Happy New Years Eve!!!

One of my top two favorite holidays. It might not be too late for you to make this craft if you live near a Michael's and already have your party appetizers made (unlike moi) - I just think these are so brilliant and fun (from Martha Stewart, of course)...

Sequin-Wrapped Cocktail Party Rings:

AOTD

Just stumbled upon this great "Wall of Doors" by none other than Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek (who also designed the log cabin in the previous post).

"Eek adorned the lofty foyer walls entirely with old timber doors, bathroom doors, office doors, front doors and back doors to preserve the memory of the buildings that were torn down, to make way for a residential development. The result is a jaw-dropping foyer installation and a visual reminder of what once was." --->I love that!
{via Poppytalk}

Fun project by Suzy Lelièvre - "Dés-gravité" {via thisiscolossal}

Log Cabin aka Log Recording Studio

Check out this awesome "log cabin" that my good blog tipper, Alicia, sent me! Built by Piet Hein Eek for a musician who needed an inspiring place to play music. It's also a recording studio! Alicia and I agreed though that the interior needs some decorative flair - a little Apartment Therapy love and color perhaps. I think that the monochromatic blue isn't doing much for the tiny space. {via trendir}

It's That Time of Year

The New Year is one of my favorite holidays for many reasons (fireworks! food!) but I love it most of all because of the fresh start. It's a chance to wipe the slate clean, look back on a productive year and start over with endless possibilities in a new year.

Time for some goals.

My 2012 Resolutions:
* Lose 10 lbs. I know, I'm seriously over this goal. But just 10 more till the ultimate finish line and I think I can do it.
* Be present (hello, Wedding Day - I'm looking at you).
* Get organized. As in, purge all the junk we've collected over the years and organize our home.
* Do more stuff. I feel like I was so distracted in '11 that I didn't do hardly any of the travel/day trips, or seasonal fun things that I like to do.

How'd I do on those 2011 Resolutions?
* Lose 20 (*more, again!*) lbs. - Dude this is getting old. I did 10/20 of this, and am calling that good.
* Practice being grateful and appreciative of everything I have - am grateful as hell! But I could stand to do this more regularly.
* Strive for productivity more than perfection. - um yeah, a lot of stuff fell by the wayside, and that's a good thing.
* Get a job that is at least somewhat enjoyable or fullfilling. - WOAH! I didn't think this one would happen but it did!!! Again, grateful as hell.

So...what are YOUR 2012 Resolutions? Everyone ready for Sober January?

Champagne tower...achievable?

Betty and Don...supposedly coming back in 2012...why do I want them together? I mean, I don't, they're both awful. But I do? I'm so confused.

Nowhere I'd rather celebrate than Seattle...

31.

Last Friday was the big 3-1! I took it easy this year (last year was enough for a decade, thankyouverymuch) and celebrated by going wedding dress shopping with my mom, sister and good friend Shannon who was in town for the holidays. I wasn't too jazzed about spending my birthday standing in front of a mirror, staring at all my insecurities, but in the end it was worth it - by Monday we'd found "the" dress. Yay! It's a surprise for the groom so I won't post any pictures now, but it hit all the marks: fitted, flared, lace, vintage-feel, a touch princess-ey, a touch pink, a little dramatic, but not too much! I'm excited about it. Now it's time for...SHOES, veil, jewelry, hair, etc. AKA the really fun stuff!

After dress shopping I changed into comfy clothes and had pizza with the fiance. Kept it classy with just ONE cocktail and a glass of wine. I'm not too sure how I feel about being 31. I think I'm still mourning the loss of my 20's. I know, that's embarrassing. Part of me feels like I just didn't do 20's totally right. But I guess that's what 30's are for, learning from our mistakes of our 20's! I hope this is the decade that brings career and family successes and joys. I'm excited :)

Honeymoon Plans

Guess where we're going?

My Dream New Years Eve

Let's pretend for a moment that all this could really materialize, and we pulled off the best New Years Eve party that ever happened...this is what it would be for me:

The Perfect Party Dress...
Let's keep pretending that every single one of these dresses is less than $100 and fits and flatters beautifully. *clicks heels*

Oh and obvs there has to be a great coat for watching Space Needle Fireworks...

Aw, what the hell, let's make it a ridiculous fur coat...

Ok, if you insist, it can be pink...

A beautiful tablescape of confections and luscious champagnes will appear as if by magic, sparkling and chilled and presented perfectly...

Got to have a disco ball to go with all the great mix of modern and classic music...

I will find copious amounts of free time to lovingly craft these tinsel wreaths to decorate our house...{via creature of comfort}

And more free time to craft these custom DIY Glitter Champagne Glasses {via Something Turquoise}

And last but not least we'll have the budget to buy a whole case of fancy prosecco or cava for everyone! Ok Universe, I put it out there, I'll see all this on NYE!!!

Christmas Craft: Modern Trees

Check out this great idea for "Modern Trees" to decorate your home:

Supplies needed:

• Papier-mache cones, available in the doll making section of the craft store
• Electric drill and assorted drill bits
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Matte white or any color spray paint
• Battery-power tea lights
  

I think they're fabulous! {by Curbly via Craft}

Holiday Treats

Time to start thinking about Holiday Sweets!

A classic, which I love, because my mom made them through the years and they are the best ever - Nanaimo Bars! Recipe via KingArthurFlour:

Punch Bowl Trifle via Taste of Home:

Santa Hat Brownies - brilliant (via Sweet Tooth):

A pretty Chocolate Peppermint Roll (via BakersRoyale):

Elegant Christmas Tree Meringues:

I also heard a rumor that my favorite neighborhood bakery, Le Rêve, is making Buche de Noel this year! I'm super tempted to get one...

Happy Baking!

Bookworm Christmas

This is for my friend Josiane:

Totally adorable.

Wedding Dress: hurry up!

Yeah...so, I think the rules say I'm supposed to have my dress by now. Don't worry You Guys, I'm on it! Here's another batch of pretty dress pictures I've collected:

Re-purposed Horse Stall Doors

LOVE how they re-purposed these doors from a horse stall to add character to simple bar and pantry shelving. {via ApartmentTherapy}

AOTD: "Free Art"

Yay! A Seattle artist! Zoe Williams created this piece, "Free Art" for the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square. {via Jealous Curator}