Neha Leela

We woke up, reflecting during breakfast on yesterday’s spirited conversation, extra helpings (sweet potato souffle) , sweet indulgences (pumpkin flan and tarte tartin) and entertaining children’s banter (”New Moon” team Pattison or team Lautner?).

Today, instead of joining the masses at the malls, we use the notorious “black friday” to clear out our closets and drawers, with intentions of sending surplus to those who may need stocking stuffers and special goodies for the season ahead.

It gives us time together as we chide each other for items with tags still on it, regret frocks that saw one evening out or share a memory or two associated with a forgotten gift. So begins the season, when I make a concerted effort to balance lavish merriment with mindfulness.

image credit: Bob Hiemstra

I’ve often claimed September to be my favorite month.  It will always be accompanied by memories of elementary school eagerness for what was in store — a new teacher, a clean desk or classmates who may turn into best friends.   It came with the promise of fresh starts and blank slates.  

As the warmth of the fall fades and the trees become barren instead of brilliant, the new year brings similar opportunity.  I’ve never been one to make strong resolutions on January first, nor can I claim to have stuck to those that I did, but just like a blank school planner at the start of a new grade, I find similar joys in the symbols of new beginnings now.

Desktop calendars, though a small addition to a desk carry significant meaning for me for days to come.   Its a simple way to have something to look forward to throughout the year; turning pages with playful images for each month.  In years past, I’ve gravitated toward Linda & Harriet for their month to month letterpress surprises.  

This year, I’m eyeing Bella Foster’s cheerful and colorful designs for Kate Spade’s 2010 calendar. 

And because, I’m far too sentimental for my own good, I often save these with hopes that scribbles of dates or events may illicit a memory or two years later.  As luck my have it, I was rummaging through my parent’s basement last week and found an 11th grade assignment book chock full of scribbled notes to friends and doodles of daydreaming.  Just in time for the holiday tomorrow and hometown festivities tonight, where I’ll be able to share my revisited memories with my friends from home.

Talk about a calling card.

Courtesy of  the fabulous folk at Mr. Boddington’s Studio .

Problem being that when I see this…

I start craving this…

and I don’t have this.

image credit: Garance Dore , Kimberly Ayers (via Coco and Kelley) and Elin

Its commonplace to offer a small token of gratitude when invited to someone’s home.  Historically around the holidays, as these occasions become even more frequent, I’ll keep on hand an assortment of sweetly packaged tealight candles, wine or chocolates with a stack of Snow & Graham cards to personalize with a note of thanks.  Everytime these small gifts exchange hands, I ponder if they will find themselves in the depths of cabinets or drawers.   Though there’s no real science behind hostess gifting, I’d confidently claim that 80% of it is packaging and less thought is attributed to function or use.  Ultimately, as long as its swathed in tissue and tied with a bow, these items are warmly appreciated as a customary show of etiquette.

When these gifts are supposed to be an expression of our personal thanks, I feel compelled from now on to offer something that is distinct and unique enough to avoid getting lost.  Here are a few that can be put to use immediately and are pretty enough that they won’t be tucked away anytime soon.

Though some may be spectical of gifting spirits, the attractive labels and festive name for LoveJoy vodka make this social and socially appropriate.

For any lively party, there will be multiple bottles of wines opened.  Though there might be winestoppers on hand, none will be as striking as these vintage pieces from Knobstoppers.

And though chocolates are overdone, these advent calendars stocked with sweet treats from Hotel Chocolat (which I posted about in October) will keep your gift top of mind for at least, 24 days.

Taking a cue from Maria, sometimes you have to take time to remember your favorite things.

I’ve been staying in Acton for a few days, and there’s a smell when you step outside to pick up the paper minutes after 6am.  Its simple, clean and crisp.  Ive been taking deep breaths every morning, hoping if I breathe in enough I can come close to bottling it and bringing it back home with me.  Though most of my favorite things are equally abstract, there are things that are concrete that I find comfort in.  Here is my more tangible list for today.

My cup of tea is Tropical Green from Harney & Sons.

While poring over old books that carry the smell so distinct to the bookshops they’ve been sitting in for years.

Wrapped in the woven weight of a knit blanket; mine is this thick sweater-esque throw from Pottery Barn.

The height of relaxation to be found in getting lost in a large men’s Brook’s Brothers sweater, found in the back of my father’s closet.

Daydreaming of where next to go, with inspiration from The Travel Book, I reccomend to everyone.

When I started my first blog (Simply’s predesseccor – My Cuppa’ Tea- now, extinct) in 2007,  it was not only to entertain my journalistic fantasy  but to leverage the social web for its true purpose and namesake.  Though My Cuppa’ Tea eventually fizzled,  I still maintained my eagerness to meet other  design and style obsessed and food and travel enthusiasts and did so quite succesfully through other digital means, Yelp and Twitter — not to mention, the real world.

I decided this year to re-start the blogging adventure with the same hope as before. Last night marked my first opportunity since starting Simply to meet other Bostonian bloggers in person.

Red Plum, a savings and deals site that spans home, beauty and gourmet, used the square shaped 4th floor of the Liberty Hotel  to lead Boston based lifestyle writers around a line up of affordable holiday gift and decorating inspiration.

We started the evening on a sweet and bubbly note with a sommelier led tasting with Andover-based Wine Connextion. Tablescapes came next and Ikea alleviated my typical disdain for Sandra Lee-esque table tops with a festive decor that was simple and tasteful.  My favorite of which was their use of  woven ratatan placemats, earthy ceramics topped with a  starkly contrasting white faux Lily, tied together with a handwritten tag to make this arrangement welcoming and elegant.  

The rest of the setup showcased stationary, scents and other stylish goodies for gifting.  Among those that caught my eye, was the  2009 collection of notecards from my  long-time favorite in letterpress design, Linda & Harriet.

While noshing on mushrooms swathed in puff pastry, salted lamb and brie doused in lavender chutney (did I mention the bubbly?), we talked  blogging, social media, fabric, brunch spots and must-reads. Lots of thanks to Red Plum and Starving Artist, The Clean Plate Club, Petey Pumpkin and Annelise Normand for the conversation and celebration of the things we love.

Kate Spade, home to some of my favorite feminine flair, is clearing out their surplus of sweet pieces.  Usually news of sample sales is quickly followed by disappointment that I wont’ be able to join the masses in New York battling over the discounted duds. But this time, even those of us who can’t jet to 5th ave during lunch can stake out everything from clutches to cuffs, without the elbows and waiting lines. 

A girl just needs her mother – to listen, provide perspective and offer reassurance that tomorrow is a new day.   Thank you, Mama: a note (from Sycamore Street Press) to serve double duty, appreciation and a giggle.

image credit: sycamore street press

When its acceptable to bear bare gams in November, there’s cause to celebrate.  In New England, when this type of unseasonable blessing is rare, suddenly moods are uplifted and spirits are higher.  It has left me longing for ways to create this lightness and the accompanying delight year-round.  ’Tis the season to be talking trimmings and tartan, but I do love this bedroom (by designer, Bunny Williams) decked with a mirrored canopy creating even more brightness and swathed in taupe, for an energy and airiness that works even on the most frigid of days.

image credit: elle decor