Feeling blue

I wish you could see outside my window right now. Not all of the trees are bare yet. Orange and yellow leaves are hanging on for dear life as a light snow dances around them. Like maple leaf-shaped cookies dusted with powdered sugar. Something's not right: poor autumn couldn't figure out how to exit stage left so winter could make its grand entrance. 

But wait, isn't the first day of winter like five weeks from now?

I never understood how profoundly the weather could affect me until we moved from California to Cleveland. When the human body has absorbed an overly-generous amount of sunshine over a period of years, even decades, and then moves to a part of the globe where snow and gray skies can linger for half the year, the results can be traumatizing. I never saw a doctor or got diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure last year's Polar Vortex gave me Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

I'm a California girl doing my best to thrive in Midwest conditions (well, I was born in Iowa and lived there for a decade so I should know how to survive a winter storm, right?). But even after almost two years here, some days are harder than others.

Today, I feel kind of blue.

Maybe it's because it's 31 degrees outside and the sun is nowhere to be seen. Maybe I'm just impatient and I want my dreams to materialize. Or maybe I just want a little bit of this right now:

Last summer, my cousin and I were talking about surviving bad weather. She mentioned her stepdad, who is from Norway (a country where its inhabitants endure long, dark winters and sometimes no sunshine for two months!). Norwegians arm themselves every year with a steady supply of cod liver oil, light boxes, exercise and fresh air, and plenty of positive attitude. When darkness falls, they embrace their cozy sweaters, hearty soups and lots of candlelight.

This year, I'm going to do the same. 

How about you? Does the weather affect you, too? In what part of the world do you live and how do you cope? I would love to hear!

   
Illustration by Yours Truly.
How Norwegians survive dark winters. (My Little Norway)

This week's obsession: letters & initials

Doesn't the English language have a wonderful-looking alphabet? I love the power in the straight geometric lines of letters like Z, V, T and L. And the whimsy in letters like O, Q and S. Then there are letters that play both roles, fanciful and bold, like P and B.

Of course my favorite letter is J. Not only it is the first letter in my name but it is lovely in form and function. I can picture myself hanging out on the scoop, my bottom snug in the J's curve while my legs dangle off its end. On rainy days, I could add a line to the top of my J to keep me dry. When the sun is out and I want a tan, I can go without the "hat." J's next door neighbor I is the only other letter that can have it both ways. Aren't we the lucky ones!

Here are some of my favorite things featuring letters, initials and monograms.

A lovely monogram crest journal.

An art deco-inspired sterling silver monogram necklace.

The ubiquitous and must-have canvas tote bag.

This monogram tote is pretty cute, too.

Pretty plates designed by a calligrapher.

Holiday cocktails on this gold-leaf monogram serving tray.

Tell me letter writing isn't a lost art. 

This gold initial necklace is just lovely.

Letter hooks to hang your coat.

A monogram glass globe ornament to adorn your Christmas tree.

And these felted monogram ornaments are just darling.

Put your initials on this soft dip-dyed ombre throw. 

I give these monogram mugs as holiday gifts every year.


Monogram Marquee Lights. (Anthropologie)

Kristina Wong

I recently discovered actress, writer and performance artist Kristina Wong. I'd totally have a martini with this chick. 

Smart, funny, irreverent, thought-provoking. My kind of girl. 


Best interview ever. Kristina totally killed it. (AM Tonight)

How we got here

The journey to outer space begins in the womb...


The birds and the bees, explained. (HowStuffWorks)

Ballet at 40 (portraits of a rookie)

Girl before a mirror.
(All photos © Hilary Bovay)

"So when are we gonna see photos of you in ballet class?" my best friend asked when I first told her about my Ballet at 40 series. "I want to see you in your leotard!"

OK, loves. Here you go. 

Me in all my spandex and lycra glory. 

XOXO.    

A big THANK YOU to the wonderful and talented Hilary Bovay for capturing images of this wanna-be ballerina. And a shout-out to Cleveland City Dance and my ballet instructor, Julia Galletta, for letting me stay after class and doing extra barre exercises with me.  

Photos by Hilary Bovay.