I am sadly contemplating turning my son's beloved nursery into a big(ger) boy room. The walls are a purple-y gray, and the rug yellow. I LOVE these colors together; I got the idea from my beloved cat, Mingus, who is gray with yellow eyes. He always makes me feel safe, calm, and happy: exactly what I wanted for my baby. There are some blue and green highlights in there, too, just to give the (tiny)space some depth.





I got the rug at Crate and Barrel, and sad to say but it really hasn’t held up.Well, kids are tough on furniture, too. This time around I am considering flor tiles: at least if one gets dirty, I can replace ONE instead of the whole thing. I like modular. But the yellows they have don't work; it'll have to be a grey-blue. So no more Mingus-color palette.






































The crib is sadly outgrown, too. To be replaced with a (Ikea)  toddler bed (my way of avoiding a total remodel. But it feels sadly disposable).






































I’d like to get a floor lamp, too. Maybe this?

Mostly because I am avoiding (with dread) the next steps on my never-ending bathroom project (and avoiding the disgusting photos, thankyouverymuch), I am casting about for other home projects.

This looks great for reviving my battered but beloved danish modern dining room table & ancient Barcalounger.

I feel like I've settled in pretty well into a weekday uniform (or two):








 1. jeans, long sleeve t-shirt always v-neck...I have a super short neck, and follow these ladies' advice), cardigan (j.crew cashmere, howI heart you), funny comfy sneaks, for days I am dragging (or being dragged) 1-2 small boys around.









2. leggings, flat black boots, a tunic... and a big cardigan, again!, for the days I don't have J or his friends and subsequently spend all my time running around.


Done and done, right? Especially since this is January. A winter uniform should last me for at least another 2 months... But then it was the j.crew after christmas sale, so I got another cardigan(for less than $50! yay!).And then everyone started posting their spring picks...so here I am already, daydreaming about spring clothes to buy + make, outfits to cut-n-paste,what new shoes I might need...

(Love the socks & sandals with the dress)

Usually, at the beginning of a season, I gather a bunch of images I like, try to make the outfits up out of what I already have, replace basics that are wearing out and buy 1-2 pieces to build out the mix. Plus I try to save some money for something special -- a newAPC dress or a cashmere cardigan. It's all looking a bit schizophrenic right now, but I think one thing I can say is I better get to work on knitting some tabi.



none of these images are mine!

It's coming up on the end of Advent and of course I am STILL seeing crafts I'd like to do, presents to make, oh and stuff I'd love to receive!







Maybe next year. I still have a coffee sleeve to finish, some birds to stitch up, and a panettone to bake.


















So, for next year:










































Graphic + Twine = awesome, from Sense & Sensibility
I really really loved West Elm's Christmas offerings this year, and the twine is somewhat reminiscent. If I were the type to buy all new ornaments every year, they would have been kraft paper, twine, papier mache.




























San Francisco= Succulent-land. From Prudent Baby

Christmas is under way here. Which means damp air and soft, grayed greens. So different from the Christmases of my childhood, or those on the East Coast. Because this strange land is part of America, this place with 3 mild transitions has been stuck into a mold of 4 wildly swinging seasons, there is always something new to discover. Sometimes it is so hard to see, with the framework of the East, of most of America, overlaying here that each excavation offers something new. And there are always more layers to peel away. An endless voyage of discovery, available every morning by looking out the window.

I didn't think I'd write about the landscape, or how different the seasons are here, when I set out to write this post, but I suppose it is good background for how we celebrate our holidays just a little differently, specifically because we are here, and how it makes me think about decorating our house differently that I would if we lived somewhere else.

I confess: sage green is not my favorite color. But it is the color of Northern California, so I am always looking for ways to highlight it, or counterpoint it.






































Two years ago I bought the stockings: unbleached linen, combined with a light loden and red accents. Ever since I've been looking for an Advent calendar to go with it, something non-disposable, anti-plastic.






































On the East Coast, and when I first moved here, I used to string cranberries in a garland. But the reds are too obvious, for my taste, with the prevailing light. This year, while searching for a wreath, I found this acorn garland at the local nursery. I can't find a similar one online, but it should be easy enough to make at home. It only cost me $15... $15 that I don't neccessarily have in my Christmas budget, but since it is permanent and not disposable, I bought it. It will save me money for years.

























I didn't quite find the wreath I was looking for this year... last year I bought a succulent wreath, but really, it was too small for our window, and big ones cost and arm and a leg. I had fantasties of wooden branches, twisted together, but none were to be found. After 5 stores, I found this sweet thing, the perfect color, right down the street from me.


And of course the day after I bought our wreath I saw a driftwood wreath (permanent! non-disposable!).  Maybe next year.

Yesterday, J and I went to the Maira Kalman exhibit that's in town. I really love the CJM, they have incredible kids' arts programming-- we saw a fantastic Maurice Sendak exhibit there last fall.

J's cotton hat is finished(!), which means I need to move on to his mittens or scarves (to match his wool hat), or make fruit for his stocking (we've decided to make him a play kitchen; I love cooking with the kid but I am secretly hoping this will reduce my night terrors over toddler-induced grease fires)... or another Christmas present.

But really,  I am dying to make these socks:

don't they look kinda like these?:



And I would love  to make an olive green melton wool wrap skirt, ala Phoebe Philo:




 This of course would  require couture sewing skills...

Anyway, how am I  supposed to pick colors for J's scarf (blue and grey? blue, grey and navy?  blue, navy, red? blue, brown, red? I know, not really rocket science) when I can't find the type of coat I  want for him? He really needs a new coat, and I am dying to get him a toggle coat, like this:



Two problems, I'm not spending $225.00 on a toddler's coat, and it's sold out. This one is cute, too:




but a totally different style. Thus far I'm not wowed by Gap's offerings, but I'm hoping that's because they haven't stocked "real" coats yet. Anyone with a lead on an inexpensive toggle coat for a large (tall) toddler (size 5-ish), please drop me a line...


Product images from  Purl Soho, Elle, and J.Crew