Happy New Years!

I couldn't say it any better than the toast below! Thanks to you all for reading and following LPC over the past year - we couldn't do it without you! I wish every single one of you a happy and healthy 2011!

Peace out, 2010!

Pinterest

Are you guys on Pinterest? Pinterest is a virtual pinboard — a place where you can post collections of things you love, and "follow" collections created by other people with great taste. I just discovered it recently and have become a full blown addict. Follow me here and let me know if you're on it so I can follow you back! Happy Pinning!

Gifts for the New Year!

Forgot to get someone you love a holiday gift? No problem. Happens all the time in the rush and travel of the end of the year. Below I've made a list of my favorite post holiday-i-forgot-aunt-sally's-christmas-present-and-am-seeing-her-for-the-new-year-and-should-really-get-her-a-gift first aid kit! Some of my post holiday pre-new year favorites!  Hope you Enjoy!

Gifts for the New Year by katesullivan featuring ankle booties

Pintucked Panel Dress - Madewell, $128
ASOS ARCHIVE Leather Lace Up Ankle Boots, $138
black garnet kama ring, $88
SCOUT SOAP SET | candles/bath | accessories | Jayson Home & Garden, $22
Chronicle Books Polaroid Notes, $15
PRETTY MOMMY — Virginia Johnson Lightweight Shawl - Zig Zags
Canoe: Tivoli Model One
fieldguided — thunder in our hearts tote

Loving these ...

Delectably delicious scented soy candles from Sydney Hale Company- 10% of proceeds are donated to a local animal rescue organization (yes, please!) Sydney Hale Co. pairs scents like mint and geranium, grapefruit and orange,sea salt and bay rum complete with super cute packaging.

Music Monday: Oren Lavie

Oren Lavie's video, Her Morning Elegance, has become a Pop Culture phenomena and the most successful stop motion video ever. The video was assembled from 2096 still photographs that were shot and sequenced to create a sense of movement. After going from stills to motion the artists decided to break the video down into its original photographs, printed in physical form and exhibited in galleries worldwide. Today you can own one of these prints and have a fraction of the video itself in your home!  This is one of my favorite videos of all time!

A Holiday Poem

Little Tree
by EE Cummings

Little tree
Little silent Christmas tree
You are so little
You are more like a flower

Who found you in the green forest
And were you very sorry to come away?
See I will comfort you.
Because you smell so sweetly

I will kiss your cool bark
And hug you safe and tight
Just as your mother would
Only don't be afraid.

Look the spangles
That sleep all year in the dark box
Dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine
The balls the red and gold the fluffy threads

Put up your little arms
And I will give them all to you to hold
Every finger shall have its ring
And there won't be a single place dark or unhappy

When you are quite dressed
You’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
And how they'll stare
Oh but you will be very proud

And my little sister and I will take hands
And looking at our beautiful tree
We’ll dance and sing.

Happy Happy Holidays to you all!

xoxo,
LPC

Loving These .....

Map Wrap collection from Michael Hill, featuring illustrations of London, Paris, New York and the world. Such a cool and different take on hip wrapping paper!

Winter

Sometimes it is hard to get into the Holiday spirit in 80 degree sunny California weather even in the middle of December. It's time like these that I look forward to going home to Boston for Christmas. Because what's Christmas without snow ice cream, hot cocoa, holly and pine trees, mittens and snow angels! Here are some photos that get me excited for this Holiday Season!

Music Monday: Top Ten Albums of the Year

Happy Music Monday! Since we're beginning to wrap up 2010, I'm putting a little spin on Music Monday today to review LPC's top ten albums of 2010. So, without much further ado, here we go!

{La Petite Choue's Top 10 Albums of 2010}

1. Arcade Fire: The Suburbs

2. Beach House: Teen Dream

3. Broken Bells: Broken Bells

4. Jenny and Johnny: We're Having Fun Now

5. Sleigh Bells: Treats

6. Florence & The Machine: Lungs
7. Maria & The Diamonds: The Family Jewels
8. The XX: XX
9. Little Dragon: Machine Dreams
10. Quadron: Quadron

* Honorable Mention: Fitz and the Tantrums: Pickin' up the Pieces

What albums would you add to this list?

Loving these ...

Homemade pies in mason jars from etsy shop, All Jarred Up! I'm drooling just thinking about one of these! I feel like these are the *perfect* holiday gifts which are both affordable as well as totally unique and delicious!

Wanted this week!

Hi Everyone! I'm back from NYC and had a crazy-amazing time. Thank you so so so very much to my amazing guest bloggers for keeping you all entertained whilst I skipped through the dusty snowy streets of Brooklyn! I'm still in a bit of an " i'm unpacking doing loads of laundry need to go grocery shopping and can't stop hugging my puppy" phase, but I should bounce back to regular blogging next week. (Thanks for your patience). In the meantime, check out Pennyweight Blog's (run by my latest and great blogger best friend, Elise) featuring La Petite Choue on her "Wanted this Week" post here. I had so much fun putting together my wish list and hopefully you'll find it inspiring as you do your Holiday shopping!

Four Seasons Plates / Best Day Ever Tee / Amazonite Ring / Revival Radio / Flatware / Duffel Bag / Skinny Cords / Crosley Turntable / French Tee / Matchstick Bottle / Teakettle / Frankie Diary / Lace Collar Dress / Hunter Wellies / Calendar / Not Plastic Bottles

loving a winter wonderland . . .

Happy Monday! Caitlin here from Sacramento Street. I hope all of you had a lovely weekend. When Kate ask me to guest blog while she was off exploring the big apple - I immediately emailed her back saying "yes, yes, yes!" I'm incredibly jealous that Kate is in New York during the holiday season - it's truly magical this time of year and because of that it distracts you from how cold it is outside.

Today, I'm sharing what I love about this time of year - December is by far one of my favorite months!

* Watching snow flurries coming down makes my heart skip a beat. I never tire of waking up in the morning and seeing white flakes falling from the sky.

* On a cold winter night my husband and I make warm hot cocoa with lots of whipping cream. It seems to taste even better when The Holiday or Love Actually are playing on TV.

* I'm a sucker for yummy sugar cookies with white frosting and sprinkles, but for some reason I usually end up making my husbands favorite - peanut butter blossoms - their my second favorite. They bring back memories of when I used to make them for him in high school, yes we're high school sweethearts.

* As temperatures continue to drop attempting to dress cute is the ultimate task. How does one make a puffy jacket look chic?

* To me there is nothing like curling up on a cold winter day to read a book. It's pure bliss!

What do all of you love about this time of year?

Thank you Kate for having me here today. I hope all of you have a wonderful holiday season!

*Photos: French by Design, eeuphoriaa from tumblr, and Garance Dore

Holiday Love

Hi, everyone.  Happy Friday!  Kate asked me to fill in for her today while she's living it up in New York.  I'm Liz from Lo! In the Morning.

Typically, the day after Thanksgiving I am out shopping for holiday gifts, waiting impatiently for all my favorite bloggers to post their gift guides, and checking things off my list of holiday to-dos. But, around mid-December, I tend to get overwhelmed with all the hustle and bustle and stress I put on myself to create meaningful holiday memories, I end up wanting nothing more than to retreat at home with my husband, cozy pajamas, old movies, good music, and hot chocolate.

I am always so grateful for the time that I am still and reflect on the season.

 Here are some images and video that help me do just that.
I hope, this season, you are able to do the same.

(click on photos for source)
 disclaimer:: coldplay + christmas music could be completely cheesy but this couldn't be more right.

these for you, that for me

Hello, readers. I am posting a little something for Kate today while she is in the big apple.
My name is Mary Frances. You can see my blog/musings at catchmeifyoufran.com

Around the holidays – when we are supposed to be shopping for our loved ones – it never fails to amaze me, the amount of things I wish to own myself. Don't get me wrong, I immensely enjoy gifting others, but sometimes you just have to have it. Below are a few things one might consider guiltless pleasures for you, the buyer, to indulge in for yourself while you're out shopping.
Ok so the bralette...one might feel a bit of resentment. It will pass....

L-R (photostrip, bralette, Diana F+ mini, Impossible film, pretty polish, LAWTLDN)

( ♥ _ ♥ ) 

Holiday Looks

Hi everyone- I'm Mariah from Size too Small and today I'm filling in for Kate while she enjoys a little bit of Christmas in New York.

There are so many good reasons to get dressed up this time of year. So here are some of my favorite looks to get you through the holiday season in style. Work Party, Christmas Concert, Christmas Brunch with Family, Holiday Travel, Cocktail Party, and Christmas Errands.  My favorite look- Christmas Brunch!

Holiday Shopping For The Fellas

Hello lovelies, my name is Meg and I'll be filling in for the marvelous Miss Kate today. I write a little blog called Megventures where I share photos and stories of all my mini life adventures.

Last week, I shared my Christmas wishlist over on my blog; this week, I was hoping you, dearest readers, would join me in the search for boyfriend/husband/man-in-your-life gifts.

I have a small list started for my boyfriend (see some of my picks below), but have yet to purchase anything, so share with me some ideas! What have you bought for the fella this year or what are you planning to buy?

1. Frye 'Dakota Wedge' Boot | 2. Dapper Knit Green Bow-Tie | 3. Vintage Camera 
4. AM/FM MP3 Input Safety Ear-Muffs | 5. Lumberjack, A Field Guide 
6. 'Wiloughby' Warby Parker Spectacles | 7. Estwing Hatchet 
8. Lumberjack Tee | 9. Bill Bryson's A Walk In The Woods

Elvis Presley + 1960s

Hello friends! I am thrilled to be guest posting for the lovely Kate today... My name is Elise and you can find me blogging over at Pennyweight and collecting over at Troubadour Vintage.

Since you may be here for Kate's wonderful Music Monday post, I thought I'd try to stick to that theme but put my own twist on it. Lately, I have been incredibly inspired by the life and music of Elvis. A friend and I recently took a trip to Graceland to eat peanut butter and banana sandwiches, ogle over his wardrobe and roam his grand estate. Mr. Presley pretty much dominated the 60s [which is a favorite era of mine]... so I thought I'd share with you some 1960s-inspired pretties that I would definitely rock today ::

1 Beehive Hair / 2 Long Lashes / 3 Shift Dress / 4 Hat / 5 Camera / 6 Go-Go Boots / 7 Cropped Jacket / 8 Lightning Bolt Necklace / 
9 Crazy Daisy Pyrex

Check out my blog this Thursday to see La Petite Choue's Christmas Wishlist!

Brooklyn Bound

Hi Everyone! I"m taking a vacation! Yes, I said it. A vacation. I'm off to Brooklyn for a week and couldn't.be.more.excited! I plan to see a lot of theater, make too many trips to tasti-delite, bar hop throughout Williamsburg and hopefully improve my wardrobe on the cheap at some of my favorite vintage stores! There are some *very* exciting guest bloggers who will keep you coming back over the next week, so make sure to tune in! Have a fantastic week and I'll see you back here soon!




















Image via weheartit.

Loving this ....

Promotional video for Twirl; a new fragrance by Kate Spade New York. Twirl is concocted of pink watermelon mixed with blackberry and red currant, with a layer of orange blossom, star jasmine, tiare flower and sweet magnolia.  I think that if I owned this perfume I would just drink it for breakfast!

The greatest secrets are always hidden

I've been having a no-good-very-bad week so far. And then I happened upon this illustration from Melbourne based designer Amy Borrell, and it made me feel, as the little girl in The Sound of Music says in her sweet little British accent, much much bettah.

Music Monday: First Aid Kit

Hi Turkey's! Did you all have a lovely Thanksgiving? I sure hope so! Mine was fantastic and included some much needed R&R. Today's Music Monday features First Aid Kit; the Swedish Folk duo composed of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg, whose vocal harmonies and woodsy, folk-influenced songwriting take influence from bands such as Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. First Aid Kit's debut album "The Big Black & The Blue," was released on January 25th, 2010.  To me, these super talented ladies sound like the junior version of Neko Case. And we can never have enough Neko Case now, can we? Check out their music video for their song, " Hard Believer" below. And lots of thanks & love to Ms. Taryn for introducing me to this band in the first place!


Happy Music Monday to you all!





* First Aid Kit songs to download

- Hard Believer

- Ghost Town

- I met up with the King

* New Feature!

Loving these ....

New shoe clips by bando! How cute would these look at a holiday party?

Music Monday: Phoenix/PS22

I stumbled upon PS22's beautiful rendition of Phoneix's Liztomania  (a children's chorus singing Phoenix? What? Amazing) and it reminded me of my love for the French pop-sync band. I started listening to them back in 2000 with their debut album, Untitled. The albums that followed were equally as impressive including their recent album released in 2009 entitled Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix. Fun fact? The lead singer, Thomas Mars, is Sofia Coppola's life partner and they have two children together! Check out Phoenix's video below for 1901 and if you have time, take a peek at the PS22 kids chorus video as well which started this whole Phoenix madness today! Happy Music Monday!

Tweet, me, Please!

La Petite Choue has finally grown up and joined the 21st century - we're now on TWITTER and tweeting up a storm! Follow us here!


















HAPPY FRIDAY!

xoxo,
LPC

Martha Stewart + PetSmart

Ahhh! I just found out today that Martha Stewart is doing a line for PETSMART! What? I'm going this weekend to pick up some little goodies for Scout! I love the dog bowls and holiday toys! Happy Friday, ya'll!

Perfect Dinner Party

 I love hosting dinner parties and coming up with really fun groups of my friends to introduce. I created my dream dinner party guest list below. I guess the theme here is: really cool ladies that kick ass (which is fine by me)!  If you could host a dinner party with anyone you wanted, who would you invite?

Girl Dinner Party by katesullivan on Polyvore.com

Drew Barrymore - Actor/Director (E.T, MUSIC & LYRICS, WHIP IT)
Idina Menzel - Theater Actor (RENT, WICKED)
Sofia Coppola - Writer/Director (VIRGIN SUICIDES, LOST IN TRANSLATION)
Karen O - Musician (Yeah Yeah Yeah's)
Ellen Page - Actor (WHIP IT, JUNO)
Tegan & Sara - Musicians (Sainthood)
Jenny Lewis - Musician (Jenny & Johnny)
Natalie Maines - Musician (Dixie Chicks)

Loving these ....

Set of two fall inspired wallpapers created for the iphone and ipad through the Barcelona based company, Poolga. I love how all of the leaves were handcrafted out of paper!

WordSmith

I stumbled upon this word post on one of my favorite blogs which listed the 100 most beautiful words in the English language. I choose my favorites off the list and re-posted them below. As a journalism student (both in college and hailing from two journalistic parents), I have grown to realize the importance of words and have also developed a pretty unhealthy obsession with scrabble. That being said,  refresh your vocabulary with some of the words below and feel free to leave a comment with a favorite of your own.

Beautiful Words in the English Language

Bungalow A small, cozy cottage.
Dalliance A brief love affair.
Dulcet Sweet, sugary.
Ebullience Bubbling enthusiasm.
Effervescent Bubbly.
Elixir A good potion.
Eloquence Beauty and persuasion in speech.
Epiphany A sudden revelation.
Fetching Pretty.
Felicity Pleasantness.
Harbinger Messenger with news of the future.
Leisure Free time.
Lilt To move musically or lively.
Love Deep affection.
Onomatopoeia A word that sounds like its meaning.
Plethora A large quantity.
Ratatouille A spicy French stew.
Ripple A very small wave.
Scintilla A spark or very small thing.
Serendipity Finding something nice while looking for something else.
Sumptuous Lush, luxurious.
Surreptitious Secretive, sneaky.
Talisman A good luck charm.
Umbrella Protection from sun or rain.

Music Monday: Feist

Oh friends, I am tried. So very tired. This 3-day-weekend was incredible but after two trips to the dog park, a Sofia Coppola wine themed game night, and a Sunday evening dinner party, I am exhausted. So I'll leave you with one of my favorite music videos of all time. Feist's 1,2,3,4 makes my droopy eyelids stay open. Notice that the video is only one shot. Notice the choreography. Notice her fantastic sparkly blue jumper that I would kill to own. Happy Monday!

Loving these ...

Bowje Hair Bows made from 100 percent recycled clothing. How cute are these? And How cute is my friend Lulu (brunette) who modeled for this shoot? I can't wait to get my grubby little hands one of these puppies! Also check out Bowje's cute headband blog, Little Prada Pig, here!

Let's go to the movies

I am so terribly behind on my movie watching that there's only one thing to do on this long upcoming 3 day weekend: movie-marathon! Here's what I'll be seeing:

127 Hours by Danny Boyle starring James Franco



Hereafter by Clint Eastwood starring Matt Damon



Welcome to the Riley's directed by Jake Scott starring Kristen Stewart and James Gandolfini



Black Swan directed by Darren Aronofsky starring Natalie Portman



What have you seen lately that you love?

Loving these ...

"Moon Games" photographs taken by landscape astrophotographer and astronomy journalist Laurent Laveder.  Laveder's photographs have appeared on NASA sites and international astronomy magazines, and he is part of an international collective of astronomy photographers called The World At Night.  (Um, I'd like to be a part of this too please) His recent project, "Moon Games", has recently been published as a small book in France and reminds me a lot of a favorite childhood book of mine, The Little Prince, who lived on an asteroid moon himself. To check out more of his photography, you can go to Laveder's website. I can't wait until there is a full moon again so I can go out and try this!

Music Monday: Yolanda Be Cool

Oh my goodness - how cool is this? Below is a collaboration between Suzanne Cleary, Peter Harding and Jonny Reed. The song, entitled We No Speak Americano aims to stretch the concept of Irish Dance to its limits. The song is incredible and I love the way it's filmed. Enjoy and Happy Music Monday!

Happy Weekend & Good Luck, Scout!

I just dropped the little pumpkin off at the vet to be *spade* this morning. I MAY or may not be a nervous wreck. I took this photo on the way to the vet. I'm pretty sure home-pup had no idea what was going on, other than the fact that she wasn't allowed to have breakfast this morning and was pretty miffed at me. Since Scout will be in full-on recovery mode this weekend, the two of us are going to curl up on the couch and watch the second season of Friday Night Lights (seriously people, this show is amazing - Tim Riggins anyone?) and attempt at making this delicious recipe. We're going to try and finish a few home-craft projects as well so I can finally take photos of my new home to share with you! What are you up to? Happy Weekend!

An Awesome Book of Thanks

Dallas Clayton writes children's books. I just recently discovered his incredible book, An Awesome Book (clever title, eh?), and am totally addicted. Dallas' new book, An Awesome Book of Thanks, comes out this month. Check out his introductory video below! His images are so goofy and beautiful and I love the positive message he sends to children. (Thanks C for introducing me!)

Oh! And check out my What I'm Thankful For list today on Our One Sweet World blog! I had such a fun time coming up with it!

November Lovin'

reading: finally finished A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Michael Cunningham - love love loved it. Currently reading the MAZERUNNER by James Dashner and then Charle's Bukowski's POST OFFICE as our next book club book! Excited as I have never read him before.

buying: porch furniture for the log cabin's wrap-around and a new iphone case. Oh, and still searching for the perfect salt and pepper shakers!

listening to: Warpaint, The Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Soundtrack (I'm a nerd) and Mark Ronson.

watching: Modern Family (love), 30 Rock (LOVE!), The Event, Dexter, 90210 (guilty!) and just started watching Friday Night Lights on DVD and.am.obsessed.

loving: how fall has finally reached Los Angeles, pumpkin spiced lattes, taking walks with the pup, staying in on Friday nights and making cider, and craft nights!

planning: a trip to NYC this winter to visit friends and hang in Brooklyn. More details on that to come!

What are you all loving these days? Happy November!

Music Monday: MixTape Mini Cushions

Happy Music Monday! How cute are these adorable MixTape Mini Cushions from Etsy? Get your set of three cushions here! P.S. You can buy the set seen below or custom order them with your choice of color scheme and embroidered title. I think my set of tapes would read; 80's pop princess mix, Jem and the Holograms Greatest Hits, and, lest not forget, Madonna: The Immaculate Collection. How about you?