Every now and then, this photo of the Trinity College Library’s Long room from our travelogue to Ireland pops up in my Pinterest feed. I’d follow the link back to the Travelogue and it would just drive me crazy to see the old post with its few, miniature images–and a whole lot of text. It was due for an update.
That trip we took to Ireland, one spring a few years back, was such a fantastic one. We chose it as a destination on a funny whim—it just happened to be the cheapest international destination to fly to from New York City in June (presumably because it’s usually rainy there then, though it wasn’t for us)—and so I hadn’t built up that sense of eager anticipation about Ireland the way one might. It completely wowed me.
If you haven’t had a look, check out our Ireland travelogue—newly updated! (Aron and I look like such babies—before having our own.)
Catbird, a jewelry shop in Williamsburg, has lovely little gift guides—including one for new moms. My favorite are the delicate little alphabet rings. So many of my friends are (also) pregnant with baby #2; wouldn’t it be sweet to wear stacked rings, one with each child’s initial? Of course they’d make a great gift for anyone who want to keep a romantic someone’s initial close at hand, too.
More links for your weekend…
Are you done with your holiday shopping? I almost am. If you’re too late for on-time shipping, maybe consider donating to a charity—or to public radio or television in someone’s name (to say thank you for This American Life and Downton Abbey)! But if you’d like something you can wrap, here are my gift guides: For Her, For Him, For the Kiddo, and For Everyone Else.
Also, Our Common Mug, a sweet gift to share with a friend who is too far away. (Thanks for the tip, Allie!)
We just got a Christmas card from Aron’s aunt, who made a painting based on one of my photographs and used the image for her cards. So awesome to see! Here are the snowy images of Manhattan after a big storm, taken mostly in Central Park. (They’re still some of my favorite!)
Besides Tums, sparkling mocktails, and a bright lip stain, my holiday arsenal this year has been centered on one very comfortable but slightly form-fitting knit dress. It’s simple, versatile, and I love it. (Especially since it cost me only $15.)
Getting dressed up for the holidays can be tricky. If you’re like me, and the chances to do so are rare, you want to have the fun of getting dressed up; but you probably don’t want to spend very much money on something you might not wear again—especially true when you’re pregnant. (Though I very well may keep wearing this stretchy dress well into the first post-partum month.) Here are a few well-priced basics—many from Old Navy—that I found for a classic holiday party. You could, of course, skip the plaid and glitter and add-in something like touches of neon for something less traditional if that’s your preference.
