Add Some Spice to Your Holiday Gift Wrapping

Here are a few fun, simple ways to jazz up your holiday gift wrapping.

All you need is some brown craft paper and...

... a stencil & silver paint pen.

...greenery and some pine cones.

...red buttons and pages from an old novel.

...metallic ribbon.

...yarn pom poms.

...shimmery wrapping paper & your favorite font.

{ Images from Design Sponge, Tomate d'Epingles & Bugs and Fishes }

The Urban Farmhouse

Last week, I discovered this precious eatery called The Urban Farmhouse in Shockoe Slip. The interior's restored historic feel with exposed brick and wooden rafters reminded me of a neighborhood favorite I used to frequent in Atlanta, Belly General Store. The food is similar too. Everything at The Urban Farmhouse is locally grown. They even have a wide selection of coffees, teas and wines. The cozy environment is perfect for a lunch date, a place to park your MacBook for a few hours or even to see live music a few nights out of the week. So if you're in the area, go get yourself a freshly prepared, "straight-from-the-farm" meal in the heart of downtown Richmond.

The Urban Farmhouse

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127 Hours

I just saw this terrific movie 127 Hours. Based on the true survival story of Aron Ralston, James Franco plays the climber who's arm gets trapped beneath a boulder during a descent in a Utah canyon. Franco, who is also extremely dreamy, does an amazing job portraying this rugged outdoorsman on his quest for survival. Besides knowing the outcome and a few not-so-appetizing parts, I couldn't look away. I was hooked. Definitely a feel good movie worthy of many gold statues.

Check out the official trailer here.

Read more about the movie on IMBD.

And don't forget to read up on Aron Ralston and his book Between a Rock and a Hard Place.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wanted to give a special thanks to all of my readers. Amongst many things, I am grateful for your continued interest and support for my blog. Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

images from Country Living, Martha Stewart & Design Sponge

Pug Love by Kris Lewis

I love this painting Red Carnation by Kris Lewis. I'm doing a double take because his subject matter looks eerily similar to me and my dog Hazel.

I really must meet his inspiration, I think we'd have a lot in common...

Find thanks to Adam Jackson via Yay Everyday

Sessun

Here are a few fun looks for fall I want to try. Check out Sessun's entire Fall/Winter Collection for more versatile outfits!

Mumford & Sons Bookshop Sessions

I just can't stop listening to Mumford & Sons Bookshop Sessions. These raw and unplugged versions of their folksy ballads just tear at my heart. So beautiful. I really can't get enough!

"Little Lion Man"

"White Blank Page"

"The Cave"

Ready for winter whites.

I want to make some of these paper flowers immediately. What a beautiful way to incorporate shades of winter white into home decor and make it look warm and inviting. Love. Love. Love.

found on You Are My Fave via Style Me Pretty & Sweet Paul

Pug Love for the Day

Today's Pug Love comes from my friend Erin Clarke! Love these photos, so adorable.

Girl Talk's New Album

Girl Talk's new album dropped yesterday and I had the luxury of hearing all of these new tracks live a few weeks ago... sweat dripping, dance worthy as always.

Girl Talk — All Day

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Shimmer

Gilded Herringbone Tom's

Gustav Klimt's The Kiss

Ed Westwick via We Heart It

Midnight Tea Party

Shirt from Acrimony via I am a Greedy Girl

Secret Pocket Scarves

How adorably cozy do the fabrics from Secret Pocket look? You can find these lovely scarves among other fun items at Little Winter. Hmmm... knitting might be next on my list of things to learn. But maybe I can just start by ordering one of these handwoven scarves...

Concepts, Designs, & Headlines

My art director, Angelle Juneau and I just updated our team portfolio site. Personal websites are always a work in progress and they're constantly evolving, but I'm really happy with the way it's turning out so far. Take a gander and let me know if you like what you see.

www.conceptsdesignsandheadlines.com

Loving Floppy Hats for Fall

Nicole Richie via Fake It 'til You Make It

image via Moteblogger

Natalie Suarez via Natalie Off Duty

"Being passionate is the shit!"

Classic quotes in black and white from Therese Senneholt Design.

Top 20 Countdown #5

I do it every-so-often... update a playlist of songs I'm enjoying at the moment. And recently, I've had a lot of great new tunes to choose from. Here are my top 20 songs that I'm totally in love with right now.

20. The Honey Trees - To Be with You

19. Hooray for Earth - Surrounded By Your Friends

18. Cee Lo Green - Fuck You

17. War on Drugs - Coming Through

16. Panda Bear - Slow Motion

15. Eminem & Lil' Wayne - No Love

14. Mumford & Sons - Liar

13. Deerhunter - Helicopter

12. Summer Camp - Round the Moon

11. Hot Chip - I Feel Better

10. Mark Ronson ft. The Business International - Somebody to Love Me

9. Neon Indian - Deadbeat Summer

8. Sonic Youth - Superstar

7. Matt & Kim - Good for Great

6. Rogue Wave - Solitary Gun

5. The Tallest Man on Earth - King of Spain

4. Sleigh Bells - Crowd on the Ground

3. The Walkmen - Angela Surf City

2. Jónsi - Go Do

1. The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition

The Notebook Doodles

I'm finding The Notebook Doodles very inspiring today. Enjoy!

Moogfest

This past weekend I celebrated Halloween with a 3 day music bender in Asheville, NC for Moogfest. Of the many terrific shows, a few stood out in my mind. Pretty Lights, Sleigh Bells and Neon Indian, all of which were on the same night, were by far the best of the weekend. And although a bit mellow, Jónsi put on a great set with some awesome animated visuals. I also got my noodle on with plenty of Asheville locals at Disco Biscuits, whipped out the glow sticks at MGMT and danced my a** off at Dan Deacon and Girl Talk.

See what SPIN thought were the best moments of the weekend.

Pretty Lights, video via Jessica Packard

Jónsi, video via YouTube

Sleigh Bells, video via YouTube

Panda Bear, video via YouTube