Hello, my dear internet cosmos! It’s MEL here from At D’s Suggestion. Emily invited me to come hang out with you today and I’m so excited to be here.
With the holidays right around the corner, I’ve got Santa on the brain. Let’s be honest–there’s nothing like the thrill of unwrapping. You know what I mean: hands shaking, heart racing, eyes bulging, sweat collecting on your forehead as you struggle to pry off the layers of packing tape that your overprotective relatives used to trap your treasure. Yes, I know, I got your Christmas morning scene down to a tee.
Anyway, the only thing better than the “war of the wrapping” is searching for that perfect little treasure to stuff into your bullet-proof packaging and send off to your favorite family and friends. Here’s what I’m buying this year:
- For my demure-yet-adventurous best friend: OLO Violet/Leather fragrance
- For my sweet sisters who are the best moms I know: Nora Kogan ring
- For the artistically-inclined newest addition to the family: Themis Mobile
- For my wily nephews: Dwell Studio badger
- For my coffee-adict uncle: Stumptown cold brew
- For my Mr. (a.k.a. the hippest doctor in town): General Knot & Co. wool necktie
For more gift ideas, visit my ever-expanding collection here.
Happy gifting!
–MEL
dear readers, click through to at d’s suggestion to say hello to MEL, the only other lady i know who starts planning her christmas gifts as early as i do! you can also see a guest post of mine on her blog regarding top things to do in denver.
thanks, MEL! it was so fun sharing my space with you today.
ramona and violet and lacey. my lovely ladies.
psst, our new restaurant, the populist, opens this wednesday, november 14th. bc of the madness that’s our life right now i’ve asked some of my favorite bloggers to pick up my slack and do some guests posts. you’ll see them starting soon!
ingredients
- 1 cup toasted almonds
- 1.5 cups shelled fresh or thawed frozen edamame
- 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- zest & juice of 1 lemon
- 1 garlic clove, minced (i did 2 since there is no such thing as too much garlic)
- 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
- 2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (this is important. if you don’t have low-sodium, then half amount of soy sauce and salt to taste).
- 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
- veggies, rice crackers, pretzels etc for dipping
directions
- whirl almonds in food processor until finely ground, about two minutes
- add 1/3 cup water and ingredients thru soy sauce, whirl until well blended, about three minutes.
- spoon into bowl. sprinkle with sesame seeds. serve w veggie slices or carb of your choice.
this recipe is from the october 2012 issue of sunset magazine. it was submitted by reader, sheila piccini.
a scene from a quiet weekend morning at black eye coffee shop in denver.
- the ollie’s vintage giveaway is still open! leave a comment on THIS POST to be entered to win!
- amanda has a hot tip for free, online photo editing
- understand the importance of babywearing? wanna spread the love? what megan is doing is really amazing.
- thought about what sort of turkey you’re buying for thanksgiving this year? i’m hoping my family goes this happy turkey route.
- everyone reads joanna’s blog. make sure you read her post on advice for mothers.
- these beautiful lockets from the dedication company are on my pinterest wish list.
- umm, made by joel?! how have i not heard of this website yet?!
- i’m from st louis park, MN. thomas friedman, columnist for the NYT, also is (we even had the same english teacher, mrs. miriam kagol). here he writes about how great of a place it is to grow up and why the candidates should’ve taken note of it in this election.
welcome
