wrinkle in time

Last piece of holiday magic. A postcard from my dear friend Thibaut in Le Vanneau, France. 2011 is off to a solid, grounding start. Look forward to reliving the last month of my life via pictures and stories as I slowly get back to the internet routine. xox, melissa lynn.

Signs of Winter

heartwarming & holiday-esque open house

First house party! Atlanta, 11/21/2010.

The formula was simple: a late November date (schedules not too crowded, yet people already starting to think about Christmas shopping), lots of snacks, lots of friends and family. It was great to reconnect with all of these people who raised me, some of whom I hadn't seen in years.

I miraculously got all of my pieces and tools through the security line, and even got home a few days early to put finishing touches on the bolo ties and find displays for all of my dainty creations. I felt on top of my game and excited.

The morning of, however, Caroline and Sarah took it to the next level. They turned what was a side street showcase (all my pieces crowded onto one table in the corner) into a true art gallery. Turns out that momma's house is an ideal space in which to uncover wooden boxes, earth-toned feathers, cotton pieces, river rocks, and fabric of all kinds. The girls made it truly stunning.

My plan? To make a giant vat of white bean chili. Who knows best? Momma. She made a spread: pumpkin breads, chess bars, wine bar, veggie platters, spinach artichoke dip, and her famous sweet tea.

And Paralee came with her soaps which truly made it a holiday house party.

Thanks to everyone who came out! xoxoxo.

Ladies playing dress-up

One example of Paralee's heavenly soaps. They are truly divine and lather like nobody's business. Check out her site and buy a bar for yourself!

The master gallery curators: Sarah Moffett and oldest sis, Caroline.

tweed me

Just ordered these babies from aronsthings in Vancouver Island, WA. The way I see it, who can you trust to clad you in warmth more than someone who lives somewhere even colder and rainier than where you yourself live?

Which reminds me. On my always evolving list of projects is a jacket button restoration undertaking on an amazing coat from Dorothy Perkins, an Irish boutique that Hannah turned me on to. Will let you know how that goes... Knowing that I have Mom's quilting genes in my blood is my sole confidence, which might just be enough.

I went to publish this post and realized that 'mittens' is one of my saved tag options - for the sole purpose of the mocket post, one of Hannah's inventions circa early 2009.

It's coooold out. Innumerable cups of peppermint tea, here I come.

3104 NE Glisan

We moved into this house in July, midst-heat-wave of 2009. 105 degrees outside and we are lugging in couches, paint-cans, and getting to work. Best part of the story? It has A/C. Thank goodness. It's situated in a cute neighborhood, between Laurelhurst and 28th/burnside area - close to coffee shops and restaurants galore, and the best freakin pizza I've had yet on this world. We walked over to Dove Vive just yesterday and ordered the butternut squash special. I have wanted another piece since.

Oh yeah, and it used to be a duplex, so there are two front doors. Both blue.

Point of the post is that I got a new camera recently, but since it's gray and cloudy outside, have mostly been messing around with it inside the casa. Let the hiberation continue strong, but sun, come back to us anything. We will be ready with dice, summer movie schedule, and cheap beer in hand. Oh, and pitchers of a yerba mate recipe that a friend shared with me last week. Will post a recipe if I'm successful when the time comes.





hannah sporting her new cap