Paperman

If you haven't already, you really much watch this Oscar-nominated animated short by Disney. Perfect for Valentine's Day.

Fossil Bags

Photo by Bonnie Tsang for Oh Joy

I'm a big fan of Joy Cho's blog, Oh Joy and click over almost daily to look at her cute colorful ensembles and her adorable baby girl. Recently Joy paired up with Fossil to style their new spring bags, and I loved what I saw. Punchy shades and functional shapes feel like a breath of fresh air. Here are a few of my favorites below.  All available at Fossil.

Valentine for Abbey

Please? From J Crew.

Valentines for Her

For the ladies, an assortment of gifts both small and splurge-worthy, traditional and trendy. Gifts for girlfriends, grandmas, moms, sisters and of course, yourself.

An everlasting bouquet, somewhere where she will look at it everyday. From Sweet Eventide.

A wish for luck in love, either continued or renewed a Japanese Daruma, or wishing doll. From We Love Daruma.

Cute and comfy shorty PJs with a monogram on the pocket. Eberjey on Red Envelope.

A sampler of scents from Ineke, with romantic names like 'after my own heart' and 'field notes from Paris,' there will certainly be one that will catch her fancy. Ineke from Anthropologie.

A hug in bracelet form. From Sensense on Etsy.

A fun and flashy poster to remind her she's the very best. Smile Baby Studios on Etsy.

Because spring still feels very far away. A heart-warming merino sweater from J Crew.

Incredibly cute earrings. From BHLDN.

A glamorously gold-rimmed cup, for sipping wine, stashing jewels and admiring. From Michel Gaultier on Etsy.

Fancy pants truffles with champagne fillings. Marc de Champagne from Saks. 

A whimsically poetic scarf. From Anthropologie.

A rose gold monogram. From Etsy.

A classic and very classy clutch from Clare Vivier.

Valentines For Him

Frank Horvat - Les amoureux du Quai du Louvre, Paris, 1955 

A quick selection of simple gifts for the dudes in your life. Lovers, friends, brothers, dads - just a little something to let them know you're thinking of them on the day of love. 

A dark and handsome watch, from Amazon.

Ampersand tee, because you are better together. From Ugmonk.

Makers Mark cigars, for a drink and a smoke - combined. From Ted's Cigars.

A cute card, that happens to be true. From Rifle Paper Co.

A necktie with a secret; a small pocket for concealing hidden messages, plus a stash of paper hearts for writing on. From Red Envelope.

A classic pair of shades in a cool color. Ray Bans.

A personalized leather key fob, simple, functional, sophisticated. From Nine Muse Leather on Etsy.

A spicy, sexy fragrance. Black Pepper by Molton Brown available at Nieman's.

A retro rad pocket square for wearing his heart in his pocket, instead of on his sleeve. Drake's from Mr. Porter.

Rather than a box of chocolates, how about a bottle of chocolatey booze? Nothing artificial but a product with true indie gourmet bona fides; Kings County Distillery moonshine infused with cocoa hulls from Mast Brothers Chocolate. From Drink Up NY.

The perfect pen for hand-written love letters. Kaweco from Woodland's Shop.

An assortment of chocolates with decidedly dudely fillings. Scotch & Stout Truffles from Williams and Sonoma.

A guide to great date night dinners, all around the world. Where Chef's Eat from Amazon.

To show how much you really care - a Nike Fuel Band to count his steps and counteract his desk job. From Amazon.

Skeletons in the Closet

I can't get enough of this series by photographer Klaus Pincher who was given behind the scenes access to the Museum of Natural History in Vienna. The scenes he captured of taxidermy subjects seemingly mid-escape give new life to dead storage. Whimsical, colorful and endlessly creative.

According to Klaus: "As a photographer with limited knowledge of scientific research methods, the museum's back rooms presented to me a huge array of still lives. Their creation is determined by the need to find space saving storage solutions for the preservation of objects but also the fact that work on and with the exhibits is an ongoing process. Full of life, but dead nonetheless. Surprises included!"

The photos just experience their own exhibition at the Vienna museum - would have been fun to see them alongside their inspiration.

Letting go

Image Via

A busy and challenging year has come to a close, one that has inspired much soul-searching, goal-analyzing and deep reflection. I'm not sure if I'm any closer to having the answers, but I do feel like I'm starting to have a better sense of what I want in my life and what I don't, which sacrifices are worth making, and which aren't. I've missed the blog, cooking and lazy weekends with friends. I'm looking forward to returning to all of that and more as I continue to seek the balance we all are trying to find. 

Gift Guide: The Cook

Via What Katie Ate

Whether a simple salad or a six-hour stew. Time in the kitchen is her joy. Gift her with indulgent ingredients and useful tools with a minimalist manner that allows her concoctions and creations to shine.

A dash of deliciousness to sprinkle on everything. Bourbon Smoked Sugar from New York Mouth.

A classic crock, whether put to its original purpose (pickling) or for corralling spoons and spatulas. From Sadie & Emma Pottery Co.

A small and special workhorse kitchen knife. Carbon steel blade, handmade in Spain. Pallares from Quitokeeto.

A sweet-smelling beeswax salve. To keep wooden utensils and cutting boards looking their best. From Herriott Grace.

A mini-measure for little liquid amounts. From Amazon.

Instead of another bottle of olive oil, why not adopt an olive tree. For around $50 a quarter you get your own olive tree enjoying life in sunny Italy plus all of the oil it produces for a year. Now if only you could go live with your olive tree. Nudo.

Blueprint place mats for getting dinner parties just right. Cake from West Elm Market.

Skip the scoop and try this ice cream 'stacker' or more like, ice core creator. Cuisipro Ice Cream Scoop and Stack on Amazon.

A beautiful butter dish. From Pigeon Toe Ceramics.

Ridiculously delicious goats milk caramel sauce. Fat Toad Farm from Kaufmann Mercantile.

Post-dishwashing hand cream. In geranium. Aesop from Mill Mercantile.

A clean classic apron. From Valerie Rice.

Basic bakers in a variety of sizes and muted hues. From Anthropologie.

Chef's pencils. From Amelia Presents.

No longer just a cook, now a cheese-maker (monger). Make your own cheese kit from Belle Chevre.

And for keeping the cheese. Who knew these were a thing.  Cheese Bags from Terrain.

A dual-purpose serving tray, for dishes hot & cold. From A+R Store.

A perfectly balanced spoon, for tasting and basting. From Michael Ruhlmann on Open Sky.

Simple and stunning cutting and serving boards, handmade in Pennsylvania. Lostine from Anthropologie.

A cool caribou tea towel. From Gingiber on Etsy.

My two most coveted cookbooks of 2012. Smitten Kitchen and What Katie Ate.

A sleek winter cooking essential, for all of those stews and braises. Korbenstyle dutch oven from Crate and Barrel.

A goat cheese baker. What could be more delicious? From Williams Sonoma Agrarian.

Salt. For everything. From Anthropologie.

Some crazy amazing jam. Tomato-raspberry, Blackberry peach, Strawberry-tarragon. From Chez Pim.

Finally the ultimate foodie fantasy (at least mine). A gorgeous chicken coop complete