fun : happy things

Millie, The Retrobot

Hi Everyone -

There's been a tag going around to reveal five things that make you happy and I was inspired to give it a try myself because there are many. So, here goes in alphabetical order:

Blog : Invaders From Planet Zorg is a very clever web comic by Lori's rad son Jack Henry. Oh, he's 9 years old.

Craft : Stephanie's Snowcone + Mav's Calendar = 3191 heaven. Mav is closing her shop on 12/17 and this set is also really beautiful.

Read : Letting Go of the Camera, Essays on Photography and the Creative Life by Brooks Jensen helps me realize that many photographers deal with similar issues and it's not just me.

Toys : Marshall Alexander Paper Toys are so neat! Thanks, Erin.

Tunes : Coldplay's Prospekt's March EP includes some really pretty tracks and this sweet video. The out takes from the video must be really funny with Chris in that crown and cape.

I loved doing this list! Maybe, I'll do it again? Recently, I've made enough Etsy purchases alone to keep it going for a while. Unfortunately, we received the credit card bill the other day - eek! Sorry Santa, but in my opinion, I've been very, very good this year ;).

xo, Cindy

craft : dear glitter

Dear Glitter -

Now that the holiday preparations are just about complete [and I'm done with you], I have some issues to discuss before I pack you away. As with all good performance reviews, we will go over the positives first. Yes, it's true, you are sparkly and fine like diamond dust. You turn the dull into the gleaming. You are quite a delight and shimmer in the light.

Now, for the constructive feedback [and real reason we're having this chat]. You never leave. You stick around in places you do not belong. Waxed paper, containers and plastic bags just do not hold you. I do not want you in my hair, on my face, on Scott's face, on the floor, on my CAMERA LENS, etc. You get the picture?

So, please see what you can do about yourself and speak to the person who endlessly promotes you. Perhaps you can both come up with a full proof method of application?

See you next year. Shine on.

xo, Cindy Sparkle

PS The fabric trees were created using a pattern from The Small Object with a few of my own modifications:

1. No sewing, I used fabric glue and pinked the edges for the cones.
2. A small piece of cotton was placed between the layers to separate them.
3. Instead of hot glue, I strung a bead on thread and sewed up from the bottom attaching a bead at the top so they would wobble around a bit.

The trees were so easy to make and I just love them - they're pictured everywhere this week. I think I'll keep them around after the holidays.They would also be so cute made from paper of any type - the comics, financial pages, foreign newspaper, scrapbook, etc.

art : big crochet

New York Daily News

Hi Everyone -

Scott saw this amazing crocheted water tower cover by Queens-based artist Robyn Love in the Daily News (more pics) & New York Times, today. Isn't it incredible? The piece was inspired by the iconic pencil for the London-based charity D&AD in connection with its annual Pencil Awards for graphic design.

Happy Sunday!

xo, Cindy

holiday : happy santa lucia day!

Hi Everyone -

Happy Santa Lucia Day!

xo, Cindy

tunes : nicky's jazz for kids

blowing bubbles : practice is essential : less is more

Hi Everyone!

My brother gave me Nicky's Jazz For Kids a few years ago and I really love it. This CD introduces 'children' big & small to the joy of jazz with fun, light-hearted songs performed by some great jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Dizzy Gillespie.

Chew Your Bubblegum by Ella Fitzgerald inspired the photo and it took forever! Thanks to Martha McQuade for recommending a wireless camera remote, which kept this project from taking an eternity! I found out after stuffing three pieces of Bubble Yum into my mouth at once that blowing a big bubble does not require a lot of gum. Quite the opposite. You can learn more in this tutorial. See, you always learn something new round here ;)!

Have a great weekend! Go blow some bubbles, but sugar-free gum only, please.

xo, Cindy

holiday windows : anthropologie+

Hi Everyone -

Well, we're at the end of our holiday tour with Anthropologie, Rockefeller Center. I especially liked these windows as this is a favorite store. The displays were cozy and pretty in their unique vintage-style. There were two women pressed up against the windows with their cameras who were so cute. One took out her Holga camera at the window with all of the boxed Christmas balls and you know she captured something special.

When we got to Anthropologie Scott was a little bit tired (we walked about 2 miles at that point) and said he would go inside and look around! He did get me a surprise, which is probably some kind of soap. He loves soap and is always smelling it. Go figure!

There are a few extra treats at the end. Thanks for joining us!

xo, Cindy












Saks Fifth Avenue
The theme for this group of windows was "A Flake Like Mike' from the book by Mike Reiss and they were full of Swarovski crystals.




Not yet ... keep going.

Rockefeller Center
It has become really difficult to get a photos of the tree. There are so many people and they have cordoned off the best spots. But, there's always a way. We'll try to capture the tree and angels at night, which is when they look the most beautiful.





Grand Central
Light show! We started at 9:30 am, and as the clock indicates in the photo below, we finished at 2:30 pm! We had breakfast at a new place called Danku, followed by a quick diversion into Lacoste - sale yay!, lunch at Sarabeth's, and then on our way home for dinner and a nap. We love New York City and feel lucky to live here. Some people never leave their own neighborhood and explore other parts of the city. That sounds crazy to us as it's not always an easy place to live. We're happy to share our experiences with all of you. But, for now, that's all folks! See you tomorrow with some really happy music.