Gleaming possibility...

I am off to relish laughter and adventure for the next handful of days {or weeks?}.  When my feet land firmly in two thousand eleven, I'll be back.  

two thousand eleven!

 

One of my favorite images holds all the nuances of my wishes for your new year.  History for a strong and weathered foundation.  Sunlight and Gothic arches for hope filtered through nostalgia. A coat of plaster for a fresh canvas.  A sprinkle of mold for brushes with nature.  And room for huge, gaping potential and possibility.   

 

Wishing you a new year 
gleaming with laughter and
glistening with adventure.

{Get the details on this blissful image at the original post Mortar & mold....}

Hooves and horns...

Up on the roof there arose such a clatter...

This handsome fellow {and he is handsome} is from the lens of Sharon Montrose.

Shiny bits...

Jingle bells, sugar cookies, peppermint infused vodka, pine needles, sugar plums, & mistletoe...

 

{This glimpse of shiny vintage spheres is from Cafe Cartolina.}

Snow flakes and pine needles....

No words are needed to describe this crisp glimpse of pine needles and snowflakes.

{The winter wonderland on the left was found here.  The winter wonderland on the right was found here.}

Magical...

May your weekend be likened to this gorgeous garland {don't you just love metaphors?!?}. I hope your days are filled with small moments of vivid color and sparkles all strung together for an amalgamation of wonderment. 

{Lovely garland from Confetti System. Spotted on Knack.}

Words...

"One kind word can warm three winter months."

Japanese Proverb

Breathe it in...

This is like a breath of fresh air all wrapped up in a flood of natural light and whimsical color.  Sigh.

{Invigorating image by Pia Ulin, as seen on Lotta Agaton.}

Infuse, then imbibe...

Infuse, then imbibe.  This is my {brand new shiny} mantra.  My dabble in infused vodka seems to have peaked a few curious imbibers, so I thought I would share a recipe or two {or three}.

First, from Sweet Paul {I lovingly refer to him as Mr.Martha}:

Fig & Vanilla Infused Vodka
1 liter bottle
1 liter vodka
1/2 pound dried figs
1/2 vanilla bean {cut in half lengthwise}

Combine all ingredients in the bottle {I use this beautiful little bottle available here}.  Let stand one week.  Discard figs and vanilla beans.  Serve on the rocks in a tumbler with 1/2 fresh fig as a garnish.  I also did a modified version with pomegranates and cranberries {instead of figs}.

I spotted my second vodka adventure here, Coffee Vanilla Bean Liqueur {from Molly Watson at The Dinner Files}. Time will tell if I have the patience to wait four to six weeks for this delicious and dark liqueur to brew.

The third vodka adventure was truly an adventure.  I threw six candy canes into a pint of vodka {the plan is to serve it with homemade hot chocolate}.  It's still brewing...but it's already delicious.

Merry infusing.  Merry imbibing.

Flying squirrels and vintage plaid...

It's the season of gift guides. Here's a {tempting} little tease of my personal gift guide suggestions...

{Click the links below to visit each individual gift guide.} 

  

For Him {Flying squirrels and vintage plaid}

For Her {Vegan leather and metallic pig banks}

For Spaces {The places we live in and the kitchens we cook in}

For All {Give personality and charisma this year}

Quiet whispers...

elle oh has been a little bit quiet this week - mainly because life has been a little bit loud.  I blame the holidays {'tis the season}.  This delicate and feminine glimpse from Knack is seducing me with whispers of playful colors.

{Every single time I visit Decor8, I find something I love.  Today was no different.}

Words...

"Some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and
making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next.
Delicious ambiguity..."

Gilda Radner

Vintage aeronautics...

This print of vintage aeronautics is laced with the intricacy of scientific drawings and the whimsy of imagination.  I would like to dangle this glimpse of hatch marks and hot air on my wall.

 {This image was found floating on Design for Mankind - originally from Wikipedia.}

Tree...

This brings a whole new meaning {sculptural & dimensional} to the traditional triangular tree full of prickly pine needles.  Something to contemplate...

{Eldrid has explored her imagination and found this wildly creative use for bringing nature inside - her intention was to create the ambiance of sitting magically under a tree.  It is magical.}

Naked?!?

Is your coffee table naked?  You can consider me your personal coffee table librarian.  I curated a list of fifteen must see, must experience, must read books {see link below}.  Bound wonders full of wit, illustrations, creativity, and photography...

{Fifteen books to covet!}

Snow is glistening...

Just a handful of snowflakes to put a hint of glisten in your weekend...

{This bit of wonderland is by Charming Liisa found here.}

If only...

If I had an industrial vintage metal locker, a camel colored cruiser, and this plate collection - I wouldn't need a wish list.

 

{This perfect vignette was resting here, at one of my favorite places of online real estate.}

Words...

"A perfectly kept house is the sign of a misspent life."

Mary Randolph Carter

Tis the season...

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  My {long, winding} weekend was sprinkled with shopping and infusing vodka.  That is wonderful.

{This festive glimpse is from the portfolio of James Merrell.}

Grateful...

Wishing you a gorgeous Thanksgiving full of gratefulness - may you be surrounded by delectable dishes and delicious souls.

{More perfect vegetables from the lens of Katie Quinn Davies.  Yes, I have a crush on her.}

Sultry and savory...

The subtle smell of sweet pumpkin is floating in the air.  Here's a flirtatious amuse bouche to tease your senses on the eve of the most gracious day of the year.

I have recently rediscovered the savory texture of beets hiding under saturated color and sultry curves.  Katie Quinn Davies has perfectly captured their charisma.  Wander over to one of the most beautiful places and feast on the gorgeous styling and delicious recipes of What Katie Ate.  Mmmm...

Curiosity...

I love the wonder of intricate details.  Photographer Idha Lindhag captured these details beautifully - my imagination is gushing wildly with the curiosity of what lies beyond the boundaries of this image.

{Another lovely find from my muse, Lotta Agaton.}

Solid precipitation...

Yesterday brought the first sprinkling of solid precipitation, covering the ground like a knit blanket and making me lust after this fireplace.  Then liquid precipitation washed it all away {except for my mantle craving, of course}.

{This gorgeous dichotomy of simultaneously warm and cold was found at Tomorrow's Parties.}

Circus act...

I could use a touch of over-sized golden circus propaganda resting on my wall.  Could you?

I thought last week's whimsy needed company {more musings from Christine Rudolph.}

Words...

"Every child is an artist.
The problem is to remain an artist once they grow up."

Pablo Picasso

The perfect afternoon...

Swirling in pristine white cotton layers amidst a shell of beautiful decay flooded with gorgeous natural sunlight.  The perfect afternoon...

{Lovely photographs by Graphics Pixie.  This afternoon of bliss was spotted at Bodie & Fou.}

Adjectives...

This image is twirling with adjectives.  Gray.  Modern.  Wood.  Industrial.  Blue.  Soft.  Metal.  Espresso.  Rustic.  Effortless.  Oh, the adjectives!

{This heap of deliciousness is from Fritz Hansen - as introduced by the lovely Emma.}

Psst!  Click over to EcoSalon and enter this giveaway for two {yes, two!} scrumptious bamboo fiber pashbus.  Oh, and since the giveaway is for two - if you win, can I have one?!?  Pretty, please?

Water droplets and pine needles...

Heavy, opaque water droplets floating just above vivid green tree limbs bursting with pine needles.  Mmmm.

{Gorgeous photograph, Appalachia, by Valerie Chung. Spotted this beautiful glimpse of Mother Nature on Automatism.}

Ravishing...

How is this for a ravishing little vignette? 

{Photograph by Mikkel Adsbøl as seen on Emmas Designblogg.}

Temperature therapy...

This combination of textures is the cure to winter.

{This gorgeous and inviting interior has been wandering around blogland and landed in two of my favorite places - Hviit and Solid Frog.  See more at Skona Hem.}

Words...

"All the effort in the world won't matter if you're not inspired."

Chuck Palahniuk

Whimsical...

Mmm...capricious curves and vivid colors.

{I know, it's a rerun - but I had an insatiable craving for whimsy that only the musings of my favorite stylist can satiate; Christine Rudolph, I adore you.}

Parlez-vous français?

La Maison Pujol - I wouldn't mind meeting you.  I find your vintage typography irresistible.

Explore the rest of this delicious bed and breakfast here. 

Naked...

My life {er...couch} feels naked without this {I know, the melodrama is palpable}...

Click here for more of my Hviit winter wish list...

Long necks...

Long necks and vertical striations lounge in this image of graceful giraffe's lingering among bold shadows.

This beautiful glimpse is from Lotta Agaton.  Swoon.

November polish...

It's time.  Peppermint Mocha.  Sip.  Sigh.  Sip.  Again and again.  Mmmm... November's niceties sure add a bit of polish to my day.

This refreshing glimpse of wintery bliss is from one of the most inspirational places - The Society, Inc..

Ephemera...

This illustration {Raiders of Their Host's Riches} by Jason Holley danced from the artist's mind while looking at Victorian ephemera.  Sigh.

{Thank you Automatism for the introduction to Jason Holley.}

Paper personalities...

These greeting cards from Tokketok are exquisitely simple.  I cannot wait to meet these beautiful paper personalities at little winter. 

Oh Oliver...

I was sifting through my archives and found an industrial charm in Copenhagen that deserves another visit.  This is the charming antique shop of Oliver Gustav on the bottom floor of an old distillery.  The second floor is the gorgeous masculine home of Mr. Gustav. 

{You can find the original post here - with an extra dose of delicious visuals.}

Enticing...

The allure of this necklace is {almost} enough to have me grabbing for knitting needles.  This lovely mess of cords is vying for a place in my wardrobe.

{This Six Cord Knitted Necklace from A Alicia is screaming my name from across the pond.  Thanks for the introduction Lisa!}

Still delicious...

The only thing that can adequately accessorize this delicious vignette is the equally satisfying living room from the same home.

{Photography by Pia Ulin.  Styling by Lotta Agaton.}

Nature...

Today I raked {hundreds of} leaves for {multiple} hours.  When the dust {er...leaves} settled, the yard looked exactly the same.  I lost.

{This whimsical image is from the by nord catalog.}

Waterworks...

This is kind of amazing.  Actually, this is completely amazing.  If only this weekend's precipitation came in the form of woven textile whimsy. 

{This charming trickery by Nemie Goudal was found posing gracefully on Design for Mankind.}

Bones...

Oh my.  I need this dark and brooding jaw bone dangling over my collarbones - the mixture of metallic glamour is almost unbearable.  This porcelain skunk Jaw Pendant makes me weak in the knees.

Well done, Beetle & Flor.  Well done.

Chromatic theology...

Explore the depths of black as the Chromatic Theology series continues.

Each post in this series explores an individual hue, but the characteristics of the topic color can be translated into tints and shades. Keep in mind that the effects and emotions we discuss are most prominent and intense in pure, saturated color. To some extent, the distinctive attributes of black will be present in color variations - charcoal, black bean, cast iron, domino, pewter, etc.

BLACK is a powerful color that exhibits strength, dignity, and formality. Black can translate to the epitome of elegance and sophistication. Like white, excess black can cast the notion of emptiness or boredom, except with heavy and depressing implications. Add a dash of casualty by lightening the severity of black and selecting a shade of grey {ranging from dove to deep charcoal}. Because saturated black can be imposing, avoid using expansive solid black color in small spaces, or infuse intimacy in a large space by intentionally using large amounts of solid black color. Combining black and white in one cohesive color scheme uses sharp contrast to achieve crisp, tailored results; the same color scheme can be harsh and austere when unsuccessful. If your personality walks on the serious side, but with an added dose of mystery, black might just be the color for you.

Want to get acquainted with the rest of the rainbow? Indulge in the rest of the series with these previous posts. This wraps up the session on color theory and psychology. Any questions?

{Images from The Style Files.}

{This series is also running on EcoSalon!}

Arithmetic...

Spam minus preservatives plus cotton equals tea towel perfection {click here for more of my whimsical tea towel obsession}.

Hawaii, I miss you.  I miss spam musubi, tonkatsu, bento, plate lunch, shave ice, and blueberry beer, too. 

Glamorous shadows...

These photographs from Ditte Isager are a gorgeous exploration of the depths of charcoal grey.  Oh, Ditte, how I love your work. 

Words...

"It's never too late to be who you might have been."

George Eliot

Typography please...

Oh, la la.  Need more?  Me, too.  See the rest of the space {and it is a gorgeous space} and devour my words here. 

{Blissful photography by Petra Bindel.  More of this eclectic glamour here.}

Chromatic theology...

Plunge into a pool of untainted color culmination {white} as the Chromatic Theology series continues.

Each post in this series explores an individual hue, but the characteristics of the topic color can be translated into tints and shades. Keep in mind that the effects and emotions we discuss are most prominent and intense in pure, saturated color {pure, unsaturated color in this case}. To some extent, the distinctive attributes of white will be present in color variations - eggshell, gardenia, snow, cream, moonlight, ivory, etc.

WHITE often reveals clarity, innocence, and pure simplicity. White is the perfect palette to make architectural elements sing. Nearly all colors tend to distract from and compete with architecture and furnishings, but white elevates and emphasizes style and aesthetic details. White embodies the power to transcend climate, radiating warmth and coziness in the winter and offering fresh, cool relief in the summer. If used in excess, an entirely white interior can appear unfinished, empty, sterile, and bored. But when combined with the right elements and proportions, white is an inspired way to capture innocence. This color is charismatic and pairs well with all other hues, serving as a great frame for more aggressive colors or simply gleaming on its own.

Want to get acquainted with the rest of the rainbow? Indulge in the rest of the series with these previous posts. Come back next week to explore the depths of black.

{Images from Elle Oh.}

{This series is also running on EcoSalon!}

Saturated...

The saturated and deep hues of this linear harvest on Helt Enkelt caught my eye.  Delicious.

{This gorgeous photography comes from the talented lens of Anna-Malin of Helt Enkelt.  My endless gratitude for letting this image linger here.}