Archive 12.20.08 - Delicious Dish of the Week

*Archived Recipe*
Crustless Chicken Pot Pie

This delicious dish is perfect for a stormy evening in. Best made while attired in your most comfortable jammies...

Step 1: Lightly drizzle boneless skinless chicken thighs with olive oil. Season with generous portions of dried rosemary and thyme, pepper, and a dash of sea salt. Bake at 350 until juices run clear. Shred into hearty-sized portions and set aside.
Step 2: Slice prepared loaf of basil and garlic seasoned polenta into 1/8" slices (found in your local grocer's refrigerated section). Line the bottom of your favorite stoneware casserole dish with single layer of polenta slices.
Step 3: Saute diced sweet onion, rustically chopped cremini mushrooms, and two cloves of minced garlic in 2 T. of butter over medium high heat until onions are transparent and mushrooms are tender. When nearly complete, add 1/4 c. cooking sherry and reduce. If desired (and we always desire!), add more dried rosemary and thyme while sauteing to enhance flavor.
Step 4: Add one bag of frozen peas and carrots to onion and mushroom mixture. Gently toss to evenly circulate heat and thaw the newest additions.
Step 5: In measuring bowl, combine 1 1/4 c. chicken stock, 3/4 c. milk, and 2 T. flour. Add all at once to vegetable mixture and cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until thickened. If necessary, add cornstarch/water mixture to thicken to desired consistency. Fold in shredded chicken and mix completely. At this point, you may want to add salt and pepper to taste. For a non-traditional twist, you could also add shredded parmesan reggiano to the mixture.
Step 6: Transfer vegetable and chicken filling to polenta lined casserole dish. Using remaining polenta slices, place them along the perimeter of the casserole in an overlapping pattern. Lightly brush polenta slices with olive oil. Heat in oven at 350 until heated through and polenta turns slightly crisp and beautifully golden.

Rejoice in the fact that you made a crustless pot pie and enjoy this delicious dish with a loaf of crusty peasant bread, small green salad, and a bottle of Guinness.

Christmas Magic

I'm back! I bet you're wondering if I've jetted off to some exotic locale for an extended vacation. Or, if I finally gave up and just moved into my local Target in the hopes of furthering my research on the strange phenomenon surrounding their check out lines. No, no. I assure you that neither of those is the real reason for my e-absence. I have, in fact, been busy decorating for Christmas.

The fun began the Sunday before Thanksgiving, with the goal being completion prior to turkey dinner. (And yes, I did prepare the traditional meal this year.) So that meant the placement and decoration of five trees ranging in height from 5' to 9.5', the arranging of the Christmas Village, placement of the snowman collection, the fireplace mantel tableau, the guest room (fully decorated with its very own tree), the playroom (remember my little garland?), the dining room, an art project I dreamed up at the last minute, and the placement of all the other miscellaneous decor that was lurking in my attic. I did not mention the outside display, which my tireless husband plans and executes to perfection each year, but this was also finished by the time the turkey hit the table.
Then, a little part of my design dreams came true. A girlfriend phoned to ask if I would be willing to purchase decor and then decorate her family's home for a holiday party! Heaven! It was a little window into my dream of becoming a full-time designer, and I loved every minute of it. Thank you, dear friend, for entrusting me with that. I could go on and on and bore you to tears with all the other planned and unexpected things that have come up between my last post and now, but the fact is - why? It's the holidays and we are all busier than usual. I am certainly not more busy than anyone else. The plain fact of the matter is: I'm a perfectionist.
As I sit here and look around at the home I am so blessed to call mine, at the beautiful and bountiful Christmas decorations that I am clearly (perhaps freakishly) obsessed with, I think, "I can't post pictures of this, it's just not quite right. If I only I had something else here or a little something else there, then it would be right...maybe." I took pictures a week or so ago in preparation for a new blog entry but was so disturbed that the photographs (and my photography skills) were not good enough to post. They made my home and my decorations look, alright. Nothing special. Certainly not like the design magazines and catalogs I pour over every chance I get. I can't post those. There is nothing 'glam' about them. It gave me pause to consider what I was really trying to achieve with my holiday decorating.
When I was little, Christmas felt like a magical time in my house. Somehow, my parents always found the most perfectly shaped Noble Fir. My mom would spend hours stringing the lights to such perfection that you couldn't see the wires, and then she would open the cedar chest and bring out the ornaments. They weren't particularly fancy, nothing crystal or silver, but they were dear - they were ornaments that were meaningful to a little set of eyes and to the memories that my parents worked hard to create for me. There were other decorations tucked away in the cedar chest: a collection of Santas; special red stained glass candle holders; a book of carols; our Christmas stockings; orange and lemon pomanders that my mom would make at night while we watched hockey on the television. And along with the decorations, there was the scent of Christmas...spicy, fresh, comforting. I've never been a morning person, but I remember those December mornings when my mom would usher me out of bed a little earlier than usual, wrap me up in a big quilt and sit me down on the sofa with a mug of cocoa - the house dark except for the lights on our tree. To me, it was beautiful, magical, and very special. And I think about what our home must look like to our little boys this time of year. Is it special for them? Because as much as my husband and I love Christmas and have always loved putting extra effort into preparing our home for the holidays, it's not just the two of us any longer. We're creating this wonderland for our children, too; so that they will also love and appreciate the magic of the season. Will they love it any more because we have five Christmas trees? No, I don't think so. And this very point could not have been made more clearly to me than it was this past Saturday evening.
After returning home from a holiday party, my in-laws explained to my husband and I that our oldest son, who is four, spent the majority of the evening decorating the Christmas tree in the guest room. My immediate reaction was panic. The rules are very clear in our house: children do not touch Christmas decorations! But, not wanting to completely lose my cool in front of my mother- and father-in-law, I stared dumbstruck as they explained just what had happened upstairs. I'm not even sure I heard their words as all I could think was, "How did this happen? He should know better!" Their last words to me were something about how Lincoln Logs might want to see a picture and use it in next year's ad campaign. After they left I ventured upstairs to survey the damage. What I saw when I turned the corner brought tears to my eyes.


There was his masterpiece. Photographs do not do it justice. I cannot possibly capture the scope and detail involved in the placement of my son's 'ornaments' with my paltry photography skills. He used every piece in his brother's new set of Lincoln Logs, including the yellow plastic windows, doors, and roofs. The black fishnet head wrap and plastic sword from his beloved pirate costume. A painted wooden spoon from last summer's music camp that was originally used as a drumstick. The stethoscope from his doctor's kit. A plastic screwdriver from last Christmas's tool bench. A wooden drumstick and box of pasta from the kitchen he and his brother received two Christmases ago. And lastly, the handmade mitten and tree garland I completed only a few days before Thanksgiving. Every item perfectly positioned, tenderly arranged. He used as ornaments things that are dear to him, toys that are beloved, the things that memories are made from. The next morning as he scampered into the guest room to look at his creation, I heard his daddy remind him that we don't touch decorations once they've been put on the tree. His tree has remained pristine for the past two days, and I occasionally catch he and his little brother sitting on the floor in front of it, clutching their blankets, gazing up at the lights. This is the stuff Christmas magic is made of and I am grateful to my little boy for reminding me of that.

Life in the Slow Lane

Is it just me, or do you too always pick the slowest line at Target? It is a phenomenon that, when contemplated calmly and logically, does not seem possible, and yet while I have no idea how it happens, it does - every single time. It's as if I walk through the automatic doors and enter some strange wrinkle in the space/time continuum. Even when I try to be thoughtful about which check out line I select, I inevitably end up behind some poor soul who would like to pay in Canadian pennies, or has actually been 'saving a spot' for their extended family of 12. I've experienced this so many times that I've decided to now base my exit strategy on selecting the most competent looking Target employee and hopping into that person's lane. I'll let you know how it goes.

Domestic Glam's Holiday Gift Guide

In these troubled economic times it's just not reasonable to ask Santa to bring you a new Louis Vuitton bag for Christmas. But here at Domestic Glam, we believe that you can be just as fabulous on budget. Here are a few suggestions for fantastic, unique, and affordable holiday gifts perfect for giving or receiving.

Lotta Jansdotter 2009 Fabric Calendar

You can purchase this fabulous calendar by designer Lotta Jansdotter at www.designpublic.com. It retails for $28 and is available in orange, blue and green. The calendar is 19" w X 19" l and made of 100% linen. According to the designpublic website these calendars "sell out in lightening speed every year," so start shopping!

The Notebook Set by Thomas Paul

Thomas Paul is one of my favorite home accessories designers, so imagine my delight when I learned he has recently released a line of desktop stationery and accessories. You can find this set of three 100-page notebooks at www.velocityartanddesign.com where it retails for $18. The notebooks' dimensions are 6" x 8" and you'll note that each of the three notebooks included in the set feature a different interior paper: blank, graph, or ruled. The sets come in five fun, graphic color combinations.

The Vinotagz Designed Set by Modern-Twist



This may well be my gift of choice this year for my fellow lovers of wine and chic design. The Vinotagz Designed Set from Modern-Twist combines all the elements of sleek chic that I love best: innovative design; beautiful graphics; and genius packaging. These silicone stemmarkers come in a set of six and are available in either retro prints or solid colors. You can actually write your guests' names on these stemmarkers with ballpoint pen and, when the evening is done, wipe them clean with a damp cloth for use at your next soiree. Even better they are packaged in a convenient plastic box that fits nicely on the neck of a wine bottle. Priced at just $14 for the set, you can purchase this fabulous gift at www.velocityartanddesign.com.

Owl Serving Pitcher

The ceramic Owl Serving Pitcher from Burke Decor is perfect at $38. At 9" high, it's a charming accent for your brunch table. Or, fill with fresh flowers in an unexpected burst of color, tangerine or chartreuse, and place on a bedside table. Visit www.burkedecor.com to order.

Boom - Hive Wine Rack

Inspired by nature, the Hive Wine Rack is made from natural walnut harvested from sustained forests in Thailand. The wine rack will hold six bottles of your favorite varietal and look fabulous while doing so - can be oriented vertically, as shown, or horizontally to fit your design aesthetic. This is a fantastic green gift with a budget-conscious price tag, only $35. To order, check out www.2modern.com.

Nordstrom 2008 Shopping Bag Ornament

Nordstrom's 2008 edition of their holiday Shopping Bag Ornament is perfect for the fashionistas among us. Its whimsical design and sparkly, hand-painted touches are sure to warm hearts everywhere this holiday season. At only $18 you could purchase two: one for you and one for me! www.nordstrom.com

Christmas Under Construction

You should be impressed. I've used remarkable self-restraint and no winter-themed decor has made it out of the attic thus far. Thank you to J and J for both writing that they too were entranced by visions of sugarplums and eagerly counting down the days until snowflakes, nativities, and the big man himself can make an appearance in their homes.

I have been working on a winter themed craft project for my children's playroom and thought I would share a quick pic of my progress. I cannot claim that the inspiration for this project was all my own - I did find outside inspiration in the form of a Land of Nod catalog - but I am thrilled to announce that no new crafting materials were purchased for the construction of this project.

Each of the mittens and trees is approximately 5" tall and constructed from felt, with hand stitched details using embroidery floss. The pieces are deliberately 'rustic' in their finishing. I plan to affix them to black grosgrain ribbon at 5-6" intervals and then string the garland somewhere in the playroom. Accompanying the garland will be two 25' strands of multi-colored ceramic C7 lights, as well as paper chains in coordinating colors. My vision is for something primary, colorful, and playful for my little boys. If it all goes well, I'll post pictures of our winter wonderland. If it doesn't go well, we will never speak of it again ;)

The Final Countdown

Wouldn't you know it? I woke up Saturday morning bright eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to put up Christmas decorations! I contented myself by working on my mitten and Christmas tree garland, but I wasn't the only member of the family who suggested getting out even a few tinsel-tinged decorations this weekend. We exercised great restraint, however, and instead listened to a few holiday tunes in preparation for the big event. Check out this week's poll and tell me when you think it's safe and sane to start decorating for Christmas.

Archive 10.25.08 - 10.31.08

Poll Results

The Halloween Costume Poll has come a close with the following results: It's a Tie! Your favorite childhood costumes were Princess and Witch.

*Archived Recipe*
Delicious Dish of the Week: Autumn Mac & Cheese

Thanks to some fabulous friends for sharing this delicious dish and inspiring me to make it again... Autumn Mac & Cheese
Step 1: Toss diced Butternut Squash with olive oil, sage, garlic, and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender, at 450 degrees.
Step 2: Cook up as much bacon as you can handle in one dish. Make sure it's not too limp, but not completely crisp. Crumble and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare 3/4 box of Piccolini (mini Penne pasta) per box directions.
Step 4: Prepare a white sauce. Just as the sauce begins to thicken, add a generous portion of your favorite shredded Italian cheese, ie Parmesan or Romano...or both!
Step 5: Toss cooked pasta, roasted squash, crumbled bacon, and white sauce until completed mixed together. Transfer to your most glamourous casserole dish and sprinkle with a little extra cheese. Heat in oven at 350 until heated through.

Serve this delicious dish with a beautiful green salad tossed with homemade dressing and a bottle of 2005 merlot. Make it extra special by having a candlelight picnic with your sweetie or better yet, include the whole family.

PHD Rears Its Glorious Head

I am pleased to announce that I have stayed true to my pledge to repress my Christmas compulsion and my family's 15 massive boxes of Christmas decor remain safely tucked away in my attic. Similarly, I have exhibited immense willpower with regard to shopping for Christmas decor and/or gifts, and purchased nothing. Although I will confess, I did have a weak moment a week and a half ago and began the design work and initial construction on a mitten and tree garland for my children's playroom, BUT used materials I already had on hand. And then, today, I walked through the doors of my local Target.
I realized this afternoon that Halloween is tomorrow...Friday...and 1 big bag of candy from Costco is not going to be nearly enough. After unsuccessfully navigating the parking lot version of Frogger at Costco, I decided to pop into my favorite one-stop-shop, Target, for a couple bags of candy. As I walked to the back corner of the store, I sensed something different. Was that....Could it be...YES! The faint strains of Christmas music playing in the background. I started walking faster until I rounded the corner and there it was: Five halfway completed aisles of Target Christmasy delights. My mood was instantly lifted and I wandered in a happy haze through those five aisles for a solid 15 minutes. What's new? What's different? What are their design themes going to be this year? Did I purchase anything? No! Did I want to? Absolutely YES!
I couldn't help smiling as I slowly wandered away from the Christmas aisles, on to my more urgent candy buying task...I even found myself merrily humming a Christmas tune. Three hours later I still feel cheerful and a little giddy inside, with visions of sugarplums dancing in my head. And I ask you, is that so bad?

No More Granola For Me, Thank You.

Have you heard the one about the nicely dressed woman who got the evil eye from the granolas at Trader Joe's? No? Allow me to share.
This is how bizarre my existence is. I've shared previously how much I love the area that I live in. It's beautiful, just the right size, and there is very little traffic. It is also, how shall I say...a little earthy. And you know what? For the most part that doesn't bother me. I merrily go about my business, happy to be attired in the clean preppy clothing that is my preference, a smile on my face, and my Chanel sunglasses perched atop my head. I don't comment on or disparage the dreadlocked, hemp-wearing, or slightly odorous folks I frequently come in contact with in the downtown core of our community. I'm sure they're lovely people on the inside, and are merely in a phase in which personal appearance and/or hygiene is not at the top of their list of priorities. In the 16 years I've called this gorgeous place my home, I have, however, come to the realization that if I am planning to spend time downtown, say, grocery shopping, it might be more enjoyable if I downplayed the glam.

So, the other day I decide I need to journey into 'the big city' to search for a few ingredients the grocery stores in my little cow town just don't have. I'm planning to peruse the Co-op and Trader Joe's. I love the Co-op, they have great stuff there, but as I don't generally roll up on a bicycle pulling a trailer behind me with my organic cotton-clad off-spring nestled inside, I honestly feel like I don't get the best reception from the other shoppers. Not to worry, my plan is to hit Trader Joe's first and then the Co-op as a last resort. I take a quick inventory of my appearance before exiting the car: Clogs - check; Natural fiber, chunky knit cardigan - check; Basic make-up, no sparkly lip gloss - check! I'm all set!
The doors to Trader Joe's slide open and I'm assaulted by the smell of exotic flowers and...wait, is that wet dog? No, no, just one of my more earthy fellow citizens. I found what I was looking for very quickly (Israeli couscous, thank you), but I did have a strange experience. You see, I never expected that my earth-first, all natural, organic brethren would resort to guerilla shopping tactics. It was as though it was 8 am on the first day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and the doors had just opened. Uh huh, that's right, it was showdown time between me and the freshman from Western who was busy sowing her earthy oats. The objective: The last box of Pumpkin Bread & Muffin mix. The result: Victory, for me. And the evil eye from a hemp clad, petulant, patchouli-laced young woman, who stalked off muttering something rude about yuppies. I couldn't believe it.
I concluded my shopping trip after the Trader Joe's experience, grateful that I had found everything I needed on my list, and certain that I'd had my share of granola for one day.

Table for One, Please

Two afternoons each week, I have four uninterrupted hours of child-free grown up time while my little darlings enjoy an afternoon at preschool. To top that off, the school my children attend is just far enough away from our home that journeying back after dropping them off is not the most convenient thing to do and, frankly, a tremendous waste of time and fuel. So, for the past few months I have taken advantage of this time by scheduling various appointments, grocery shopping, and just catching my breath - by myself. It's been wonderful. Silly me, I also assumed that it would be a great time to catch up with my girlfriends, many of whom are also domestic goddesses with small children. Small children who don't attend school the same days and times as my small children. Result: I don't actually see my friends any more than I did prior to preschool, although, any phone conversations we have are blessed with far less background noise on my end.
Now, I make a valiant effort at using my time wisely during these four hour chunks, but even the most dedicated meal-planner can only spend so much time at the grocery store. And who would have thought that you could actually get tired of wandering the aisles at Target, alone, with no tiny voices pleading for pretzels, water, or a bathroom break? Certainly not me, but alas, it's happened. So, now what? I'm alone, too far away from home to drive back and watch the latest DVR'd episode of Mad Men, and, (confession time) pretty much terrified of going into a restaurant or coffee shop by myself. I know it's ridiculous, but that's the truth. I've always felt that way and have always been embarrassed by it, so then my anxiety is doubled - I'm too nervous to go in and annoyed by my nervousness. I decided to tackle my issues by starting off small: a coffee here and there, then ordering a coffee and sitting down with a book or magazine. Feeling like I'd conquered the coffee shop, I decided the other day to have lunch by myself. Knowing that given the chance I'd over analyze the entire situation and wind up starving and sitting pathetically in my car, I pulled into the nearest restaurant, grabbed my book, and headed in for lunch.
Things are proceeding well; no one gave me any weird looks as I was seated and there were several other people dining by themselves. Okay, this is great! I order, take my time enjoying lunch and my book, and, really, am feeling pretty fabulous about the whole situation! Wow! I can really do this without turning twelve shades of red and feeling like a complete idiot! WooHoo! All until this: "Excuse me, MAM, are you...," and then I tuned out. And turned twelve shades of red. Oh no she di-n't. "Mam?" "MAM!?" REALLY?! Am I that old that I need to be addressed as 'Mam'?
So, I keep reevaluating my place in life as compared to the last time I did anything by myself, which was four years ago, before my little guys were here. Four years ago, I was still a twenty-something woman...and now, I'm not. According to one doctor, I'm now 'middle-aged' and, by the way, you can suck it, Dr. Gilbert, for that stunning revelation. But here's the thing, if being 'middle-aged' means being comfortable with who you are, then I'll take it. The twenty-something me still cared if the grown-up versions of the mean girls from high school liked me. The twenty-something me worried about a lot of things that don't need to be worried about. The woman I am now doesn't worry about those same things, at least not as much. I'm grateful for the twenty-something experience, and know that that time contributed a great deal to the path I'm now privleged to travel. Maybe my thirties will teach me how to enjoy time in a restaurant by myself. The point is, for the most part I know who I am and I feel good about it. No compromises, no excuses. No energy to be anything different! But, please, don't call me 'Mam.'

The Gray Period

Fall has certainly arrived here in the Pacific Northwest! For those of you who have never experienced the changing seasons here in Washington and Oregon may I just say: We get a lot of gray in autumn and winter. Gray skies, gray lakes and rivers, gray roads, even the trees turn a sort of muted gray without their leaves. It becomes a bit overwhelming.
A friend in Portland recently asked if I had any suggestions about plants that would provide a little splash of color during the Gray Period. As a matter of fact, I do! I have used most of the plants below in containers on the steps of my south facing front entryway and they have weathered through fall and winter (including subfreezing temps and snowfall) surprisingly well. There are a few details, though, that we should cover before looking at the plants. First, make sure you've put new, good soil into your pots before planting for fall. Do not use the old, root-bound soil from spring and summer. Next, be thoughtful about the location of your containers during the fall and winter. Make sure they are somewhat sheltered, while not completely in the dark. Finally, it is worth it to take a visit to your local nursery (as opposed to a box store, like Fred Meyer) for these plants, especially if your green thumb has only just sprouted.

This is Fountain Grass. I've heard the color described as red or purple. It is spectacular. The feathery plumes provide texture and visual interest to a container garden, not to mention height - this plant gets to be about 24 - 30 inches tall. Even after the plumes have dried out and the color has faded, I think Fountain Grass is still beautiful. To the best of my knowledge, this is not a perennial but it's been worth the price for a solid six months of enjoyment. Use this as a centerpiece and starting point for designing your pot.

This is Crimson Curls Heuchera (coral bells). There are a wide variety of Heuchera available in fall toned burgundy and purples. The ruffly, curly leaves paired with the elegant flowering stems also add textural interest to your container or perennial bed. This is one of my favorite perennials and I use it frequently in pots and beds. Remember, when you're adding plants to garden beds to use the rule of odds: plant in odd numbers for best overall effect.


A common, and favorite, plant to use in the fall and winter is Flowering Kale. Flowering Kale comes in a variety of shapes and color combinations. I prefer the 'Pigeon' variety on the left that resembles a flowering head of cabbage. You can also find this same shape with the center in a pretty pinkish purple, or a combination of ivory and purple.

Another great species of plant to use for the fall is Sedum. These plants are great because of the succulent-like leaves and the splash of deep color that their flowers bring. The variety pictured here, Autumn Joy, may not be great in a container because of its height and the fact that it will need to be trimmed back, but there are such a wide variety of Sedums you're bound to find something fabulous for garden bed or pot. Look for a trailing variety with dark purple leaves and bright magenta flowers.

I've saved the best for last! Winter Pansies, also called Ice Pansies. These little guys are spectacular for adding bright color to a dreary gray day. They are specifically bred to survive in cold, wet weather and to bloom at the exact opposite times your summer flowering pansies do. The flowers tend to be smaller, on a scale with violas, and will happily bloom throughout the coldest fall and winter weeks. The flowers should be picked back before going to seed so that they continue to bloom. They will rest for a little while late in the winter, but will amaze you by blooming again right around April. Don't confuse these with regular pansies sold at your grocer or big box store during the fall, they are not the same.

Just say, "No!" to Premature Holiday Decorating (PHD)

After yesterday's post, I have taken to heart my issues with PHD. I will not ignore the effort I put into decorating for Halloween, five weeks ago. So, I submit to you the following photos:

Look at this gorgeous beast! It's my favorite of all the pumpkins we harvested (um, purchased) this year. I love the skin's texture and the particular shade of orange is fantastic. This big guy came from Boxx Berry Farm in Ferndale, WA.

I'm a huge fan of white pumkins. I love their sturdy elegance and when carved and lit, they are stunning. Again, these pumpkins and the lonely gord were harvested at Boxx Berry Farm, in Ferndale, WA.

Christmas in October

I woke up in the middle of the night ready to decorate for Christmas. Yes, I realize that it's only October 13th, but you see in my home we (and by "we", I mean me) are consumed with holiday decorating. If you're familiar with my Facebook page, you may recall the *&@$%! Halloween light fiasco of September 9th and September 10th. And, yes, you just had the same reaction as most of my Facebook Friends...why on earth was I decorating for Halloween in early September? I can't help it. I'm obsessed and it's a problem on many different levels. Problem #1: It's the barely the middle of October, and I'm mentally decorating for Christmas. What about Halloween? And don't even mention Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has the potential to be one of the most meaningful holidays for my children in terms of teaching gratitude and recognizing the blessings of a good harvest. Last year, we didn't even prepare the requisite meal. I couldn't! Too busy decorating the fourth Christmas tree...go away and leave me alone - order a pizza if you're hungry! Problem #2: No matter how satisfied I am with the previous year's holiday decor, no matter how much I tell myself, "Finally, I'm done. I won't have to buy a single decoration for next year!" the truth of the matter is that I'm a big fat liar. How could you not buy a little prize for yourself? Really, it's not even for you - it's for the greater good and enjoyment of your whole family. Uh huh, yes, and, um, for all of your holiday visitors. It doesn't matter that you live two hours away from your nearest relative and that your best friend lives in Florida. It's like Field of Dreams...if you build it, they will come.
Okay, this is just silly. I have a whole house decorated for the autumnal holidays and at least two and a half weeks left to further embellish on the Halloween vibe. I pledge to attempt to curb my Christmas compulsion and allow myself to enjoy the entire fall holiday season before frantically ripping down anything that happens to be a shade of orange and replacing it with something from my fifteen massive boxes of Christmas decor.

Where have all the fabulous shoes gone?

I had a rude awakening today. Some might call it an epiphany, but no, I assure you it was, in fact, a rude awakening. Get ready for it: My shoe rack has taken a dramatic turn away from fashionable and fabulous footwear to comfort shoes. As I stared, horror struck, at the rows of Dansko clogs and Privo mary janes, I couldn't help but wonder, "Where have all the fabulous shoes gone?" When did I turn the corner from "fantastic" to "comfortable, yet supportive?" As I crammed my post-pregnancy size 7.5's into a delicious pair of 6.5 animal print ballet flats with a darling quilted patent leather toe, I was forced to seriously take stock of my most recent personal style decisions. I'm not sure I like what I see. You see, I still take pride in my appearance - even though I'm bound to have some child-created gunk on me somewhere...lurking. I'm still the 'go-to gal' for my girlfriends and their personal style choices. I love fashion magazines and snarl loudly at anyone who tries to commandeer the latest Nordstrom catalog before I've completed my requisite quality time with it. But, it dawned on me that I had actually ventured out in public wearing trainers, that's right people, sneakers, the previous two days...and not done anything particularly athletic whilst wearing them. This is a problem. You see, I didn't even own a pair of sweatpants until I left my full time corporate job four years ago to fulfill my dream of being a full time mom. My family and my dream are now a reality, but my closet is home to at least half a dozen velour track suits and my shoe rack...well, we've already covered that. It's time to devote some serious thought to this awakening - join me while I open a bottle of Cabernet and indulge in a piece of 85% cocoa dark chocolate...wait, hmmmm....maybe there's another problem? :)