Brrr....

Today's weather forecast in Chicago

Daily Details for Chicago, IL (60614) [ English | Metric ]

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Today Fri, Dec 11 Sat, Dec 12 Sun, Dec 13 Mon, Dec 14 Tue, Dec 15 Wed, Dec 16 Thu, Dec 17 Fri, Dec 18 Sat, Dec 19 Hourly Forecast more details 12 pm 10°F Feels Like -9°F 3 pm 12°F Feels Like -7°F 6 pm 12°F Feels Like -5°F 9 pm 13°F Feels Like -4°F 12 am 14°F Feels Like -2°F 3 am 14°F Feels Like 0°F

Yes those are negative signs in front of those numbers. I took our dog out for her walk this morning and when I came in my entire body literally hurt from the cold. Here is what it looks like on our block.

And this is Zoe. We love her very much. She loves the snow and has no idea how cold it is for me out there.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to spend the large majority of my day curled up on the couch with some of this.

If you have never tried Williams-Sonoma peppermint hot chocolate you are missing out. Last year I literally went to the store the day this stuff was out on the shelves to pick myself up some for winter. Top it off with one or two of their vanilla marshmallows and it is a real treat, especially on a day like this.

Hope you have something to keep you warm today!

It's Here!

The second issue of Lonny has arrived. I never got to post on the first issue, although I spent hours upon hours scouring through it. Time just seems to be flying by me. By the time I had truly gotten through it all I felt like it was old news. I've been checking back pretty frequently recently and thinking to myself - the next issue has to be coming soon. I could not wait - and now it's here!

I'll most likely be spending a large majority of today devouring this issue and catching up on the last few days I've missed in my google reader. I had a few posts planned for today since my posts have been lacking in frequency. I don't know how so many people do this daily - it's a lot of work - I give you lots of credit! I wish I had more time for this because I love doing it! Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with my favorites from Lonny. Until then -

Enjoy!

David Stark

I had not heard of David Stark until recently when I saw his Holiday line at West Elm. I really love this line because it's a modern spin on classic Holiday decor.

After doing some googling of his name I have now developed a small crush on much of his work. He has designed many absolutely beautiful events. Here are a few.

Along with some great centerpieces

He's also done some designs out of really interesting materials. Here is one with topiaries made out of shredded paper.

Here is another event, this one with many of the designs made out of post its!

That sign - post its!

This tree - post its!

Now that I know his name and who he is, he seems to be popping up everywhere (isn't that how it always goes). He has had numerous guest posts on Apartment Therapy and recently did a guest post on design sponge with instructions on how to make these adorable snowmen.

So be on the lookout. I think we are going to be seeing a lot more of this very talented man!

Happy Holidays!

For me the Christmas/Holiday season officially begins the day after Thanksgiving. So when I received an email announcement from Paper Source that they now have an at home letterpress machine I was very excited. I literallly want to sprint the few blocks to my nearest Paper Source and pick this up to get started on my Holiday cards. I absolutely love anything done in letterpress. I think it has such a classic, elegant look.

Last year we really dropped the ball on Holiday Cards. We got married in October, moved into our first home in November, and barely got our wedding Thank You's out before Christmas let alone any Christmas cards. So this year Holiday Cards are definitely on the to do list and I really want to make my own. So I just may need to squeeze this little guy into our Christmas budget.

Here are some pretty Holiday Letterpress Cards for some inspiration.

Smock Letterpress

Hello Lucky

Hello Lucky

Dingbat Press

Flickr

Boxcar Letterpress

Boxcar Letterpress

Bespoke Letterpress

Paper Source

Paper Source

Paper Source

What will you be doing for Holiday Cards this year?

Torn

We painted our office/guest bedroom the first week we moved into our home. Sadly, not much else has been done in this space. The color is Valspar's Blue Arrow which is somewhere between a blue, turquoise, and gray. I purchased the Ikea Trollsta in black. I have a red desk which I originally planned on painting but now may leave as is. We still need a rug, I'm thinking black and white stripes, a sleeper sofa, and some miscellaneous pretty elements.

What has me stuck is that I am torn between doing an aqua, red, and black room or an aqua, yellow and black room. I love both and feel like I can't go any further until I decide!

So here it goes.

My aqua, red, and black inspiration:

Domino

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Domino

Unknown

Unknown

Unknown

via Decorpad

Diane Bergeron

My aqua, yellow, and black inspiration:

This wall color is very close to the color on my walls.

Diane Bergeron

Unknown

Jonathan Adler

Unknown

Suzanne Kasler

Turquoise LA

Turquoise LA

Domino

Celerie Kemble

Unknown

What do you think? Red or Yellow? Help. Please. For the sake of my office and my guests!