coffee + crafts

It's getting hard to deny that I am back in school ... considering I am already 1/3 of the way through the semester. The past couple of weeks have been crowded with coffee cups, my renewed interest in pastels (that are now covering my desk), Enlightenment philosophy, and depressing dining hall food.

I also have been admiring my small collection of gold jewelry. These are things I would like to lay out on a delicate cake stand next to my Dior perfume one day, but for now a drawing in progress will do. I especially love the Christina Hendricks inspired Kate Spade pen necklace from Domenico and the kissing couple and E R earrings from Kaylie. (The kissing necklace will certainly be part of my Valentine's Day outfit.)

In other news, I have found a guilty pleasure clad in denim overalls and oversized plaid button downs: My So-Called Life. It is so delightfully 90's, not to mention teenage angst-ridden. Netflix, man.

I swear that I am not just drawing and watching dramas from the 1990's though. My current reading list consists of The Aeneid, Othello, and Freud's "Dream-work and Interpretation." See? My days are nearly productive.

Knitting Love

Saw this the other day on Etsy and realized I truly want need it.

I was about to click the purchase button when I realized, like so many other times, "Wait, I can definitely make that!" It will be my Valentine's day gift to myself.

button + yarn + toothpicks + beads + super glue + pin = adorableness

happythankyoumoreplease

I love.

Who knew I could love Josh Radnor even more.

2012

6:30 a.m. - Kaylie, Dahlya, Rachel, and I embarked on our New Year's journey to California. After six hours in the car, we arrived at Ted's house, ate some Lebanese food, and returned to the car for a trip to Whimsic Alley. I bought a golden snitch temporary tattoo, a wax stick, an envelope sealing stamp, and a bumper sticker for Emily that reads My Other Car is Floo Powder. We then showed Ted our famous dance party and reigned in 2012 with homemade latkes, grasshopper shots, and our very own fireworks show.

The next day, we spent January 1st at the happiest place on Earth. Disneyland really was magical, especially with all of the Christmas decorations and holiday festivities. We had perfect timing for rides, parades, castle shows, and Fantasmic. It truly was the best New Years yet!

Homemade Holiday

This year I opted to make many of my friends' and family's gifts. A lot of thought, time, and love went into them (as well as the careful wrapping), and I think they turned out quite well.

1. Keep Calm and Craft On with vintage frame for Phoebe

2. Knitted leaf hair clip for Rachel and Emily

3. Knitted Ravenclaw scarf for Kaylie

4. Knitted lace necklace for Tori and Dahlya

5. Knitted slippers and tie for Domenico

6. The Help quote for Mom

7. Painted quote board for Kate and Domenico

The final product!

Christmas baking

Yesterday, Mom, Emily, and I made the season's first batch of cookies. We baked Russian Tea Cakes and Jan Hagels (my personal favorite).

Jan Hagel Cookies:

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
1 egg, separated
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 Tbl. water
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease jelly roll pan (15.5 x 10.5 x 1 inch). Mix butter, sugar, and egg yolk. Blend flour and cinnamon. Stir into butter mixture. Pat into pan. Beat water and egg white until frothy; brush over dough. Sprinkle with nuts. Bake 20-25 minutes or until very lightly browned. Cut immediately into finger-like strips.

Lighting the zoo

The other day, my family, Domenico, and I attended Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo. It is one of my favorite holiday traditions and truly gets me in the Christmas spirit. It doesn't get much better than cacti strung with lights, in my opinion.