holiday reading | a christmas carol by charles dickens

bought the paperback a few years back with the intention of reading it at christmastime. didn't get to it until this year and it has been so fun! it will definitely be a yearly tradition and i can't wait until i can read it to the boys.

"what? read a book during christmas? who has the time?" you ask? at only 87 pages, you can fit this one in easily. i've been reading a few pages each night before bed and i will finish tonight. it will take you two weeks tops. so run to your nearest library or used book store and pick up a copy so you can get it in before the big day. enjoy!

and "merry christmas, everyone!"

photo from the original 1843 printing. apparently the novella was first published six days before christmas, and was an instant commercial and critical success, garnering high praise and selling out its first run by christmas eve. more here.

fun wallpaper + a serious problem

red bussess and black cabs by lizzie allen

jazz in central park by lizzie allen

happy friday, my lovelies!

two of my favorite cities are london and manhattan (i know, real original) and uk designer lizzy allen has captured the essence of these glorious cities in her wonderful wallpaper series "london calling". i love the illustrative quality that harkens back to 1950s advertising and, of course, the ingenious palettes. i need to find a room for one of these. the office, perhaps? not sure matt would go for it. oh well, a girl can dream.

in other news. i have a big problem. see, i like to read at night before i go to bed. it's really the only time of day i have for this activity. but right now i am reading this:

and i am laughing so hard i am crying. i can hardly breathe. and matt is trying to sleep! i think i will have to finish it during the day this weekend or i'll never make it.

have a great weekend!

reading | american wife by curtis sittenfeld

I have a new friend and her name is Alice Blackwell. She is a fictional first lady (loosely based on Laura Bush) and the center of a fantastic novel by Curtis Sittenfeld.

Do you ever find yourself thinking about a book or a character from a book you are reading during the course of your day? I know when I start doing this that I am reading what I will soon call a favorite book. I am in love with this story and its characters. Although, not a George Bush fan in any way, I even find myself infatuated with Charlie Blackwell, the fictional prez.

I highly recommend this sweet, thought-provoking book. But beware, my local library had 25 holds on it when I requested it, so it may take a while to get it. Worth the wait, though.

If you've read this book, I am dying to know what you thought of it. I'm only on page 420, though, so try not to spoil it for me(:

fun with boys

I just bought this kookie 1960s book on eBay. I love the idea of 'fun and crafts for boys.' Can't wait to see what it is all about.

Day 6: Trips are adventures

As the mother of two young boys, I have read tons of bedtime stories. And let's face it, Dora leaves a little to be desired. This book is my favorite by the talented illustrator and writer Maira Kalman. She is a fascinating woman with a gift for capturing the essence of people which is what she does in her fabulous children's book Next Stop Grand Central. And you don't have to be a kid or have one to get a kick out of it.