Looking back at Christmas.

I can't believe we're already entering the last stretch of January. I had 12 straight days of vacation from work, and it still flew by in a blink. Here's a few blips from Christmas:

My mom's Christmas decorating leaves not one branch of their huge tree unadorned.

I'm trying to think of a Karate Kid reference to make here. 

Success! 

 This was the best that Nala could do.

Chomp. 

 The Christmas Eve spread - all this for five people. 

The halls are decked. 

 Merry Christmas!

A New Year.

 This New Year's Eve, we hid out at home and let a serious party animal entertain us:

(Pip is modeling the past three years of New Year's chapeaus from St-Germain... they're the best)

 We made a stop to our favorite cheese shop, goat. sheep. cow., and got a bevy of treats to snack on till midnight.

 (Maya brought a lot of hope into 2013... hope that we'd step away from the table and not miss a slice or three of soppressata.)

(Our few guests looked great for the occasion but didn't add much to the conversation.)

We downed our champagne, lit off a few fireworks and called it a night. Besides the fireworks, it wasn't much different than many other nights we've spent at home, but over breakfast, we talked about our resolutions and they've geared us up for taking on 2013, head first.

 

(New Year's Day calls for a port-infused French toast brunch with Bloody Marys and lots of bacon.)

One of my resolutions was to writewritewrite just for myself and also a little more in this blog, and so I am haltingly, falteringly starting again.

And tomorrow (or, in about four hours, rather), Steven and I will be taking on another of my resolutions!

Happy 2013!

Deck the Halls

Despite a super-busy weekend, which included the amazing holiday Lowcountry Artist Market and my friend Gino's second-annual Plaid Party (such a fun birthday theme), we managed to finish decorating the house today. It feels so warm and cozy... I might not take this stuff down after the holidays.

The amazing gold kraft garland comes from Lowell and & Louise. 

After the decorating, we rewarded ourselves with fondue and Champagne. Not a bad Sunday.

A family visit.

My family spent the past week (my sister's final Spring Break of high school) with us in Charleston. Though I wasn't able to take any days off to spend with them, evenings were filled with family dinners, dusky beach walks, Mario Kart races, and lots of laughing. Even though it's a lot quieter and calmer without the whole brood here, I already miss them.

(Clockwise from top left: a Monza lunch date with my sis and her boyfriend / paparazzi-style shot of my folks strollin' / a sunrise Easter service on the pier at Folly Beach / the Pip doing a somber impression of the Easter Bunny.)

My February 14.

Instead of one card, Steven made me a laundry line of four  *  gypsy jazz, namely Django, is vital for cooking (I think his swingy sounds infused into the food)  *  I cooked up arroz con pollo for Valentine's dinner

Not pictured: the requisite flowers (in a 1940s glass milk bottle--he's perfect) and stack of chocolate bars. I'm starting to really dig this holiday.

How was your Valentine's Day? And don't forget... if you're in Charleston, come out to the Valentine's Day Hangover at Pure Theatre tonight!

It's party time!

With the holidays comes an influx of parties--office Christmas parties, family gatherings, New Years Eve events--and seek vintage is newly stocked with some excellent party attire from days past.

Plus, from now until December 20, use the code "HOLLYDAYS11" for 20% your seek vintage order!

(Click the images to be taken straight to the item on Etsy.)

More items for winter and holidays will be added throughout the week!

December 1.

With the exception of setting up the Christmas tree in its stand, I've been holding off from decorating until December. 

The dining room is a little bit decorated too.

And the best part of Christmas is the Christmas Maya. 

 Tomorrow, I'm going to the farmers market and the Christkindlmarkt to buy an evergreen wreath for the front door, and cute stockings for the fireplace, and probably some more ornaments, because the tree is looking a bit sparse compared to the ornament-packed trees I'm used to, and whatever else strikes me.

I love Christmas.

Holidaygram.

packing for Charlotte / Thanksgiving morning berry crepes / spying on breakfast / a full Thanksgiving plate (and that's not even all the sides!) / resting up for Christmas tree hunting / Trees! / quarry hike / tall pines (I spy Kati!) / a mossy find / a haircut in Mayberry (Mt. Airy, NC) / Maya modeling one of my vintage finds / a midnight snack at Amelie's

I thought I packed thoroughly, but I forgot my camera! The whole holiday, it felt like I was missing a limb. Luckily, I keep my iPhone pretty close by at all times, so I used Instagram to document some of the adventures.

If you're on Instagram, follow me @sabrinaheise!