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It really feels like the holidays after this festive weekend. On Friday, we came home from work and went straight to the Christmas tree lot down the street. Our tradition is to buy a tree fresh off the truck, still wrapped up, and carry it home. Pizza delivery and Bing Crosby as we unwrapped the…

I had a blissful holiday moment last week. Picture this: a little french boulangerie in the lower Haight on a cold winter evening. Inside: candles, croque monsieur, pints in tall glasses, Ella Fitzgerald singing Christmas songs, festive lights around the bar. Outside: bundled up couples with pugs on leashes, lugging home their Christmas trees on…

I love Ikea any time of year, but the holidays are the best. Those crazy Swedes really know how to put on a cozy holiday. I stocked up on all sorts of red and craft-paper colored wrapping paper, ribbon and gift tags last weekend. These little santa dudes are only $4.

The annual holiday party shopping trip! Always a great adventure in calories and my favorite thing for December 4th. Last night’s trip to Trader Joe’s was epic: applewood smoked bacon, jalapeno sausage, andouille sausage, camembert, goat cheese, cream cheese, capers, miniature cinnamon rolls for a cheater version of croquembouche, bags of potatoes no bigger than…

I ordered a bunch of these for Sunday’s party. Simple bamboo picks with a little knot at the top. Our caterer used them for bison skewers at the wedding. Not only are they cheap, but they’re elegant and easier to maneuver than regular toothpicks.

This year, my office has gone holiday-decoration-crazy. There’s at least 200 feet of pine boughs with twinkle lights, poinsettias, bows…it’s lovely and my favorite thing for December 3rd! Earlier this week, I bought a little Christmas tree for my desk from a flower stand downtown. Such an urban little tree, on display right there on…

Ooooh my! Our annual holiday brunch is coming up this weekend and I haven’t planned a thing yet. I just checked the invitation and we’re on for 24 people this year!? Time to reevaluate my menu. I’ve got a big ham on deck already. I was thinking about repeating the savory bread pudding from last…

Any brand worth their salt puts on a holiday event during the season. And that means you can find a swanky cocktail party to attend almost any day of the week in December. It’s my favorite thing for December 2 on the advent calendar. Last night, a couple of friends joined me at the Banana…

After…hmm, three? times redecorating the bedroom in three years, I’m finally making progress. I started with a blue and white china pattern, bought antique lamps, painted the walls, changed the bedding, put up navy velvet curtains and then switched the bedding again when we were given a lovely wool blanket from MacAusland for our wedding.…

It’s already the first of December?! Time to kick off the advent calendar. This year’s theme: favorite simple things about the holidays. Fuji persimmons are a new favorite this year. We brought home a big bag from Rob’s grandmother’s ranch last weekend. I guess I’d only had the bitter acorn-shaped Hongsi before. These are delicious…