a belated xmas present for m which i finally finished over the holidays. these are the first pair of socks i ever knitted and i've already started knitting a pair for myself. i'm addicted!

if only i could rewind and relive the holidays... family time, board games, knitting, warm fires, and endless cooking. here are some of my favorite dishes prepared by my mom and dad:

+ rack of lamb persillade with sauteed portabella mushrooms
+ my aunt marina's breakfast crepes with meyer lemon and sugar
+ lasagna with warm broccoli salad
+ homemade vanilla + mocha ice cream in ici waffle cones
+ tomato and goat cheese tart
+ french granny apple tart
+ affagato (made with my mom's new espresso maker)

clearly we're big ina garten fans. so now that my stomach is officially in withdrawal, it's now back to the basics: micro greens + asian pears.

i decided to make my own wrapping paper and gift tags this year. nothing like pen and ink to make things more interesting!

sunday eats

+  seeded cheddar jalapeno bread sticks with tasty grapes
+  carrots plus purple and yukon potatoes (to be roasted with sage, rosemary, and bay leaves)

for xmas, i decided to get my mom this set of fog linen placemats. not surprisingly, i ended up getting the large gingham pattern for myself. i love the simple packaging that each set arrived in.

elsinore carabetta braided wool necklace from here. so beautiful.

reminiscing about sunday pancakes.

"excuses" by morning benders.

odette fox necklace packaged beautifully by jennifer. an xmas present to myself.

i'm trying to get into the holiday season by knitting a pair of socks this year - my first ever. they will be an xmas gift for m. i'm not sure if he knows that they're not machine washable...

last night with friends: game night + hannukah fun.
nothing like board games, erica + alex's homemade latkes with applesauce + sourcream, and my homemade cinnamon/raison rugelah. no, i'm not jewish, but the food... oh my, the food...

above: erica + alex's menorah featuring their pug tank. amazing.

blocks by serena mitnik-miller - great color combinations.

my take on a chullo hat using this.

i'm mildly obsessed with interiors - the private, special, inner sanctums that speak volumes about the people that inhabit them. i love a good behind-the-scenes look at just about anything, and thankfully the selby allows me to indulge in voyeuristic tendencies without being a total weirdo. favorites...

1. confetti systems
2. lindsay + fitzhugh (i went to school with fitzhugh)
3. and most recently annie novak at eagle street farm via primoeza

fall might be my favorite season.

though i'm originally from new york, i've been so spoiled by california weather - to the point where i will venture to make the statement that is it so cold here! 50s in the studio, marginally warmer outside. good opportunity to stay cozy and warm and knit.

california fall bouquet made by my aunt marina
chestnuts, rosemary, winter berries, bougainvillea

thanksgiving - how i miss you already, my favorite holiday. i spent the past couple of days in sonoma dreaming up new projects, knitting, eating far too much, and snacking on leftovers. heaven. hope everyone had a terrific thanksgiving!

oh you know, just spent the day prepping some candles...
will the holiday season kill me? the jury is still out.

breakfast of champions at mama's royal cafe, aka hipster central.

an old gift from my friend mikey found at a flea market or thrift store when he was living in brussels. i've been taking a little break from my recent quilt - trying to drum up inspiration for the back. hmm...

california sunrise by dirty gold

and the birthday weekend comes to an inevitable yet fulfilling end...
perfect weather marked by the reappearance of my toms slip ons.

cafe fanny in berekely - an alice waters joint. well worth the wait.

farmers market finds:

1. rabbit up for adoption - petted, not purchased

2. bolani bread - suckered in by the samples

3. buddha's hand citrus - perplexing

4. banana chocolate muffin - yum