Winter Deluxe

As our local forecast is calling for snow, I'm dreaming about cuddling into an enormous bed with a warm beverage and an entire season of my favorite show on the DVR.  :)  So, I've rounded up some of my favorite deluxe rooms (emphasis on the LUXE) that are perfect for winter cuddling.  Now, someone please bring me that cup of hot cocoa...

 

This room.  Blue velvet for days.

 

Bleached wood paneling, so beautiful.

 

FUR!

 

 

Chocolate goodness.

 

Chic and moody-- that Chinese screen is a jaw dropper.

Navy walls.

Modern masculine.

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Out with the cold...

This time of year is always a bit difficult for me.  I tend to get the winter blues.  It's just so freaking cold!  The warm cozy holidays are over, and springtime is still so very far away.  Very far.

But, this year, I am determined to enjoy these winter days by staying warm and reminding myself that the most glorious season of all (SPRING!) is just around the corner.  There is nothing better than seeing those buds pop out of the thawing ground.  The days are longer and the sun is warmer.  It almost makes the cold dreariness of winter worth it (almost).  I get happy just thinking about it.  So, I've rounded up a group of my favorite things...  all of which help me battle the winter blues, and remind me of springtime days ahead.

1 - I bought a Meyer Lemon Tree for the store.  I couldn't resist that sweet citrus scent!  I potted it in a lovely pot and I keep it near a south-facing window of the studio.  It gets lots of sun, and I'm determined to keep it alive.  So far, so good.  Any tips from you green thumbs are appreciated.  :)

2 - These Cableknit pillows, which we sell at High Street Market.  I have them in my living room and I adore them.  I never get sick of them and while they are cozy warm, the bright white color makes them feel fresh.

3 - This Chunky Knit Throw, also available in our store.  It's just too good not to share.  Perfect for these cold winter days, it's super soft and so well made.  Also, it's machine washable (for those pesky one year olds that tend to be messy).

4 -  Aerin Lauder's Trumpet Vine Candle.  This woman can do no wrong, if you ask me.  Her entire collection is drool worthy (shop it here).  A fresh scent of springtime flowers should keep the winter blues away.  Plus, I love that olive green glass!

5 - Is there any better way to light a candle, or start a cozy fire in the fireplace?  This match striker is the chicest thing I've seen in a long time.  Again, it's from Aerin Lauder.

6 - I bought this book last fall from Terrain.  It's gorgeous.  Huge pages with spectacular photography.  I intend to go through it thoroughly this spring, grabbing inspiration for our own yard (which has been a bit neglected).

7 - Our neighbor kindly gifted us some Paperwhite bulbs this month.  Drop them in any vessel, add water, and they grow.  This little sign of spring makes me happy.

8 - Comfort food!  Nothing better than a bowl full of cheesy pasta when it's freezing outside.  This recipe is a good one. 

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New Year Wishes...

It's hard to believe that 2012 has come to an end, and 2013 is suddenly upon us.  These years are flying by faster and faster!!  December was a wonderfully busy month for us in the store.  And, now that Christmas is over, Dave and I are enjoying a little bit of quiet.  Here are some of the photos I've snapped with my phone over the last week...


The weekend before Christmas, we took some time away from the office and did a little shopping in downtown Philadelphia (something I almost never do)...

Rittenhouse Square, all dressed up for Christmas

 

 

our lovely skyline

 

 

 

Philadelphia City Hall

 

 

Then on Christmas Eve, we packed up the presents and drove to upstate New York to spend some time with my husband's family (and old friends).  This is a picture of the sunset on Christmas Eve...

 

I took this photo from the car as we got close to my husband's hometown.  How heavenly is this?! 

 

 

Western New York has the most beautiful rolling landscape, mixed with natural lakes and streams.  It's one of the prettiest places to be, nearly every season of the year.  But, it's especially magical in the winter (think blankets of white snow and red barns everywhere).

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas mass at the most idyllic country church...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 We stayed for a few days, visited with some old friends, watched movies (got my mother in law started on Downton Abby-- oh yes!), and ate lots of delicious food.  Then, it was time to get in the car and drive home-- before the huge snow storm hit!

our treacherous drive back to Pennsylvania. :)

 

 

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On New Year's Eve, I generally like to torture my husband by recounting all the blessings of the previous year together.  Month by painstaking month.  I think he secretly likes it (right?).  But honestly, we have so much to be thankful for.  I think that the last day of the year is a good time for reflection.  So much has happened in this whirlwind year, and it's nice to take a brief moment to remember all of the little milestones and achievements.  Last year on New Year's Eve, we wrote down our "Goals for 2012" and taped the list to the fridge (I realize this is pretty cheesy, but he indulges me).  There were big things on the list (like, "build a garage") and there were small things ("be more patient").  It's a nice tradition--whether you meet every goal or not-- and I hope to continue it throughout the years of our marriage.  Do you have any New Year traditions?  If so, please share!

 

 

So tonight, as we pop the bottles of champagne to ring in another wonderful year, I wish you happiness and peace.  May you reach your biggest (and smallest) goals, recognize each and every blessing, and may this new year be even more JOYFUL than the one before.

 

Cheers!

 

 

 

(a gorgeous old home near our house, as it snowed Saturday morning)

 

 

 

 

 

all photos from my Instagram-- follow me @kellyrobson if you want to link up!

 

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Current Inspiration (and Happy Weekend!)

Just a few thoughts that are going through my head this week...

(Do I have time to DIY this with a roll of garland?)

 

(Kate Moss in all black.  A no-brainer, insta-slimming outfit-- necessary after a week of Thanksgiving feasts)

 

(Victoria Hagan rocks.  Remember that shade of blue for a sofa)

(pull out bedside shelf, so genius)

 

(love the blue cabinetry, glass doors, and killer hardwood flooring)

 

(really great color combo...  can this translate to a bedroom?)

 

(cute little navy check-- remember this for a future accent chair)

(ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  This fulfills all kitchen fantasies...  including, living in a world without bugs)

 

(Love the tile on that shower wall)

 

(everything about this picture is perfect-- even that little shell chandelier)

 

(Where can I buy a fitted, super tailored plaid button down? Love this look)

 

Also, it snowed this week for the first time! 

 

our backyard on Tuesday morning

 

 

 

Happy Weekend, everyone!

 

 

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Christmas Break

Dave and I went to Indianapolis for the Christmas holiday.  We spent three wonderful days visiting with my family, and celebrating the best parts of life.  My pregnant sister and her husband flew in from Florida, and my grandmother and aunt flew in from Southern California.  It was a full house!  We spent many late nights chatting around the kitchen island, and sipping mulled wine.  We played games, and watched movies (It's A Wonderful Life-- the best Christmas movie ever made, in my opinion).

Mom had the house completely decked out for the holiday...

my mother's library, complete with a golfing Santa

(and Ava Bamboo Table Lamp from our store)

(mulled wine)

(a classically retro Yule Log cake, complete with meringue mushrooms)

(Belgian waffles for brunch)

Then, on December 27th, we woke up to snow...   

It was the perfect Christmas break.

I hope you all had a peaceful and restful holiday.  I'll be back with regular blog posts next week, as we eagerly welcome the start of 2012!

xoxo,

Kelly

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The Sledding Hill

I love this colorful winter scene from photographer, Paul Octavious.

And here, Paul has captured the same hill (located outside Chicago).  But this time, it's in the spring...

both images are available at 20x200.

If you get your order in before January 31st, you'll save 20%! 

Use the (hysterical) coupon code: RIDONK

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Snow Day!

image credit unknown

Philadelphia got about a foot of snow this weekend!  It would have been completely lovely if not accompanied by 50 mile per hour winds.  But now that the storm has passed, the wind is gone, the sun is out, and we have gorgeous blue skies.

And, guess which back-ordered item arrived a couple of weeks early?!  My bean boots! 



My husband bought me this pair for my birthday, and I love them!  I love the shearling, love the leather, love that this style has been around for almost 100 years.  They keep my feet warm and dry.  They're great.  (If you're thinking of ordering a pair, buy a whole size smaller. Really.  Even with thick socks they fit perfectly. One whole size smaller.).

Happy Snow Day wherever you are! 

And, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas holiday!  My folks drove in for a quick visit and we all braved the weather to see the Cleopatra exhibit downtown.  It was fascinating, and if you haven't seen it yet, book your tickets now!  The last day to see Cleopatra at the Franklin Institute is January 2nd.  (ps. The jewelry alone was worth the trip).

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Christmas Love (at Terrain)

I spent an hour on Saturday afternoon walking through Terrain in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.  Now, I had been to Terrain once before to attend a fall decorating event with Eddie Ross... but back then, I was a few minutes late, it was after store hours, and it was raining, so I just ran in and ran out.  I never got to stroll, and absord it all. 

It is such a beautiful store, and it was even prettier on Saturday-- all gussied up for the Holiday Season.  People were buying Christmas trees, and there was even a firepit outside.  Complete with wool blankets for keeping warm!  I love that attention to detail.  I didn't bring my camera, but thankfully I had my phone.  I just HAD to take some pictures-- I wanted to share this beautiful store with you!  Hopefully, it puts you in the Christmas spirit like it did for me...

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