All I Want For Christmas...is a fireplace!

The Mister and I are currently house hunting, and we are trying to be wise and list our top priorities in what we would NEED for our first home...and well, I NEED a fireplace. If it were up to me (and there were no such things as limitations), I would have a fireplace in the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and backyard. All of them would also be lit from September to April!

In Latin, "hearth" means focus, and I'm not surprised. A fireplace creates a wonderful focal point in any room, and it encourages community, great conversation, good food, good wine - you get the picture.

I've pulled some of my favorite images of fireplaces just to prove what an asset they can be!

Custom Christmas Cards

I found this wonderful Etsy vendor that will create 20 custom cards in beautiful script, and all you have to do is send her 20 of your favorite quotes! Wouldn't these make beautiful Christmas cards?

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm leaving on a jet plane in a few minutes to head out to Oklahoma to celebrate Thanksgiving with my in-laws. I'll be back in a week!

I HEART Ikea

The Mister woke up in a funk yesterday, so I thought a trip to Ikea would knock that funk right out of him (and much to my surprise he was willing to go)! I've had my eye on getting the Docksta table for our dining nook because I love the clean, simple shape and have been wanting a round table. For $150, it's a no brainer!

I also came across two new fabulous rugs that I wanted to share with you.

Chevron-like Runner:

Geometric Flat Weave (I want this one for my bedroom):

If you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm a HUGE fan of Ikea, especially if you are young and just starting out and/or have little rambunctious ones running around fisted with crayons or markers. I know I will be an Ikea-lifer mixing it with higher-end pieces down the road.

Double Take - Land's End

Wow! Whenever I hear the name "Land's End," I conjure up images of turtlenecks, "mom" jeans, and loose fitting conservative clothing with an outdoor flair. I know - I'm sorry to all those loyal Land's End fans out there.

However, I had to do a double gander when I saw their new brand Canvas. It's a mix of J. Crew and Gap thrown in with a great price point. Although the site doesn't have a ton of options yet, I definitely have my eye on a few things:

Dandy Days

This past weekend, DC hosted its first inaugural recruiting event of the District's newest social club, Dandies and Quaintrelles. On Sunday, the H Street area was swarming with folks dressed in their best tweeds and toppers while cruising around the city on vintage bikes. The reason? Read it here.

Sadly, we were out of town and missed this event, but I wish I would have been there to ride around on my new vintage Hercules bike the Mister gave me for my birthday! Maybe next year....

Loving...

these ruffle curtains!

Found here.