Oh, Christmas Tree

A couple weeks ago, my friend Allie did a fun "Ornament Tag" on her blog. 

She posted photos and tidbits of the most meaningful ornaments hanging on her tree and tagged fellow blogging friends (me being one) to do the same. 

Without further ado, our Christmas tree. Here she is in all her shimmering glory:

We went to a local Christmas tree farm and cut it down ourselves. I tend to prefer Charlie Brown-like trees. I like when there is space between the branches, a little sparse, tall and skinny. Amidst the forest of massive trees, we sawed down one that looked tiny by comparison. As we were tying it to the roof of our car, we realized it was probably 8' tall and more full than intended. Oh well. 

When we got home, we lit every candle we could find, cued up The Family Stone

and Francis whipped up a batch of the best spiked eggnog I have ever tasted.

It seems that every year, I forget a bit about our ornaments. Opening the box and unwrapping them one-by-one often feels like a surprise for what's inside.

Here are some of my favorites:

Francis has been playing golf since he was 3 with his dad and they still play together all summer long. 

My friend Allie and I also played golf all through high school, so this sweet glass, golf ball ornament (a gift from my mom) is a nice ode to that. 

This fridge ornament was one of my favorites growing up. My mom actually keeps it out in the kitchen year round. I loved to open and close the door, watch the light pop on and off, and study each miniature object inside (especially the snowman in the freezer). This year my mom surprised me with a fridge of my own. She loved it so much that she bought two, saving one for me down the road. Ever thoughtful she is.  

Traveling to London when I was a Junior in high school, studying abroad there as a Senior in college, and honeymooning there with Francis has made me just a wee bit obsessed with the city. This little double decker bus, black cab, and blown glass ball from the Tate Modern are sweet reminders of the city that has stolen our hearts. 

An ornament I bought at a small shoppe in Holland. 

I love having a little reminder of travels on our tree. 

This little strawberry makes me happy. Simple and a bit silly, but I love it. 

This bird is one of our oldest ornaments, from my first Christmas. 

My grandma loved to give small pieces from the Precious Moments collection as Christmas gifts. 

On a trip to New York, the year after my grandma passed away, I went to go see Mary Poppins on Broadway with two of my dearest friends. That year, my aunt sent me a Mary Poppins Precious Moments ornament combining the two treasured memories.

Two of the most thoughtful ornaments on our tree were a gift from my friend, Ashley. A package arrived the first Christmas after our wedding with handmade ornaments. The one on top is our wedding invitation, cut apart and curled inside of a glass ball. The second, is dried flowers from our table centerpieces. The third, which isn't pictured because it, along with my heart, broke this year was filled with rainwater from the storm the day of our wedding. All are tied together with ribbons we used on our hotel guest bags. These remain some of my favorite gifts to date - just so incredibly thoughtful. 

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love bows. 

They can often be found adorning my ponytail, so it felt a fitting tree topper for us. 

There you have it, ladies and gents, from top to bottom, our Christmas tree. 

I would love to see or hear about others' favorite ornaments. 

Leave a comment or link to what ornaments make you all warm and fuzzy inside. 

Ps. Coming tomorrow, I have a holiday version of my favorite fall stove simmer. 

Mannequins and Ball Pits

I bet you are wondering how I could possibly tie together Mannequins and ball pits. Well, read it and weep, probably literally.

Someday, I'll have to share more of my bus-riding adventures with you as they are hilariously awkward. Moral of the story is the people I ride the bus with think I'm a nut job. (I suppose they aren't entirely wrong.)

I have a habit of watching trending videos that trigger sniffles and tears. More than once, I've gotten all weepy in the middle of the bus ride home. I'm not a big crier, but I am a huge sap. Imagine me sniffling and holding back emotional sighs while I ride the bus as you watch these 2 videos. 

Let me know if you can make it through them without mirroring my reactions. 

I think we are so bombarded by things telling us to keep up with the status quo or look a certain way. Play it tough. Never let them see you cry. Don't show your cards. Societal definitions of success. Tragedies. And, so on. There are few things that make me more emotional than kindness, breaking down walls in big kinds of ways. These videos are just beautiful. 

Enough build up - watch for yourself. 

sources: Soul Pancake and Pro Infirmis

Fancy that

I just stumbled upon the website, Leif. Have you heard of it? 

I love finding a new place for pretties and this is my new favorite. 

Leif has everything from jewelry to art to entertaining pieces. 

The site has a minimalist design, but soon after clicking around for yourself, you'll be majorly in love.

The price point is a bit high, but the perfect place for a sweet hostess gift or holiday present for your favorites.

Here are some things that tickled my fancy:

BAGGU BASIC LEATHER TOTE IN GOLD $160.

GEM RING $78. 

SHELL & WOOD SPOON $12.

SPARKLES & BRANCHES RING $178.

LACQUER BENTO LUNCH BOX $32.

WISHBONE WALL HOOK $30.

A little whimsy, a lot chic, nods to anthropologie, and various price points make for such sweet curiosities.

Please comment if you find something you like. 

xo, H 

Thankful

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. 

The cold weather and the bundling.

The crowds and the sales.

The "to do" lists and the preparations.

The stress and the madness. 

The decorations and the celebrations.

The meals and the travel. 

The cost and the details. 

Right smack in the middle of all that is such humbling thankfulness. 

Life can feel heavy, tied up with unmet expectations, unrealistic timelines,
and a seeming microscope on all our have nots.

But in the madness of it all, is such beautiful blessing. 

For God.

For Francis.

For my parents.

For my friends.

For food.

For a neighborhood we love. 

For our tiny apartment.

For health.

For insurance.

For celebrations.

For adventure.

For the little things.

For warmth.

For blankets.

For our church.

For jobs.

For paychecks.

For candles.
For lip balm.

For bows.

For babies.

For love.

For smiles.

For laughter.

For Netflix.

For changing seasons.

For travel.

For safety.
For our car.

For dreams.

For lessons.

For all I have. 

For all I don't have. 

Thanks be.

image: Etsy

J.Crew London

Friends, have you ever, in your life seen anything quite so stunning as J.Crew's new London shoppe on Regent Street?

As if my absolute adoration for London wasn't enough -- London + J.Crew + confetti galore.
Herringbone wood floors, that taxi cab, the phone booth, I can't even handle it.

The new international flagship store is filled with the whimsical sparkly creations of New York design team, Confetti System. I think their one-of-a-kind work adds such a flair and fun to the chic retailer's new spot.

Now, to figure out a way to hop the pond and visit for myself.

Tell me, do you like it?

xo, H

images and article: NYT

Scratch & Sniff Sommelier

I remember being in middle school.

I had curly hair, elaborate orthodontia, and a big, talkative personality. 

I remember trying too hard to be like everyone else. 

Taking drastic measures to straighten my hair (contortioning myself over an ironing board as my friend literally ironed my hair to the tune of 3+ hours). The end result was anything but the smooth, beautiful straight locks that I so badly wanted. The downfall was an inch of curl from the root of  my head (a place too dangerous to breach with the hot iron) and then a straight, limpless end. Friends, it was bad. 

I remember spending so much, too much time wanting to look like, act like, think like everyone else. To say I have completely outgrown this would be a lie. The temptation remains to compare disposable incomes, job titles, wardrobes, and overall likability. But somewhere along the road, the self I was crashed with the self I wanted to be and the epiphany hit me, why not be rare, unique, and different?

Since then, I find myself drawn to things and people that are unconventional, new, ironic, and unique. The people who talk and you just sit and marvel at their quick wit and one-of-a-kind personalities. The words you read over, and over, and over letting their genius and depth sink in; be it headline copy, a Christmas letter, or a novel. The places that remind you of nowhere else you've ever been. The way your mom's cooking smells like no other cooking in the world. The differences and oddities are what keep things interesting. 

So when I stumbled upon a new book from one of the world's master Sommeliers, I was curious. When I found out it was scratch and sniff (!!), I was taken. (A measly transition at best between the tale of my childhood plights, but have you ever heard anything so cool, so different?)

I ordered The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert intended to be a stocking stuffer for F. My excitement outweighed by ability to wait until December, so I gave it to Francis as a "just because it's Friday and you're awesome." present. 

Sorry my snapshots are a tad blurry, but the book walks through the 3 basic smells of wine - fruit, wood, and earth. The author, Richard Betts, is one of only a couple hundred master sommeliers (fancy shmancy wine geniuses) in the world. He coined the saying, "Wine is grocery, not a luxury." and doesn't like the snobbery that often accompanies the deliciousness of wine. 

This book just makes me happy. The animations are adorable, the smells are helpful, and the explanations are insightful.

Such a fun Christmas gift for any wine lovers on your list. 

When I find myself wanting to sound fancy ridiculous, I just quote Annie from The Parent Trap,

"If you ask me, the bouquet is a bit robust for a Merlot, but I am partial to the California grape."

Love.that.movie.

images: hilaryclair

to buy the book: Amazon

Cozy

I find myself enamored lately with the idea of being cozy. 

Fall can do that to a person. 

I'm drawn to all things warm, fuzzy, and soft. Antlers, plaid, and dark stained wood. 

The above items in particular caught my fancy since they seem just so Fall. 

What are your favorite seasonal staples?

xo, H

images: west elm, One Kings Lane, etsy, houzz

Celebrating

Yesterday was my birthday. I've confessed my love of birthdays and the celebrations that come along with them. Typically, the entire month of October is filled with giddy anticipation. Thinking about being a year older and what surprises will come my way. Excited for facebook posts, cake, and feeling special. This year, this time around, things felt a little different.

I often forgot it was my birthday month. I was feeling a little meh. It's silly to me, when not feeling purposeful in your job, it seems to ooze into other areas of life. Even if everything else is perfectly wonderful, not being excited about work womps over life like a looming storm cloud. At least for me.

I was finding myself complaining more often. Instead of giving people the benefit of the doubt, I was becoming easily frustrated. Seeing the negatives more often than the positives. Basically, I felt like I was turning into a grump of a haggard woman. F told me over and over that I was being too hard on myself, but here I was, throwing my own personal pity party in the bitter barn.

Last Friday, I kind of lost it to Francis. I cried and talked, and was rocking a smudged mascara monster face of the ages. Through his loving toughness, he talked me into closing down the pity party early and to start teaching myself to search for joy and things to be thankful about with everything.

When I found myself feeling bummed about something, I turned it around it my head and tried to list off all the blessings in it. It's shocking actually, how quickly you can pivot your thinking into being positive.

Saturday night, we saved up to go out for my birthday dinner at a restaurant we've been wanting to try. While enjoying our food, we started chatting with the couple next to us. They were friendly and silly and sharing bites of their dessert and taking bites of our cheese platter. It was a bit unusual in the warmest of ways, having people be so overtly kind. We greatly enjoyed talking with them. They told us they had dated 30 years ago, parted ways, and this was their first date back together. I jokingly told them they should probably take their story to Oprah. We laughed, we ate, we sipped. They talked about travels and we discussed local restaurants that we had tried and our (mine more novice than the rest of them) opinions of their flavors and techniques. As quickly as the conversation started, they were off. We were left with a whirlwind of excitement and touched by their thrilling stories and curiosity in us. Francis and I talked and ate a little more and then, the waitress brought the bill to our table.

I stared at it. I held back tears. Was this real life? Francis and I stared at each other, wide-eyed, searching for words to even start to express what was going through our heads. Silence.

That act of kindness, the incredible generosity, I think it's the highlight of my 26th year and I am not even two days in yet. I was rocked. You choose to look for the good and you will find it. Not always in paid checks or big sweeping circumstances, but in the smile of a passing stranger. A hug from a friend. An unexpected email just saying, "hello". Someone holding the elevator door open. A husband who convinces you that you aren't as crotchety as you imagine. I'm left just praising God for all the reasons He gives me to celebrate. Not just on October 29th, but every day, all day through.

image: hilaryclair

Birthday

Today is my birthday.
I love birthdays. Always have. Always will.
A reason to celebrate.
For sparkle and sweets.
For celebrating, surrounded by loves.
For saying "Yes!" to dessert.
For decorations.
For dressing up.
For reminiscing on the last year and imagining the next.

25
High: Loving our neighborhood, particularly the tennis courts by the lake and the endless summer hours spent there.
Low: Wishing for a job where my passions collide with a paycheck.
Random: Went to Vegas this year with F and my in-laws. This was my 26th US state visited; Excited to be more than half way there.

I'm thanking my lucky stars for all the blessings in my life.

On to 26...
xo, H

images: BHLDN

Bravery

Full disclosure and a novel worth of explanation:

When I started this blog, I didn't know what I wanted it to look like. I just wanted to write and share pretties and sillies. A virtual bulletin board (who else wishes they would have thought up Pinterest?). I dreamed of conversations in the comment boards, meeting new people who stumbled on my scribbled typed words. Of capturing my favorite fancies of the moment - pretty umbrella, delicious recipe, awkward moment.

Even though, I've been blogging for 2.5 years, I still don't really know what I want this to look like. It's something that grows as I grow and reflects the me-of-the-moment. I want to steer it a bit more towards a lifestyle blog - style, food, everyday happenings. I want it to be a place where I bravely share how I'm feeling. Be it lovely or less than. To share worries and celebrations. Joys and disappointments. It's hard sometimes to be brave with this big, unknown world of readers. It's easy to want to portray a life that's strung together and tied with the prettiest of bows. To post things too expensive to attain (F says I have "filet taste on a hamburger budget) or too difficult to master. To me, the most beautiful parts of life are in the madness, the pursuit, the lessons. So, why not share it?

Tomorrow I turn 26 and with this year, I want to be braver. So consider this my manifesto, sweet readers. That 26 year old Hilary will be braver than the 25 versions before her.

Here's wishing.

images: hilaryclair

Tucked Away

Happy Friday, loves!

I am so looking forward to this weekend. F is planning date night tonight and we have early birthday celebrations scattered throughout. In between those moments, I am excited to rest. To cuddle up in a cozy blanket and watch Netflix. To light candles and sip cocoa. To be warm and tucked in with no place to go. Wouldn't this magical tree house be the most perfect place to sneak away for the weekend? 

Click here to take a peak inside. Never seen a tree house so chic. 

What are you weekend plans? Do tell. 

images: The Lettered Cottage

Guest Post

Surprise!  Sorry to those who were expecting a celebrity or famous blogger, it’s just me, Francis.  It’s so fun to be able to contribute to this blog.  Of course I’ve been following it since the beginning and it has been a blast to see the variety of posts that Hilary has.  Since she has been on a recipe kick lately, I thought I could give Hilary a break and cook for her on Saturday and also post on her blog. 

For those who may not know, my parents are both Korean and as a result I grew up eating mainly Korean food.  One of my favorite quick meals was ramen.  But this wasn’t the same 33¢ run-of-the-mill stuff you are used to seeing college kids eat, this was spicy, hearty, and delicious.  So you could imagine my curiosity when I saw articles about people making ramen burgers and decided that we should give it a try ourselves.  But instead of westernizing the burger like some of the recipes out there, I wanted to throw a more Asian/Korean spin on the idea.

Here are all the ingredients I used (minus the sesame oil).  Since the ramen is only used for the buns you can use any brand you want, but the flavor should be chicken.

And that red stuff?  No, not the ketchup.  The red paste in the little brown bowl.  That is 고추장, or gochujang.  Say it with me, go-chew-jang (“jang” rhymes with “long”).  What is it? It’s red pepper paste with some soybeans and salt.  Oh, and it’s fermented…I know, that may sound gross but it’s really delicious (and spicy).

We’ve all made ramen before… but if you haven’t all you need to do is boil some water and throw the noodles in there.  Don’t cook them all the way, though.  Pull them out a couple minutes before the instructions tell you to.

While the noodles are boiling, finely chop up a half of a small onion.

Drain the noodles and let them cool down for 10 minutes, then stir in an egg.  The egg helps bind the noodles when you cook them into “buns.”

To make the "buns", I used a 28 oz. can that held tomatoes in a past life, as a mold.  Make sure you use oil or cooking spray on the inside of the mold as well as the pan to avoid sticking.  Cook on each side for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the “buns” are cooking, slice up two potatoes into fries.

For the burgers, mix a pound of ground beef with the onions and the seasoning packet for the ramen noodles.  Also, add a tablespoon of sesame oil.  This is probably one of my favorite ingredients in Korean cooking as it has a nutty aroma that brings me back to Mom’s cooking.

Remember that the hamburgers will reduce in size after cooking so make them bigger than what you want their final size to be.

Mix a tablespoon of the gochujang to 3 tablespoons of ketchup.  By mixing, the stronger flavor of the gochujang will be mellowed out by the more familiar condiment staple. 

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.  Coat the potatoes in a tablespoon of sesame oil and a tablespoon of vegetable oil.  The sesame oil will again add a nice Asian flavor to the fries, but because their smoke point is pretty low, I mix it with vegetable oil.  Cook until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. 

Optional: Toast a tablespoon of sesame seeds over medium heat.  Careful, they go from toasted to burned very quickly.

Top the “buns” with lettuce and spread some of the gochujang/ketchup mixture on top of the lettuce.  Spread it on the lettuce to keep the “buns” from getting soggy.  Top with some onions and sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Overall, we really liked the burgers, especially the flavor of the meat.  The “buns” were definitely different but probably could have used a little more infusion of flavor.  In the end, we are both happy we tried the latest food fad and enjoyed it enough to make it again in the future.  Thank you so much for reading and thank you, Hilary, for letting me be a part of your blog!

Editor's note: 
F, you rock my socks. You did a wonderful job! Step-by-step photos, humor, details - you are a natural. It doesn't hurt anything that I'm your testing subject for recipes. ;) I love you!

images: Francis