Winkeland: December 2010

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

This time last year

*Photos Courtesy of Brandon Tansley

The new year is almost upon us! This time last year, my roommates and I were in Hawaii ringing in the new year blocks away from the Obamas on Kailua beach. New Years Eve is kind of a big deal for the locals. Everyone buys fireworks from their local grocery store and shoots them off as early as 3 p.m.

At 11:45 p.m., we walked down a residential path to our beach, our sparklers and firecrackers in tote. At that point, the entire island had been blanked in a surreal fog made of smoke and you could hear faint whistles and bursts echo all throughout the island. When we got to our deserted beach, we lit our fireworks, cracked open the champagne, and frolicked in the warm water illuminated by the moon. My roommates and I still agree that it was, by far, the best New Years to date!

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Mehwee Kwismas!

A Paula Deen banner from Michael's and red pom poms from Olvera Street.

Retro wine bags from a thrift store in the Central Coast.

Our homemade Christmas card display with Sosuke's peppermint scratching board.

Pastel ornaments intricately placed in a bowl.

Our hand-crafted bell and paper chain display.

Merry Christmas! I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday. Morgan and I were very thankful we didn't have to do a ton of driving this Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve in Glendale at my Aunt's annual holiday party which was followed by midnight mass. Christmas morning was spent with Morgan's family back at our apartment where we sat around the tree exchanging gifts and drinking apple cider. In the late afternoon, we met up with my family in Chinatown were we gorged on dim sum and splurged on good luck bamboos and boba.

Since it's still Christmas for another 20 minutes or so and I'm still have that fuzzy holiday spirit, I'll leave you with a few snippets from our apartment that have helped make this holiday season very warm and festive.

Friday, December 24, 2010

A Desert Dessert

Please pardon the above picture, I had to substitute a bottle of wine for a rolling pin...

Morgan and I spent the morning watching "White Christmas" and making our version of the holiday sugar cookie. I made the dough last night using this recipe and let it cool overnight in the fridge. Seeing as how we don't live in Vermont and can't relate to snowflake-shaped cookies, I pulled out some of my mom's cacti and boot cookie cutters and used Martha's Royal Icing recipe to dress them.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone! I thought I'd share a couple of our Christmas card ideas this year. The first was taken for one dollar at the Holiday Renegade Craft Fair a couple weeks ago and the second (a personal favorite) was the product of Morgan's photoshop handy work. The original photograph featuring John and Yoko featured here!

It feels like a Friday

*Photos courtesy of We Heart It.

Late today, the sun finally showed it's lovely face and, as a peace offering, helped in the display of double rainbows all across Los Angeles. However, the full day of rain left large puddles and streams in the alley behind our office. Having fond memories of my mom and sister making little origami boats in the desert when it rained, I decided to make a little pink one. Once finished, a couple of my co-workers took our newly commissioned ship outside for it's maiden voyage. While it braved the violent puddle heroically, she was ultimately taken under by the briny deep. You can find the "how to" here!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Magic Your Way

Here are a few photos of us from our trip to Disney World. With so much walking and ride riding, we didn't get a chance to take that many photos. We normally aren't into all the extraneous Disney gear but we figured "when in Rome"...Spared no expense.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

A Very Pastel Christmas

Adorable ornaments I snagged at Michael's

Candy canes in the fruity variety

Another little teaser for Holly Jolly

A felt and button pin I made for my stocking

A vintage strawberry ornament I scored from the Central Coast!

Our Holly Jolly Christmas party is one week away and Morgan and I have been knee deep in glitter and pastels. Despite the many obstacles we discovered in the framework of a certain hanging centerpiece, everything is coming together beautifully and I couldn't be happier. Here are a few vignettes taken today that seem to put a smile on my face!

The Solarium

I thought I would share more photos of the Beach Club Resort in Walt Disney World. While there, I decided to go on a photo safari of the hotel and I stumbled across this beautiful deserted sunroom.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Razzle Dazzle Tannenbaums

A shop display at Anna's Black and Spiro

Monkeying around in Tobi's daughter's playroom.

Morgan and I got our Christmas tree on Tuesday and I couldn't be happier. It does, however, make me not want to go to work in the morning. I'd much rather by lounging on the couch in my PJs sipping a gingerbread latte while I soak up the smell of pine. Although there was talk of getting a pink permanent tree, it wouldn't be the same without that fresh Christmas tree smell. Nevertheless, If I were to get a synthetic tree, I might ask for advice from Anna Spiro and Tobi Fairley. I love the use of non-traditional color in both these trees and what cute whimsy statements they make.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Snow Kitties

As I watch California become the warmest state in the nation, I grow a little bit more envious of my older sister Tessa who is currently residing in Illinois. Although she considers the cold weather an upright abomination, she seems to be getting through it by making snow cats! Her stout orange tabby cat, Cat, was her inspiration in making this little guy which she made from twigs and berries.

*Grumpy Cat seen in the background

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Whimsy Stop Motion

Ideas by heart from annika bäckström on Vimeo.

Morgan and I are thinking about making a holiday stop motion involving a gang of curious ornaments! While looking for inspiration, I came across this lovely video!

The Lobby

Whilst in Florida, I was lucky enough to stay at the Beach Club Resort in Walt Disney World. When I stepped into the lobby, I was immediately taken to a quaint 19th century New England seaside resort. We were greeted by a working gingerbread carousel and decadent aromas of hazelnut and gingerbread that wafted through the marbled lobby. It wasn't soon after that I noticed the rich textiles of the sumptuous furniture. I was so temped to ask the concierge if the hotel had it's own catalogue. Wanting to take home every piece of furniture, I settled by taking these photos.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Muse Minnie

The time has finally come! It's my first night back in my own apartment after nearly 8 days and Morgan is minutes from coming home early so we can pick up our Christmas tree. For those who didn't know, I've been in Florida for a conference and mini vacation. I was joined by Morgan for the last leg of my trip and we embarked on a whirlwind Walt Disney World adventure. We conquered three parks in three days and came home with Mickey hats, Christmas cheer, and carelessly empty pockets! While I take time to unpack and edit my photos, i'll leave you with an incredible editorial spread from Russian Vogue.