Under the Tree: A Tidbit

This Christmas my not-so-little brother was able to wrap my tablescaping hobby, obsession with creative repurposing, and fondness for spoons into one amazing gift...

It's a "tidbit stand" (no kidding, that's what it said on the tag!)

Drew found it at Pottery Barn. 
I had never even seen it before- otherwise I might have bought it for myself! 

Wait a second... I got out-shopped by my kid brother?

Anyway, I know I'll get lots of compliments on this piece when I use it for tidbits (what else?) at the first cocktail party I throw in Berkeley. Thanks, Drew- you're invited!

Under the Tree: Fit for a Queen, or Me.

I thought you might like to admire some more of the gifties that I got for Christmas... At the very least, I wanted to show them off!

I happen to know that these embroidered napkins were found at Anthropologie, and that they were a sweet deal. Very regal new additions to my decor menagerie. That freckly lion just does me in, he's so cute. Where shall I put them?

My Mom found the "E" necklace at a favorite jewelry store in Edmonds called Bluefish. Subtle sparkle, delicate leaf charms, an elegant capital E in antiqued gold... made for an Elizabeth who loves letters, right?

Under the Tree: It's Science!

If you followed along as Adam and I analyzed our design tastes, you'll know that we were both inspired by interiors with a laboratory aesthetic ("lab fab," if I may). We decided to mix some chemistry-chic decor into our gothic-eclectic home. Ever since we've been searching for the perfect science paraphernalia to test out...

And what do you know- Santa's been reading my blog!

The many scientists in Adam's family tried to teach me the proper name for this type of flask, but I persist in calling them "vases." It is incredible that I passed AP Chemistry.

The frog was also hiding in my stocking. He's not real, but wriggly enough to fake it. 

I find him rather delightful, Matilda seems to find him threatening.

I can't wait to experiment with my new labware. Cruets for oil & vinegar? Dispensers for measuring out potent alcoholic concoctions? I don't know- but I'm sure they'll look smart in my china cabinet.

Keys to My Heart

You know, the problem with One Kings Lane is that it has gotten so confoundedly popular (man, am I kicking myself for telling everyone about it). I've got to get into the habit of breezing through first thing in the morning, because if I wait until lunch... disaster!

Things that I really, really need are sold out!

Godinger Key-Shaped Cocktail Stirrers that would have looked so posh in my vintage glassware... argh!

Also, the trouble with One Kings Lane is that once I've been tempted by a great deal, say, "12 perfectly quirky stirrers for $25," then buying "6 quirky stirrers for $25" elsewhere doesn't sound perfect at all. Which is funny, because the notion of having more than 6 people drinking in my tiny apartment at one time is fairly far-fetched. Still, it's the principle! 12 is better than 6!

Anyway. Real post coming tomorrow. For now I'm still being punished for taking a few days off of work (agh, the data-entry!), tomorrow I will show off the new toys I got for Christmas...

A Present for Shock The Bourgeois!

I hope you all survived your holly-jolly holiday (and I hope that unlike me, you're taking an extended vacation). I can't wait to show you what I found under the tree on Christmas morning!

I also received a very sweet gift from friends in the blogging community: I got some nods for an AT Homie Award!

See, here I am!

I can't tell you how flattered I am to be included. It's the best gift that a very new and modest blog could hope for- thank you! Be sure to check out the Homie nominees- add your favorites to the list, and find new favorites for your reading pleasure!

A Tip for the Last-Minute Gift-Giver

Ah, December 23rd, the day when you realize that you have left your brother-in-law/dentist/dog-walker/favorite-Seattle-blogger off of your gift list. It is time for a gift on the fly, and the very thought of elbowing through hoards of panicked shoppers at the mall makes you hy-per-ven-ti-late...!

Take a deep breath.

The solution is right around the corner at your local market. Admit it, if you're behind on gifts, you're probably missing a few ingredients for your holiday feast as well (oh $#@*, need eggs for the pumpkin pie!). We're not suggesting that you give anyone day-old Santa-shaped cookies wrapped in a plastic grocery bag (in fact, having received this exact present before, we'd strongly discourage it). Supermarkets are stocked with incredible treats that you may have overlooked during the chore of weekly grocery shopping. We like to think of Christmas as the time to buy our loved ones the items that they couldn't justify buying for themselves. In more prosperous years, that might mean electronics or precious metals, but this rotten economy has made this a Christmas of simple pleasures. Wouldn't it feel special to receive the fancy olive oil or exotic imported salt that you always deny yourself?

As for us, getting a bottle of wine really lights us up (especially after we've opened it). If we're going to be living just a quick jaunt away from Wine Country, we've got to build up our cred. You know, "Ah yes, the '87. Oaky, but do I detect a faint aroma of cherries...?" Our budget is really putting our wine education on hold, so we'd much appreciate a bit o' primo vino. We aren't wine snobs yet though- you won't hurt our feelings if you buy us a crappy wine. We won't drink that swill, but we'll certainly unscrew the top and pour it into one of Adam's cooking concoctions!

Alcohol in gorgeous packaging is sure to please these bloggers. We'd probably leave the bottle on the shelf long after the last drop has been drunk.

This bottle has got us all wrapped up in its tantalizing tentacles. 

We may not know much about wine, but we do know that we should like a Syrah.

Photo Courtesy of Christopher Robbins, Cool Wine Labels Blog

These clever labels appeal to our devious natures, and the name certainly does the wine credit!

Photo Taken with Elizabeth's iPhone, Second Image & Wine by Francis Ford Coppola Winery

The great thing about food and wine is that it's easy to wrap. Gourmet tidbits look amazing piled in a basket, and wine boxes are fun to customize (or try a mailing tube!). Anyway, stop stressing over last minute gifts and remember that the fastest way to a friend's heart is through their stomach.

Wishing you a delicious holiday,


Adam & Elizabeth

A Clever Display

While picking out our Christmas tree at Sky Nursery, my parents and I couldn't help peeking around at their other offerings. Ornaments galore, a greenhouse full of wintry blooms, and these very inspiring displays:

What a great example of thoughtful merchandising. These doors will be easy to paint and keep fresh for a year's worth of ideas. After all, the massive selection of this nursery can be a little overwhelming for the amateur gardener or for those of us who rent. Not everyone has a front yard, but all of us have front doors! These displays show how to create a welcoming doorstep using coordinated colors and practical container gardens. Forget about landscaping, this is porchscaping!

Images Taken with my iPhone

Feathered Finery

Perhaps you've noticed my fondness for decorating with fowl and feather. A faux crow, a wise little owl or two, a pair of birdcages... you don't have to go out on limb to guess that I'm pretty much tickled by all of the avian accessories abound this holiday season. I don't have a nest to feather this year, but perhaps I should start collecting now?

These are perfect for the neutral and natural Christmas that I've been envisioning. Envisioning these on the tree with metallic trimmings makes my heart flutter.

Feathered Orb Trio from Anthropologie

On the trip to Sky Nursery to adopt the family Christmas tree I spotted these rather glamorous plumes tucked into the branches of a display tree. Very stylish- similar to the black feathers that Cassandra of Coco + Kelley used.

Just the thing for an elegant holiday dinner. The placemats are a lovely way to add texture to a white tableclothed spread. I have four that I'm planning on using under centerpieces! The Quill flatware is so fanciful, I think that a pair of spreaders would suffice.

Guinea Feather Placemat from Jayson Home & Garden, Quill Flatware from Pottery Barn

I love the simplicity of this calendar- such beautiful way to watch the year fly by, and an excellent gift (in fact, I think one would really soften up my home office, *hint, hint*).

Year of Feathers Calendar by The Wild Unknown, as featured by Design*Sponge