See you in 2012 lovelies!

[image via sweet designs]

What I Want Wednesday | YOU

Here's hoping Santa, or your special someone, gets you just what you wished for! Just remember, Christmas is a time for magic.

[image vicandablie]

What I Want Wednesday | Eye Candy

The girls over at coco + kelley put together a seriously chic gift guide for the creative girl in your life! I'd be happy to accept anything on their list - everything catches my eye! Oogle away!

[image via coco + kelley]

Bless This!

Go check out all the commotion at Turtle Bunny Love Blog, and give the lovely Melanie Linder some love for her awesome appearance in the Lowe's Creative Idea magazine (and check out her amazing "Bless This" print. Keep up the good work lady! You are such an inspriation. xx

[image via Turtle Bunny Love Blog]

Weekend Wonders

I have to admit, sometimes this season slips past me and I find myself months later wishing I had indulged in the holiday spirit while I had the chance to. But this year, without pressure or persuasion, I find that my weekends (and some week nights too) have been spent making merry. This weekend was no different! Filled with holiday parties and merriment galore, we celebrated a very happy birthday on the trails at Nolde, picked out the family Christmas tree, picked up the coveted Pagoda cookie cutters, made wild wreaths and baked (and ate) until we busted.

[mom and dad with the tree]


[authentic bone door handle at plowville farms]

[wild home made wreath]

[pagoda cutouts]

[icing hands!]

[finished product]

Friday Fuel

[image via Christmas Tumblr]

What I Want Wednesday | Gift Guide Guru

For him! I must say, Erin over at Elements of Style has got it down to a T. The perfect gifts for handsome him! Go check it out!

[image via Elements of Style]

Tune in Tuesday

May I introduce you to the Alabama Shakes (formerly known as The Shakes). It's got the vocals, guitar riffs and soulful rock and roll sound that strikes me as well, just perfect. Here's my favorite, Hold On.

[images via Albama Shakes]

Friday Fuel

[image via xmas quotes!]

Oh, hello December.

Yes, it's okay to crank up your Christmas music, paint your nails red and get something wintry and wonderful in a red cup from Starbucks. You can live on the edge just like me! Looking forward to all you have in store dear December!

[image via RHambyImages]

The Write Stuff with yours truly!

Sparkle and shine with me, Miss Must-Haves, this evening at Sorrelli as we, the writers of Berks County Living, help you shop for that special someone on your list (that includes treats for fabulous you too!). It's going to be a super chic shin-dig so come on out - I'd love to meet you! Plus, you'll get a peek at my hand-picked favorite Sorrelli finds I just can't live without this season!

What I Want Wednesday | Gift Guide Guru

So instead of recreating the wheel, I'm going to share my favorite gift guides with you every Wednesday leading up to the big holiday! Here is the first one I am coveting from a favorite blog, Tomboy Style. Let me make this easy for you, I want it all - it's so me, no?! (and I have been VERY good this year!)

[image via Tomboy Style]

Tune in Tuesday

A new discovery right before the Thanksgiving holiday, Willie Tea Taylor aka Will "The Bull" Taylor, couldn't be a better find. Listening to him feels like putting on a big cozy sweater. It's the perfect mix of simple and soft with just enough rugged to get through this week of seasonal transition. He has a ton of side projects going on, so check them out and explore what you find of this gentle giant. My current personal favorite, "The Kingdom of Survival".

[photo via willyteatalylor]

What I Want Wednesday: To Give Thanks

[image via Oh, Pioneer!]

"This Thanksgiving, try to really stop. Sit still. Hold a loved one's hand, and simply be thankful. No matter what your situation, positive or negative, sad or joyful, take the opportunity to truly experience this moment. The stillness. The mystery of this life. For this, and no other reason, I'm thankful." - Blake Mycoskie

On the eve of Thanksgiving I want nothing other than to simply give thanks. This post from Blake Mycoskie says it better than I ever can/will. So take a moment to ponder the post, give thanks, love your life, go for a run and eat some turkey. Namaste.

friday fuel

just a friendly reminder from London..

Tune in Tuesday: Futurebirds | Guest Post, Chris Kukol

Well, I guess that isn't entirely true..the guest part. Mr. Kukol is the mastermind behind my new (and sometimes old) music musings that I share with you. So today, you get to enjoy some new tunes straight from the horse's mouth. Happy listening (and reading - it's much more fun than mine)!

ps- After his recommendation, I bought the entire album (and dig it). Just saying. He's good.

[image via aquarium drunkard]

Chris Kukol's take on Futurebirds
A town with a rich musical history that boasts some of my favorite performances from bands
like Umphrey’s Mcgee and Yonder Mountain String Band; Athens, Georgia brings us a raw
sounding six piece called The Futurebirds. Combining twangy pedal steel with fast picking
mandolins and banjo give you the feel that these dudes are as happy practicing in a garage as
they are playing in front of hundreds while opening for the Drive by Truckers.

I’m a sucker for harmonizing vocals mixed with some alt country twang , and the song A.P.O.
has plenty of it. This is my favorite track on their debut album Hampton’s Lullaby.
I give you this version not because of it’s stellar sound quality, but because it shows the
boys totally rocking out and showing the aforementioned joy in just playing together. Also,
it’s performed at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, which was kind of like the southern version of
Manhattan’s famed CBGB for punk music throughout the 80’s.

I think this comment from one of my favorite music blogs pretty much sums it all up:
"Hoo Ha September 7, 2010 at 7:28 pm These guys are goddamn fantastic.
They’re everything I like about so many alt country bands rolled into one delicious twangy
rocking sandwich*."

* - and who doesn't want one of those?!

[image via all things go]

weekend wonders | MIA

My dear readers! You must feel so abandoned, my apologies! Living the life of a true adventurista, I traveled to London for the past few days to celebrate Mister John turning a quarter of a century! (I know, can you believe he's that old!) We had a jolly good time living it up in London - here's a few shots to hold you over until I have time to do a proper British post! Cheers!

[red eye to london]

[the eye and big ben from jubilee bridge]

[birthday wish on the bridge]

[cheers!]

[the globe theatre]

[walking at the bckingham palace]

[vintage double decker]

What I Want Wednesday | Everything

Eveything from Kaufmann Mercantile that is. It's true that there is beauty in simplicity and their products are a testament to timeless beauty. Clean, neat and simple products for your everyday needs - pretty and practical; perfection. Their blog is rad too and I will definitely be checking in on them quite often. Plus there from Brooklyn, and everyone knows that all things fabulous usually are from Brooklyn. Just a few pieces I'm pining for...

[canvas tool bag]

[EDC keychain]

[pewter purse flask]

weekend wonders

Beautiful barn fun on Friday night for a haunted Halloween part followed by the storm of the century on Saturday for Lauren and Kyle's big day. Still, the weekend was packed full with lots of laughs, love and libations.

[frightful festivities]

[braving the storm]

[first dance via John Athens Photography]


[oh, hello]

[yay! via John Athens Photography]

[morning after brunch at the ever delcious Tomcat Cafe]

Friday Fuel

just keep swimming.

Things have been super hectic with my overflowing full plate but at the end of the day, when I finally get home, I smile at the door because I love my doormat. Bought on the cheap at IKEA and embellished by moi with a "K", my home decor project cost a whopping total of $3. So for now, my doormat (and awesome leopard loafers) are what keep me going during the long days.

weekend wonders.

Better late than never! I was a little lax on the pictures over the weekend - didn't take the camera to accompany me on my Appalachian Trail run Sunday morning. There is something so holy about experiencing the views on the trail with your running friends, technology takes a back seat. Nonetheless, there was a blazing bonfire Saturday night at Robin and Kyle's harvest party and delicious homemade beer at Al's after our Sunday morning trail romp!

[first homemade blackberry apple pie of the season]

[bonefire at it's peak]

[pretty smoldering leaf]

[cozy with kate on the africa blanket]

[al, of the infamous 'al's beer run' (oh, and flannel)]

What I Want Wednesday: Pendelton Please

It's rainy, gray and damp here today and it has me pining away for my very own Pendelton blanket! They would look perfect in my apartment and be equally as practical and lovely to take on our next road trip. And guess what? I love all of them! So I'm thinking of sending Santa a note...wouldn't you just love to cuddle up in one of these on Christmas morning with a warm cup of hot chocolate? Yes please! (oh, and a pillow would be great too!)

[crossroads knit throw]

[tlignit throw]

[eagle rock saddle blanket]

[vintage los lunas blanket]