Holiday 2008

I scrolled up and down and realized I never posted about Thanksgiving break. Now that it's January, I thought I'd combine all the winter holidays into one massive post.

It was my parents year to have all the kids for Thanksgiving. We all arrived in Montana between Monday and Wednesday of the week - from D.C., Cincinnati, San Diego and Park City. Even Good Ol' Uncle Pat came along with me and Ben on our adventure. It was just like old times having him with us.

We saw several movies over the weekend, had malts and burgers at Norm's News, and of course, went to Sportsman Ski Haus... it wouldn't be a Stimpson vacation without it. Thanksgiving dinner was fantastic - complete with new gourmet additions to the menu such as pecan pie cheesecake, yams with a citrus twist, sweet potato casserole and delicious homemade cranberry sauce. I love that my mom and sisters try new dishes every year - it's so fun and unpredictable!

We also had the first annual Stimpson Turkey Bowl in the open yards bordering the golf course next door. It was a blast. We were all distracted by Reese in her snowsuit (it didn't look cold, but it was!). I couldn't decide whether to cheer or play - that was my strategy to confuse the opposing team. The game was short and sweet with only two injuries sustained... Mike Smith's hamstring, and his other hamstring. In the South we just say, "blessim."

For Christmas Ben and I stayed in Utah this year to be with his family in Layton. The entire family gets together on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day - instead of driving back and forth from Park City in blizzard conditions, we packed our jammies and spent the night at Ben's parent's. It was great to be with everyone for great food, Grandma Kathy's holiday story, and of course, lots of presents.

Ben and I left around 5 p.m. on the 25th, as we wanted to get home to open our own presents that we left sitting under the tree. We drove home to at least 18 inches of new snow, and still falling, in our driveway. It looked only 'powdery' to me and I encouraged Ben to pull the car in a little bit. We immediately were stuck. Oh great! We ran our things inside and changed into our shoveling clothes. We had no shovel but got creative with a large 40 gallon trash bucket and a garden shovel. 30 minutes later we had enough snow gone to pull the car partially into the driveway and out of the path of the dangerously large and unwieldy snowplows. (doing the whole driveway would've taken hours!)

Opening presents together was really fun. One for you, one for me, one for you, one for me... and so on. With only two people it goes pretty quickly but there were a few surprises that kept things interesting. Afterward we ichatted with Mom and performed a special excerpt from her most-recent fave movie, Love Actually, and also displayed on camera all of our new gifts.

The next day Ben and I hosted the Oviatts for a White Elephant party. The theme was unmistakeably revolved around underwear of all kinds; with pink fur, king-sized, and of the tighty-whitey variety. I ended up with "Abs of Steel" and one of Cindy Crawford's work out videos ("Yes! Just what I needed as the new year approaches!") The "fishnet leg lamp" from A Christmas Story also surfaced.

In preparation for the dinner I pulled out most of the serveware I received as wedding gifts. I enjoyed setting up and entertaining in such a fun kitchen. I even filled my punch bowl. My clam chowder turned out as a result of a little help from my mother-in-law and some much needed cornstarch. After the party, Matt & McCall and Meghan and Cody stuck around to have a spend the night and to play Time's Up. We played boys vs. girls and luckily all three rounds ended and we were still on good terms! Here are some shots of our game faces.

Since Ben and I have been together, we've spent New Year's at my parents in Montana. You may ask what was going through our heads in driving north almost to Canada during the dead of winter?? Yes, the trip is just too fun to pass up. Ben and I hadn't seen any of Dean's basketball games since he began playing for his high school team. We went to two of his games and he definitely impressed us... the way he plays reminds me of Deron Williams or Steve Nash. Quick, smart and a great sport. He's such a mini version of my Dad. So much.

Mom hosted a 'make your own sushi' party and had some friends and neighbors come over to enjoy the yummy food with us. It was delicious. We stayed for five days and the snow finally stopped in time for us to leave. I think Kalispell had some record snowfall. Luckily Ben was happy to stay home and read while we were pretty much snowed in. Mom, Linds and I just sat around and caught up on Mom's tivoed design shows.



The holidays flew by so fast. It seemed like a blur now that I look back. Let's hope dreary January and the rest of the winter can blow by just as quickly.

Utah Style & Design

Last Sunday at church a member of the bishopric in our new ward approached me and said that his wife pointed me out in a magazine the other day. Thinking he was crazy, I just shrugged it off. Yesterday at work I opened the latest issue of Utah Style & Design and sure enough, our ad this issue has a picture of the four designers that work at the firm, including me. Eek.

Apart from my overly cheesy smile in the picture, I was so excited that my bosses put a shot of the nursery I did in the ad. This is a room I put together for the Parade of Homes this past summer. It was a priviledge to have done the nursery and so rewarding to have been sort of semi-published. Kathy & Derek did a phenomenal job on the entire house (see the other pictures in the ad) and I was thrilled to work on the nursery. I secretly want to create a specialty in nursery design.

Best Holiday Films

Some of these may or may not be entirely "Christmas" movies, but here is a list of the movies I love to watch most over the holidays... so far I'm way behind, considering there are only a few vacation days left.

This is the ultimate classic. I started watching this as a little girl. I always wanted to dance and look like the sister Judy.

This movie has been playing on tv lately. I think the cast is great and I love the way the story revolves around different vignettes. My favorite parts are the Christmas play, Collin Firth's romance, and when Hugh Grant dances around his house. Oh, and Ben and I LOVE the hilarious British singer. And so does my mom.

Home Alone is another seasonal classic. But you must limit it to the original or the part II. No further than that.

I think there are only one or two holiday scenes in this movie, but the simple fact that this is my favorite movie to replay and replay justifies watching it over the holidays.

I love this movie. Much of it happens around Christmas and there are so many great lines. If you haven't watched it in a while, go rent it. It's a great movie.

When this came out a few years ago around Christmas we went out to see it as a family. What we originally thought would be a hilarious feel-good movie turned out to have a few more twists and deeper issues than we expected. I liked it nonetheless. In the past two weeks it's been on tv at least twice. I watched it twice, and cried at exactly the same three parts both times. I like this movie more and more.

I watched this movie as a little girl and was so entranced by not only the concept of the story but also the illustrations and, most of all, the music. I got this on DVD a few years ago as I was stocking up on books and movies I'd read and seen as a child, as a future library for my children. There is nothing quite like this movie.

I have this movie on my DVR from last week and can't wait to snuggle up and watch it.

What's not to love about this movie? A little bit of Hollywood, (I LOVE Cameron Diaz's characters house... watch the film just to see it), a bit of England, how romantic and 'cottage-y', and so many great parts.

I love watching Elf and The Grinch - they remind me of my sisters and brother who still quote this movie sometimes. Holiday-whoo-be-what-ee?

Best Holiday Albums

These are my favorite albums this season - if you have a recommendation - comments are welcome!

Celine Christmas will always remind me of rooming with Lacey, Heidi & Taryn

I can remember listening to this album on my mom's new stereo with a 'cd' player... the newest thing that year... nineteen-ninety something, we were still living in Ohio. This album still reminds me of my mom.

Cheesy, I know, but the songs are good! Lots of them!

I love Lee Ann's version of "What are you doing New Year's Eve" - so romantic.

Don't laugh, Ben and I really love this song. It would be a misrepresentation to leave it off. Just admit you like it too.

Christmastime in the City

Yesterday a huge storm rolled into Utah.  It was wild!  Actually, we moved to Park City a little over a month ago and we've had our share of wild winter storms since.  What happened to Utah's drought problem and recent 'low-snow endangered winters'?  There is plenty of snow up here, trust me.

Anyway, the storm began like clockwork at noon, and only got worse until about 10 last night. The plows couldn't keep up with the roads and it got really nasty.  Chains were required for cars driving through Parley's canyon.  I called my uncle Chris who offered his condo to us for the night. How fun! Ben and I stayed the night at his place which is at the Warehouse Lofts just a block from the Gateway.  We parked at the condo and then walked around the streets last night looking at all the lights and window displays.  I love the weather after a snow because the ground is all covered in white and it seems to make the dark sky so much brighter. We totally felt like city folk.  We had a yummy dinner at The Dodo, where Ben got his 'usual' - turkey melt sandwich and of course we had to do the baked cream cheese appetizer and the tollhouse pie for dessert.

It was fun to be out around other people braving the storm, especially because yesterday I decided that I hadn't said "Merry Christmas" nearly enough this season.  I got a good chance last night through the small opening in my fuzzy fur-lined hood.

Christmas Wish List

Ben and I decided this year that we wouldn't just get each other gifts just to give gifts. After all, is there anything I really need? I have a pair of warm uggs, a warm coat, and hopefully soon I'll receive my poor camera back from its four-month warranty repair. Could I ask for anything more going into winter? But me, being the perpetual huntress of 1) a good deal, 2) a one-of-a-kind find, 3) anything that is sparkly, cozy, or just a flat-out 'must have', I've compiled a short list of things that I'd ask Santa for. Does Santa check blogs?

I have been on the lookout for a great carafe. I guess the one I'm really looking for is a 'bedside carafe'. (others are for wine/juice and have no cup on top). I think the idea is novel and who doesn't wake up parched in the middle of the night? I found this one online at Crate & Barrel, but then I found one the next day for under $10. So I snatched it up. Do I have to take it off my list now? oops!

I had an ipod alarm clock a few years ago, but it stopped working. I found this one with a mirrored surface. Sorta sleek, right? After all, I'd have to find something that would look good next to my new carafe.




How many times have I blogged about Mistral Verbena? Every time gift-giving comes around for me, it's the first thing I think of. I LOVE the scent. I want to use it in the shower, for lotion, for hand cream, perfume... heck, I wish it came in hairspray cause then I'd be completely covered.





I have a thing for earrings. I could pass up bracelets, necklaces and rings all day, but not a great pair of earrings. I saw these online at Neiman Marcus. I love them because they are a little vintage, a little Audrey Hepburn/Jackie O, and a little Harry Winston.



Maybe it's the Southerner in me that loves monograms and personalized stationery. I am slowly collecting my favorite design books, wedding books, entertaining and coffee table travel books. How fun to have personalized labels to put inside. I found this site when I did a search for personalized book plates online. I fell in love with this artist's style and his interpretations. They remind me a little of illustrations from a childrens' storybook. Hard to choose my favorite, but I love this one of the lemons.






I recently bought a round wooden table to use as a nightstand. Right now I have a blanket on it because what I really want is something like this pleated table skirt. Maybe silk, maybe linen. Hard to find so maybe I'll have to try my hand at making one.... yikes!




Can anyone offer some feedback on rain boots, aka Wellies? I think they are so cute and now that I have some tapered jeans, I thought wearing a pair of these with the right pants would look good instead of very weird and bulky/kankle-ish. I found a few pairs that I like. Still can't decide. Hunter makes the original Wellington boot. Here are the pairs I like. * ** *** **** *****


Last but not least, what I want most of all...

Current Obsession

I heard this music on my new friend Whitney's blog. I finally found the music I LOVE so much from those Korbel champagne commercials! Lately at work I've been listening to my 'dirty laundry' radio station on pandora.com. It is brilliant. I'm loving it. Try it.

Best Books of 2008

Amazon came out with their list of 2008's best books. I thought some of you might like to link to this. Click here. When I told Taryn about this, she asked, "How are you getting this list?" I admittedly and embarrassingly said I know I don't really read, but if I were to become interested this would be a good reference.

If anyone has recommendations from this list - comment and let me know.

DC Trip

Our 2 year anniversary was on the 10th of this month, and sadly Ben worked a long day while I was home throwing up. Ick. By the evening I finally felt up to showering - which turned out to be the high point of my day. Sort of pathetic, I know.

Ben and I planned a little getaway for the upcoming weekend, so we put our celebration off until then. Thursday we flew into Reagan airport and minutes after arriving, we were already enjoying the company of Taryn and sweet baby Reese! This was Ben's first trip to DC and so we had a lot of ground to cover.

Friday we headed across the Potomac into Georgetown and decided to "do a lap before we commit to a location." My friends for the day, Ben, Taryn and Reese, were nice enough to park right near Ann Sacks, Baker Furniture, and Waterworks. How fun to walk through these showrooms. It's great to see actual products after seeing their ads and spreads in design magazines. After that we strolled down M street and visited Georgetown Cupcake. We HAD to! The line was out the door but that isn't saying much, as only four people can fit inside at a time. We were later told by people all over town, who saw us carrying the pink box, that it was a 'short' line and how lucky we were to have gone when there was only a ten minute wait. We split a half-dozen and they were all equally delicious!

We stopped into Five Guys for lunch and the place was packed. (Also another 'must', as I've heard east coast people talk about Five Guys the way west coast people talk about In n' Out). It was delicious - and a little more meaty and down-home greasy than In n' Out. Yum.

The weather was so nice and we walked around for a few more hours, window-shopping among all the beautiful storefronts. I took a picture of the Ralph Lauren storefront because I thought it was so classic-looking. The holiday decorations were beginning to go up and it felt so festive all around. We stopped into spend our 'souvenir money' on goodies at my new favorite store, lululemon.




Afterward we drove to the Smithsonian to see the exhibits. The place was huge and we only had a little time, so we went straight to the important stuff: The National Gem Collection, including but not limited to the Hope Diamond. My eyes were as big as saucers the entire time and I may or may not have shoved people out of my way to be closer to the glass. Here are a few items I'm adding to my Christmas list:


We met up with Michael for a yummy dinner at La Sandia at Tyson's Corner. I was hooked the moment the waiter came out and started making fresh guacamole at our table. It was altogether very very tasty - great recommendation by Taryn.

Saturday we went to a preliminary tour of the new Capitol Visitors Center. It is underneath the Capitol and it's pretty incredible. Reminds me a lot of the Conference Center with all the angular columns and white stone inside. Taryn parked us at one end of the mall and on our way to the Capitol we passed all the monuments and museums. There were thousands of people walking the mall, from joggers to tourists, from Prop 8 protesters to Segway tour groups and everything in between. Talk about leaving the bubble!

The downpour started and Taryn and Mike made the trek back to the car while Ben and I took Reese to see the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress. What incredible buildings. The Library of Congress has mosaic tile murals and ceiling treatments that you have to see to believe. The rest of it reminded Ben of the movie National Treasure. :) Here is a picture of the stained glass panels in the ceiling that must have been done by Louis Tiffany - they were so beautiful I could hardly take my eyes off them.


That night we went back to Arlington for dinner and met up with Chris and Maeve at Ted's Montana Grill. It was so nice of Chris to share his order of onion rings as we awaited our Bison burgers. Yummy and juicy! Sounds weird but it was quite the treat. It was great to see the Baughman's and catch up with them now that they're big city folk. (Maeve good luck with the Christmas tree! I know it will turn out fabulously!)

We flew out Sunday evening but before we left we went by Arlington National Cemetery. We really could have spent all day there, the place is huge. We power-walked up to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns and then walked into the Memorial Amphitheater. It was really cold outside by now but the afternoon sun was shining through and the amphitheater was so majestic. My heaven has an amphitheater like this one.




Ben and I had a fantastic time. Three days was hardly enough time but it was a good start... Taryn and Reese make a wonderful tour guiding team! Maybe we can come back for the cherry blossom festival, what do you say Tar? On the flight home I asked Ben what his favorite part was - thinking it would take him a while to run through all the things we'd so enjoyed - he quickly replied, "The fajitas Taryn made on Thursday night... yep, that was my favorite part."

High Point 2008

As if Market in Las Vegas wasn't thrilling enough, I was included this year in the trip to High Point, North Carolina. I marked my calendar and pretty soon it was time to pack. This time, I packed even more mix-n-match clothes and even my uggs just in case of severe foot emergency.

The weather out there was so beautiful... and as opposed to Vegas market where you're inside a building all day, High Point is an entire downtown city full of various free-standing buildings, many renovated and re-purposed from old factories, even hoisery manufacturers! We hopped the bus and rode the 'go anywhere' shuttle all around town each day beginning at 8 a.m. and sometimes not returning home until 9 p.m.

We visited most of our current vendors, the usual suspects, and also had a chance to pick up a few really great new upholstery and accessory lines. I was like a mouse in a cheese factory everywhere I went! Let me paint the picture: we went into a contemporary showroom and I was all of a sudden totally loving (=wanting to order) all of it... then we went to a place more 'shabby chic' and suddendly I'm obsessed with cottage style. Oh help. Luckily I only point at & pet the things I like and am not in charge of ordering or paying for the product finally ordered. Of course I did pick up a few things, I had to!

I definitely wouldn't consider myself a trend-spotter, but I will dish on the things I saw most of, I guess it's safe to say they are trends? Larger than life chess pieces (tons in all sizes in at least a dozen showrooms- strange if you ask me), painted candlesticks/candlestick lamps, aqua/tan and blue/camel schemes everywhere, fabrics pressed into basketweave patterns (cool!), and lots of distressed vintage furniture and ecclectic pairings.

We took loads of pictures, but here are a few of my favorite things:

concrete dogs flanking an entryway - Derek ordered these for his client's gothic revival house in Huntsville

rooster aubusson needlepoint pillow at Gerry Nichol - I know it seems kinda old fashioned but these are absolutely beautiful - and retail for over $400


a vignette at Old Hickory Tannery - how fun is this set-up? Matching upholstered beds, my fave, and fabulous bedding, etc. I want to package this room up and have it as a guest room!

We saw this giclee (canvas reproduction) at Picture Galleries. The picture doesn't do it justice but something about this photo caught me - isn't it incredible?

And here's me in this HUGE chair we saw at IHFC. I had to climb/jump into it. (notice the uggs, sweater and strange hair-do, can you guess it was our fifth and final day?) And at the top of this post is the Baker Furniture building. The topiaries, the artichoke finials, the iron gates, the awnings, the ivy! I fell in love with the building's cream, gray, black and green look and its iconic historical styling.