I love being Swedish! In honor of Luciadagen (St. Lucia Day), which is today, I’m sharing an old Scandinavian folk tale – East of the Sun, West of the Moon.  Dags att ha lussekatter, glögg, & risgrynsgröt!

L.

75 Best LIFE Covers of All Time gives us a quick glimpse at American pop culture throughout the years.  But I’ve decided to put together my own “Best LIFE Covers of All Time”.  Enjoy!

L.

Beauty & the Beast illustration by Ruth Sanderson

Audrey Kawasaki makes incredible art!

Jazz pianist, Yosuke Yamashita, expresses his serious passion for music when he lights his own piano on fire.  Wait…seriously?

Christian the Lion reuniting with his friends after a year in the wild.  Gets me every time.

“Shadow Selves” by Lyubomir Bukov

Happy Friday, everyone!

L.

This is how I feel whenever upbeat Christmas music comes on the radio…or whenever sentimental commercials flash by on T.V…or whenever holiday festivities begin to work their magic on me.  Well, I need to smile more often, & Christmas is the perfect time for all of that.  But it’s so exhausting to be merry & hopeful all of the time.  Yet somehow these things always cheer me up:

- Drinking gingerbread hot chocolate out of a chipped Nutcracker mug

- Watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” with my Dad (& pretending not to notice him tearing up at the end)

- Singing “Peace, Peace” by candlelight right before bed

- Decorating sugar cookies with lots of sugar, frosting, & bright candies

- Wrapping Christmas presents in an artistic manner (vintage boxes, tinsel, etc.)

- Shopping for useless stocking stuffers, like mints or bath salts

The rest of the year I can say “bah humbug” to jollification if I want to, but Christmas is reserved for unnatural happiness.  And I’m glad that it is.

L.

Rainbow Cupcakes are so cool! They make the perfect party dessert because when stacked, they double as a whimsical decoration.

Heart Shaped Ravioli makes me so happy.  Seriously – how could anyone have a bad night after eating one of these? Plus, they’re vegan.

Epic Pizza beats everything.  It’s definitely nor your run-of-the-mill Friday night dinner.

Pumpkin Orange Banana Smoothie sounds supremely refreshing. It would be a nice start on Thanksgiving morning.
L.

This Cabernet Sauvignon is rather suave looking. It comes from a delightful collaboration between Clos du Bois & Banana Republic, & really is the perfect Christmas gift!

A gorgeous Betsey Johnson watch is a nice choice for your friend who’s always late.

Cardboard unicorn taxidermy from Urban Outfitters? I think so.

What an awesome vintage-looking bike from Arrow! I’m obsessed!

Aragorn’s Ring will probably bring its wearer good luck.  And the urge to make out with a pale, raven haired, semi-quivering she elf.  Either way, get this for the Tolkien fan in your life & expect lifelong gratitude.

This Ice Cream Sandwich Pillow from Fred Flare is awesome! Can’t you imagine one of your friends snuggling up to its deliciousness every night?

Shadow at the Water’s Edge is a new Nancy Drew PC game…don’t be fooled! These mysteries are so much fun to play, & quite complex to figure out. I’ve been addicted to these for years.

L.

After watching the 2007 version of Northanger Abbey, I was profoundly struck by all of the beautiful Regency hairstyles.  In order to play up my little obsession, I whipped up a sweet ball-night coif of my own & then proceeded to dance about feeling very British indeed.

L.

We now have a Facebook page! Go ahead and make my day by clicking “Like”!
L.

Awesome people eating awesome things!

L.

I hope that you’re all having an incredible night full of horror! Not too many trick-or-treaters are out this year because of the rain, but so far I’m having a fantastic All Hallow’s Eve dressed up as the incomparable Batman villainess – Catwoman! (Before Anne Hathaway ruins her, that is).  Carving a Totoro pumpkin was so much fun, & to top it all off, I’m going to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas.  Seriously, why can’t every day be Halloween?! Here are my fright night essentials:

- Red wine in a crystal goblet

- Bauhaus playing very loud

- Stop motion movies

- Candelabras

- Moon gazing

- Chocolate!

Favorite Halloween Movies:

- The Nightmare Before Christmas

- American Psycho

- The Blair Witch Project

- Dracula 1931

- Bluebeard 1944

- Donnie Darko (Director’s Cut ONLY)

- Sleepy Hollow

- Interview With a Vampire

- Sweeney Todd

L.