Christmas Music

I think it's official, Christmas is coming and one of my favorite things about the holidays is the Christmas music.  I mean, aside from the pine-y Christmas tree smell, warm hot chocolate, baking treats for families and friends, twinkling lights... you get the idea.

When I was little we'd get out all the holiday decorations down from the attic and one of the first things we pulled out was the Christmas music.  This was back when music was on tapes and CD's - The Olden Days.  Actually, I think when I was really little, some of our holiday music was on records!

  We'd spend the day decorating the house with Christmas tunes playing in the background.  Lucky for my family, I knew all the words. :)

I put together a few of my favorites.  My playlist it's pretty pop heavy, but I love it!

1. All I Want for Christmas is You ~ Mariah Carey
2. Where Are You Christmas ~ Faith Hill  -  Love this song!  It's from the Grinch that Stole Christmas. And it just melts my heart every time it comes on.
3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas ~ Martina McBride
4. My Only Wish (This Year) ~ Britney Spears
5. Shake Up Christmas ~ Train
6. Last Christmas ~ Ashley Tisdale
7. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) ~ U2
8. Santa Baby ~ Eartha Kitt  - My favorite version!
9. Santa Claus is Comin' to Town ~ Frank Sinatra
10. This Christmas ~ Christina Aguilera
11. Carol of the Bells ~ John Williams
12. I'll be Home for Christmas ~ Katherine McPhee
13. On My Knees ~ Jaci Velasquez
14. Love Song for a Savior ~ Jars of Clay - Absolutely one of my favorite worship songs.
15. I Don't Want to Spend One More Christmas Without You ~ InSync
16. All Alone on Christmas ~ Darlene Love - From Love Actually - best holiday movie!

I'm not going to lie, even during the year when these songs come on my iPod, I don't change 'em.

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs or albums? 

I'm always looking to add to my list!

LMF

Wine Tasting Weekend - Thanksgiving

I feel kinda funny about all the gushing I did about New York in autumn.  I guess I forgot how beautiful it is in wine country - right in my own backyard!

Last weekend, because Dan's sister and brother-in-law were up from Hermosa, we decided to spend the day in Napa picnicking and wine-tasting.

We headed to Hall winery first, which none of us had been to before, but was the perfect stop.

They were already all decked out for Christmas.

{Dan's sister, Lisa, brother-in-law, Sean and Caper}

We were at the St. Helena location but we're definitely planning on checking out their place in Rutherford.  Mainly just so I can see this chandelier in person.

As always, we headed to Napa Valley Olive Oil Manufacturing Company for our picnicking accoutrements.  I debated about posting about this place, simply because it's so so tiny but it's too good not to tell you about. 

It's a small white barn at the end of one of St. Helena's small streets.  An Italian family runs it and it's old style - as in cash or check only.  As in ask the Italian mother how to make something and she'll stand right there and explain in detail even when there's a line of people behind you.  Love it!

  They make the most wonderful olive oils and balsamic vinegars.  I picked up a pomegranate balsamic that I can't wait to try on roasted veggies or salads.

We filled our basket with salumi, cheeses, pepperoni, bread and mustards and then headed to Beringer to grab some wine and a picnic table.  

Family photo!

My favorite of the day.

Dan's mon packed a tablecloth which seems like such a small thing but made our lunch feel so much more homey. :)

Last stop: Rubicon

I love it here.

It's always prettier than I remembered.

Sadly, Pacino was coned for the weekend.     

 He got in an argument with his cousin, Caper, and she won.  Luckily he came out of it with only a minor scratch on his eye.  Should teach him not to fight with family!

Hope your thanksgiving weekend was gorgeous and beautiful and hopefully a bit better than Pacino's!

LMF

Pool time

This was too cute not to share!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.

Happy Monday!

LMF

ever so thankful

I started this list in April.  The goal was to make it to 1,000 by the years end.  

I don't think I'll make it, but I don't mind.  I'll continue to work towards my goal anyway.

Starting this list has had such an astonishing impact on me.  

I don't think people would ever describe me as an unhappy person, even when I am unhappy I try to stay positive. But by keeping this list, I've started see things a bit differently.  I see more.  More simple pleasures in everyday life.  It's helped me search out the good even in bad situations.  Even if it was just to get another item on my list, just a bit closer to the goal.

It's also helped me to see the things I value.  

Apparently, I enjoy food immensely!  There are a lot of food items on my list. :)

There's a lot about family and friends and laughter. 

And a lot about Paris. Paris is always a good idea. :)

{taken in Paris}

I saw this quote on Project Gadabout and loved it.  

It sums up perfectly what I've taken a whole post to say.

I hope everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving - filled with family and friends and 

of course delicious food! ;)

LMF

P.S. A big thank you to Sarah Tucker whose post (and blog!) inspired me. 

Sonoma Weekend

Apparently working for a public company makes for very busy work days.

I was fortunate enough though not to have to work the weekend.  

I spent it with these lovely ladies scouring Sonoma and Napa Counties for wedding sites.

{The beautiful bride is next to me on the far left}

Karisa and I have known each other since birth.  Literally.  

The day I was born, her mother called mine in the hospital and told her she was pregnant.

We spent summer days on her parents ranch running around barefoot, searching the creek for crawdads and being terrorized by our older brothers {nothing brings two girls closer than fear}.

I was so happy to be there for her engagement in Paris and now onto planning her gorgeous wedding in wine country.

Thank you so much my dear friend for letting me be a part of it!

LMF

P.S. We're welcoming any and all suggestions on wedding venues in Sonoma and Napa Counties! {This wedding planning stuff is harder than it looks!}

Post-election - A strange day

For the last two presidential elections, I was living outside of the country, so my exposure to the campaign, election and aftermath was a bit filtered.

There was definitely a buzz in the air all day yesterday that I didn't get to feel when I was living abroad the last few years.  Yesterday I felt hopeful and excited.

And last night was pretty exciting to watch each states votes come in; and on social media to see people rooting for their candidate.  

I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a country where I am have the freedom to vote for who governs us.

Then the results came in.  

And that electric feeling in the air went away.

And on a day when America should be coming together, the whole country was divided.  Maybe it's the optimist in me, but I wish there was some way this didn't happen. 

All over social media were negative posts about the winner and his supporters.  There was a lot of anger and negativity unleashed.  

I am definitely an advocate of free speech and our entire system is built on the fact that people have different opinions and different views on the issues.  It's the foundation for having a vote, right?

But I also feel opinions can be shared in a kind and respectful way.  And regardless of who you wanted to win, I think it's important to respect both candidates.  

Emily Ley's letter to her son summed it up perfectly. 

Thanks for reading.  I'll get off my soapbox now. 

LMF

A fairytale Halloween

Halloween's over {feels like its been so long, but it was only 5 days ago!}  

We're on to bigger and better holiday's now :)

But first, I couldn't help but share these adorable photos from a friend.

I guess when she told her parents she wanted to be a princess, they made sure she felt like one!

What would you do if this trick or treater showed up at your door?!

LMF

RH NYSE

You may have noticed the posting be a little light here recently.  

Things have been pretty busy at work.

You can see why in the news today.

Restoration Hardware is listed on the New York Stock Exchange!

Working in finance at Resto, this is about as exciting as it gets! 

Well, and the sample sales, of course. :)

We're already trading at more than 30% than what we priced at. {Also, very exciting!}

Read more about it on Bloomberg and the Wall Street Journal.

Or if you're less into the finance side and more into the shopping side, click on the new holiday sourcebooks below.

LMF

P.S. This is not a sponsored post, I just love my job :) Happy Friday All!