Scenes from a holiday

A Christmas post, you ask? Yes, I know, Christmas is long gone and over with. But I finally downloaded these images onto my laptop and I just couldn't resist sharing the ones of Hazel. So I hope you'll indulge me a bit. I figure a little cuteness is bound to make anyone's Monday a little brighter, yes?

Hazel in her velvety red Christmas dress. It reminded me of the dress Belle wears in the winter scene in "Beauty & The Beast."

Unfortunately, Hazel wasn't much of a fan and didn't feel like posing for momma (though she did love this pillow! Totally not her gift but she sort of claimed it for a bit.) 

The "torture" only lasted about 10 minutes, tops, and then I took the dress off. Still, she let me know she wasn't pleased with me. This is her giving me "the look" through some unwrapped presents. Even mad she's still cute!

Later, she tried to steal my gingerbread cookie. The little thief! But look at those eyes. It's hard to say no!

Oops, there's no Hazel in this shot! How'd this get in here...

There we are, a little family. I think we all look pretty funny but this was the only one of her looking at the camera!

Alrighty, I'll stop being a proud dog momma now. Hope you had a restful weekend and are having a good start to your week! I saw "Black Swan" with my bestie on Saturday. It was scary and creepy and intense... but good. I know it's gotten mixed reviews but I liked it. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and when I got home I kind of tried to avoid mirrors. Ha! Natalie Portman was amazing and beautiful, of course. And it made me wish that I hadn't dropped ballet years ago (I always wanted to go on pointe). Have you seen it? What did you think? If not, what did you do this weekend?

Deck the Halls ~ Merry Christmas!

I just spent the whole day wrapping presents and listening to Christmas carols.

After a couple hours, the novelty of that wore off fast. Ha!

But really, no exaggerations, when I wasn't out helping my dad shop for my mom-- it's our very last-minute tradition-- I was at home, sitting uncomfortably on the floor, surrounded by rolls of paper, swirls of ribbon and a bevy of bows.

The Christmas music did make it better though. I love Christmas music. And singing along to Christmas music. Especially the classics sang by music legends. Like Nat King Cole. Bing Crosby. Frank Sinatra. Eartha Kitt. You know the ones. They all kept me company while I folded and taped.

Despite all the hours and effort, I'm excited for when my family will tear into all my hard work tomorrow morning. Only in a few hours really. It's already after midnight here... I hope they like their gifts!

Before I head to bed and listen for reindeer hoofs "up on the rooftop"-- see, still got those carols in my head-- I thought I'd show you what my house looks like at Christmastime. Like I mentioned in my last post, we didn't have a tree until about a week ago. Why? Well, because we recently got new, hardwood floors! Bye, bye carpet! You can sneak a peek in the photo above, and see a sliver of our new furniture, too.

Anyway, let the mini-house tour, well, living room tour, begin:

Every year my mom turns our staircase into candy cane land. I love it.

These bells were my mom's mom's. That would be my grandma. I never met her, unfortunately, but I hear wonderful things all the time. These bells are very special. And they hold our mistletoe. Kiss, kiss!

I have claimed the task of setting up the nativity set every year. See, this bit of Christmas decor is very special to me. My grandma, my dad's mom, hand-painted each piece. I am totally biased, but it is the most beautiful nativity I've ever seen.

I always set up the little animals differently. I can never remember what I did the last year. This time, the cow is peeking in from the side of the manager. But the stars of the scene never change-- and I always put in baby Jesus last.

Our fireplace-- that my dad designed-- gets dressed up, too. My mom hangs garland from the mantel and sets up all those little stuffed animals on the hearth; they're from her work (Starbucks!).

Oh, Christmas Tree! Sparkling at night. It's the real thing. We like the pine smell.

Reflecting in the mirror... Don't you love my snowman? I made that in elementary school. We had to bring in one of our socks for his cap! I remember being very upset back then that there wasn't one more black pom-pom for his mouth. I had to put a brown one in the middle. Even then I was a perfectionist-- and enjoyed symmetry.  :)

Did you "deck the halls" at your home this year? What are your Christmas decorating traditions? Whatever you do, I hope it is wonderful. Because guess what? It's here! :) Merry Christmas, my loves. I hope your day is full of joy and laughter with friends and family. Because no matter what is under the tree, it is the people in our lives who are our true gifts.

xoxo,

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Christmas at The Grove

... well, that is if torrential rain for days on end is your idea of what Christmas looks like. Personally, I'd prefer snow, but that's not going to happen here. So gray skies and raindrops it is.

Despite the gloomy weather, I'm slowly getting into the Christmas spirit. I'll admit, it has taken me a bit longer to really feel the season, if you know what I mean. It definitely snuck up on me this year. I think it is work and stress and the fact that my house didn't even have a tree until the end of last week. But with the decorations finally up and after sending out my Christmas cards and attending two holiday parties (one with the boy's family, one with friends), I am starting to come around.

Though the date never changes and I knew it was coming, I think I really realized Christmas is here about two weekends ago. (About the same time I started all my holiday shopping, ha!) On that Saturday, the boy and I spent the afternoon perusing the fabulous artists and creators at Unique L.A.'s third annual Holiday Show. I was on a mission to buy handmade and get a few people checked off my gift-giving list. Of course, I mostly saw things I wanted for myself! I bought the coolest, chunky (and pointy!) quartz ring by Kittinhawk and, like last year, I stopped by Danni's booth, Oh, hello friend, to say hi. Ok, and buy a few things. What can I say...?

Anyway, after browsing and buying for a couple hours, the boy and I were starving. Shopping sure works up an appetite! So we headed over to The Grove for dinner at Morels French Steakhouse and Bistro. It was our first time there and it was delicious. Expensive, but delicious. (I got the roasted tilapia served atop basil mashed potatoes with sliced tomatoes, zucchini and fried capers. Yum.)

But the best part of our quick trip, and what really kick started me getting into the holiday mood, was seeing all the wonderful decorations. From the huge, glistening Christmas tree to a "flying" reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh to a water fountain show set to classic carols, you couldn't help but feel a bit more jolly.

Want to see? ...

So, are you feeling festive this holiday season? Or have you been distracted, like me?

And, perhaps more importantly, who else still has more shopping to do? (Not to mention all my wrapping!) I know I sure do! I'm always finishing up last minute. That's what Christmas Eve is for, right? :)

Wish list

Ho! Ho! Ho! Santa is almost here! Have you been naughty or nice? (Maybe a bit of both?)

Well, hopefully none of us will find coal in our stockings this Christmas. Here's a few items from my wish list that I'd be happy to find under the tree:

Some new makeup brushes would be much appreciated. Mine have seen better days. And these ones not only sparkle, they are antibacterial to boot. (This makeup lover wouldn't say no to a beauty box made just for junkies, either.)

Fragrance that smells as good as it looks. (Marc Jacobs Daisy may be my perennial favorite, but I'm willing to give Kate Spade's Twirl a whirl. Both are fruity and floral.)

 A hair treatment that would restore and replenish my dry locks, which are even more ravaged by the winter wind, would be quite useful. I've heard bloggers rave about Moroccanoil.

I'd love to light a candle on dark winter nights. This magnolia one would make my room smell like my grandma-- and I mean that in the best way possible. 

Since the kind of digital camera I want is a bit out of my price range (and probably Santa's), this adorable Diana would be a fun new way to capture memories and give them a dreamy perspective.

I would love to add a few more easy-breezy tops that look effortlessly chic to my wardrobe. This sheer midnight blue one and that olive green camp-style one would look good in my closet.

Add to that a flowy floral lace number you can dress up or down.

New clothes need new kicks. I've had my eye on a pair of new boots with buckle details for awhile (like these) and a girl always needs more cute flats (like these).

My jewelry box is overflowing but I'm always adding more jewels and baubles to my collection. I heart these nature-inspired, hippie chic pieces: a double leaf ring, a sparkling feather necklace, and safari-themed bangles.

 I've been using the same metallic, studded bag all year; it's time for a new model. This caramel-colored faux leather satchel would be perfect for every day.

And finally, because the New Year is almost here and I can't survive without a schedule, a 2011 agenda that is both cheery and functional is definitely in order.

There you have it. My wish list for Christmas. What I find under the tree Dec. 25 no one knows (except the jolly bearded man himself) but whatever it is, I know I will love it.

Your turn! What made your wish list this year? 



P.S. If you'd like to receive a Christmas card from yours truly, drop me a line with your address at carissanicole {at} gmail {dot} com by Thursday, Dec. 16. I'd love to add you to my list!

Sending some cheer

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

with every Christmas card I write...

I can’t believe Christmas is just a little more than two weeks away! Can you? When I think about it, I get butterflies in my stomach—mostly because I’m not anywhere close to being done with my gift shopping!

But putting that anxiety aside for a second, I am excited to continue one Christmas tradition I started (seriously) last year: sending Christmas cards! In the past I would faithfully buy cards but end up never sending them—and if they did get where they were supposed to go, it was because they got taped to the top of a present. Which is fine but we all know that the best part of a card is finding it in your mailbox, right? Especially since my postman usually just brings me tons and tons of junk mail and bills, I get a little thrill whenever I find amongst that stack a pretty envelope with a handwritten address from a friend.

Longtime readers will know that last year I offered to send anyone who was interested an old fashioned, signed-sealed-delivered holiday greeting. Many of you replied that you would like to be on the receiving end of my snail mail, and I was so happy to send them!

Last year I actually made my own cards, which was both fun and fantastic but also time consuming. Since I have gotten a late start this year, I doubt that I will be crafting my cards from scratch (though I'll likely jazz them up). But I’d still love to send you one!

So if you would like to get a cheery card from me, and I hope you do, simply send me an email at carissanicole {at} gmail {dot} com with your mailing address. I'll add you to the list!

And don’t worry, I promise to keep it confidential and never ever use it for anything except to send you a bit of holiday cheer!

Thanks for playing along!

P.S. This is totally open to international readers, too. I just hope it will get to you in time!
P.P.S. If you'd like to participate, I need to know your address by Dec. 16 at the latest! :)

Image via we heart it

Chill in the air

It's been awful chilly lately. Not cold enough to snow, unfortunately-- I don't think that will ever happen here, in the basin of "perpetually sunny" Los Angeles-- but brisk enough to say "Brrr" when you walk outside. (Or simply squeal, if you're like me.)

This past weekend, while walking through a local outdoor mall, making a feeble attempt at starting my holiday shopping, temperatures got so low that I actually bought myself a new (and somewhat pricey) jacket at American Eagle. It's an olive green trench with a belt at the waist and pretty darn adorable if I do say so myself. It was totally an impulse purchase but, in my defense, I had been eyeing a jacket just like it. And I got 20 percent off. So there. :)

Anyway, this week the weather has been warming up, making that jacket virtually unnecessary come noontime, but in the mornings it is still nice and cool. And the nights still get a bit frigid and blustery. Perfect scarf-and-mittens weather. (I picked up a cute pair of soft, red gloves this weekend, too.)

I didn't exactly plan to spend this post regaling you with details about my weather forecast. More importantly I wanted to share the beautiful photograph above. It entered my email inbox the other day, courtesy my favorite "cheap" art website, 20x200. Shot by Joseph O. Holmes, it is called "The Sledding Hill (Dusk)." This is one in a series of photographs he has taken at Brooklyn's Prospect Park. Don't you just love the way the light peeks through the skeleton trees and reflects off the snow, creating this warm, gorgeous glow? I may be a California girl, but I'd love to go there. Now. (And have a snowball fight.)

So, let's make small talk, shall we? How's the weather where you are? Any snow?

Stay warm,



P.S. Holmes also shot two of my other 20x200 faves, also set in his hometown of New York City. I posted about them here. (I love this one, too)