New Years Eve

My poor little blog has taken a back seat to my big, busy life. The past two weeks have been whirlwind but wonderful. Returning to Boston takes me back to a really different world that I am missing so much in my new grown up life. Moving to Los Angeles 4 years ago was the most difficult thing I have ever done. Prior to LA I had also lived in Arizona, Santa Cruz, Mexico, and France. No stranger to new places, the change wasn't what made it so hard. It was the reason.



Tonight I am lucky enough to have my oldest girlfriend and my newest girlfriend around my table in LA to ring in the New Year together. Just us and ours, cozy as kittens, devouring dinner and reminiscing on the past year.

2008 brought me a new husband, a failed friendship, many memorable travels, and my 30th birthday. It was a milestone year. It also brought me this blog which in turn brings me much happiness. I have yet to find the time to share all the stories that make me me and the real things that inspire me everyday but that's just that lil' obstacle we touched on called a big, busy life.


This year I resolve to balance work and play. To kick bad habits. To stop falling asleep on the couch. To read more and gossip less. To chew my food rather than inhale and to wash it down with the occasional glass of water instead of just wine.



I want to paint my bedroom green, oh, and add 2,000 square feet onto the back of the house to include a new master suite, a wrapping room and an interior courtyard. No thang!! If rollover resolutions are permitted than this will also be the year we debut our custom rugs at Empiric, working out becomes a priority and I will travel to Buenos Aires, Greece, and to the corners of my mind. Anyone care to join me?

Included for no other reason than just because....

photos (with exception of J & J): marjchun

Ghetto Frida

Christmas was cool. Hectic at best. Boston was beautiful. I heart my crazy friends!

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Ho Ho Ho

We're back to Boston! Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy holiday.

Peace & Love

Melrose Blvd Today

Photo: Annie Empiric

Next Stop, Happy Hour

There is nothing like a bar cart on hand for the holidays! And I love this one that we just put on the floor.

CANDY CANE MARTINI
Mix 1.5 oz vodka and 1 tsp. peppermint schnapps in a shaker with ice. Rim a martini glass with crushed candy cane's, pour and drink fire side with good friends. Bing Crosby's Christmas Classic CD optional.

Fa la la la la la la la laaaaaaaa

How did it come to be that we only have 10 shopping days left?! Me oh my! This weekend I added a gift page to Empiric's website to help all the last minute shoppers (such as moi).

LA was perfectly chilly this weekend which helped me get in the spirit of the holidays and this year there couldn't be a better time to remember the true spirit of Christmas. It doesn't come in pretty paper and it won't be hanging by the fire with care. Whatever your financial situation or emotional state, give love. Give time. Give hugs and heart. Because really, don't the best things come in small packages, or no packages at all...

A Few Of My Favorite Things.....

Besides raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

My secret is out.....
Goorin Bros. "Ginger R" cloche hat with vintage 1940's silk tie
Perfect for those nights out in Hollywood, hiding in a cozy booth at Dan Tana's

Personalized Book Plates, American Stationary
For lovers of book loaning

Wine Club Membership, Hemisphere Wine
The Hemisphere Wine Club is a monthly wine venture that introduces its members to international wines of great quality and value. With three different options to choose from, they offer a wine selection for all tastes and budgets.

Eco Kit, Jump Start To Green
A fellow Marbleheader with a really great idea

Douglas Little & Company Signature Collection Guest Soaps
Curious offerings that entice the senses and render the common uncommon
complete collection of offerings available through Empiric

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs.......

These are a few of my favorite things

Holiday Card

I finally decided on our holiday stationary. 2E usually makes custom cards using images from our catalog of prints but the season is getting away from us and I'm making an executive decision to remove to-do's from his list. Now, to find the time to send them!

Best Wishes by D.L. & Co.
available at Empiric
$5 ea or 12 for $50.

Basking

I am still glowing from all the internet absorbed yesterday.

I have issues

Our internet at the house has been down for days! A nightmare as well as a wake up call. Hello, my name is Annie, and I love the internet more than I love most anything. So as not to make any hard feelings I won't be specific but let me be clear when I say I am passionately in love with all things internety. More so than I am about other things. (No Honey, not you. I love you. Or Georgii. I love Georgii too. But other.... stuff.)

In my absence however I was able to catch up on some reading (magazines, not books, but still words printed on paper so good), take care of some things around the house, and decorate the store. Its so festive! I took pictures of the windows in all their Christmas glory but dont have them on me to share. A more patient person would have waited to post until they had all the necessary materials but wild horses could not keep me away. Not today. It is a Christmas miracle that the nice tech man was even able to fix the wildness that was happening in our network and I want to reward it (not him) for cooperating. So, thank you Lockwood Network. Thank you for allowing your code to send signals to other codes and wireless airports and to let the speed of our signal not over power the stability of our system. Thank you also for things way beyond my comprehension. Why and how you work I'll never know but you do and that's all that matters.

Blake Lively, in VF, looking how I feel right now

Naughty or Nice?

(*)

Have a merry weekend!

ps: Remember when I didn't take weekends off?

Amsterdam

A cozy city scene and a crisp country day.....


Some days I wish I was back east, bundled up. Then I come to my senses and throw on a t shirt :)

photo link

Small Space Big Style

I just realized that our episode of Small Space Big Style airs again tomorrow! I, comically, invited 50 people over to view it the first time around and then forgot to set my Tivo.

It will be on in the morning {9am EST, 6am PST} if you want to see us and our little LA place.

Photo above is of SFGirlByBay's shoot for the same show.

Party Dress

Cocktail party season is upon us! Isn't this vintage dress beautiful? I love the neckline and the big bow. Betty Draper and I would tear up the town in this little number!

Before & After

It's been ages since I've done a before and after but this dresser inspired me today. I love how it turned out and it has a little secret inside. A bar for hanging clothes if you should need some extra space.



I'll have to enjoy it while I can because this one won't last on our floor for long.

December 1st

How great are these Advent calendars?


The energy during the month of December brings a huge smile to my face. I love the holiday season and all the traditions that come along with it. Advent calendars are so fun and I'm bummed I didn't think ahead and make one this year.


The store bought kind are better than nothing but the milk chocolate behind each number is usually lacking. Growing up we always had an advent calendar leading up to Christmas and I get nostalgic whenever I see one. I really want to make one this year! Maybe its not too late....

all photos via Flckr