Ike's Holiday Lookbook 2010

Despite my oft recounted holidayphobia, I actually put up a tiny tree this year. There are even Christmas lights securely stapled to the front of our house. Thoughtful (I hope) gifts have already been wrapped in pretty paper and mailed off to our beloved recipients -- days in advance, I might add. I'm sure you're thinking, what the bleep has gotten into you, Erin?

Friends, it's not what got into me. It's what came out of me. Behold the reason for the season.

And would you look at that? Like mother, like son.

I'm a pretty lazy photographer, but I try to capture the milestone moments of my handsome little dude's life. This time, though, I think I may have gone overboard. A little.

It's been a long, beautiful year, but all good things must come to an end. And so, Ike and I wish you a very Merry Chrismukkah and a fabulously Happy New Year. The annual DC holiday blogcation is officially in effect, but not to fear. We'll be back next year with more! Of everything! Including Karly!!! Hooray!

So mark your calendars for Monday, January 3. Sure, I may stumble into work a little hungover, but I'll be here.

I hope you'll be here, too.

Good Gifts: For the Quirky Sophisticate

Are you still putting off your holiday shopping like I am? If so then I am here to help... you. I'm pretty sure there's no help for me. I have a disease and the only cure is spiked eggnog and some sort of roasted meat, unless there is a 12 step program for serial procrastinators. But, back to you. Let's do this, shall we?

I have a specific kind of person in mind for these gifts -- me. But since I have more personalities than Sybil, let's just say that this selection of goodies appeals to my more youthful and carefree side, the side that would like to go out and get crunked until 2 am. But this side would still pull herself together the next morning to make coffee and straighten the pillows. And this side is not so youthful that she might resort to utter insanity, like wearing neon spandex leggings. Let's call her homey with a dash of derring do.

What better to document the adventures of your inner wild child than a mini digital Rolleiflex camera? Thread a waxed leather string through the side holes and wear that sexy beast as a purse. Dance floor problems solved. Booya! $280 from Amazon.

Gotta have a hot necklace if you're going to party. This handmade specimen by Nomoi Koru is flashy not trashy. $34 from Etsy.

But life is not all about bad 80s coverbands and overpriced drinks. Your house needs love and attention, too. 144 Empty Parking Lots by Jenny Odell (thanks to the gods of 20x200 for listening to my prayers!) will give your home that requisite touch of existentialism. I say spring for the 11x14 size if you can afford it -- size matters for this piece. $50 from 20x200.

These are just damn cute, but still suggestive enough to have some edge. Kissing creamer and sugar set by Reshape Studio (ps: they have some very cute vases, too). $64 from Etsy.

You like glamor, I like glamor, and I love Art Deco. This gold beaded pillow has the holiday X factor in spades. $42 from Urban Outfitters.

And now a couple of cheap thrills before I hit you over the head and steal your wallet: this Christmas ornament with a living airplant by Tortoise Loves Donkey is sleek enough to live beyond its holiday expiration date. Mount a hook on your window and tie one on. $9.50 from Etsy.

A fainting spell comes upon me every time I look at this picture... Muhammad Ali training underwater, photographed by Flip Schulke. 24x36 poster for $2.25 from Amazon. No, that is not a typo.

Got money? Then by all means Tord Boontje for Artecnica's completely useless (as far as I can tell) Witches Kitchen Utensil Set is the gift you must purchase... for me. Does that joke ever get old? Not really. The gargantuan price of this set is in direct proportion to my oversized obsession. $770 from Unica Home.

That's it for today, little buddies. I hope you got some great ideas to wow your friends and loved ones. Tune in later this week for more gifts n things, and perhaps a surprise guest to school you on all the best last minute prezzies you can nab right here in Austin.

Christmas Stuff

Having just returned from a lovely trip to visit family for Thanksgiving, I am now assailed by the sudden panic inducing revelation that Chrismukkah is upon us. This signals many bad things beyond the fact that my waistline seems to expand in direct proportion to the number of days in the year -- things like impending Christmas travel and (temporary) alcoholism, but most excruciatingly it means that I have to start buying presents. As Ralphie in A Christmas Story would say, FUUUUUUUDGE.

I'm feeling a bit woozy and overwhelmed from it all, so I may have to hibernate for a little while. You know, to process stuff. Ok, and to eat some leftover cake I brought back from my Grandma's house.

Jacques Grange

This seems like as good a place as any to hole up. There better be a tv in there somewhere. I need to catch up on Walking Dead.

Back tomorrow with clean hair and a refreshed, relaxed attitude.

SIKE!

But I will be back tomorrow.