This isn’t just a holiday tea, in fact Douglas Fir tips are usually harvested in the spring when they’re young and tender, but there’s something so undeniably festive about enjoying this tea now. If you geek out over the smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree, then you’ll probably die from pure bliss when you get your hands on this stuff.
Don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like a tree; instead it’s very light and clean with aromatics that smell like the sweet notes of a forest. Simply put, it’s one of the most lovely and comforting teas I have ever sipped. And since the tips are harvested from Pacific Northwest tress, every Seattleite should be drinking it.
Tea for two:
3 to 4 cups boiling water (depending on how concentrated you’d like it), two tea bags. Steep for 10 minutes.
Get it from the makers at Juniper Ridge. 20 unbleached tea bags per tin, $12.
Please, please, please…if you do one thing this season be sure to steep yourself a cup of this amazing tea.
Last weekend I got to escape to Portland for a few days to celebrate my b-day, which was actually yesterday. (What? Your birthdays don’t last a week?) While Andrew worked for part of the time I got to wander and laze around. I just love Portland. Here are some of my favorite bits of prolonged birthday bliss.
Kiss!
Tangerine’s in bed. I love the arrival of citrus season, and I love watching movies in bed. I also got caught up on daytime Cable TV…there’s not much good to watch, is there.
Bunk’s pork belly Cubano. God, I love a good sandwich; but jeez are they hard to find. The ones from Bunk are worth the hype…for once, something actually lives up to the hype!
A pocket full of posies at The Meadow. There are a million things to share from this store, but these sweet little posies made me smile.
I’ve gotten lots of love on the minimalist Christmas front, so I thought you’d enjoy a little more inspiration. Again, quite stark for what many of us are used to, but so many lessons to take from it.
Still so in love with those star lanterns but also love the idea of the conifer branches in vases or some of the smaller ones potted throughout the house.
one / two / three / four / five / six
(I never knew this before, but black and white seems to be the colors of the season in a Scandinavian home.)
Why has the power of the hot water bottle become so underestimated and underutilized? Seriously, I want to know because they are nothing short of magical. I remember in high school I would hide one in my sweatshirt pouch for football games. Unflattering, yes. But at least my fingers and tummy were cozy and warm. Oh, and once I had a sore back so Andrew created this awesomely strange contraption where he managed to fasten the hot water bottle to a back brace. I walked around the house with it for quite a while. Talk about unflattering.
In a more normal fashion, I rely on them to thaw my perpetually frozen toes and to help with aches and pains from running around the restaurant. I’m still not quite used to being on my feet so much so with my trusty bottle I’m snuggly and relaxed in record time after a long night at work. Of course they’re a drugstore staple but I thought this one here would make a great holiday giftie with the 100% lambswool cover (water bottle included). I wrap mine in a dish towel and pray it doesn’t come unwrapped, so this…this would be quite nice.
Available at Leif, $64.
In need of a snazzy new Christmas tree topper? I came across this guy at Schoolhouse Electric and thought it would be a nice addition to the minimalist Christmas aesthetic that I’ve been enjoying so much lately. This is handmade by local artists in Seiffen, Germany. It would go along nicely with those pretty paper star lanterns I was thinking about, don’t ya think?
Handmade German tree topper, 9.5 inches high, hand carved wood. $48
[I’ve found quite a few more images of the minimal Swedish Christmas look. Check them out here.]
Let the hunt for holiday party attire begin!
I was initially excited to hunt for some party inspiration, but I quickly became discouraged because nothing caught my eye. I quickly decided it was the perfect opportunity to raid my closet for something unexpected and exciting…for party season at least. So really, this outfit came about for two reasons: 1) I wanted to repurpose something I already had and 2) this was my chance to rebel from the tulle skirt trend o’ the season craze.
If I did have the means to slip into this gorgeous Alexander McQueen velvet blazer I certainly would (pay close attention to those pockets), but more than anything this is just for some dressing inspiration. In my case I shall be repurposing my trusty Elizabeth & James black pantsuit, which I suddenly realize I have never actually worn together, and black booties. To make sure I don’t look like I’m coming straight from a power meeting I’ll be going with red lips and nails, and for my hair, I’ll do a take on Rita Hayworth waves. This way it’s all-the-more party worthy and far, far away from an office look. I am once again officially excited for holiday party prep!
[image via Pinterest]
Ooh, my favorite! 