curated shop filled with vintage French objects.  My favorite is their amazing collection of gorgeous antique French alarm clocks...want!

ARMINHO: A paper ephemera shop with the cutest little notebooks and posters.  I especially love this Vintage Camera Educational Chart.

Janet Hill Studio: I have always been drawn to portraits, bonus if they have a bit of quirk.  So obviously I was thrilled to stumble upon the glorious Janet Hill Studio.  Her art is lady-like and whimsical, and I especially love the classic portrait of the naval captain with a twist {it's a woman}.

PetiteCo: Filled with dainty and modern jewelry for a great price.

oh, albatross: A vintage seller filled with beautiful and unique goods that will add just the right amount of patina to your space.  I especially love this glass globe that is actually a lamp!

Sidenote: Does anyone know of any good software {preferably free} to do basic photo-editing and create collages on a Mac?  I can barely stand to look at the hideous layout of this post!

Last Days in Paris

 I am just now getting around to uploading photos from the last two days of my European Adventures {due to the fact that I literally took so many pictures I filled up my hard drive}.  Fast forward two weeks and one external hard drive later, and I am now reliving my last two days in Paris, holding back the tears because I miss it so much already!

My plane back to the United States was leaving out of Paris the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, so I decided to leave London on Sunday and spend two more days in my favorite city.  I stayed in an adorable little boutique hotel in Saint Germain and filled my hours wandering around the quiet little streets getting lost camera in hand {plus a stop at the Christmas Market on the Champs Elysees}.  I was most certainly sad to leave, but I was ready to come home and spend the holidays with my friends, family, and Ryan {who picked me up at the airport with a bouquet of roses in hand}.

Photos from last two days in the City of Light are below:

 {The Christmas Market on the Champs Elysees including a frightening stall filled with little gingerbread men who looked like they were being hung}

 {The view from my hotel room's window}

{The gorgeous neighborhood of Saint Germain des Pres}

 {81 "Rue de Loo" - the home of Julia and Paul Child during their years in Paris.  It was especially fun being able to see this as I actually read Julia Child's biography ("My Life in France") while I was in Paris.}

 {Such a perfect sky}

 {Paris getting all dressed up for the holidays}

{Paris...je t'aime}