Very Merry

Wishing each of you the most joyous holiday and hoping 2009 leaves you with an abundance of blessed, sparkling memories. See you in the new year!

[photo via You Are my Fave via Desire To Inspire]

Hit Home

In the past week I've been known to turn the air conditioner down to an all-time low, blast holiday music ad nauseum, and pay an exorbitant amount for a can of Borden eggnog. I've never drank eggnog from a can in my life, and my grandmother would likely be appalled. It's the first time I'm experiencing a tropical Christmas, incomplete as family's across the globe, and I'm doing my very best to not get homesick. My grandparents adored the effervescent Brenda Lee, and this ditty about pirogues, the bayou, jambalaya, crawfish pie and filé gumbo warms my longing-for-a-taste-of-home heart.

The Inspiration

When Happy Menocal emailed a trifecta of inspiration for my holiday card design, I swooned. Dutch ladies posed as color muses; a vintage Cannes postcard boasted perfect type; and the sweet Babar/Rousseau poster led way for a hand-drawn feel. I could stare at these three images all day!

From Malaysia With Love

A few months ago we trekked to the top of the observation deck in KL Tower and stumbled upon a photo op like no other: the chance to don traditional Malaysian costumes and feign royalty. They didn't have much in the way of red and green regalia, so we mixed and matched between women's, men's and even children's wear [see husband's pants] to create such merry ensembles.


Since we won't be home for the holidays, I wanted to send very joyous and smile-inducing mementoes to our friends and family. I couldn't think of a better person to bring my vision to life than the witty, quirky and beyond talented Happy Menocal. I've sang Happy's praises for quite some time now; she's one of my most favorite illustrators around. Not only did she hit the nail on the head with an East meets West inspired design, but she pegged my affinity for Carmen Miranda and created a card that is 100% pure unadulterated hilarity.

[click photo to enlarge ridiculousness]
...Happy also convinced me our dancing heads should adorn every mailer from here on.

I Love Jesus, but I Drink a Little

Christmas 1966: Mom is dazzling in her swingy cream sweater and Dad's kicked back, shoes off, chatting it up with family. Though the photo is crackled and damaged, it somehow adds to the nostalgia of bygone holidays. And perhaps alludes to the confetti of personalities coming together to celebrate the reason of the season: the birth of Jesus and eggnog.


The legendary Amaretto was concocted in this same house around the holidays, but it's Grandma's Eggnog that most screams Christmas. More particularly, it's Christmas Eve and New Years where this milky toddy shines. Measurements were, unfortunately, never quantified in our family recipes—not to sabotage the outcome, but rather in a quintessentially Southern way of assuming the reader inherently knows how many eggs yield appropriate eggnog-tastic results. So embracing that je ne sais quoi sensibility, we begin:

Grandma's Eggnog
2 quarts milk—the only measurement included. If you'd like, use half and half cream to make up some of the requisite 2 quarts.
Eggs, separating whites and yolks—a dozen eggs work for 2 quarts milk
Vanilla extract
Salt
Sugar

In a large pot scald, do not boil, the milk.

Whip egg yolks with a pinch of salt and sugar, starting with roughly ¼ cup of sugar and add from there if it isn't sweet enough. Add this mixture slowly to the scalded milk, a little at a time, stirring constantly so egg clumps don't form in the hot milk. Cook this mixture until it thickens and begins to coat the spoon.

Add vanilla to taste.

Whip egg whites until stiff with 1 tbsp sugar. After the nog has thickened and is cooked, gently fold in the egg whites so they will remain like quarter-sized balls of meringue on top.

For those who like a little "noggy" added, a jigger of Canadian bourbon, straight bourbon or rum should do the trick. Grate nutmeg and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serve hot and instantly feel warm and cozy. Leftovers can be refrigerated and drank cold the next morning without alcohol in it. Or with—whatever tickles your fancy!

Cover Up

Looks like the Snuggie has been given a run for its money. If I lived in the Arctic North, Vik Prjonsdottir's Icelandic wool sleeping bags would be high on my list.

[via Hard Graft.]

On the Street

Within seconds of this video, a whirlwind of emotions flooded over me—and my eyes—as I reminisced about entertainers like Washboard Chaz that vividly dot the streets of New Orleans. Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around my parents throwing us in the car and taking off to any town South of I-10 for an afternoon of riding, eating, laughing and living. These day trips will forever be in my blood, and were my first introduction to spontaneity and new sights.

Perfect Ten

I've popped over to La Dolce Vita to rhapsodize about my most favorite things. Ten little bits of love that I just can't live without.

[photo via Kate Spade and John Derian.]

Into the Wild

April marks my fifth year of marriage and we love to daydream about when and where we'll celebrate our Quinquennial Anniversary. Stumbing upon the Ralph Lauren-esque Chiawa Camp in Lower Zambezi, Africa left me awestruck and silent for nearly half an hour.

Should you find yourself booking a trip on this majestic safari, they suggest packing anything zebra-print would be a mistake. Huge mistake.

Wishin' and Hopin'

Dear Santa,

In case you win the lottery in the next 10 days and can find your way to Malaysia [even though we don't have chimneys], please refer to The Beauty File for my ultimate wish list. I've been a good girl, though getting a henna tattoo in Bali wasn't among the wisest of decisions. If you can manage to make this 6" x 6" eagle fade before the deluge of holiday soirées, I'd be thankful for that, too.

Cookies and milk,

xxCourt

Talk Shop

It's nearly impossible to curb my enthusiasm for Cerulean. Owner/buyer/globetrotter Maggie Lacey has impeccable taste and stocks the site with buys in every price range. Because a penny saved is a penny earned, enter promotional code insidetheloop at checkout to save 15% on all orders placed before December 25, 2009. Complimentary gift wrap is available and purchases $50 and above are eligible for free ground shipping. Just in the nick of time for your holiday gifts!


My favorites: [1] Virginia Johnson Gray Beetle Shawl; [2] Tapestry and Leather Belt; [3] Linen Fish Pillow; [4] Kenneth Jay Lane Giraffe Bracelet; [5] Coral Stone Bangle; [6] Canvas Printed Handbag; [7] Oyster Linen Napkin; [8] Brown Crab Linen Napkin; [9] Red Crab Linen Napkin.

Hang Ten

J and I kicked off his month-long vacation [yeehaw!] by relaxing in front of sunsets and surfing the beaches of Bali. I'm back in the saddle, a tad tanner than before, and I'm ready to get into the holiday spirit despite this tropical heat. Selamat Christmas!

Gift Guide: Game Changers

For the Sports Enthusiast who always knocks it out of the park and comes out swinging. This time the ball is in your court with a slam dunk list that's sure to turn the tide of the gift-giving game.


1. Your fisherman may have many a pole, but I guarantee he doesn't have one made from carrot compounds. The Carrot Stix weighs next to nothing [just over 3 ounces] and is stronger and more sensitive than traditional rods.

2. A waterproof MP3 player is just what your swimmer needs to keep laps from being a bore. And most likely this is the one gadget you'll try your darndest to steal from his gym bag.

3. Always running late to beach volleyball games? Or does your pal have a need for speed? Using an iPhone or iPod touch, the Viper SmartStart allows you start your engine, lock or unlock the car, activate the alarm, and open the trunk—no matter how far away from your ride.

4. Bicycle tires that merge form and function. These rubbers serve as reflectors at night and statement makers during the day.

5. Aquavee Pilates Plus is a swim work out system that my husband swears by. It's portable and doesn't require an entire room of equipment—or sky high gym membership—to get a full body resistance workout.

6. Got muscle? Race to the finish and experience first-hand the thrill and excitement of racing a 600 horse power, Sprint Cup style stock car at Talladega. Apparently speed does come at a price.

7. The Helmet HERO is the world's smallest, wireless helmet and gear-mountable video camera for outdoor junkies. Shockproof and waterproof, the camera features a 170º wide angle lens and the ability to automatically take a photo every 2 seconds. He'll never miss a single action shot during his next rafting adventure.

8. The handy FT80 is a watch your Mom would approve. It contains a heart-rate monitor that calculates rest periods and chimes when your body is primed for the next round of reps.

9. Truly for the person who has everything, the 10 Hour Heated Stadium Seat will keep your football fanatic from being a fair-weathered fan. Rechargeable and, most definitely, enviable.

10. Swim goggles suck. Barracuda frames match the contours of your eye sockets so that suction isn't necessary. No more headaches, no more sore noses, and no raccoon eyes.

11. The SkyCaddie GPS range finder calculates the distance to up to 40 targets per hole, simultaneously, in less than a second. Trust me, even if that sentence sounds like Greek to you, your traveling golfer would think this was a hole in one.

12. If you've ever feared bringing your camera or phone in a kayak, this SeaVault Capsule would ease your mind. The waterproof bucket can withstand submersion for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 3 feet; a life saver for water enthusiasts.

Shaken, Not Stirred

My internal Christmas Spirit barometer kicked into high glee gear when I saw these snowglobes on Oh Hello. They would make an easy do-it-yourself project and a whimsical addition to any holiday decor. I'd love to line a dining table with these guys that just beg to be picked up and merrily shaken.