A Garden Person

One of my hopes for the new year is to spend more time in my garden. What was once a regular activity has become something of a scarce occurrence. And I really do love it out there - in addition to the satisfaction of growing something, I find the whole experience really tranquil.



I've had my eye on this book ever since mega-inspiring NY Times garden writer Stephen Orr mentioned it to me in a blog comment. Garden People: The Photographs of Valerie Finnis is truly a little bit of heaven. And it contains my favorite photo of Lady Rhoda Birley, in the ultimate gardening attire.







So after a long hiatus I stepped outside and watered the garden. I took note of what was doing well and what looked sad. I got excited about my baby succulents which still look like perfect little blooms to me.







And I didn't get discouraged about the proliferation of weeds - I know I'll get to it when I can. But in the meantime, the new year is here and I'm ready to embrace it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Comforting Pizza

Last night, we made one of my favorite pizzas (you might recall it from a previous post) - Roasted Fall Vegetable and Ricotta Pizza from Everyday Food. How beautiful do those roasted veggies look? Like a pile of jewels I tell ya.

Served with a simple caesar salad in a beautiful new salad bowl from Heath Ceramics.

The Young Victoria

LOVED The Young Victoria, starring Emily Blunt as the young queen. In case you can't tell from the above pics, there is a major costume situation happening here.

And as if my mom were psychic (because obviously she is) she gave me a copy of Lytton Strachey's 1921 book, Queen Victoria for Christmas. Can't wait to start reading it and to see how, in my mom's words, it "changed biography writing forever."

HOLIDAY FEAST

Last night Alex and I hosted our first ever Christmas dinner -

Appetizers: brie en croute, crudites (made by MKT)
First Course: butternut squash lasagna and mixed greens
Entree: cioppino with garlic bread
Dessert: pumpkin layer cake and chocolate crinkle cookies

I got very into my tablescape (obsessively so?) layering on the succulents, greenery, geodes, candles, pinecones, etc.


ADC and I were such a killer team in the kitchen!


Cioppino bubbling away. Quite a comforting site.


The whole vibe of the evening was warm and cozy - good wine, food and company. Hope everyone had fantastic holidays this year!

LADY GAGA

Was lucky enough to attend the Lady Gaga concert this week (thank you Annie!) and am completely inspired by everything about the production. Check out these killer costumes.

How 'bout some Dolce or Prada for the holidays?

Momenti di Cozzi

how 'bout some hand knit slippers to make one's cozy factor shoot up through the roof?


or homemade mac n cheese?


or random holiday decor scattered through the house?

'Tis the Season to embrace the warmth in one's life!

MOZZA2GO

Last night - indulged in some nearly-too-good-to-be-true pizza from Mozza2Go (which delivers to my house and makes me think that yes, there must be a god). Liam eagerly awaited his slice of Margherita Pizza.

Give Good Booze

My favorite guilty pleasure this holiday season has been 1921 Crema con Tequila (another Mexico discovery). It's warm and cozy with lots of holiday spices. It is also kind of ice cream-esque, if you will, so I'll probably give it a rest come January 1 but for now it's really working for me.

What are your favorite holiday drinks? I'm a little obsessed with the idea of making this Tom and Jerry recipe, which I read about in Saveur. Loving this whole article on Classic Holiday Drinks too.

Giving Living Things

Leave it to Holly to give me the orchid of my dreams. I am dreading the day that I kill it! In the meantime, I'm obsessed with how it looks next to the crazy curtains in my dining room.

Give Good Books

I am a firm believer that books make the best gifts and I'll be giving many this holiday season. Here are some of the best books I've received as of late...


The World In Vogue: People, Parties Places from the lovely and talented Kimberly Brooks. She even had it signed by Hamish Bowles!


It was so thoughtful that it deserves an encore - The Food and Drink of Mexico from my sister.


Linlee knew I was itching to read Heartburn by Nora Ephron and she gave me this beautiful old copy for my birthday.


There are no words for how I feel about this tome. I have been steadily working my way through it ever since my mom gave it to me two weeks ago. This year I am eternally thankful for Nigella Christmas (i.e. you had me at Girdlebuster Pie!!).


I knew Lady Vivier was a kindred spirit when she gave me a copy of Jamie At Home after knowing me for just a few months. It lives on my bedside table.