Happy New Year's Eve!

Sparkles for New Years!

Even though...

We're just staying in tonight.

And even though...

Some of us are already sound asleep...

Hope you have a safe and fun night wherever you are!

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson, please ask permission prior to use.)

 

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What I'm Reading: "Jewels: A Secret History"

Jewels: A Secret History

By Victoria Finlay

Victoria Finlay is also the author of Color, a fantabulous book about colors, their history, importance throughout the years, uses, and origins.

(Let me tell you, as an Art Historian it really rocked my socks off!)

But now... I think she's trying to be my most favorite author ever!

Her latest book is the same sort but this time it's about... JEWELS!

She's doing the same thing for gemstones that she did in her Color book and I am beyond stoked so far!

As a jewelry designer, fabricator, artisan, and rock hound/ collector of all things geologic, including lovely pieces of jewelry (Is there a better way to collect rocks? I think not!), I cannot wait to read through her historical insight.

I've only finished the first chapter (On Amber, can you tell from my pics? Lol) but it's love at first read so far!

(I couldn't resist taking out some of my own Amber collection for a short snap-fest.)

Her writing is superb, meaningful, witty, and packed with insight! I highly recommend her to anyone looking for something more.

If you like history or are always asking Where? When? Why?

Victoria Finlay, world traveler and author extraodinaire, is for you!

What are you reading?

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson, please ask permission prior to use. Book written by Victoria Finlay and published by Random House.)

 

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After Christmas

Well, Christmas this year didn't go remotely as planned... My Mom was in a bad car accident, had to have surgery, then a stay in the hospital. And I, of the chronic auto-immune issues, ended up with pneumonia... No Grand Floridian gingerbread house visits for us this year...

 

That being said, we're both ok and our family got to be together on Chrirtmas Eve. Nothing is more important than that! Even if it was brief (I'm pretty sick) it was lovely to be with them. My Mom has a long road ahead of rehab and won't be allowed to put weight on her severely broken leg for a while and hopefully my pneumonia will go away (soon please!) but even then those who love us make our lives worthwhile and wonderful!

 

In the meantime, here's a bit of sunshine to perk us all up!

This Slim Aaron's "Christmas Swim" photo from 1954 is Ahhhmazing! Someday I needs must re-create it!

Facts: I live in Florida. I have a pool.

 

Let's make this happen someday people!

 

 

As they say at Lilly Pulitzer, forecast is sunny and palmy...

And sunshine calls for more sunshine, especially when feeling blue. Whenever I feel down or sick and am able to I try to dress extra perky even when no one will see me except my pup and husband. Thus today finds me in yellow Pilcro pants (from Anthropologie) and a pineapple shirt and cardi (from Target).

 

The cardigan: i.e. Florida's winter coat.

Let the sunshine in!

Kisses,

K

(All photos created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use. Obvious exception is the epically fantastic Slim Aaron's piece!)

 

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

After Christmas

Well, Christmas this year didn't go remotely as planned... My Mom was in a bad car accident, had to have surgery, then a stay in the hospital. And I, of the chronic auto-immune issues, ended up with pneumonia... No Grand Floridian gingerbread house visits for us this year...

 

That being said, we're both ok and our family got to be together on Chrirtmas Eve. Nothing is more important than that! Even if it was brief (I'm pretty sick) it was lovely to be with them. My Mom has a long road ahead of rehab and won't be allowed to put weight on her severely broken leg for a while and hopefully my pneumonia will go away (soon please!) but even then those who love us make our lives worthwhile and wonderful!

 

In the meantime, here's a bit of sunshine to perk us all up!

This Slim Aaron's "Christmas Swim" photo from 1954 is Ahhhmazing! Someday I needs must re-create it!

Facts: I live in Florida. I have a pool.

 

Let's make this happen someday people!

 

 

As they say at Lilly Pulitzer, forecast is sunny and palmy...

And sunshine calls for more sunshine, especially when feeling blue. Whenever I feel down or sick and am able to I try to dress extra perky even when no one will see me except my pup and husband. Thus today finds me in yellow Pilcro pants (from Anthropologie) and a pineapple shirt and cardi (from Target).

 

The cardigan: i.e. Florida's winter coat.

Let the sunshine in!

Kisses,

K

(All photos created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use. Obvious exception is the epically fantastic Slim Aaron's piece!)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Merry Christmas

Kisses,

K

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.

Inspire Me Tuesday

I wanted to share a beautiful photo of a beautiful brief moment captured by amateur photographer Mark Hersch today.

Photograph by MARK HERSCH

He says, via the Daily Mail:

'I was flying home to Chicago from a business trip recently,' he said. 'It was a cloudy day, late in the afternoon. We were flying eastbound, made a pass by O'Hare International Airport, then made a sweeping 180-degree left turn over Lake Michigan for our final westward approach into the airport.

'I looked down and through a narrow break in the clouds, I saw the shadow of the Chicago skyline projecting onto the lake. Oddly enough, I am a very frequent flyer and almost always sit in an aisle set, but on this flight there were only window seats available.

'I grabbed my iPhone and snapped off a single shot, hoping I captured the scene. When I got home I opened the photo on my computer. Not only was I amazed at the shot, but I noticed I also captured another plane on a parallel approach - which you can see if you look closely at the clouds above the skyline in the centre of the image."

 

What a lovely reminder to be present in each moment, to look out for and even enjoy the unexpected when it happens, and to find the joy and beauty surrounding you no matter where you are.

I know with the Holiday season upon us I definitely need that reminder. Sometimes I just have to slow down and that's okay... But while I'm there I might as well enjoy the view...

Kisses,

K

(Image created and owned by Mark Hersch, found via the Daily Mail.)

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Oh! Christmas Tree

I'm back with another nifty, and this time thrifty, Christmas tree via the internets.

I give you: One King's Lane (an online flash sale site that's Ahmazing!) genius book tree.

So simple, so easy, so free!

I really feel like anyone could throw this little gem together. Just grab some books off your shelf and stack away! Don't forget to throw in a little sparkle and voilà!

While One King's Lane is using this to advertise books as gifts for the holidays (Geniusly so I might add!) there's really no reason it couldn't be just as awesome in your home!

Ooh! Especially if your one of those fancy schmancy lucky bastards ducks that has a Librahry... Oh perchance to dream...

If I ever get healthy enough to decorate I plan on giving this one a go!

Kisses,

K

(Image owned and found via online sale site One King's Lane.)

 

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Oh! Christmas Tree...

Hi! I disappeared again... But now I'm back! Sort of...

After loads of traveling I've been feeling quite a bit under the weather... So of course that means I've ended falling down a few internets rabbit holes...

When I came across this epic chandelier Christmas tree I had to know more and clicked on through! Apparently it's amazing design harkens from the brain of The House That Lars Built blogger's friend named Mary...

While I couldn't seem to find much more on Mary herself, (Très mysterious no...) I really suggest you click through to here and check out more of this amazing-ness!

I'm still pretty beat but couldn't help but pop in to share this!

I'm thinking there needs to be some chandelier thrifting in my future so I can try my hand at this someday... Ahhh... So much pretty!

So in love with this!

Kisses,

K

P.S.,

I hope all the Americans had the most wonderful Thanksgiving! We all have so many blessings and reasons to give thanks everyday, even the bad ones, if we just look for them!

(All images taken by Trisha Zemp and found via The House That Lars Built. Super genius creative Mary remains a mystery to me thus far but if you have more info please let me know!)

 

 

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Chicago Day 1, Part 2

After settling into the Hotel we stepped out for a walk and quick bite. We headed over to Water Tower Place because a good brisk walk there is lovely and yummy food is sure to be found.

Chicago is always a beautiful city but especially at night and with the brisk Fall air.

Magic.

I love how the city businesses come together to decorate Michigan Avenue for each season! You never know how they'll execute each them but you know it will be lovely.

This autumn the planters were filled with the ephemera of all things fall. So pretty!

The Water Tower always looks special by day or night, but I love how majestic the city looks all awash in glowing lights.

So... In these photos I was trying to look properly "winded" along with this dapper giant Leggo fella outside the Lego store...

Not so much, huh?

What I do look is hillarious, so enjoy. ;)

Our next stop was the American Girl store.

My sisters and I were fortunate enough to be recipients of the transporting historical books and wonderful dolls. We each collected a different doll, her stories, and belongings.

Mine was Molly, a young 1940's American girl helping to hold down the home front while her Dad was away fighting WWII.

My sister Stacy's was Kirsten, a Swedish immigrant/ pioneer living in the great Minnesota prairie during the mid 1800's.

And my sister Maura's doll was Samantha, a young Victorian girl during the early 1900's.

Sadly, all of our dolls were retired last year and they are no longer making them or their paraphernalia. I had always hoped to have a little girl and carry on collecting Molly and her things with her...

They did bring back a new version of the Samantha doll for now though as a part of a series called "Be Forever."

Not sure about all this retiring/ forever stuff... Either way, deposited the expense, it's a great company empowering girls to learn and play with confident twist. And it's a treasured part of our childhood and I love to stop in and reminisce... Even at 31, lol.

The messages of the dolls and all around is empowerment, encouragement, and understanding. All with reading and play. Pretty great.

As a Westie owner I felt the need to document this doll Westie.

This is the Samantha doll and some of her new "Be Forever" things.

"American Girl celebrates a girl's inner star - that little whisper inside that encourages her to stand tall, reach high, and dream big."

And of course I picked up a little surprise for someone very special (more on that another time.)

Moving on.

Before we left Water Tower Place we stopped by the Bao Wow kiosk to get dinner. Sticky, gooey, bun goodness at its best? My favorite one was the Chicken Teriyaki but they are all good! If you're ever there get a house made ginger-ale! Yummm!

The city frequently has various art set up all around to help raise funds for various causes. Right now they have horse sculptures painted by different local groups and all supporting the Chicago PD.

This Van Gogh-esque Starry Night was by far my favorite.

Then it was back to the hotel and good nights rest.

Kisses,

K

(All images created and owned by Krista Carson. Please ask permission prior to use. All rights to various places visited owned by their respective companies.)

Posted with love, please credit when re-posting.