gift guide: for the product junkie

1. the prettiest (and apparently fantastic-est!) makeup remover from benefit - $21

2. the clarisonic mia: every female member of my family has one and each gave me an astounding "yes!!!!!!" when asked if they recommend it! - $119

3. sephora's prestige brush set that includes everything you'll ever need - $125 ... a cheaper (but just as sufficient) collection here and here

4. beauty editors at instyle swear by this remington ceramic curling wand - $30

5. a gentle exfoliating peel by clarins - $24
6. organix moroccan argan oil moisturizing treatment - a delicious hair mask that hannah (a true product junkie) says is fabulous and smells great! - $8

7. oscar blondi's dry shampoo (my friend loves this product) - $19

ps. a great round up of beauty top picks!

lists are lovely

there's nothing like a good list to make me feel settled, organized and on track. sweet laura found this fun website, lists of note, all about lists written by randos and the famous. to set the weekend off right, here are my two favorite lists, one by johnny cash, the other by eero saarinen, architect of the gateway arch in st. louis.

johnny's to do

eero's love list to his wife

organization is sexy!

gift guide: for the cold blooded

i decided i'm going to try my hand at a gift guide. let the gift giving begin!

1. my favorite scent: archipelago botanical's petale soy candle - $25

2. w hotel robe from the w store - $125
3. cashmere blend socks from nordstrom - $18
4. tea infuser from crate and barrel - $4.95; loose organic masala chai tea from sf's samovar - $19
5. deliciously warm alpaca throw from crate and barrel - $169

tha man caine

love everything about this photo: michael caine's outfit, natalie wood's elegantly (and adorably) pointed feet, fluffy pup in the background and their effortless hold on each other. j'adore. 

{from old love via a cup of jo}

how to make almond (cashew, hazelnut, brazil nut...) milk

i've been drinking almond milk recently instead of cow's milk yet have never really done the research to learn how it's made. i just came across this beautiful video on victoria's blog about how to make nut milk! so cool and so easy!

night cheese

this sunday, hartley and i are taking a class at workshop, a really neat space that offers a handful of very affordable classes (beer making, cheese making, sewing, screen printing, quilting, etc.) to the public. we're taking a diy cheese class and learning how to make and stretch mozzarella! after signing up, we are now inspired to sing 30 rock's night cheese throughout the class:

love it. 

holiday season at 3rd and clement

i'm certainly one of those people who can get into the holiday spirit with full force -- but never have i gotten into it so soon into the month! i think it started while watching the family stone with friends after our hearty thanksgiving dinner.

the roommates and i decided it was necessary to get a christmas tree for our living room, and boy did we! we set it up and decorated the tree and the mantel, all the while listening to holiday tunes. thrilled to be living with these men who happily let me christmas-out and who also get into the spirit just as much as i do :)

it was the quickest set-up ever: andy had two boxes of christmas gear, complete with lights, ornaments, holiday décor and (two) tree skirts to choose from. we finished the night with a warm fire in the fire place and popcorn while we watched top chef.

the room smells fabulous.