White Christmas

So, I live in one of the snowiest cities in the States. This year, I've been sorely disappointed by the lack of snow!! It's almost Christmas, and there has hardly been any snow at all this year! This makes a girl sad.

I'm hoping for a white Christmas, at least a few flurries, hopefully some snow will stick to the ground.

So, here's to having Christmas wishes come true!

( @ )

( @ )

( @ ) 

( @ )

( @ )

( @ )

All images via my Winter Wonderland pinboard on Pinterest!

~R

Gift Ideas Under $50.

Being unemployed this year has really been interesting for me because now I have to actually spend time looking for cheap thoughtful presents.

Here are a few that have popped up on my radar, which I definitely wouldn't mind getting for myself:

( @ )

These chalkboard candles from West Elm are so cute! I would totally be redrawing their designs every time I lit one. (PS - they're all sold out now).

( @ )

I love the colors of this bag! White, with a hint of black and a bright line of turquoise. Gorgeousness. ($49.90).

( @ )

Um, yeah, more candles from West Elm. But these are quite cute as well, and smell great! I would totally spell out someone's name...or some thing fun with them. (and at $7 each, LOVE??)

( @ )

I love these colorful glasses! Perfect for the holidays ($7).

Just some neat ideas for last minute gifts! I'm off to head back home from the city, and enjoy some rest.

Happy holidays!

~R

DIY: Gift Wrapping Presents

Since the holidays are fast approaching, I've been considering how to wrap presents this year.

Usually, I just stuff everything into a gift bag and throw it away to the much loved person, but this year I've been seeing a ton of homemade giftwraps via Pinterest. Therefore...my crafty side is thinking, oh this would be so neat, and obviously make you the cool person with your friends...my logical side is going, seriously Ruth, when are you ever going to have the time to make this??

Anyway, I'll ignore both sides for now, and just post some of the neat ones that I've seen so far:

So I think that this has to be my favorite so far. I love the Parisian chicness of it, and how easy it is to make! I can't wait to go to Jo-Ann's or Michael's or something soon to dig around fabrics!

( @ )

This snowman printed gift wrap is also super adorable! It's super easy, and looks so wintry and easy to make. Just some circles in winter colors. Love the grey and blue used!

( @ )

Love these cupcake toppers. Totally brightens up the simple wrapping. (Martha Stewart is a goddess...)

( @ )

Simple, just printing their names on paper. But it looks so modern and classic. (Plus save time with gift tags...)

( @ )

Another one along the same lines, but with stamps instead of spending hours choosing the perfect font doing the letters yourself. 

( @ )

( @ ) 

So, this is just a little collection of the gift wrappings that I've loved this year. Now...if I can manage to wrap something and make it look neat...that will be a real Christmas miracle. 

Ta.

~R

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

I'm thankful for all my family, and friends. Especially the fact that they live in places all over the world, so that I can bum at their places when I visit, hahaha.

I'm also so thankful for the delicious food that my mum prepared for lunch today!! So good that I'm going to go head for a nap, right about now.

Enjoy your Turkey Day!

( @ )

~R

Tights for the Fall/Winter

Hey all,

I'm so looking forward to this weekend. A few days off, some shopping, and so much food!

Now that it's fall/winter weather, I've been ramping up my wardrobe for the cold and windy temperatures. Lots of warm tights and scarves and boots. Fall is pretty much my favorite time for dressing up!

Some of my faves lately:
These flannel-lined tights are the best! Super warm and comfy as well (a steal at TJ Maxx for like $7!)

( @ )

Cozy tights, for the winter!

(@ )

( @ )

OK, these tights in this color will be essential to my wardrobe...I love this color!!

( @ )

Bowprint tights, too cute! 

( @ ) 

These tights are mostly all from Forever 21, super cheap, and definitely brighten up my wardrobe. Can't wait to go shopping!! 

~R

PS - Scarves and boots to follow...

Oil-Cleansing Method

I've been trying this new method of cleansing my face. All-natural, and it sounds weird, but cleaning your face with oil apparently is really great. I haven't noticed anything really apparent yet, but I just started two days ago.

I've mixed 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil with grapeseed oil, both of which I found in Wegmans for about $5 each.

( @ )

Then I pour a quarter-sized amount into my hand, and slowly rub it onto my face.

Then, I put a washcloth that has been steeped in hot water over my face, and let it soak in and steep my pores.

Finally, I wipe everything off of my face.

I haven't used any moisturizer, but I'm thinking about it. My skin hasn't broken out, but I don't really get any breakouts, sooo, I'm not sure how effective this is, but this is definitely cheaper than most other face cleansing methods.

I am thinking about buying some castor oil, which is supposed to help draw out impurities, and creating another mixture.

Some extra manuals:
How to Clean Your Face Naturally by SimpleMom
OCM - the Oil Cleansing Method by Aisha Wood

Wish List

Neat Little Gadgets I'd Like:

( @ )

Oxo Cherry Pitter. Would make it soo easy to make cherry pies!!

( @ )

Red heavy-duty electric mixer! Love the color.

( @ ) 

So colorful! Would make cooking/baking so much more interesting. And also make sure that whoever I'm with will hand me the one that I want.

Anything new you're hunkering for?

~R

Weddings in Rowboats

Well, I've been MIA for a bit. But, my recent love is weddings that incorporate rowboats into them. Don't know if I'd ever do this, as getting into a boat, so close to the water, while wearing a $1000 dress, seems like a bit too much...

( @ )

( @ )

( @ ) 

Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic for the summer, as autumn comes, but rowboats are definitely looking like a nice way to relax and enjoy the rest of the summer.

( @ ) 

Last of the summer, can't wait till autumn, and fall styles!

Organization

What I need in my life, organization:

( @ )

Cheese!

( @ )

Wow, the Chemical table, laid out in cupcakes?! 

( @ )

Love layout of the pennies. 

( @ )

Colored pencils.

( @ )  

GUMMY BEARS!!

( @ )

All images from Things Organized Neatly.

~R

Club Monaco Fall 2011 LookBook

Received an email the other day about Club Monaco's Fall Collection. Loved the ethereal, bohemian vibe that it's got going on:

I love the lighting, etherealness, and the pop of tangerine. 

This is my next favorite. Again, the fairy-like quality from the lighting is so gorgeous, and I am loving the white.

I love this dress! The spots aren't too polka-dotty, and the colors are perfect for fall.

Also, loving this outfit. The skirt's color, and the scarf! Can't wait to wrap a warm-knit chunky scarf around my neck again instead of a jacket.

Check the new collection out, see what you think.

All images can be found at Club Monaco.

Ta.

~R

Amanda Nisbet

Just found this gem of an interior designer, Amanda Nisbet! Her work can be found here.

Here are some of my favorites:

I love the coral walls. And the dark-stained shelves. Gorgeous organization. 

This porch is great too. I love the purple ceiling. I can definitely imagine coming home after work, and relaxing here with a book and some raspberry lemonade. (I'd consider putting a screen up, to keep out the mosquitoes though). 

~R

Summer Fruit

OK, so church friends brought over organic blueberries that they picked yesterday, and that reminded me to get on the summer fruit kick. I love summer fruit. It's so yummy. A few of my faves:

( @ )

( @ original source unknown... )

( @ )

Strawberries are delicious, and even more so when they're in the shape of hearts. 

( @ )

( @ )

Peaches are probably my favorite fruit ever. And peach pie, in my very humble opinion, is the best pie ever. It's getting to be the season for peach picking, and I'm definitely ready to go!

( @ )

( @ )

( @ )

( @ )

OK, I lied, cherry pie is my favorite. And cherries are the best. Tart or sweet, it depends on my mood. I'm in the mood for buying a cherry pitter, actually...

What are your favorite summer fruits?

~R