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Subtle Like Bam

Years ago, I owned a necklace with huge ceramic flower beads on it that was so unique and drop-dead gorgeous that I literally didn't wear it on days when I was feeling antisocial or grumpy, because so many people would stop me to ask where I'd found it. That necklace was part of the bounty that a thief made off with when our apartment was broken into a few years back, and I only have one picture of it; it's a fairly hideously lit and blurry shot, but Stephen Baldwin happens to be in it too, which automatically makes it one of my favorite photos ever.

Anyway, I have a very soft spot for wildly ornate necklaces with enormous flowers on them.

Like this one.

Decor

Top Ten Cozy Throws

Brrrr.

OK, so you know how yesterday I was saying how people apparently didn't need closets in 1900? Well, maybe that's because their houses were so freaking cold all of the time that they had to just wander around wearing everything they owned.

Our house has new windows, so it's not especially drafty, but it also, sadly, does not have a fireplace (or central heating). I took a big step towards solving the coziness issue with our pretend fireplace, but still: it's chilly in here, especially first thing in the morning (I try to keep the thermostat turned down at night because (1) I sleep better in the cold and (2) whoa oil is expensive; one of the many Home Ownership Costs that I had no idea about way back when we started this process).

Home

Seasonal Swap-Out Time!

Eggggh, I hate the bi-annual clothing storage swap-out. It's such a pain.

But it's necessary, especially when you live in a house that was built in 1900 (a year during which people apparently did not need closets).

I spent a couple of my housebound hours last weekend going through my closets and tucking all my summer stuff away, and - much more fun - going through the storage boxes that I dragged down to the basement last spring and finding lots of winter-appropriate things that I'm excited to get back into. Some of them I'd even forgotten I owned, which made it kind of like a free shopping spree.

Eat

Art Deco-Inspired Tablescape

For dinner with friends who were visiting from the city the other week, I decided to do something different than the vintage-y floral look that I usually go for, and set the table with a mix of black-and-white pieces with gold and wood accents. While this is definitely a different style for me - much more graphic and masculine - it still retains that sort of off-kilter, half-rustic half-elegant feel that I'm always going for.

Here's the inspiration:

Best

Good Times

The photo above illustrates the sum total of my productivity this weekend: I marinated* and managed to cook chicken tenderloins (and grilled zucchini).

Well, I guess that's not entirely true: I also managed to keep a very energetic two-year-old alive, fed, and relatively happy while being unable to open my eyes without experiencing searing pain in my left temple (where every single one of my sinuses is apparently located), so I guess that's an accomplishment in and of itself.

You know what's really not fun? Having the flu**. Extra-not-fun: having the flu and being responsible for a person who doesn't understand the words "Mama needs to go be sick now, I'll play dinosaurs in a moment." Extra-extra-not fun: doing this alone because your husband is out of town for the weekend (...Kendrick? ...Come back?***).

Lifestyle

A Giveaway…And Free Dates For You!

[Contest closed. Congrats to Amy H.!]

I've been going on a bunch of awesome HowAboutWe dates lately...so now I'd like to give you guys the opportunity to try it for yourself.

To win the date of your choice (up to a $200 value), just click here to browse the options and tell me which one you'd like to go on if you win in the comments below!