Happy Holidays!

We are down to the final couple of days here in the NW before flying back to Iowa! The last week went by quickly...I meant to post some updates but kept myself busy with other tasks. Recap: Nathan finished his classes December 5, so we celebrated by going to the burger drive-in and then to see the Dark Knight (again) at my favorite discount theatre. He had another assignment and TA work to do last week but finished everything Thursday--wahoo!  I've been in the Holiday spirit, making decorations and crafty things. I had a nice evening out on my own to the SAM for the Edward Hopper exhibit, enjoyed the twinkling lights in downtown Seattle. (They make a tree of lights on top of the Space Needle!) My friends Dianna and Kim are moving back to Chicago, so we had our sad goodbyes last Tuesday (at a karaoke bar in a Chinese restaurant, so actually it was fun). Nathan and I had a day of cleaning and laundry to prepare ourselves to get out of the apartment easily tomorrow night. 

I intended to post a Gift Guide of sorts, but honestly I haven't gotten around to organizing it. While many of us are cutting back (like way back) this holiday season, it can still be fun to think of what we would give everyone on our list if we only could. Maybe some of you have gifting to do and are a bit stumped, or perhaps you are simply enjoying 'window-shopping' like I am? Since a lot of my picks are also on some of my favorite blogs, I figured I would instead direct you to these great lists and perhaps just share a few of my true favorite giftables.

Inhabitat: they have several eco-minded gift guides, but I especially like this one that is about charitable giving

Hollister Hovey: "Lumps of Coal" for your naughty friends, plus check out her other themed guides...a very original and stylish gal

Cup of Jo: blogger Joanna Goddard has top-notch suggestions, including awesome gloves that you don't have to take off to use your iPod! (unless you have those convertible mittens, this is a big winter problem)

Design*Sponge: Grace always knows what is out there in the way of home design and decor

For Me, For You: this graphic designer has a great style and it shows in this very cohesive gift guide full of cheeky design pieces (dodecahedron necklace? awesome)--scroll down on this page to find the guide

And of course, most magazines have decent gift guides on their websites. As a design junkie I go for the guides on Dwell and Domino, but try looking up your preferred publication.

Anytime you can support artisans, especially those local, I definitely recommend it. A piece of art or handmade work is personal and special. Better yet, make it yourself! With the environmental state and lousy economy, any hard earned money you spend may as well reach beyond the recipient, right?

 With that exception, here are just a few of what I consider this year's winners:

a little encouragement for the discouraged writer or journaler

One Year of White Pages, $35

one of my friend Jovencio's small leather sketchbooks would be a delightful stocking discovery

*Etsy shop currently closed for craft shows, but check back later

Diana lomographic camera, starting kit $50

good looking camera, good looking photos (also available at Paper Source)

for the book lover, the youth, and young at heart,

assemble a 4-book collection of J.D. Salinger in the signature white+stripes cover, of course

If I was a skinny high school/college girl, I'd want these for Xmas

Urban Outfitters skinny ankle-zipper pant, $58

Golden Ratio tees, $19

If I could I would get one of these for each of my art/design friends

one of my favorite expressions, good for a sweetheart...

Forget Me Not ring, $50

plates handmade in Mexico, $42

(Nest is a great organization that benefits women in developing nations)

for the little ones...

classic, perfectly crafted, totally adorable Holtziger wooden animal figures

available online and at many toy stores, $4-13

eco-friendly Klean Kanteen, $16.45

Say goodbye to bottled water in 2009

Lacquer Cupcake Box, so sweet at $16

a perfect stocking stuffer--Preserve razors made of recycled/recyclable plastic.

4 for $7.25

Oh yes, one more thing: What do you get for the dude that has everything, or the grandaddy that's impossible to buy for? How about a membership to the Beer of the Month Club! ...Know any Opas and Grandpops that might like that? ;)

I am simply looking forward to being home. Making cookies, visiting family and friends, cozying close to the fire...sigh. :) Because I will be spending time with most of my readership in the next couple weeks, I probably won't post during the vacation. If I get the chance to add some holiday photos, then perhaps. Otherwise, have a very Happy Holiday everyone! This blog will see you in the New Year!

Quarter Century Day

Happy Quarter-Century Birthday, Shelene!

This is an exciting one, right?

(I've been told the latter half of the twenties is better than the first)

Have a great day with your boys--

we'll be there to celebrate with you in just a few days!

xoxo

Unwinding

Dear Family, I keep this blog for you, though today I need it for me. I'm feeling a bit like water pressing against its dams so I'm going to write it all down. Sorry for the excursion though maybe you will like it if you read it. Maybe stuff we can talk about when I come home, and I'm dying to come home.

I'm feeling a strong anxiety today. I didn't wake up that way, but gradually as the day goes on I am feeling more shaky...I should probably give up coffee, but I like it so much...maybe I can find a healthier "vice." I should also likely start jogging again, but I get so bored. It appears clean and bright outside so a long walk will do me some good.

On these days I make all sorts of lists to inventory my life. I clean my desk but mostly sit still. Here is some of that clutter which feels most pressing:

I want incredibly to learn French. I'm afraid I can't learn the words I am looking for as I was not born to them. I'm afraid my interpretation is always limited to the extent of who I am, who I am is not French.

I cannot begin to concentrate on a book on these sorts of days, but I take account of everything I need and want to read. All I want is to read about space all day long....though actually I just want that feeling of opening and awareness and vulnerability that I have when I read about space. Many of these I wanted to read while in school and should have. I was worried I wouldn't understand them or would become sidetracked, confused, and when I did read them, I did become sidetracked and angry also that no one would read them with me. These books among many I want to read:

The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Jane Jacobs

The Image of the City, Kevin Lynch

The Production of Space, Henri Lefebvre

Space and Place: The Perspective of Space, Yi-Fu Tuan

The Practice of Everyday Life, vol II, Michel de Certeau

Illuminations, Walter Benjamin

I want to read these again:

The Poetics of Space, Gaston Bachelard

Species of Spaces, George Perec

On Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness, Jacques Derrida

Austerlitz, WG Sebald

Other readings:

History of Love, Nicole Krauss

The Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera

Kafka by the Shore, Haruki Murakami
Status Anxiety, Alain de Botton
Lolita, Vladimir Nobakov
Infinite Jest, David Foster Wallace

American Vertigo: Traveling America in the Footsteps of Tocqueville, Bernard-Henri Levy

Violence: Big Ideas/Small Books, In Defense of Lost Causes, Slavoj Zizek

Also, Dostoevsky, whom I've never read, and specifically women writers whose language and philosophies I like, such as Lauren Slater, Joan Didion.

Last night I remembered that I took two different ASL classes as a youth. One was paid for by my school so that I could communicate with a deaf student in my class. I now wish I would have really stuck with it and studied, for my sake and for Shawn's. I don't know why I didn't care enough then...a selfishness of naivete perhaps.

The next craft I am willing to take on is Cut Paper illustration and sculpture. I read that symmetrical cut paper design was a popular Polish folk art called Wycinanki. This makes sense to me. I love using an x-acto blade.

I've been daydreaming of Vienna, or what I imagine could be Vienna, which is a majestic city with the remnant haze of war like soot in its gilded corners. In The World According to Garp he [Garp] moves to Vienna and writes a story about a circus bear on a unicycle, and his is the Austria I love. Last night I dreamt that my little Iowa family moved into a small oddly shaped flat in a huge hotel-like complex. It felt at once like it would be in Austria but also Sweden....the beds were enormous planks of wood with down blankets, tucked under the eaves. The window looked out over the maze of rooftops and windows of the same building and nothing else. I looked through boxes of feathers and buttons left behind by the last tenant. I am always dreaming of expansive, broken down hotels, something between Maria Theresa and Socialist housing, something with lots of doors.

All I listen to these days is Roy Orbison and John Denver. Is my heart getting soft? Annie's Song is one of the most beautiful songs I know. My heart swells when Denver sings "....looks so Lovely," for the last time in Sunshine on my Shoulders.

In my dream wedding, Jens Lekman would be there singing John Denver songs to us.

The Twelfth Month

Oh, December, the Twelfth month has arrived.  This doesn't look like my snowy Midwestern winter, but I am still cozying down, sipping tea, playing Christmas tunes....We had a pleasant, simple thanksgiving, joining my friend Vinnie in Portland. We ventured out to meet my Uncle Mark for lunch (quick but fun) and see a bit of the city on Friday. It was mostly quiet though we faced an onslaught of Black Friday shoppers on the street where Vinnie works. Yessiree, the holidays are here. December, can I go home yet? 

photos via flickr: here, here

Sweet Sixteen

My little family is off to Virginia visiting my sisters' families, as today is my twin niece and nephew's 16th birthday. I was seven when Jordan and Jane were born and remember that I was so excited...I took cupcakes to my first grade class to celebrate the new fact that I am an aunt. The last time I saw the twins and their little sister Maura they were only 11, so I wonder, who are these new 16 year olds? I will expect a full report from mum and dad and Taylor when they return to Iowa. And hopefully I can catch up with J + J before they leave their teen years behind (and are too old to have a doting aunt)! I miss those kids a lot. From afar, Happy Birthday my lovelies.

Hey, Thanks

I am thankful that in this world where many have little or not quite enough, I have plenty. That means great family and friends, their love and support, good health, food on our table, opportunity, education, and on and on! Nathan and I are driving to Portland tomorrow morning to spend Thanksgiving with my former roommate and pal Vinnie. If all works out on Friday I may also briefly see my uncle and an SAIC friend. And in just three weeks, we will be back home in Iowa. Life's pretty good, right?  (Thanks to all of you that make it that way.)

For what are you thankful this year?

....trees, fresh air, picturesque views, living near the water, colour, literacy, literature,  a new president, laughter, compassion, art, puppies, community, hope, saving the whales, heart-breaking/warming film, irony,  design, home, generosity, paying it forward, music,  spirit, passion, warm sun, rain, strength, dancing, medicine, technology, light, sight, hugs, and love love love.....

Two No More

Happy 3rd Birthday sweet little Christopher Billups!

How you've grown!

You are Uncle Nathan's nephew, but I like to think that makes me Auntie by association.

I hope you get all kinds of spoiled today.

xo 

So Fuzzy...

Free video streaming by Ustream

I know I'm an "adult" now, but I still want puppies for Christmas. 

Pretty please!

Job Front

This week I finally fought my nerves, incessant nit-picking and printing errors, and I applied to three design firms. Only one has advertised an open position, but many offices accept resumes on an ongoing basis. Two of them are among my top choices. I will call them back next week to see if I can get interviews. Here's to hoping.

via flickr

Morning

As a little girl I would sometimes wake up early, slip downstairs to the dining room and lie in the morning's warm sunbeam with my pooch, Essie. 

Though I'm unsure of this room's regard to the sun, I would love to come here in the early morning and find the one warm sunspot on that beautiful steel table. Did anyone need convincing of my ongoing grey obsession?

This antique dealer's entire home is amazing...see the rest here, via white&wander.

Chop Chop

Chopped off my hair. 

I had been growing it out, but it had become quite damaged and badly needed a trim...turned out I needed to cut off a lot. I found an Aveda salon in Redmond looking for hair models for their training program, which was a good [read, cheap] option to the otherwise $40-50 price tag at most places. I really lucked out--the girl offered to always cut my hair for just $15! Um, Jackpot. :)

ps- for a while I really wanted the long hair again. but you know, I think I'm a shorter hair kind of girl. 

The Old Boy's Club

I am intrigued and seduced by what our everyday lives would be like if our homes, or at least our closets, looked a little more like this...like we have very serious lives that require suits and bourbons, like we should have professionally peaked in the 50s and enjoyed boxing matches. Tyler and Vinnie, I think you're with me on this...

via A Continuous Lean

It is this part of me, the side susceptible to the romance of musty accumulation and long histories, that doesn't quite recognize my designer self and sometimes vies for her attention...

Also, women and men dressing in Menswear.

Band of Outsiders

A Pirate Looks at.....

Happy Birthday, dear Pop!

I guess it's a good idea we pretend to get older only one day a year,

yet there aren't enough days for celebrating you.

Lots more years and open waters.

We love you barrels full!

Have a good day, Miss you.

xo

Fantasy Footwear

As the rain has picked up lately and my everyday sneakers have become quite holey I have had footwear on the brain. I would eventually like to get a new everyday shoe that stands up to the rain, a fair amount of walking, and looks keen in several wardrobe combinations. Originally I was thinking about an English rainboot, but then I found this blog's suggestion, and everything changed. 

I think I'm in love with this shoe. 

Patent Oxfords, Dolce Vita

Waxed canvas = A rainy day sneaker!

High Tops, Gram

This classic's been on my list for at least several months...

Saddle Shoe, urban outfitters

*I want to add a disclaimer to this blog to interested parties that this is not a way of dropping-hints or suggesting holiday gifting. Many of the items I post on this blog are simply things I find inspiring or beautiful, intended just to shelve away in the annals of my forming design aesthetic. I keep them here for fantasy window shopping. 

On that note, family, we should discuss sometime (somewhere else) how to handle gifting this year. It is true this year that there are things I somewhat need (and with racked-up hours of internet perusing, would also love to give) but ever more I feel perplexed by consumerism and excess. um, plus I'm kind of broke...maybe we can work something out to make our holiday uniquely giving? :)

November Colour

Perhaps it is safe to say that the last sun of October has given way to the cool rain of November. The leaves have fallen from the trees outside our apartment, but there is still a smattering of fall colors on the ground. I took these photos walking back from the election polling site on Tuesday. (woohoo, Mr. President-Elect!)

I am still crazy about grey and green, so I'm feeling optimistic about the dreary days ahead. Tell me, how's your November going so far? What are you looking forward to this winter?

I Voted

And this just feels so right. Our hope does have a voice.

V O T E

O B A M A

Happy Halloween!

I love Halloween! Oh, how I've missed the good old Halloweens of yesteryear...it practically feels like skipping your birthday. Unfortunately no costumes and trickery for me this year, but perhaps I'll find some small way to celebrate....boogie to the Monster Mash, make dirt sundaes, or stay up late for a scary movie! (We're going to see Zack and Miri Make a Porno tonight, which could be pretty frightening anyway!)

There aren't enough years of childhood to take advantage of all the adorable and creative costume opportunities. I wish there were some little chickens to Trick or Treat at my door!

(PS- this ventriloquist's dummy costume is probably the best baby costume ever!)

This seller on etsy makes the coolest, most realistic horns I've ever seen! These would be so great if you were going as Pan.

Mom, remember when I got to be the little witch that stirred the brew in the preschool recital? I was so terribly excited about that...Anyway, I hope some of you have extra spooky Halloween plans this year!   Bwahahaha!

Early Birthday Weekend

Here are just a few of many photos from our full and fun weekend. Nathan had class Friday, so Melinda and Todd helped me pick up some super cheap chairs (craig's list) and then we picnicked by the lake. We spent a lot of time watching this seagull.

Here's Melinda with the giant leaf she found. We had really great weather all weekend.

On Saturday Nathan took us to Digipen to look around (none of us had ever been inside). Afterward we went mini golfing at this lovely little course down the road. It's one of Nathan's favorite activities--too bad we didn't look into the course over the summer! 

We had a good Irish pub lunch but made extra room to surprise Nathan by taking him to Benihana! They brought out a candle, dessert, and took his picture....you know, embarrassed him lots. 


Sunday morning was sunny and crisp, and again we ventured into downtown Seattle. We joined a brunch jazz cruise that sailed around Elliot Bay. It was so lovely, and the food and music were really nice. We headed to Pike Market afterward to walk off some of that big meal.

Todd and Melinda in front of the Sound

Nathan and me on the boat

We lounged around home the rest of Sunday and ate a lot of pie before taking Todd and Melinda to the airport for their red-eye. It was sad goodbyes. Nathan waited to open his other cards and Shelene's package until the minute the 28th turned over. Here he is delighted by a bag of Halloween/birthday candy. :D

All the fun of the weekend far surpassed Nathan's actual birthday, which was another long day of classes and homework. We celebrated with Chinese food and chocolate cake. Don't you wish birthdays could be everyday? Just for the cake.

Thanks for all the fun this weekend, Todd and Melinda! We sure enjoyed having you here.