friday fuel

[image via justlivinthehighlife]

best of berks - a bit late...

obviously best of berks was a blast and i am thrilled and thankful to rocking a fancy frock by best boutique winner (again and again and again) bella jules. this little number has taken me everywhere this season and i am digging the winter white. hugs and kisses to shop owner juli on her accomplishment and good taste! 

merry christmas!

from my home to yours -

wishing you peace, love and rock n' roll.

xoxoxo,

christin

tune in tuesday | holiday edition

over and over. merry merry.

friday fuel

[image via dribble]

tune in tuesday | holiday edition

surf's up during this dreary, wet christmas season! a little of the beach boys goes a long way when battling SAD and the hustle and bustle of hectic holiday season. so crank up the heat, put on your suit and hang ten!

weekend wonders

finally got the tree! 

the most divine ball skirt ever, by susan golembiski designs, that i had the pleasure of playing in on saturday.

we're officially a jeep family! (is there any other kind?)

finding some peace and joy in my new digs.

what i want wednesday | holiday style

[images via phoebe's pure food]

well, these are just great. for honestly, anyone, on your list! who wouldn't get giddy when they find one of these beautiful boxes on their doorstep!? near or far, everyone will love a phoebe's pure food pantry boxes - a great gift that silently boasts the best of berks. after all  there's no place like home for the holidays!

there are three very cool varieties to choose from:

coffee, tea & sweets

perfect for your hard to please mother-in -law or laid back lady friend

the morning after

for the family you can't spend christmas morning with - be there in spirit

just add cheese : party box

perfect as a "send-ahead" hostess gift, or for your favorite foodie friend who loves to entertain

all nosh box details found here. please note ordering and shipping deets below:  

All gifts will be shipped on 12/18 by priority mail via USPS (included in price)

Email  your order before 12/14 and I will invoice you via pay pal, for ease of payment & credit card options.  

Supplies are limited, order today.

tune in tuesday | holiday edition

this has been a christmas music staple since, 7th grade. that's right - i'm showing my age!
it's actually in my jeep on repeat as we speak.

weekend wonders

bloom where you are pop-up shop this weekend was in full force - lovely people, products and a pretty place to host it! thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support. this is truly a dream come true! plus, saved by a grilled cheese from say cheese! and head over heels for this black cat by dentelion!

serious fiesta throw down on saturday night, not a dish left unfinished! (the best compliment to the cook ever!) coming up, the recipes for my two taco topping musts: cliantro lime yogurt and jicima and radish slaw.

centre park christmas house tour was incredible! these pictures don't even begin to do it justice people. make sure you put this on your holiday to-do list for next year, you will be blown away by the beauty and creativity in these amazing homes. (i have the BEST neighbors!) 

and the most rad poinsettia leaf ever, i had to buy him!

make your list and check it twice

come visit me at our bloom where you are holiday pop-up shop tomorrow at hello bluebird! we promise you'll find the perfect present for everyone on your list - and yourself of course! can't wait to see you people!

Join us this weekend for our annual Holiday Open House!

We can't wait to see you this weekend! Join us Saturday & Sunday for sweet treats, great local artists and handmade gifts, prizes, gift wrapping and more! Three "Pop-Up Shops" will be hosted on the 2nd floor, featuring local favorites such as A Little Sparkle jewelry by Kerry Rorbach, Dentdelion upcycled and eco-friendly childrens' toys by Dasha Gardecki, and Bloom Where You Are's favorite local finds (with Christin Kelley, Melanie Linder, Phoebe Canakis). Enter in-store to win one of 3 gift bags full of awesome handmade goodies! PRINT OR MENTION THIS EMAIL FOR 10% OFF OF YOUR PURCHASE (downstairs only).  Good through Sunday, December 9, 2012. HOLIDAY HOURS: (week prior to Christmas TBA) NOW OPEN MONDAYS, 12-4pm Tuesday 11am-6pm Wednesday 11am-6pm Thursday 11am-7pm Friday 11am-8pm Saturday 10am-6pm Sunday 12pm-4pm

Copyright © 2012 Hello Bluebird, All rights reserved.

girl crush

it was girls night last night with two of my favorite ladies - lots of tacos, laughing and napping (for some). 

head on over to the bloom blog today to see what i dropped off for the newbie parents from the bloom where you are babes.

what i want wednesday | holiday style

[druzey ring in green by betty carre, $195 at charles hutcheson fine jewelery]

so, i love charles hutcheson fine jewelry on any day of the week. but, i ESPECIALLY love them when i get there and it's NEW SHIPMENT day. (*please note, i should be turned away at the door on those days.) alas, i fell hard for this sparkly beauty by betty carre. i mean come on, it's totally perfect in it's raw organic roughness, so you can still be a little badass and don't feel overly girly, but sparkly enough you can dress her up and take her out. she's an everyday kind of piece, which i've professed before as my forever favorites.

so for those of you taking note (yes, that means you) this is pretty much all i want high up on my holiday wish-list (which you can check out at hutcheson, or make your own for your dad special someone to check!). 

and if you're smart you'll put it in the toe of my stocking because that's where the best and brightest present always is! (like when i got my betty carre stackable rings last year. hint.)

tune in tuesday | holiday edition

i mean, this really needs no introduction or explanation. james brown? christmas? funk? exactly.
dig it.

friday fuel

who would i make breakfast for?

...and many more interesting details about the lovely life i call my own over on the bloom blog today.

enjoy!

tune in tuesday

[your first holiday purchase here]

let's be honest: i secretly discovered this last week but FORCED myself to wait to share it until after thanksgiving, because, technically, that's when you're "allowed" to start listening to holiday music again.

so of course these are old favorites, you'll know all the words i promise! but, it's such a fresh, fun and unexpected take on these updated classics i swear you can keep it on repeat throughout the season and not have your mom someone turn it off every time they walk by.

so enjoy! and here's to making merry throughout the next month.

weekend wonders

a packed parking lot full of pacers thanksgiving morning at nolde forest.

necessary gluttony: dutch platter, turkey, carrot soup starter, pumpkin pie and coffee with whip cream.

going through the family jewels apres thanksgiving. two new vintage pieces from nanny to add to my daily uniform. 

friday fuel

i am thankful for YOU!

[from a very special thanksgiving in mauritius]

it's true. i know i don't know all of you, but i look at my stats here on blogger and there are a lot of lovely people out there who check out this happy, small space quite often. so thank you! i am beyond flattered every time i realize more than one person looks at a post. even though, just one person is quite enough!

so get on out there and be thankful, and spread thankful and live thankful today no matter where you are. 

you know what would be fun? to post what you're

thankful for in the comments below! i've only ever had ONE comment, which of course, i'm thankful for ;)

more of ME

[pretty mini-white pumpkin on my dashboard]

you know you want it!

and in honor of this thankful time of year, i'm dedicating all my instagram photos this week to things i'm thankful for. i got everything set up for this special occasion so you can follow along here. enjoy the extra stalking eye candy!

weekend wonders

there was blue sky, bacon, beer, trails, sun, and friends AND SANTA. pretty much a dream weekend here at home in berks county. oh and a random gem miner's show, don't ask.
(not noted in pictures: box after box of packing up the tiny cubby apartment! more to come.) 

friday fuel

[buy this pretty pink print from spread the love]

i keep waiting for the waves to stop so i can take a minute to properly update and love all of you readers, but you know what they say...smooth seas never made for a skillful sailor! so i'm going to keep riding the waves and going with the flow and you can all come along with me, sound good?

also, better start thinking about what you're thankful for...(because at our family thanksgiving dinner we make you say it OUT LOUD at the table..yeah, should probably practice that EVERY day).

tune in tuesday

[image via writing with light]

this just in! literally. (got a tip off in a text this morning!) and it was the perfect soundtrack to my tuesday - something familiar but different at the same time. it's fall so obviously i'm craving all things folk/rock/bluegrass or any combo thereof. (or maybe that's just my general taste these days years...) so go visit daisy may here and listen to all of her tracks and i promise you'll find something you'll like!

oh, and mark your calendars and break out your favorite flannel for this annual musical feast - 

wouldn't miss it for the world!

weekend wonders

whew, what a whirlwind! colds, birthday, babies have been on the forefront and got most of my time last week. but here's a peek at my wonderful weekend at home, you know, just doing what i do. the best part? sunday was super sunny and my ipod played the best tunes and the "danger do not enter" trails at nolde were super fun. shhhh. hope you got your happy on this weekend too!

the annual pacer bonfire was a blast! and i'm so glad i finally got to go. 

plus phoebe spoiled me with some sample treats on saturday - vegan pumpkin pie (to die for!) and kale and sundried tomato hummus (i could eat it with a spoon!)

sunday morning west reading market trip with a delicious sesame loaf from the daily loaf (who doesn't want bread made with l o v e!?) and a fresh cup of jo from adam at bechwarmers. it doesn't get much better!

oohhh and a sneak peek from the glam it up event at bella jules! so many fabulous things to choose from and i just loved all of the pieces i got to show off on behalf of bloom. that navy number is calling my name!

civic service

lots of that going on this week (hope you voted!). so add one more duty to your list, my people - donate something here. watching this donation grow from a little idea to a community funded and celebrated effort is seriously what makes my heart swoon about living here in Berk County. EVERYONE has stepped up, giving what they can, and add that all together and you've got one serious donation effort happening. I love checking back just to see who else is involved and can't wait for Stacy to deliver the precious cargo on Sunday. So here's the list, check it out, click on the links in the post and prepared to be amazed.

tune in tuesday

new favorite love song? maybe.

weekend wonders

it was a quiet, cold (literally and figuratively) and cloudy weekend. i'm still recovering from the first of the nasty head-colds of the season, but here are a few snaps of things that warmed me up.

this view from the charles evans cemetery. i've lived in centre park for two years and this was my first visit! definitely going back for more walks and creepy headstone haunting.

this favorite mug of mine is getting lots of action in bed these days.

a very special birthday celebration, family style, for amanda on saturday evening. so blessed i could join in and so psyched about the rosemary gin fizz fixin's i got to give with the help of phoebe!

an ode to breakfast of warm waffles and warm hearts. i think every day should start this way, not just weekends!
(and cups and saucers; please and thank you.)

friday fuel

Celebrating a very special birthday this weekend - the lovely Amanda !
Here's to wishing you the best year yet. xoxoxo

tune in tuesday

[sunrise in rehoboth beach on tuesday morning | photo via monograms unlimited]

We survived Sandy and came out fairly unscathed; still waiting for the power to come back on so I'm rocking a baseball cap at work, but Wawa is brewing coffee and the traffic lights are back in action, so clearly we're on the upswing.

I had a super glamorous day indoors of naps, laundry, closet over-hauling (stay tuned on that) and tea drinking/comfort food eating to the max. Not a bad day.

Unfortunately, not everyone fared as well and my thoughts are with the East Coast as we begin to recover.

But I bet you're wondering what I listened to all day yesterday while living it up!? It was pretty simple - a mix of my parents America vinyl record and Ben Howard on the iphone. Not a bad cozy, stormy day mix. Warning: may make you want to snuggle. 

stupid sandy

[image via that kind of woman]

so sandy is on her way. i played with her a little this weekend in rehoboth but she seems to have followed me home. (plus, my mom called and told me to come home...so there's that.) be safe everyone!

friday fuel

[image found here]

off the ocean this weekend for some serious girl time! xx

friday fuel bonus
ohh and what about this little special live recording of one of my most favorite songs of all time? i just found it and now have it on repeat ;) slow dance anyone?

what i want wednesday

[some of the By Boe pieces I'm pining for at Bella Jules]

I'm pretty sure you can't have too much jewelry. And everyday pieces? Well, I believe you should have an arsenal of pretties that are comfortable, chic and casual. Enter: By Boe. Fun, fresh, pretty and simple designs for everyday. These pieces are awesome on their own or even prettier paired up - and great for any budget! But best of all? You don't have to leave Berks County to buy some Boe! Just stop by local boutique stockist Bella Jules and busy yourself with wearing and pairing her beautiful By Boe rings, earrings and necklaces. Happy shopping beautiful!

tune in tuesday

It's one of those melancholy fall days here in Pennsylvania; rainy, cool and moody. I can't think of a better song to have on repeat for said fall days. Listening to Lou kind of feels like pulling your blanket up to your chin, sipping your favorite tea and watching the leaves fall. I have Garance to thank for this find, and I bought her new album Places immediately and have had it playing ever since. But don't worry, it hasn't been all Melancholy Sadness over here...she has catchy little tunes like this one too!

Not to mention Lou is a total French fox (and  reminds me of Joni) and just did the Free People October catolog shoot. You should check that out too. 

you don't say?

[image via tory burch]

Tory Burch and horoscopes? I'm surprised too. But not surprised at all by this:

Taurus
The full moon will be in your sign on October 29th. Since Taurus is the sign of luxury, do something sumptuous to honor it.What does this month have in store for you?

weekend wonders

[it was an amazing weekend in new england. (and i loved my wedding outfit.) the end.]

friday fuel

[image via Spread the Love; it's my favorite, you should spoil yourself and buy it too ]

Off to celebrate Darryl and Whitney tying the knot this weekend in CT! And for the record I can. not. wait. to see my family dance our asses off, and maybe drink too much, and probably laugh so hard I pee in my pants a little. Plus, stay tuned for a little WIW action next week...ohhh suspense!

So in honor of wherever you're at in the relationship world a few irresistible goodies I've come across:

I DIED when I found this tumblr...

Reflected when I read this.

And am positive this is the BEST wedding gift ever, of all time, the end. Or, this one. 

Sometimes I can't decide who I love more. Good thing I get to give lots of gifts!

food for thought

That's been the theme this week: food. My schedule has been hectic but fun and full of FOOD. Since you missed me, here are a few snaps from the week:

 Me and Ms. Phoebe at the Glam, Glitz and Gloss event at Bell Tower. What a FAB event; so excited we were invited by sweet Sorrelli. Check the Bloom blog for a full review of the evening and to see P and I glammed up! (and see our fancy posing in this pic!? we learned the "right" way to strut)

I ate a lot pasta! And I'm okay with it. My Sunday sauce making extravaganza couldn't go to waste, so we indulged in the comfort food of foods and chowed down, picnic style.

What's a week with no tacos in it? Exactly. No week I want to be a part of. 

Oops! Nachos. With everything. I could have taken a photo of the pretty leaves at Long's Park that I got to enjoy yesterday but, let's get real. First time (I know, so lame) at The Lancaster Dispensing Co. and I can't wait to go back! Thanks AJ!