Happy New Year's!

Happy New Year's to all of you and thanks for making 2009 such a memorable year. I'll be heading out to a party at the National Building Museum in just a few, but I'd love to know how you'll be ringing in the New Year and new decade. Whatever you do tonight, make it a good one!

Image via La Princesse Endormie

Gorgeous Photos of Architectural Ruins

One of my favorite things in the world is a long summer drive in the country passing by abandoned farmhouses, barns and sheds. I know it's kind of creepy, but I'm so intrigued by what happens to objects and places when humans stop caring for them.

That's why I was ecstatic to discover Ruin from Brian Vanden Brink, a massive anthology of photographs of abandoned American homes. Aside from the stark prettiness of the pictures, the book is also a wonderful portrait of early(ish) American architecture from the shotgun houses and manors of the South to Midwest farmhouses and New England cottages. In his introduction, Vanden Brink writes:

"Maybe these buildings fascinate me because they represent all of us; maybe they are symbols of our own impermanent status here on earth - metaphors of our transient lives and inability to stop the passing of time...A couple of weeks before my dad died last year, my brothers and I were helping him out of his bed to go to the bathroom. As he struggled down the hall, he said quietly, "take a good look boys, this is going to be you sooner than you think." He was right. Our lives go by so quickly and we leave behind relics of our time here and of what we thought was important. Deep down I know this earth is not my home. `I'm just passing through,' as the old gospel song says."

Below I've included a selection of photos from the book, but I definitely recommend getting your hands on it if you can. It's even more beautiful in person.

Daily Inspiration: 12.30

(Myra Hoefer via House Beautiful)

Daily Inspiration: 12.29.09

(via Coco + Kelley)

While cleaning up my computer for 2010, it's come to my attention that I've got more images stashed in my inspiration file than I could ever, ever blog about. Since they certainly aren't doing any good taking up space in my hard drive I thought I'd post a inspiration pic every day in the new year. No deep thoughts here, just pretty. (Although, could anything I write on here classify as a deep thought? Yeah, not so much.)

Trendwatch: Art-filled Bathrooms

It's the time of year when we're all making predictions about what's next, and I'm wondering if 2010 will be the end of the immaculate spa-style bathroom. In many ways, I do think we're going to see a lot less of the 4-star hotel look, and that even wealthier homeowners will keep the amenities but skip the modern and sterile style to incorporate a look more reflective of their own taste, be it high glam or country home. But who has that kind of money right now?

Most of us are going to have to figure out a way to work with existing fixtures and cabinets, and style the bathroom the best we can. That's why I think artful bathrooms like these from Marie Claire Maison will be huge this year. Tons of frames and art distract from a less than stellar paint job, showcase your personality and make good use of all the less precious art you've accumulated from flea markets and Etsy. A lot of these rooms scream "la vie boheme", but I don't think that's all this look can amount to. A more uniform selection of black and white photography en masse against a dark high-gloss paint could look super-chic and one huge, couch-size piece over a tub makes a huge statement.

If you do decide you want to give your bathroom a quickie makeover like this, the only caveat is making sure the room is well-ventilated, and no matter what, don't place anything that comes close to an heirloom status in your bathroom.

Christmas 2009: What I Gave and What I Got

Twas the Monday after Christmas, and all through the shops, your holiday presents' prices have dropped....

Welcome back, everyone and say hello to tons of year-end sales! While it's always a sad discovery to learn that you spent twice as much as you needed to on gifts, the post-Christmas sales are also a great time to pick up all of the items that didn't get crossed off your wish list. In case you'd like to shop my stash, here is a roundup of what I gave and what I got this year.

What I gave:

(left to right) 1. Peace Mugs (Sundance Catalog) 2. Shearling Mocs with Metallic Bow (J.Crew) 3. Glimmer Gold Crystal Necklace (J.Crew) 4. Rex the Dog for my fave 4 year old. (Anthropologie) 5. Sprinkling of Stardust Jewelry Box (Anthropologie) 6. Celine Cotton Herringbone Throws (Sferra) 7. Upsy Daisy Mug (Anthropologie) 8. Sea Swells Jewelry Box (Anthropologie) 9. Nathalie Lete Ceramics (Anthropologie) 10. 2010 Calendar (Flora Douville) 11. Early-Mid Century German Mercury Glass Ornaments (Available in many antique shops and on Etsy and Ebay. Mine came from a shopping trip in Lambertville, NJ)

I am usually the world's least thrifty holiday shopper because I find it impossible to take my selfish hat off and often wind up with two of everything. To minimize the time I spent browsing and spending this year, I limited my selection to three retailers (Anthropologie, Sundance Catalog and J.Crew), in addition to a sweep through my Etsy favorites and recent blog style picks.

Needless to say, this wasn't the most effective strategy, but I behaved better than I have in the past. Because I'm also on a budget (Believe it or not, Samantha Jones lied when she made it seem like a career in PR is a surefire path to glamour, fortune and nice shoes), I kept all of my gifts under $100 for those I'm closest to, and under $30 for family friends.

In addition, whenever I buy a gift I always ask three questions: "Would I buy it for myself?," "Is it re-giftable if they hate it?," and finally, "Is it functional?"

What I got:

(left to right) 1. Pink Pig Linen Print (Spread the Love) 2. Crystal Supernova Bracelet (J.Crew) 3. Camp Socks made at Vermont's last-standing sock mill (J.Crew) 4. Suzani Rug (Anthropologie) 5. Fuji Instax Instant Camera (Urban Outfitters) 6. Pretty Poplin Chemise (J.Crew) 7. Hawks and Bunnies Calendar (The Wild Unknown) 8. Nathalie Lete Bouclier Plate (Anthropologie) 9. Vintage books including this adorable cookbook of royal recipes (Paris Hotel Boutique) 10. "A Year in the Country" Soaps (Beekman 1802) 11. Pearl & Crystal Avalanche Necklace (J.Crew) 12. Wisps of Mist by Michigan print artist Gwen Frostic (Anthropologie)

My advice on how to ensure you'll love everything under the tree is much shorter -- Make a wish list on Kaboodle.com -- While I would never, ever send a wish list to anyone other than my closest family and friends, my relatives love the ease of scanning my full wish list, picking an item in their price range and buying it with about three clicks. Thanks to my blog, my list and the amazing generosity of my family and friends I loved every single thing I got.

So tell me, what was the best thing you received this year, and what was the hardest to give away? While I won't spill what my favorite gift was, I have to admit a little piece of me died when I had to fork over those soft and luxe Sferra blankets!

Photo Credit: Chris Everard

Happy Monday and Welcome Back

I hope you all had a fabulous holiday breaks (and hopefully are returning with several items checked off your wish list). After a week-long vacation from everything digital, I'm working on getting back up and running again. I'll begin posting again tonight!

By the way, be sure to check out the Apartment Therapy Homies awards and vote for your faves. It means the world to us underpaid, Web-addicted bloggers to know that you care (and I bet you'll discover lots of new faves too!) :) Vote here.

The Best: 2010 Calendars

I'd like to say I'm a visual thinker, but when I compare my colleagues' scrupulously filled-in and color-coded agendas to my chicken scratch daily to-do list, I know I am decidedly not one. However, that doesn't stop me from loving calendars, which I honestly use more to look at, than for actual planning purposes. So friends and family, beware: This list is a compilation of the most gorgeous, unique and artful calendars I could find, but I can't promise they'll help me remember your birthday. :)

Sadly, the beautiful feathers calendar above from The Wild Unknown is now sold out (that sort of what happens when Design Sponge writes about you), but a few similar calendars remain: Hawks & Bunnies, Songwriters and Lyrics and Feathers.
Love this Under the Sea Linen Calendar from Linea Carta (H/T Paris Hotel Boutique)

Animal Pastimes calendar from Sadly Harmless -- is there a better kid's calendar out there? I think not.
While Flora Douville has closed her shop for the holidays, I'm hoping more of these lushly illustrated calendars will be available when she re-opens in January.

2010 Calendar from Caitlin Keegan

Birds of a Feather Letterpress Tearaway calendar from YeeHaw

For someone as obsessed with polaroids as I am, the calendar from Alicia Bock is the perfect photo-based option.

Downtown Chic Giveaway Winner!

Well, folks, it's time to find out who won a copy of Downtown Chic from Sixx Design...and the winner chosen at random is...Deb from Dumbwit Tellher!! Deb -- send your address to JLore885 AT gmail DOT com, and I'll get this shipped out to you ASAP. For those of you who didn't win, you can purchase Downtown Chic here -- it's wonderful and would make a great gift for any design lover.

P.S. I loved reading all of your awesome design tips and empathized with your toughest challenges. I think my favorite element of design is the tremendous creativity we all are capable of when confronted with a challenge. Some of the best rooms out there are a direct result of a kitchen that is too small, a ceiling that's too high, or that awkward door that ruins your furniture plan.

I'm about to batten down the hatches for DC's version of Snowpocalypse Now (which is caused by the slightest chance of over a foot of snow -- New Englanders and Midwesterners try not to laugh.)

While some fellow DC-ers are taking this news as a sign they need to stockpile canned goods like its 1999 (y2k anyone?) I can't think of anything better to get me stoked for Christmas.

Happy Weekend, y'all! (Pictures via the awesome, hunger-inspiring blog I Need A Cupcake)

Artist Spotlight: Lauren Nassef

While browsing the wonderful book design blog, Book by its Cover, I discovered the work of Chicago-based artist and illustrator Lauren Nassef. I'm most drawn to her simple, pen and ink drawings, but the lushly detailed afghan drawing above is another personal favorite. And, good news -- Nassef's drawings are super reasonable -- many cost less than $100. Buy here.

Last Look: All is Calm

I am adoring this simple, country table setting discovered on The City Sage. With the craziness of holiday shopping and parties in full swing, this makes a quiet, Christmas dinner for two seem positively dreamy...

Guest Post: Peanut Butter Mud Bars via Tommy from Specs Appeal

I hope you guys will welcome one of my favorite Southern gents, Tommy from Specs Appeal, who has been kind enough to share his incredibly delicious recipe for Peanut Butter Mud Bars with us. Trust me, Tommy knows what he's doing -- I feel like I got a crash course in baking just reading this post! Thank you, Tommy!
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What is it about this time of year that makes us want to indulge? Is it the merriment? The omnipresent temptation? The idea that New Year's is right about the corner and we can/should splurge while the splurging's good?

Honestly, I don't usually need an occasion to want to bake (or eat sweet treats), but there's just something about the holidays that turns me into a baking fiend. I blame work. So many potlucks and parties and gifts and...well, you get the idea. This weekend I set out to make some goodies for a few friends, and the recipe that I'm going to show (and tell) here is for Peanut Butter Mud Bars, which comes from The Buttercup Bake Shop Cookbook by Jennifer Appel (2001). It's pretty easy and should prove to be a crowd pleaser. Plus, it works year-round.

My biggest tip for baking in general is to be prepared. Read through a recipe at least one time, and make sure you have all the needed ingredients. I know this sounds like a no brainer, but you might be surprised to get halfway through a 'simple' recipe and realize you need corn syrup or something semi-random.

Right along with preparation is setting out your butter and eggs so that they have time to come to room temperature. It makes such a difference because the oven does not have to work to bring those ingredients to the higher (room) temperature, where your other ingredients start. I usually set my butter out for at least 4 hours before I need it and give the eggs about 2-3 hours. Note that this does not apply to pie crusts and most pastries.

But I digress. Also note that you can use the butter wrapper to grease your pan. When creaming the butter and sugar, just let it ride. You may think that it's ready, but it's not. Seriously. Time yourself for five minutes, and you'll see that it's a longer stretch when the mixer is going. Oh, and if your butter is softened, it will mix much more easily. Also remember that baking is a science, unlike regular cooking. A dash of this and a pinch of that won't necessarily work for those sweet treats to turn out right.

After a marathon baking session yesterday, I ended up with two pans of peanut butter mud bars, about 60 chocolate chip cookies, and a sinkful of dishes. :) I hope that you've enjoyed reading this guest post as much as I enjoyed sampling the fruits of my labor. And thanks to Jenn for having me over! Happy holidays, everyone!

Peanut Butter Mud Bars

Ingredients:

Bar

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

½ cup creamy peanut butter

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¾ cup chocolate chips

¼ cup vanilla or white chocolate chips

½ cup peanut butter chips

¼ cup coarsely chopped pecans (optional)

Topping

2 tablespoons choc. chips

2 tablespoons vanilla chips

2 tablespoons p.b. chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Grease and lightly flour a 9 X 13 baking pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk (or sift) together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, on the low speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in the peanut butter until well mixed. Add the egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and incorporate thoroughly. Stir in ½ cup of the chocolate chips, the vanilla chips, ¼ cup of the peanut butter chips, and the nuts. Spread mixture evenly into prepared pan.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle on the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips and ¼ cup peanut butter chips. Allow to sit for a minute or so. Smooth out the chips with a rubber spatula as they begin to melt.

Cool for 20 minutes or so before sprinkling the topping chips evenly over the surface. Let cool completely before cutting and serving.

Makes twelve 3-inch bars.

Last Look: Big Sky

Love how the horse's back mimics the mountain range behind it. Wanting to head West right now.

via Fondly Seen

The Best: Advent Calendars

I know I'm a little late on this post, seeing as we are only 10 days away from Christmas, but one of my favorite childhood Christmas memories was keeping watch over my family's Advent Calendar. It just made the countdown to the "Big Day" seem even more exciting. Here are some of my favorites to save for next year:

A DIY calendar made from stacked matchboxes via Martha. Instructions here.

My favorite one this year: hats and mittens from Garnet Hill. So freakin' cute!

Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar (Garnet Hill)

Hand-crafted pine Advent Calendar (Pottery Barn)

Cotton pouches Advent Calendar -- picture these filled with candy and laid out on a vintage silver tray (NuvoNova)

Brooklyn Advent Calendar (Noveau Designs)

P.S. Don't forget to enter the Downtown Chic Giveaway!

Love: Homemade Snowglobes

I came across these super cute homemade snow globes while browsing MarthaStewart.com and I love the idea of giving them as gifts in a "Make, Bake, Sew or Grow" exchange or as a fun project for families with younger children. It does require some flea market hunting and a trip to the craft store, but that might add to the fun, especially if it's a family project. Full instructions here.