Home for the holidays

Jon and I spent the past week in Connecticut with my lovely in-laws. We enjoyed a 20-headcount Thanksgiving meal, a day trip to Boston, and an adventure in New York City, so the only thing that could have made it better is a short-and-sweet snow storm.

This is exactly what I imagine when I think of Boston. 

Now that we're home (and the puppies are happily back to their routine), we're planning for Christmas. I stumbled across the new Kinfolk promo video this morning, and it made me think, now that's how I want to do Christmas. Especially since we have plans to host brunch and a New Years Eve party.


Kinfolk Volume Six from Kinfolk on Vimeo.

My goal this holiday season is to bring nature indoors and share good food and warm drinks with close friends. We're well on our way: tonight Jon and I set up an espresso machine, an early Christmas gift from his folks. (Did I mention that sipping espresso is one of my favorite things in life?) Once we figure out how to use it, please join us for a latte!

Print Aid NYC

I was supposed to go to New York City today. Not to volunteer for the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts or anything cool like that, unfortunately--to hand pitch a couple of books to some important reviewers for work. But the universe had it in for me: my first flight was canceled, and although my second flight made it up to New York, they turned us around and took us back to North Carolina instead of landing. The icing on the cake? I walked in on a half-naked old man in the women's restroom on my way out of the airport. So I'm home, exhausted, and in my pajamas. Do you ever have days like that? When you're in your pajamas before 4 p.m.?

But while perusing Facebook (that's what most of us do in our PJs at 4 p.m., right?), I found a link to Print Aid NYC, a coalition of New York City-based artists committed to rebuilding the city in the wake of Hurricane Sandy's devastation.  These artists were asked to design posters based on the theme light. 

Samantha Hahn

Liz Libre

Each print is 11x14 inches, digitally printed on Mohawk 120lb acid-free cover weight paper, and just $30. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Mayor's Fund for Hurricane Relief. Pretty cool, right? And you'll have to check back soon; they plan to add new posters by other artists in the near future.

I bought the Empire State of Mind print. Which is your favorite?

Cole Nielson

Linsey Laidlaw

If you're looking for other artistic ways to contribute, check out the Humans of New York & Tumblr Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser. I watch for Brandon's updates on Facebook every day--he has documented the disaster and recovery in a way no news outlet could. 

Here's to hoping for a quick recovery, New York! I'll see you soon.