Nine Finds: November

Just last week I wrote about how hard it is to plant my feet in November. That’s why this month’s Nine Finds is a bit in between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sorry, guys. It’s just that when all the catalogs are sending me their holiday look books, I bow to the pressure. Can we make a pact to be thankful AND start our Christmas shopping? Descriptions go left to right, top to bottom.

1. I am in the market for a new winter hat after snagging this coat earlier in the fall. I can’t resist the faux-fur pom-pom on the top of this beanie from JCrew—a touch of cashmere makes it delicious. The orangey-red color is a good shade for my blond hair and pale skin, but Vintage Champagne would be flattering too.
2. Growing up, my Grandma Sanna always had fresh flowers in her home. I must have adopted her sentiment because I love having live blooms on my kitchen table year round. Enter Bouqs Bouquet of the Month. Their subscription service ensures fresh flowers can be delivered to your home weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, and their farm-to-table promise means that blooms ship from sustainable, eco-friendly farms directly to you with no middle man. They even have a calendar for you to enter all your bouquet-worthy dates (anniversaries, birthdays, etc) and they will auto-ship your gifts. Ladies, forward everything I just wrote to your husbands PRONTO.
3. Graham and I have a little trip we’re planning in December that has me SO excited, and I recently scored this pink chiffon dress from H&M for $40 to pack in my suitcase. I can’t wait to pair it with black ankle boots and sparkly baubles for a night out on the town. But for now, shhh! It’s a surprise!
4. I’ve been on the hunt for a good cocktail ring for a while now, and thanks to Emily Schuman from Cupcakes and Cashmere I’ve been charmed by this rose gold pave snake ring. As much as I enjoy wearing a beautiful statement necklace, I’d love to swap in a ring this holiday season for a little variety.
5. This Christmas marks our 7th year using holiday cards from Minted, a stationary company I just adore. Minted contracts with independent artists and graphic designers to sell their creations to a larger market. The designs vary from minimal to elaborate, the paper weight is heavenly, and the offers are appealing. Often, I receive free address printing on my envelopes which is a complete life-saver at the holidays, and I never buy without getting a deal. Right now, Minted is offering 20% off all foil-pressed cards. Tip: Try something new this year and send a Thanksgiving card as seen above with a favorite turkey-day recipe on the back.
6. We’re usually a barefoot kind of family, but the weather is getting colder and it’s time to suit everyone up in socks and shoes, including the babe. My sister-in-law turned me on to the baby moccasins by Freshly Picked, and I have been drooling over the many patterns and colors for Winnie’s first official pair of shoes.
7. Fresh off the presses, Chip and Joanna’s Hearth and Hand line is making waves (and selling out!) at Target. This 11×14 tote bag is just $19.99 and only available in stores. I love the black and tobacco brown combo, but my goodness, the gray is so yummy too.
8. When my oldest turned 2, she got a wooden stand-up market from Land of Nod, and that thing is still as sturdy as ever 9 years and 4 kids later. From the same company, this darling French cafe would make a beloved make-believe piece for any family. Best of all, with a quick changing of the signs (included), the Parisian coffee shop can turn into an all-American BBQ restaurant in two shakes of a piggy tail.
9. I have admired White House photojournalist Pete Souza’s work for many years and followed his Instagram feed regularly as he documented the behind-the-scenes life of U.S. president Barack Obama while in office (he was also the Chief Official White House Photographer for Ronald Reagan). Souza’s newest work, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, comes out today and I can’t wait to see what photos made the book. His interview on NPR’s Fresh Air airs this morning and he is beginning a book tour this week—we may go for a signing next month at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.