Spending the Day at Terrain

Ever been to Terrain?  It's like a rustic Alice in Wonderland for grown ups!

I happily met my college girlfriends there recently.  We spent the day sipping gingerbread lattes by the fire pit, chatting and shopping for home and garden goodies, and lunching on chickpea and parsnip sloppy joes and fluffy popovers served in flower pots.  It was just the perfect day!

If you can't make it out to Terrain in Glen Mills, PA or Westport, CT, check them out online or just take a quick glimpse of my pics.  Enjoy!

Bring the Slopes to Your Powder Room

My powder room totally needs a makeover.  In my search for the perfect wallpaper, I found this super adorable paper of the Aspen mountain tops shot by Gray Malin.  

Although the paper wouldn't work in my house (and I couldn't afford it), if I had a cabin in the mountains I'd be all over it!  What do you think?

For more info on Gray Malin's wallpaper go to Black Crow Studios.

Virginia's Letter

A friend sent me this illustrated version of Virginia's Letter this year and it truly put me in the Christmas spirit.

If you'd like to share the orginal letter and response with your family this Christmas Eve go to www.newseum.org/yesvirginia/.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Happy Christmas Eve!

xo

Kelly

My Favorite Winter Boots

This year I finally broke down and bought my first pair of real winter boots.  My toes were literally freezing just loading the kids in and out of the car.  

I was searching for waterproof, fully lined and somewhat fashionable boots.  The Winter Fancy short boot by Sorel met all of my requirements.  And they're as stylish as they are warm and comfy!  Check them out on Zappos. 

I've had so many compliments on them - I hope you like them too!

Stay warm!

Kelly

A Beautiful Christmas Tradition

One of my dearest friends, Jenna, had me over for the most delicious pumpkin pancakes and bacon near Christmas time a few years ago.  The house smelled of yummy pumpkin and cinnamon and the kids were running around playing while we reminisced about our crazy days of teaching 5th grade together.

In the midst of all the happy chaos, Jenna quietly gave her son some hay to place in a little cradle after he was helpful to his sister.  Curious about this gesture, I asked her to explain.

In an effort to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, Jenna explained they started this little activity of collecting a cradle full of hay or love for Jesus as their family's Christmas gift.

Each kind deed is recognized with a strand of hay with the hopes that by Christmas the cradle would be full of love.

I was truly moved by this tradition and have since started it with my family.  I am so grateful that Jenna introduced it to me.

Note: A shoe or tissue box will do as a cradle.  Let your kids decorate it to make it all the more special.  If you don't have hay, cut strips of yellow construction paper.  If your kids are older, they can even write their good deeds on the paper hay.

If you try this, let me know how it goes!  My kids love it so far.  And it has helped me to focus on their positive behavior instead of the negative.  Isn't that what we should be doing?

Merry Christmas!

Kelly

Provisions by Food 52

Need a little inspiration for your holiday baking or dinner party?  Or maybe some unique kitchen tools for the foodie in the fam or yourself?  Check out Food 52 and Provisions by Food 52 - you'll love their modern recipes as well as their twists on the classics.  All beautifully photographed for you to browse while planning your next culinary adventure.

I've been eyeing up these Mosser glass bowls ever since I accidentally dropped and cracked our heirloom ones - yikes!

Which recipes are you excited to try?  Their cookie recipes are to die for!

Happy Holidays!

Kelly

Sturdy and Stylish Dog Collars

My dad bought our Beagle, George, a collar from Stockmen's Supply years ago and it is still in great condition.  I was browsing their website the other day and found these super stylish collars and fell in love with them.  The price is right too!  

Don't you think George needs one for Christmas this year?  

I'll leave you with a few words from Margaret Wise Brown on dogs...

I like dogs

Big dogs

Little dogs

Doggy dogs

Old dogs

Puppy dogs

I like dogs

A dog that is barking over the

hill

A dog that is dreaming very

still

A dog that is running wherever 

he will

I like dogs.

Christmas Tree Hunt with Coquito!

We took a long drive out into the country to do our annual Christmas tree hunt.  This year I introduced a new tradition of tailgating with coquito!  What's that you ask?  Coquito is basically a twist on the old egg nog served during the Christmas season in Puerto Rico.  It's creamy with a coconut and cinnamon flavor, completely delicious! 

My husband renamed it "Christmas Magic" - taste it and you'll know why!

Note: There are a ton of recipes for coquito out there, but mine is a happy mistake that I stumbled upon forgetting an ingredient in the Goya recipe.  It's slightly less fattening than some of the other traditional recipes.

Coquito or "Christmas Magic"

2 (12oz cans) of evaporated milk

1 (15oz can) cream of coconut

1 (14oz can) coconut milk

1/2 cup white rum

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (more for sprinkling on top)

Combine all ingredients in the blender for 1-2 minutes.  Pour into a pitcher or recycled wine bottle and refrigerate until chilled.  I pour mine over ice and sprinkle with a dash of cinnamon.  You can also increase or omit the rum to your liking!

Please let me know if you enjoy it as much as we do!

Pom-Pom Hats

There is something adorable about a pom-pom hat, even on grown ups.  Last year I bought a soft creme knit one, and my sister, Molly, was asking me to find her something similar.  

Well I did a little research, and here is what I found.  Which one is your favorite?  I'm in love with the hot pink one from Zady!

Find them... 1 2 3

The Best Kid's Party Favor for $3!

What do you want in a kid's party favor?  Probably something that is personalized, educational, affordable and fun!  Or maybe you just want to cross party favors off your "to do" list - like me!  If so, check out these cool coloring books for only $3.  We gave them out as party favors at my son's birthday, and they were a hit!  Go to Birthday in a Box to browse the selection.

Which ones are your favorite?  Any other great finds in the party favor department?  Please share!

And how fun are these winter themed coloring books?  We're giving these out instead of cookies to cousins and classmates this Christmas.

Rainy Day Print

It's a rainy Friday here, so I thought it would be fun to share Laura Trevey's watercolor of Hunter boots.  How cute would this print be in your mudroom?  Only $12 on Etsy - love it!

Have a great weekend!

xo

Kelly

Fox Door Knockers

Philly's Serpico in Pictures

My husband and I fell in love with Serpico on our date night this weekend.  Located at 604 South Street in Philly.  

When you go, grab a "Jack Burton" all the cocktails have witty throwback names and remember to get a seat at the sleek but cozy bar around the open kitchen.  

As far as the dinner menu goes - be adventurous.  Peter Serpico is a James Beard Award-winning chef.  If he's serving Pig Tail over Polenta the special at our visit.  Get it.  Monday you'll be eating your kids' leftover chicken fingers and tots, so live it up while you can!

Ever been?

Make your reservation here