Pie Blog.

 Posted today about my delicious Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pah over at nothing-in-the-house...

Merry-Making.

I'm so already in the holiday mood. All the decorations are up (and then down again about every 5 minutes thanks to our kittehs) and I ONLY allow Christmas music anytime we drive anywhere in the Volvo.

Look at this adorable "20 Ways to Merry-Make" at Kate Spade. If anyone can encourage us to be merry, its GOT to be Kate.

 

 

Tinsel.

Washington Post writer Hank Stuever is promoting his new Frisco-based book, Tinsel: A Search for America's Christmas Present.   It's essentially a book on holiday excess and Stuever spent three years on extended stays in Frisco to research how modern suburbia literally SPENDS Christmas. He also indulges us in the secrets behind the ridiculous LED light displays at the cookie cutter houses and the mega mall mania.
(Cover by: Courtney Perry)

"Frisco is America with a 'capital A'." 

Sounds like its both a slam and a tender portrait of suburbia. And it tells the story of Frisco as both unique and at the same time the fullest expression of consumer culture America.

Some churches are using the book to start "Tinselectomy" groups - to encourage members to scale back on holiday spending and focus on the true, essential message of the holiday.

Sounds like an intriguing read. I imagine I could use a little re-thinking of how to SPEND my Christmas.

I also love the statement that this image makes about holiday mania:

Amazing, right? I love how snarky this neighbor is :)

I heard there was a house in Richardson that was all "Griswold-ed" out - Santa and his reindeer on the roof, manger scene on the front lawn, strobe lights, thousands of blinking lights, the whole she-bang. And owner of the house next door? Fashioned a giant question mark made of blue lights and hung it above his own garage.

Oh Stonebriar, how you ruin us. (Like NorthPark has any room to talk. I had a panic attack there yesterday because there were literally ONE MILLION aggressive, frothing-at-the-mouth Christmas shoppers. I'm so glad I'm doing all mine through Arbonne online.)

For more on Stuever's Frisco exploration - check out this article in the Dallas Morning News.

"Frisco literally stopped picking cotton and started picking children." 

~ Hank Stuever

Ballerina Girl.

I love ballet flats. I have such a HUGE addiction.
I have plain black ones.
Houndstooth flats.
Flats with buckles.
Flats with bows.
Suede flats.
Mustard yellow flats.
Patent flats.
J'adore des chaussures de ballet.  

Tea Leoni confessed to having more than 14 pairs of golf shoes. I might be in that same range for black ballet flats. I once heard that if you want to look tres chic French fashionista - to own lots of ballet flats. Any chic Parisienne has at least one, if not, three pairs of ballet flats. They are my favorite wardrobe staple.

I just got these new flats at DSW by Restricted to add to my collection. Cute-as-a-button!

Look how cute they are in grey:

The Men of My Life.

Besides being insanely thankful for my husband... I'm also grateful for our family's newest addition, Evan Michael. This is is Evan and Grandpa (the best dad in the world to Lindsey and I)... and I hope I don't tear up EVERY time I look at this pic. This was taken today at Grandma Pi's whilst they all sat around the Thanksgiving feast talking about how deeply they miss me and cannot wait for December 21st when I fly home to Ohio.

Sweet goodness. I might explode they're so cute.

Look at that sweet face. And Evan's, too :) I love their matching outfits. Apparently, Ev only stayed in his about 14 seconds before it felt too constricting for his exer-saucer (I think his thighs couldn't fit?) so they had to strip him down to a white t-shirt. But at least they captured this special holiday moment. 

Thank you, Lord. For the gift of an incredible new baby. A wonderful Dad. A fabulous husband. I love the men of my life.

Happy.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends. 

Photo by: We Heart It

Sexy, Sexy.

People mag says that Johnny Depp is the sexiest man alive. And he is a hottie. But seriously? Did we forget about....

Adorable Ryan Reynolds. Who makes me wet my pants laughing because he's so freaking witty!

Eric Dane is the main reason we all watch Grey's Anatomy. His good looks and lack of charm. Although I kind of love that he's into little Grey these days.

All you Twilight fans can kiss my True Blood rearend. Bill Compton could take down your pansy Edward Cullen anyday!

He really is the god of Lost. Still.

 

Although... I am pretty partial to this charmer. :)

British Accent.

Linds and I saw a darling and quirky film tonight, An Education. Fabulous coming-of-age film about a young girl in post-war, 1960's London. Dying to go to Oxford, falling in love with a man almost twice her age. It was full of Parisian romance, pretty dresses, wonderful acting, and british accents.

I want a British accent. I always have. I used to pretend to talk with one when I was little. I played dolls and house and pretended to be a charming, British mother preparing tea before I nursed my newborn. (cue classical music here).

PS - While enjoying our afternoon at the Angelika, Linds and I were asked to become members of a VERY elite film festival club in Dallas which involves premiere pre-screenings, lavish private parties featuring the filmmakers, hosting celebrites, and VIP passes to local film festivals. We of course accepted with glee. (Ok, truth is, you have to sign up online and its a bit pricy...but we're really considering splitting the cost since matinee movie dates are our way out of the house for a bit).

Elle Shoe Diary.

Elle Magazine has a Shoe Diary Blog that posts images of the shoes worn around their offices. Would be fun to take a peek under the conference table at one of those office meetings!

Tory Burch jelly flats worn by Jana Johnson, Beauty Assistant

Botega Venneta woven wedges worn by Kate Davidson Hudson, Executive Accessories Editor

Christian Louboutin peep toe pumps worn by Julie Vadnal, Editorial Assistant

Emilio Pucci wedges worn by Shawna Rowan, Editorial Assistant

Secrets.

"Because secrets do not increase in value if kept in a gore-ian lockbox, because one's past is either made useful or else mutates and becomes cancerous. We share things for the obvious reasons: it makes us feel un-alone, it spreads the weight over a larger area, it holds the possibility of making our share lighter. And it can work either way - not simply as a pain-relief device, but, in the case of not bad news but good, as a share-the-happy-things-I've-seen/lessons-I've-learned vehicle. Or as a tool for simple connectivity for its own sake, a testing of waters, a stab at engagement with a mass of strangers."

- Dave Eggers from A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Grip.

Photo by Ashley Thalman.

Scratch and Sniff Christmas.

As if adorable Thank You cards and cute stationary isn't enough - look at these amazing scratch n' sniff Christmas cards by Melangerie:

 

 

Practicing Gratitude.

With Thanksgiving upon us (yay!), I wanted to share with you one of my favorite ways to express gratitude and thanksgiving. Given the chance, and a mailing address, I will always, always love sending "Thank You's." As a matter of fact, I love them so much, that the night I got back from my honeymoon, I stayed up all night, and the next night finishing them up :) I didn't even want Michael's help! (Although he did anyways).

I'm of the mindset that nothing should go "un-thanked." And to go along with that - I have a strong addiction to darling stationary and Thank You cards. People bestow random acts of kindness on us all the time. And a thank you email just doesn't say "Thank You" in quite the same, classy way as an adorable letterpress thank you with matching, lined envelopes (hand-addressed, thanks).

I keep a large basket in my wardrobe filled to the brim with stationary galore. From Paper Source to Polka Dot Design to Target, I have collected it over the months and years. I love boxed note sets. They make my heart melt (Thank you, Snow and Graham).

Check out these flat orange poppy decorative letterpress Thank You's from Paper Source. 

I picked up these lovely monogram letterpress "M" notecards at the Etsy Jingle Bash here in Dallas this weekend. I fell in love with Rhonda Camp Warren's Color Box Design letterpress studio.

I, of course, still love Everydaygrace on Etsy (she did my wedding invitations, rehearsal dinner menus, bridesmaid gifts, Thank You's, and more. She has great little Merry Christmas tags, too!)

 Set of 5 Thank You cards with matching lined envelopes.

I have a new addiction to matching lined envelopes. 

Always be prepared to say Thank You whenever the occasion presents itself!

Happy Thanksgiving Week.

MM.

Heartbreak Warfare.

LOVING John Mayer's new album. Not afraid to admit it. It's on repeat over and over in the house. A sweet friend already invited Michael and I to the March concert. Can't wait!

Click here for my favorite song so far...

Proof.

Proof that cats are more amazing than dogs.

who pinched the lollies @ Yahoo! Video

Baby Come Back!

This song is so amazing and makes me want to sip pina coladas on the bow of a giant yacht in Mexico and feel really sexy. Oh, big sunglasses and a giant hat, too - like I've just escaped to a private island and all the fools back home realize they can't live without me.

Thank you, Player. For this magical ditty.

Religious Right Insanity.

I try not to get too political on my blog - but this is ridiculous. Borderline idiotic.

It makes me embarassed to be a Christian. I'm pretty sure this is NOT what God had in mind when he gave us the Psalms. I think this kind of anti-president rhetoric is dangerous. I don't like it one bit!

"Let his days be few?" on Christian teddy bears? For sale? Seriously? Could that be MORE un-Christian? I'm a little creeped out. And I'm embarrassed that more of my evangelical leaders aren't speaking out against this type of talk. It sounds a little "Timothy McVeigh-ish" to me.

Enough is enough.


http://www.brianmclaren.net/archives/blog/religious-right-insanity-evangel.html

Jane Austen.

With the inspiration of my book club last year, I have decided to re-read or start to read the classics once again. I am going to pick up Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast soon and have planned on diving into Jane Austen all over again.

I know what you are thinking.

BBC Mr. Darcy?

Or Kiera Knightly Mr. Darcy?

Po-tay-to. Po-tah-to.

I'm also loving The Poisonwood Bible already. Should have read this one year's ago. I ran into a lovely woman at LAX and we got to chatting about books (Yes, I can talk to a brick wall about anything. For hours.) and she gave me the following recommendations to add to my list:

John Irving - The World According to Garp and The Cider House Rules - loved the movie, apparently the book is better. Go figure.

Isabelle Allende - The House of the Spirits

I always love recommendations so if you have any, please please please leave them in the comments section. PS - I have already read every Christian book ever written, in the history of the world. So, God has called me to take a break and enjoy some of his fictional classics and other lovely authors out there. (No offense Beth Moore and John Eldridge.)

Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Streusel

DeeDee shared this delicious recipe with me and I'm going to attempt it next week for Thanksgiving. We are considering our vegetarian Thanksgiving options this year - maybe a delish Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie or Au Gratin Potato Casserole? I'll keep you posted. No turkey for me, thanks! I've never been a huge fan anyways. I won't get on a soapbox but for more information about the sadness of turkey farming and how to have a delicious, turkey-free, compassionate Thanksgiving, visit www.FarmSanctuary.org.

What are you planning to make? 

A delicious pumpkin pie recipe with a brown-sugar pecan streusel topping. I might faint it sounds so good.

Cook Time: 1 Hour.

Ingredients: 

*1 unbaked pastry shell, 9 inch

*1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin, or 2 cups puree

*1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

*2 eggs, beaten (I will use egg replacer)

*1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

*1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

*1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

*1/2 teaspoon salt

Pecan Streusel Topping

*1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

*1/2 cup flour

*1/4 cup firm butter (don't forget Earth Balance's yummy vegan option!)

*1/4 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl, combine pumpkin, condensed milk, eggs, spices and salt. Blend well.

Streusel topping: Combine brown sugar and flour; cut in the butter until crumbly. Stir in chopped pecans. Set aside.

Pour pumpkin mixture into the unbaked pastry shell. Bake for 15 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees. Bake for 25 minutes longer. Sprinkle streusel topping over pie. Continue baking at 350 for about 15-20 minutes longer, or until golden brown and the filling is set.

VOILA!

Brook Farm General Store.

I love all the simple, lovely and practical things at the Brook Farm General Store.

Super classic French market basket.

 

Pretty Hamman Hand Towels.

The amazing Apple Master. I have one and use it repeatedly for coring, peeling, slicing delish apples. For PIE.

  If none of those appeal to you - this delightful whoopee cushion is probably super handy to have around the kitchen. This is the French version of the American whoopee cushion - hence it makes a bit more of a sophisticated noise. Comes in red or white - you choose.