so long 2010!

Gbye 2010! Thanks for the memories!

Make your own shape collage here: Shape Collage. Very fun!

happy 2011!

It's almost time to pop that bottle of bubbly!

As I look back on 2010, I feel so blessed. So many exciting things happened! I was in two of my very best friends’ weddings, I completed my master’s degree and now am a licensed reading specialist, I got an awesome job and a new car to boot! This was one of my best years yet and I can only look forward to what 2011 has in store.

As for resolutions, I've never been very good at keeping them. But that doesn't stop me from trying. This year, I've decided to go with the positive. I'm adding to my life instead of taking away.

In 2011, I will be more of a chef. A champion cook and baker, if you will. I have been lucky to receive many fine cooking and baking supplies this past year (such as my le creuset!) and so next year, I vow to use them more! Already, I've got loads of ideas and inspiration thanks to many of my daily reads via the blogging world. And now that my masters is complete, I have more time to whip up some goodies, both savory and sweet. Happy two-thousand and eleven... it's to the kitchen I go!

Cheers!!

spotlight.

I love watercolor and this illustration by Caitlin McGauley is top notch. I absolutely adore her work. She uses exactly the colors I love and her illustrations are simple and sophisticated, but are still very carefree.

The watercolor featured above was one she did for Tory Burch this season. Click here to see a slideshow of Caitlin's favorite parts of the holidays. Very fun.

LOVE this girl. She really is fabulous. She does illustrations for Kate Spade, J.crew crewcuts, Lonny Magazine, and Hermes Paris. She has a blog too! Doesn't update much, but it's still fun to see an array of her work. Just beautiful.

olive oil body butter

Talk about luxurious. This stuff will make you melt it's so moisturizing. And I mean that in a good way. I found this tub 'o butter at my aunt's house and I'm contemplating taking it home with me. Nah, just kidding. But really, I might have to purchase my own. Stat.

It smells delicious too.

I think I need this stuff. This stuff is goood.

Mediterranean Spa Body Butter. Butter in a tub, made with olive oil. Glorious, really.

homemade chicken noodle goodness

I'm spending a few days at my grandmothers house in Connecticut. And this means many things like shopping, and lounging, and movie watching, and cookie eating. But most of all, this means...

Homemade chicken noodle soup.

There is nothing better in all the world than my grammy's noodle soup.

lovely kate

I like to visit kate spade online when I want that extra skip in my step. Not ever to buy, because my bank account won't allow it, but just to look. I like to get color ideas, and get that extra feeling of lovely pizazz.

I adore this purse:

The purple is just so fun, yet simple too. It doesn't scream obnoxious. Instead, it whispers, You love me... into my ears. To which my wallet retorts, Yes. Yes she does but she can't have you. Darn you, wallet. Why do you always have to be like that?

This is more my price range. It's adorable too:

A fun, snake embossed, foiled look. Great for out to dinner or even to a wedding! I'm partial to the gold, but it comes in pretty silver and a fabulous black as well.

Visit Kate Spade for more classic fashion pieces and more.

snow.

“It’s snowing!”, said boy with dog.

“No snow”, said radio.

“It’ll melt”, said woman with umbrella.

Then one flake turns into two, then two to three, on and on until the whole city is filled with glorious white snow. “Dancing playing, there and there, floating, floating, through the air.”

A lovely book that will spark the child in you, bringing you back to that magical first snow fall. And after the last few days we’ve had here on the east coast, it only seems fitting. Hope you are finding ways to enjoy the snow. I am finding plenty of ways to enjoy my new cozy socks, warm cocoa, and my mom’s famous sugar cookies. Since we’ve no place to go… let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

hello, new camera.

hello, new camera.

glad you're here!!!!!

newsinator...!

A fun way to spend a lazy Monday morning on vacation...

check out Plaid Creative's new Merry Newsinator!

Whether you've sent out your holidays cards already or not, this is a super fun and witty way to make your friends and family smile. All you have to do is answer a few simple questions and the site generates a clever newsinator personalized just for you. Try it out!

Whooo-whooooo.

Would the kids think I was strange if I brought my lunch to school in this?

I don't think they would. That's the beauty of small children.

How absolutely adorable. This lunch box rocks!

Skip Hop Zoo Lunchies

glooooo...ooooo....ooooooo...ooooria!

Happy Happy Happiest of Christmases to you and yours!!!

I am home for the holidays and it feels so nice to be here in my cozy house. Being here just brings me back to my childhood. Cheerful days of hot chocolate and the Nutcracker Suite, decorating the tree with ornaments from years past. Meg and I drove in from Maynard Thursday night (she spent the day in my classsroom!) and I have been soaking up this time at home. What a wonderful feeling it is to be on vacation.

I send a wish to you on this glorious day... that your Christmas be filled with happiness, warm thoughts, and that you will be surrounded with the love of your family and friends.

Here is a special grace that I recently found that for me reflects the meaning of the season perfectly. Happy Christmas. ♥

credit: Curly Girl Design

peace and love to you...

photo credit: anthropologie

Merry Christmas Eve!! Joy to the world!

xoxo,

♥aeb.

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: CUTE labels!!

photo by Melanie @ the sweet life

Check out this awesome "chef's medallion" labels from artist Felix Doolittle!

I discovered these adorable gift ideas today while reading one of my favorite blogs. What an awesome idea for the foodie in your life!!!

They have lots of different gift options for just about anyone on your list.

magnets.

bookplates.

return address labels.

personalized calling cards.

Absolutely incredible illustrations.

Good stuff, my friends.

Proud Yogi

Now that I'm done with all my school work, I can devote more of my nights to YOGA!

Feeeeeels sooooo good.

Interior Designer Extraodinaire

Oh hey, what's up Mr. Schuester!

Wait, back up. That's not Mr. Schuester. That's Nate Berkus: Interior Designer Extraodinaire.

I just discovered his show today on NBC, on right after Ellen. At first I was thinking, What the heck happened to Bonnie Hunt?, and then I remembered that I didn't even really like the Bonnie Hunt Show. It was merely a necessary pathway to The View. Well, Nate Berkus has created the show for me. As a regular guest on the Oprah Winfrey Show, Nate is no stranger to gorgeous interior design. And now he is bringing his expertise right into our living rooms! His show is all about design and DIY projects. So far, I am loving it.

Nate Berkus is most definitely a little cheesy. But he loves antiques and flea markets, so naturally, I like him. And he's got some heart. Already I shed some tears over a give-away he did today.

I like that in a TV show host.

Keepin' it real.

DONE!!!

Officially done with grad school as of tonight!!! I have finished my paper (a whopping 24 pages) and am ready to hand that sucker in and say, adios readings! Adios projects! Adios papers! See ya LATA!

Here's some love to Lesley University...

Thanks for making me a better teacher!

(images from Debi van Zyl)

On Wednesday of next week my 20 page paper will be handed in.

I will finally be able to sleep again.

And I will be done, done, and DONE with my Masters.

GO ME!

Adios for now....

6:30 on Wednesday can't come soon enough.

I'm going to TORO to celebrate!

Yaaaahooooooooo.

Zan is the Man.

Happy Birthday, Zanner!

love you. ♥

Happy Birthday FRIEND!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Friend!!!!!!!

Love you love you loooooove.

Hope today is happy! Wishing I could celebrate with you!

XOXO.

your friend,

friend.

Outlet dreams....

Love jcrew? Oh yes.

Hate the prices? Oh ohhh yes.

I absolutely delight in the outlet. I think the pieces are often more realistic than the actual store (which sometimes has way too many ruffles and sparkles for my simple life). The online outlet (now taking place at jcrew.com on the weekends) is a nice way to go, but if you can get to the outlet store you will drop to your knees at the sale prices and discounts they constantly have going. I am always able to pick up some classic and adorable pieces for much much much less than the pretty penny I pay at the regular retail store. It doesn't seem right sometimes! But, obviously, who's complaining? Not I. Not ever.

Here are some steals I picked up last time I went...

The items are fabulous and the prices unbeatable (up to 60% off)!

I have been eyeing this sparkle sweater online for a few weeks. It's so fun for the holidays! Hopefully I can skitter on to the outlet at some point this month to see what kind of price tag it has.

My favorite outlets (all with j.crew):

Freeport, ME

Freeport is the best in my opinion. Stores line the quaint Maine streets and you hardly feel like your in an outlet center at all! Stop on over for a Ben and Jerry's ice cream, and go see all that the famous L.L.Bean has to offer.

Wrentham Outlets

The Wrentham outlet is pretty great too. They have Cole Hann, Vera Bradley, and even a LOFT outlet too! Plus they have a Friendly's if you crave a burger and fries after your strenuous shopping excursion.

Woodbury Commons

This outlet is fancy pants. By far the most upscale I've ever been to, the Woodbury Commons has shops like Chanel, Diane Von Furstenberg, Prada, Saks, Tory Burch, and Versace. This outlet is right in Southern NY, which is close to my Grandmothers house in CT. A fun one to go to every once in awhile!

Happy outlet shopping!

pod.

Cutest little shop I stumbled upon today in Brookline Village! Locally owned and the only of its kind, this is a perfect place to pick up some Christmas gifts. They have gorgeous throws and pillows, fun socks for winter, and a cute selection of clothes (though many of them come with a price tag). They have tons of delicious smelling soaps, just perfect for gift giving. And a sweet selection of ornaments for the tree. I just knew I had found a gem the moment I stepped inside. Adorbs!

pod.

313 washington street

brookline village, massachusetts

02445

http://shop-pod.blogspot.com/

"Pod is a tiny neighborhood boutique offering inspired simplicity through contemporary home accessories, found object, fresh cut flowers, women’s apparel, and personal care items. Our thoughtfully edited collection of goods speaks to those looking for the quiet of Eastern design, but also the warmth and textural quality customary of European traditions. Opened in 1998, the shop is located in quaint Brookline Village, MA, but could easily fit right into the most creative quarters of Paris, Brooklyn, or San Francisco."

DECEMBER!

Now that it's December (how fast this year has gone!) it's time to bust out that glorious advent calendar and start munching on the chocolate.

Usually I just pick up the $2 choco calendar at Trader Joe's.

1) Because it's cheap.

2) Because who doesn't want to pop some cocoa in their mouth each morning?

But, I do think this advent calendar from Pottery Barn is particularly adorable. You could totally get creative with this one and toss in some fun mini-gifts in each pocket. And some chocolate too, of course.

'Tis the season!!

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

This book needs to be on your bookshelf.

I am in love with this book.

Edward Tulane is a china rabbit-- an arrogant, narcissistic toy that, against his will, is taken on an astonishing journey that changes his life. This story is wonderfully special and it will touch your heart.

It is considered children's literature, but it's most certainly not only for children. Every adult should read this book. This is one that will bring tears of sadness, tears of pure joy, and one you will clutch to your chest when your through, replace on the shelf with satisfaction, and read over again and again.

This is a story about hope, and how it can be found in even the most devastating circumstances. And mostly, this is a story about love, how it can be found in the strangest of places, and how being loved and being able to love is what makes life so miraculous.

"Open your heart and someone will come for you."

Oh, how my heart has been touched. ♥