New Years Chic photos

Happy New Year to you lovely! I love how quiet San Francisco gets during the holiday time. The cable cars are dressed in ornaments and the conductors are wearing Santa hats. There seems to be fewer people on the streets and we're all getting ready for New Years Eve. I love these New Years chic photos, don't you? Our New Year's plans will be a mixture of glitter, red lipstick, noise makers and bubbly....

At the strike of midnight, I wish you a lovely kiss to bring in the New Year. With either someone you know or someone you've known for 5 minutes. I promise not to tell!

We could all wear one of these vintage evening bags...

This New Year of 2010 brings so much promise. And my own countdown starts, in about 5 months I'll be getting married to my Honey xoxo

Will you still love me if I wear my hair like this tonight? OK, but I might need some product to do the heavy lifting.

Together let's raise a glass and yell out Happy New Year! Looking forward to new memories with you. These chic photos are a great way to start. What are your plans tonight? Painting the town red or snuggling at home?

Gift ideas and guest post from Birthday Girl

Hi everybody! Birthday Girl here. Thanks Laura for inviting me to post today! I’m very excited to share some unique gift ideas with you. With so many friends getting married, having babies and celebrating birthdays these days, I’m always on the lookout for that special something… a gift that speaks to someone’s personality and gives them a sense of surprise and delight. When possible, I like to support independent business owners too, which is what brought me to the Renegade Craft Fair in San Francisco last weekend. Here are a few favorites of the many fabulous items I discovered…

For your next wedding or bridal shower, consider Whitney Smith’s beautiful pottery. Her bird cake plates and lotus nesting bowls have captured my heart. What better way to highlight your prettiest meals than by serving them up with a work of art?

Dee & Lala are a perennial favorite of mine for their darling letterpress cards. What I didn’t know is that they also make prints. For a mom to be, a set of 4 framed woodland critters would make a sweet addition to the nursery. Or, how about a ‘peaclock’ for that stylish girlfriend? A fresh and modern addition to her home office.

For the crafty DiY’er, turn to My Imaginary Boyfriend. This tree stump pin cushion actually makes me want to learn to sew, and the make your own birch log kit is hilariously irreverent. It also makes a great gift for your earth friendly pals, as does the pretty purple tote bag if you want to dress up her next trip to the farmers market.

For a milestone birthday, how about a journal to record the year from Jill Bliss? She carries a solid line of feminine notebooks, stationary and prints with sketches of native flowers in warm, modern colors. The fabric covered notebook is extra handy for crafters with storage to hold your pencils and scissors. Also, I just love her latest addition of dainty floral fabric necklaces.

Last but not least, Bird Mafia has a wonderful assortment of cute gifts for kids. The animal themed blocks, menders (I don’t know what they are but I like them) and accent pillows are all handmade and stitched. Unfortunately, their etsy store seems a little low on items today, but check back after the holidays because there were lots of clever kid and home goods in their booth at the fair.

Thanks for taking the time to let me share with you today. I hope you found something that fits the bill your next gift giving occasion! Also, if you live in the SF Bay Area, I highly recommend a visit to Renegade when they head back to town next summer. It’s free to browse and there’s definitely something for everyone. B.G.

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Thank you to B.G. for this wonderful guest post showcasing these unique gift idea in my very own backyard. Check out her blog Birthday Girl for more lovely posts.

Top Under the Sheets-shhh posts of 2009

I am very excited to share with you the top posts of Under the Sheets-shhh of 2009. One of my lovely followers recently told me that I come up with unique posts that have a creative, positive and humorous flair. Thank you for the lovely compliment. I hope you enjoy or enjoy again some of these posts. I can't wait to write more...
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1) Can I ask you something? When did I change from being called a Miss to a Ma'am? But I think that the bigger question is how am I supposed to accept being called a Ma'am gracefully…Can I Tweet the Question Ma’am vs. miss?

2) Drum roll please…my plans over the next year is to let you in on my life more and share with you my present day experiences. I would love to combine my two loves of writing with the lifestyle pictures. How does this sound to you my lovelies…Happy Blogaversary to Under the Sheets-shhh

3) Has the following ever happened to you? You’re looking over the dinner menu at a restaurant and your eyes skim right over the entrées and skip to the dessert section. When the waitress comes to take your order, all you want to do is skip dinner and eat dessert. Words like chocolate mousse…Chocolate addicts unite

4) I was recently reading a woman's magazine where they did an interview with Courtney Cox. It was a good interview, but what struck me was how she answered the question, “What makes you feel sexy and feminine?” She answered that she feels feminine when her legs are shaved…What makes you feel feminine?

5) After a long day at work, your honey calls to say that he’ll be home for dinner soon. Oh, and he’ll be bringing some of his co-workers who are visiting from out of town. Don’t get your knickers all in a bunch. For dinner, you can make these quick and easy recipes that will make you the perfect hostess…Quick and easy 'cheap and cheerful' recipes

6) Do older women and younger men relationships work? Trust me they do. In fact, I'm marrying a younger man as Honey and I are one of those couples. Shocked…Older women with a younger man?

7) I agree with the concept, that some people love to fly through a party and effortlessly mingle with every partygoer. I am a self-proclaimed social butterfly, who makes sure that everyone is having a good time at a party and feeling comfortable... Social butterfly inspiration

8) San Francisco the weather has changed. Right now our nights are cooler then New York and our days are bright and brisk. After I tweeted, I secretly like it when its cooler a friend wrote back, "You can take the girl out of Canada"! This is so true. I am loving these warm, cozy retro pictures. All I want are some fuzzy socks, tomato soup and hot chocolate. So bundle up and enjoy...Baby, it’s cold outside

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Sweetie that was fun! I can't wait to read your new comments on these posts. Do you have a favorite one? I do. Can you guess which one it is? I'll give you a hint...I wish people still called me Miss. Have a wonderful day!

Inspirational Weekend Quote

I hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend, dolls. It's been so nice to relax. My Christmas consisted of some movies (Sherlock Holmes was wonderful and cheeky) , friends & family, pajamas with UGG slippers and Mariah Carey's, All I want for Christmas Is You. So my inspirational weekend quote for you is, "To enjoy each other and chill-lax."

I am excited to sit down tomorrow at my favorite coffee shop to brainstorm some new posts. And next week we'll have a wonderful guest post from the Birthday Girl herself.

Do you believe in making New Year's resolutions?

I do and sometimes I don't...now keeping them is entirely a different story.

Enjoy and enjoy lovelies! Safe travels and I can't wait to read about how you spent your holidays when you get back. This Jewish girl had a wonderful time. Tell me what inspirational weekend quote will you use this weekend?

Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight..

Wishing you and your family a very happy holidays. No matter how you you celebrate, I hope you enjoy the fire, snuggle close, eat some great food. Try to take a moment to tell someone you love them, all while singing my favorite song, "Santa baby, hurry down the chimney tonight..."

Have you been naughty or nice this year? A little of both...good to hear and me too! I wouldn't have it any other way.

When you wake up Christmas morning to see what Santa left you, I wish you cheer and smiles...

I'll leave this drink under the tree if Santa is watching his weight. He's not, then I'm off to make the most divine oatmeal cookie recipe ever.

For the past two years I've watched the Nutcracker performed by the San Francisco Ballet. It always warms my heart and helps me appreciate the beauty of the holidays. This year, I promise to keep the holiday spirit feeling if you do? Happy Holidays to you! Now hurry down the chimney tonight...

City Christmas window shopping

The holidays are some of my favorite times of the year because of the warmth and lights. I just wish we could celebrate all year round with the same spirit. So I grabbed my camera and went to a couple of cities to share with you some lovely city Christmas window shopping displays.

I loved the warmth of the colors, lights and maybe just maybe we can try some of their cake?

New York display of LV

Amazing window display at New York's Lord & Taylor...I would definitely stop to take a look closer, wouldn't you?

Hold on as I touch up some of my makeup. A girl has to look good even while window shopping!

Stopping for some bubbly is always a good idea just for your tired feet. Can you save some for me?

Ah the famous Christmas window display at the Macy's in San Francisco's Union Square.



I loved this picture of registry plates at Macy's. So festive, but not too over the top.

This is one of my favorite tree displays in Union Square in Neiman Marcus.

That was fun and thank you for coming with me on some virtual Christmas window shopping. I loved shopping without the crowds. Happy holidays to you and to your family! Which city do you love during the holidays?

Retro holiday presents and sweaters

Happy almost Christmas and a very warm retro New Year! Come join me for some special retro presents and sweaters. Sorry to say that I do not own a holiday sweater. So sorry sweetie if you are disappointed? Last year I was invited to a friends, "Wear your worst holiday sweater" party and I couldn't make it. I really want to share my holidays in this vintage way...

I love this idea of wrapping paper. All you need is some strong white construction paper and an alphabet rubber stamp. This idea is easy to do and creative.

Get out of town...how cute is this angel sweater and do they make it in big girl sizes?

Rice Krispies holiday present treats. I have to warn you that these squares will be gone really quickly! Basically because I would eat them all.

This is the exact way I always decorate my Christmas tree...don't you?

Maybe I can borrow this holiday sweater? Kitty doesn't seem to be enjoying it as much as his owner thought!

I really enjoyed our retro holiday presents and sweaters party, but I am more curious as to what is in this box! Well its not a car, too big for jewelery...wait you got me a holiday T-shirt. Uh you shouldn't have xoxo Tell me about the worst holiday sweater you've ever owned?

Inspirational Weekend Quote

How perfect is this inspirational quote written by Jane Austen from the book Emma? "One cannot have too large a party-"

It's so true, as soon as you've created your party guest list your guests multiply and another partner is brought and another co-worker is invited.

At this point I find it best to let go of your guest list and let the party take over...

I enjoy large and small parties. Large for the grandeur of the event and for the possibilities of the night, and small so I can sit and connect with the other guests.

As this is the time of year where we are all hurrying around to holiday parties, buying gifts for one and another and taking some downtime with family and friends, I hope you can stop and enjoy this time of year.

Try to live in the moment of one year passing and another year beginning...

This year change has come to so many of us. I am thrilled that I have been able to share my year with you. So what does this inspirational quote mean to you? Do you feel comfortable in large or smaller settings? Happy weekend sweeties!

Our love story: thoughtful present vs gift cards

Buying a holiday present for your partner can be a daunting task. Do you get them what they ask for or what you think they’d like
to have? For the past four years, I have been struggling with this question because of my own Honey. Let me explain…

My Honey loves Amazon.com. OK he’s a little obsessed with Amazon. He loves to talk about the site, the deals he finds and we had to compromise with creating our wedding registry at a department store of my choice and at Amazon. I have learned to love and appreciate his obsession. When it comes time to his birthday or promotion at work or the Christmas holidays he tells me all he wants is an Amazon gift card. So he’s pretty easy to buy for, right?

Except I love to buy presents!

I like to spend time thinking and choosing the right gift for the people in my life. I think it shows how well I know the person I am buying for and I get joy watching them open them. So when it comes to gift giving, Honey and I are polar opposites. I promise, I have tried to balance listening to what he wants when getting him prezzies. One year, I remember getting him some sweaters that I saw he had admired from Banana Republic (his closet is the BR catalog) but he looked further into the Banana Republic box for his Amazon gift card.

But last Christmas really took the cake!

I heard that Brookstone had a football score clock and I thought my Honey would love it. Surely this clock could be the exception to his gift card rule. So I braved the holiday crowds, went to Brookstone during my lunch break and waited in line forever to buy his gift. I was so excited to give, what I thought was the perfect present, to him. Christmas came and I handed him the wrapped box and I could tell by the expression on his face that I had made a huge relationship faux-pas. Plus, Honey gently let me know, football season was almost over so what was the need for a football score clock?

I guess it truly was the thought that counted?

So this year I want him to have exactly what he wants and I know he is saving his holiday gift cards for something geeky, but how can I fill my present giving need in a plastic gift card from Amazon? So what do you think, do you get them what they ask for or what you think they’d like to have?

Do we really have to fly? Can't we just drive?

As we speak I am facing one of my biggest fears... did I mention I am horrible at flying? Instead of the hassle of flying, I wish I could just blink my eyes and be at my destination. I love to travel and have new experiences, but during my flights 'I white knuckle it'. Don't get me started about trying to sleep on planes! But what if I could I fly like this...

First I would wear an outfit like this one. Check out those boots!
Then I would put on my eye mask to sleep. Would you still take me seriously?

I would fly on Virgin America planes. Maybe it's because I'm in love with the red color and creativity of their airline. Or maybe it's because I can catch up on my T.V.

I would use all of these luggage tags on my one piece of luggage. So it was harder for me to lose it on the baggage carousel.

Although I don't like to fly, today is still a wonderful day because it's my Honey's birthday. So this is really the best day ever. Comment below and tell me if you like to fly? Do you miss getting meals on the planes? (Here's one of my favorite I'm leaving on a Jet Plane posts)