First snowman of the season!

The Blizzard of 2010, last week, was a huge let down in terms of quality sculpting snow.  There was so much hype the Tuesday before Thanksgiving regarding "the blizzard that wasn't" that I even received an email warning from the local tv station:

Dear KSL.com visitor,

With the severe weather system approaching the Wasatch Front, KSL.com has set up a special page to keep you up-to-date with the latest information on this storm. This page includes links to closures, the Live 5 Weather map and the latest news. Please visit the KSL Storm Coverage Page for the most recent information.

National Weather Service issuing a blizzard warning for much of the state. A strong cold front is expected to arrive in Northern Utah by 2-4pm, in the Wasatch Front between 3p-6p, and then through the rest of the state. Expect the wind gusts to blow between 30 and 50mph as the front arrives. Bitter cold air should move in quickly, with temperatures in the teens tonight. Single digits possible tomorrow morning. More snow is possible along the Wasatch Front tomorrow morning as well. Highs tomorrow could stay below 20. Lows Thanksgiving could drop below zero if skies clear. Download the Live 5 Weather app to keep you informed. Also keep viewing ksl.com for more updates. -Grant Weyman, Live 5 Weather HD 11.23.10

It is highly recommended that you do not attempt to drive in this storm. If it is necessary please give yourself extra time and take extra precautions while on the road.

Be safe out there!
Your KSL.com Team

Suffice-to-say, only a couple of inches fell in the valley and the blizzard became a bit of an in-joke in Salt Lake.  Our friend, Bryan Rowe, posted this picture of a t-shirt on facebook.

Thankfully that changed on Sunday when we got a nice fresh dumping of snow.  Sunday is the perfect day for a snowstorm, don't you think?

Copycat rug; you know I love a bargain......

Geometric patterns seem to be all the rage these days.  Whether it be pillows, drapes or rugs...in stripes, chevron, moroccan tile or houndstooth.  So when I saw this recent house tour on Apartment Therapy I was immediately drawn to the cool rug in the living room. 

I knew it was going to be pricey when I read it was a custom rug from Jonathan Adler.  $2400 to be precise!  Not to be deterred, I decided to do a simple google search and came up with this very similar wool rug called Surya Frontier 22 Houndstooth rug in wool from CSN, for a whopping $245 including free shipping.  Um that's a tenth of the price! 

It also comes in many different colours.   At that price, I might just have to snap one up.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The day started with a very chilly outdoor breakfast up Millcreek Canyon with a 100 or so friends.  The temperature was a balmy 6 degrees Fahrenheit, and the snow was up to our knees, but the spiked coffee and the yummy pastries & bacon kept our spirits high.

Later, we changed into our less puffy party attire in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner hosted by our very best friends, Sheila & Andy (and their 3 adorable children).  Roman did a pretty good job of imitating JT.

The champagne flowed.

The table scape was classic & beautiful.

Hang on a minute, is that a turkey-shaped butter I see?

I'm especially thankful for sharing this day with my two best friends, Sheila & Amy.

And for friends who are not embarrassed to pair a tie with the chunkiest woolly sweater I have ever seen.

The food was of course delicious.

The pies were yummy.

Loads of photos were snapped.

I am thankful that the kids had a good time and were occupied well (hence the lack of photos).  I am thankful that sweet old Maggie (Andy & Sheila's dog) is still with us.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

Ohdeedoh small kids, big color finalists announced.

The boys' room didn't make it into the finals, boo hoo, but check out the awesome rooms that did.

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/small-kids-big-color-2010/vote-now-for-your-favorite-colorful-roomsmall-kids-big-color-contest-2010-133054

My favourite is Harper's Cheery Butterfly Boudoir, the one with the red wallpaper. Ironically this is the one that has the least votes so far.  But I think that the "into the woods" one is gonna win. Which one is your favourite?

Gone to the birds....

Why am I so drawn to birds in decor?

rug & pillow by Thomas Paul

Is it their shape or their sweet nurturing nature?

pillows by Thomas Paul & Pottery Barn, curtains by Anthropologie

Maybe it's the variety of colours they come in.

I see a bird related design project in my future.

This sideboard needs lightening up.  I'm contemplating lining it with this bird wrapping paper.

Plates on the walls in the kitchen, not considered too country anymore, I hope.

All plates Anthropologie

A couple of new additions to the bird family.

mummy bird & baby bird

bird pouf by Zid Zid Kids, yes I need to iron the slipcover!

bird prints from Pottery Barn

Even the bubble bath has birds in it!  

Not content to have birds just at home, I've even been known to wear them.

More birds in the bathroom!

mummy ducky & baby ducky, collage picture by local artist

Current obsession is this gorgeous wallpaper by Louise Body.  It comes in two colourways, blue & stone.

images from here

Hope you enjoyed my bird-brained tour.  Next stop, flowers!