Little Christmas, It's a Wrap and A Designer to Know

Christmas Eve Eve, Now Forever Known as Little Christmas

OK, not in the truest sense of the 'religious' meaning, but in the meaning that has to do with the celebration we have with our friends the Harringtons (Thomas and Terese).  You see, we used to have our Christmas gift giving extravaganza on Christmas Eve Eve. Then a few years back, it just wasn't happening so we moved it to January.  Why stress ourselves out? Why not start a new tradition.  So, being the first weekend after the New Year now, our celebration fell right on Little Christmas this year. How perfect.

This year sister Di and brother in law Al swung by too. It's a pretty relaxed night that involves (well half the time anyways) wearing your pj's if you want and eating pizza. What girl doesn't love hosting a pizza night? Hello, Mama Lenas? Can I place an order to be delivered? Why yes you can, thank you very much.

I enjoyed a blueberry Cosmo (made with Stonewall Kitchen Blueberry cocktail syrup- yum).

I also enjoyed opening all my gifts. So did the Harringtons.

This hat was screaming Thomas when I found it. The Harringtons head to Jamaica in March and I know Thomas will be styling this baby and working it to the max.

We also gave him something for before he leaves.

Terese loved the color of her new planter. Gorgeous turquoise. Again, reminded me of their Jamaica trip.

In addition to enjoying the presents and the company, we all had a good laugh watching the 'Honey Badger Don't Care' video on YouTube.  Cracks me up, because honestly, it really does seem like 'the honey badger don't care.

We also enjoyed the pizza (shroom and onion, one of our regular orders).............

....and the salad that Di brought. (Yay Di, thanks for leaving the leftovers that I wrestled you into leaving. I needed a salad fix.)

Oh no, it's over so quickly. Friends saying goodbye and,......

.....apparently solving all the world's problems.

I think that's the end of the Christmas gift giving and receiving. OK, so we milked it out. Why the heck not?

If You Haven't Heard of Sania Pell, Let Me Introduce You

My blogging/etsy friend Cari-Jane from Hybrid Handmade introduced me to Sania Pell via Pinterest.  I am so happy she did. I've featured design by Sania on Mercantile Muse before and I probably will over and over again.  I love her  use of neutral color with pops of brightness, her mix of styles, her combination of old and new, her clean yet warm aesthetic.  I could go on.  Here's some pictures from her website, which you really should visit.

Add to that her homey-craftiness, her flair for styling a photo, and I think she's downright brilliant.

Moonset Meadows

As I got up from my desk this morning to turn the tea kettle off, I spied this and grabbed my coat and camera. I wish I'd seen it sooner. It was so fleeting. The moon saying 'until we meet again'.

The people that travel our road to work and the kids on the school buses must think I'm a nut. I'm always out there, regardless of weather, in my pajamas taking pictures. That's what happens when you see something that pretty in the morning.

Have a Tuesday to remember. We are sure to as we're off to the Bruins game tonight. I do love my Bs. Fingers crossed for a win.

Ta ta for now,

A Thought for The New Year and Freeform Friday

via Bates Mercantile Co.

New Beginnings

At this time of year, many--- make that most--- of us are thinking about things we want to accomplish in the coming year.  We make our lists, put our resolutions (or manifestos as it may be), goals, wishes, wants and dreams to paper.  I am no different. I've been doing a lot of thinking about what I want to accomplish this year.  I think it's important though, to dream big yet keep things in perspective so to speak.

So you want to lose a few pounds, learn a new language, travel more than last year.  That's all well and good, but many of us want 'instant' gratification and I think for most things it is just not possible. It also tends to make one forget that most often, it's the journeys that make life grand, not the destinations.

In that vain, this is my latest illustration. It's a good reminder to not get ahead of ourselves.

This getting ahead of myself stuff and not being mindful stuff is exactly how I know that I need to get into the habit of practicing yoga again. I did get one practice in this week, but I must say it's not terribly easy with a very runny nose. Makes the 'breathing' bit just a little challenging.

How about you....are you able to live in the moment, see where you are at and start there to move towards your goals? Or do you constantly need to remind yourself that things take time?

Freeform Friday

Tonight we have our Christmas Eve Eve celebation with our good friends the Harringtons. We call it Christmas Eve Eve because that's when we 'used' to get together. Then we decided it's kind of nice to have one more thing to look forward to after the holidays are done. Call me a kid, but having more presents to open makes me happy. 

So does this song.......Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes (Mr. Levine isn't too bad on this track either).  Click here if you're reading by e-mail......but first turn up your speakers (that doesn't necessarily refer to you Mom ;).  Get up and dance if you want because I'm sure going to rock it!

Have a great Friday and make it a GREAT weekend while you're at it.