by the light of a million fires

Some harmless holiday fun. What a dork.

I think my mom called this look "Christmas Carmen Miranda."

Yet, I'm not looking forward to untangling this mess...

the garden in winter

The Italian Garden

The Famous Sunken Garden

Eight Maids-a-Milking

Butchart Gardens at Christmas is a feast for the eyes.

It wasn't the clearest of nights, but it nothing a mug of peppermint hot chocolate can't fix!

I especially enjoyed the Sunken Garden, which would have been completely obscured in darkness,

but for its perfect outlining in twinkle lights.

My decorating zeal has been renewed.

birthday cake

Nothing is as welcome as Angel Food Cake with whipped cream.

For this, I take the shortcut and use a mix.

Why not? It tastes just as amazing and saves on time and dishes.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Tall candles - Papyrus

Photo by Bonnie

(not quite) all i want for christmas

1. Ken Russell's The Boyfriend on DVD

Love this film. Twiggy is incroyable!

2. Coach Isabelle bag in Cognac.

3. Snowflake Cookie Cutter.

I'm gonna have fun with this!

4. Vogue Living: Houses, Gardens, People

5. Green Hunter wellies

6. Kate Spade Glass Half Full bangle

7. Heys EcoOrbis Luggage

Cute, and made from 100% Recycled Plastic!

I can almost smell Christmas!
Can't wait for the lights, the food, the trees.
I couldn't fight the siren song of Christmas Music, and I won't be able to fight the
urge to decorate for much longer.

close your eyes and dream of brighter days

Today was a rare "not-cold" day, with scattered blue sky and spots of sun.

 I say "not-cold" as opposed to "warm" because frankly, it was not warm. Just less frigid. 

It was "less-cold" enough to finally wear my new blue bow heels (no puddles in sight).

I really have no tolerance for cold, but I can't wait till Christmas.

I love the autumn colours, but I still pretty much count down the days until spring.

Magenta Shirtdress - Forever 21
Cardigan - Dynamite (old)
Bow Heels - Miss KG
Tote - Tommy Hilfiger

bows of blue and all that glitters

Some shots of my most recent shoe indulgences, both of which are Kurt Geiger.

Cobalt blue and gold glitter (with rhinestone flower buttons!)

These are gonna be fun...

frosty asters like a smoke upon the hills

October is officially over, and the weather has settled into its infamously West Coast trance: 

Romantic greys and misty hills evocative of Bliss Carman verses.