WORDS | 2013

one//two//three

four//five//six

seven

eight//nine//ten

eleven//twelve//thirteen

For as much free time as I had this year, I really didn't read as much as I would have liked. I'll probably finish one more book (The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri, which is great so far), which means that I'll total 14 books for the year. Since that's just a little over a book each month, I'd like to almost double that next year by reading 26. Totally doable, right? My husband's goal every year is 52. Dude is a reading machine.

Overall I really liked what I read this year. The Catcher in the Rye was a reread and still remains a favorite. Anything by Haruki Murakami or Jane Austen are bound to please me (I'm seriously going to be so sad when I finish reading all of Murakami's books). However, one of my favorite books of the year was the first thing I read in 2013, Love Goes to Buildings on Fire: Five Years in New York That Changed Music Forever, a look at the various New York music scenes from 1973-75. I was completely captivated by the NY punk scene (of course) and reading about Bruce Springsteen's rise to fame, but I was also really fascinated by the Jazz musicians and with minimalist composer Philip Glass. I highly recommend it if you're a music nerd like myself. 

What did you read this year?

GIFT GUIDE | MEN

+ MEN +

'h' by hudson shoe from stag 

dude no. 1 cologne by mcmc fragrances

daily rituals: how artists work by mason currey

filson travel kit from stag

the fold-over wallet by everlane

hoodie by everlane

the runwell watch by shinola

Well, this will really only be helpful to people who are shopping for their dudes super last minute, but I felt like I needed to post it anyway. Frankly, as a woman, I would gladly accept any of these beauties as a gift, so really, it's a unisex gift guide.

GIFT GUIDE | HER

+ Ladies +

remodelista: a manual for the considered home 

fort standard marble trivet from mille

dark wave by olo fragrances  

light & ladder self watering planters from mille

nail lacquer duo by butter london

black brushstroke tea towel by cotton and flax

pajama set in gingham flannel from j.crew

antoinette social stationary set by rifle paper co. 

reversible kimono robe by ace & jig

It should go without saying that when you're trying to find a gift for your friends and family, you should think about something that they would really love. Especially when it comes to women getting gifts from loved ones, it seems that too often we're given an overly sweet smelling candle or headache-inducing bundles of bath products. If your favorite lady loves bath products, find the brand that she really loves or something super luxurious that she would never buy herself. I guess what I'm trying to say is, put some serious thought into it people. All of the things that I've included here are simple treats that will add a little something special to her everyday life: super comfy pjs instead of old t-shirts and boxers, a couple of small things to add beauty to her space, or a good book to flip through. Treat yo lady right.   

GIFT GUIDE | JEWELRY

+ Jewelry +

black diamond cluster earrings from steven alan

totem necklace from need supply

ace cuff from need supply

hammered bar studs from need supply

threadbare rings from catbird

lady luck bracelet from catbird

Thus, begins the gift guides. I think giving jewelry as a gift can come off as kind of cliche and cheesy, but buying something unique instantly makes it the perfect item for your favorite lady. Simple rings sans monstrous diamonds, and unusual-yet-pretty earrings are great go-tos for any gal that you love. 

THIS IS RAD + A FRIDAY ROUNDUP +

Everlane's new lookbook is just too beautiful. I can't look at it too much or else I'll want all of the things.

Kate Miss of For Me, For You posted a banana bread recipe the other day and it is am.az.ing. A few notes: I did 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup dark brown sugar instead of just a 1/2 cup of honey. Since it added a bit more moisture, my bread didn't rise very high, so I need to make some adjustments next time, but it was still the most delicious banana bread I've ever tasted. Go make it. Now. (image by Kate Miss)

It's time for year end roundups! As you can tell from these friday posts, I'm a huge fan of a good list, and end of the year music and film lists are my favorite. AV Club, Paste, Rolling Stone, and many others have released them and now I must go procure some more music.  (image via Rolling Stone)

HOLIDAY | DECOR

+ DECOR +

cake via style me pretty 

handmade wrapping from odessa may society

candle from anthropologie 

wreath from terrain 

wreath diy from designlovefest 

card from note to self 

mugs & hot chocolate from heath ceramics

I'm inordinately excited for the holidays this year, and the sad thing is that I won't even be decorating our place. We got rid of all of our decorations when we moved last year, and I can't really justify spending the money on it now since we won't even be here for Christmas. So, I've been compensating by pinning a million holiday images (sorry followers). Here are some of the things that I would be using this year if I was decorating. I'm still really tempted to try out designlovefest's wreath diy though...

THREADS | SPRING PLEASE

one // two // three // four

Maybe it's the fact that I've been freezing my buns off for the past few months, or maybe it's the fact that the high next Monday is -3, but I've come to realize that I really really wish that it was spring already. Nobody likes you January and February. You suck. While I agonize over the unfairness of seasons and nature, please enjoy these blouses from Anthropologie that I have been fantasizing about putting on and frolicking in 70 degree weather. If you already have 60 degree or higher weather, then I hate you and we can't be friends anymore. That means you Austin (just kidding, I love you).