Take a break from shopping madness to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's; it's available on Netflix Instant (here in the States). We're under-the-weather here (both editor & redheaded cat) but we hope to pick up the posting rate soon. Cheers!
It's a been a terribly busy day but we're excited to think about putting up a tree. Last night we watched the Rockefeller Center tree lighting on television. While GG's editor was tweeting, suddenly a new follower. Guess who? The Rockefeller Tree is one cheeky tweeter!
It's that time of year! (Stop yer grousin':) This is one of the most popular searches on GG. 
Giulia's editor likes to think she's clever. We've been looking at our nice but unremarkable winter pull-on hat/beanie (purchased for 50 cents at a thrift shop) & feeling ho-hum about it. That is until this a.m. when Erica showed the way: pom-pom it. *smacks forehead* 
Circumstances conspired to point us towards Tolstoy today, again. Giulia's editor read an excellent translation of Anna Karenina in 2001 & finally understood the greatness of Tolstoy, even in English. Now, a pile-up of Tolstoy blogs, reading groups, & even a tweeter! Visit C.M. Mayo's appropriately-titled Reading Tolstoy's War & Peace. She's our go-to link-a-lot & she always says the most interesting things.
That's the name of Irene Suchoki's shop & it's apt. We're posting this now because the holiday order deadline for her beautiful prints & calendars is December 5 for the States, December 8 for Canada. The deadline for international was November 22. But if you like something (love the calendars), then why not order? Subscribe to the idea of The Twelve Days of Christmas & feel the stress decrease. Seriously. This photograph makes us want to whip out the fairy lights. Right now.
We're off for a drive (& a walk) in the country & to visit friends & family. What else are holiday weekends for? OK, many of you will be shopping, either online or walking on your two little feet. Take a break, either way, & visit a nearby park/museum. GG's editor was pleased to see that Brookside Gardens is a member of the First Lady's Let's Move - Museums & Gardens. Check to see if your favorite park or museum is on the list. Then take yourself on a walk, even to the corner store. You'll feel so much better.
It's Thanksgiving eve, hooray! Many of you are on the road or at airports (or will be). Wherever you are, we know that like us you will watch the 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tomorrow morning. Here is this year's interactive website for some fun & games now. If you are in New York, surely you know about the balloon blow-up scene up at 77th & Columbus. Right? Here's New York magazine's Thanksgiving parade advice. 
If we could send everyone wine, we would. Alas, you're going to the wine shop on your own. But here are two good round-ups for wines under $15.00. Any of these look good as a host gift, too. (Giulia is staying home to watch Christmas movies on Thanksgiving; her editor is expected for a delicious dinner with friends.)
Giulia's editor is mid-computer crisis panic. It's not pretty but here are some pretty lipsticks. Yet another red-lipstick-is-it guide from The Guardian. Several favorites are on their list. Also, Joanna has excellent links, like this latest lipstick. Wish we could wear it. Beso has a Three Makeup Pick-me-ups that look good, too.
We're still sitting in the midst of a computer crisis so we'll not be able to watch A Hard Day's Night on Netflix Instant (tonight) but you can. Also, the National Museums Liverpool has a fun page, The Beatles Games. The big daddy of the sites is, of course, The Beatles. Have fun & have a great weekend! 
We are in the midst of a computer crisis here (since early Tuesday). While we sort it out, here's a link to 7 Spots to Display Flowers (besides the kitchen table) for a little inspiration. The photo is our kitchen window with some Pixlr-o-matic effects; the flowers salvaged from an aging fair-trade chrysanthemum bouquet.
Generous & lovely Paul Lowe is Santa. We're almost sure of it. If you've not visited him before, you are in for a treat. The holiday issue is alive & waiting for you. That is all (for now). 
KINGS OF PASTRY Theatrical Trailer from Pennebaker Hegedus Films on Vimeo.
So far, this week seems to be going in the direction of "what's good for a coffee break." Giulia's editor recently watched Kings of Pastry (on Netflix Instant) while cooking dinner. Excessively diverting isn't the half of it. Definitely watch (or rent). Carol of Paris Breakfasts even has a label devoted to the Kings. Visit her for all the skinny. Definitely watch the trailer below.
We're running late (as usual) on this Monday. If you need an espresso break (yes, please), check out the Audrey a Roma tumblr & exhibition site. The exhibit runs through 4 December in Rome at the Museo dell'Ara Pacis. If you can't be there, you can at least check out the photographs & site. Funds raised will benefit UNICEF in Chad. The book from the exhibit is not available in English (yet). 
A favorite holiday ritual has begun: the IKEA Soft Toy Aid campaign launched November 1st & runs through December 24th. As always, IKEA donates $1.00 (or 1 euro) for each soft toy purchased to Save the Children & UNICEF. This year, IKEA launched the U.S. campaign by donating thousands of much-needed cuddlies to Toys for Tots, another favorite organization. You could echo this by purchasing an inexpensive toy (or more) & then donating it to Toys for Tots. They've had a very difficult time the last 3 years & this year is unfortunately more-of-the-same.
For our friends in Great Britain & Commonwealth countries. And for all the veterans in the United States on this Veterans Day.
The Whitney Museum of American Art has a For Kids site for ages 8-12. It's in beta (testing) so they'd love your participation. It cannot get better unless you use it. Visit & be inspired. Plan a trip to the museum if you're in the city or not. Planning a trip has a way of making it happen (trust us). Check with Budget Travel magazine; they have excellent ideas, links, & planners.
Tonight is the 73rd anniversary of Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass). The German Nazi-coordinated attacks on synagogues, Jewish-owned businesses, & homes were the beginning of what we know as the Holocaust. The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum has excellent resources for teachers & students. We urge all teachers & parents to read Guidelines for Teaching about the Holocaust. No matter how much you know about the Holocaust, the museum has something to offer. (Here is last year's Kristallnacht post)
It's time, people! (Oops, it's past time.) Check shops & online for bulbs to force inside. Catalogue copy will usually indicate if a bulb is suitable for indoors persuasion. If you've never done this before, see Concha's post--with lovely photographs--on paperwhites; here's a good post on the ease of forcing regular old crocus bulbs. Kevin Lee Jacobs has an excellent post on indoor bulbs on Garden Design.
Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.
This video of a murmuration* of starlings has gone viral but we're posting it anyway as many of our friends haven't seen it yet. Watch as Sophie Windsor Clive & Liberty Smith row out on the River Shannon. Giulia was not quite sure what was going on but she was intrigued, nose tip to screen. *A murmuration is a collection of starlings. Read more about starlings, here.
Our weekend plans are in flux at the moment, hence the delay in posting. But one thing is for sure: we plan to keep warm & chase the cat! (There are many links on here & on bricolage for you to read.) Or join GG's editor on Twitter. Maybe it's time you joined, eh? 
One of the key phrases most searched for on GG's blog is for this supper onion pie by Nigella Lawson. It is really easy & delicious. We don't have even one decent photograph of it, sorry. We are also sorrier than we can say that the tough times continue. The post is from autumn 2008. If you'd like to make something else with your lovely fresh red onions, Saveur's The Elegant Onion is a good place to start.
After so many years of cooking eggs, you'd think we wouldn't need a refresher. But this morning, one bite of an egg that could bounce off the floor, & we went looking. Really, we just need to pay attention & not have the burner on so high.
ART WORKS Projects’ mission is to use design and the arts to raise awareness of and educate the public about significant human rights and environmental issues.ART WORKS provides visual advocacy tools which produce action on human rights crises at the grassroots, media, and policy levels. Conceptualized and created in conjunction with established humanitarian and human rights advocacy organizations, ART WORKS’ art and design exhibitions, books, recordings, films, and other initiatives provide opportunities for large numbers of the general population to engage in ending major human rights violations. via Art Works Projects
On November 8th, Horn of Africa, a multimedia exhibit by ART WORKS Projects will open at George Washington University. You are invited. Here are the details (there's also a panel discussion with John Prendergast & a concert afterwards). Check here to see if the exhibit will be coming to your area.
(photograph by Andrew/Cuba Gallery)
GG's editor has always wanted to travel to Mexico for the Day of the Dead. Alas, not this year (again). But we will be visiting the always-interesting Mexican Cultural Institute (in Washington, DC) to see the Day of the Dead altar before 23 November. Visit virtually & read all about it. Also, the Mexican Sugar Skull site is comprehensive & a lot of fun for kids of all ages. Day of the Dead is a terrific site, too with celebration, history, & activities. 
These fairy-lighted pumpkins seem to stand guard against evil spirits abroad in the land. We thought it a nice thought on a spooky evening. Happy Hallowe'en, Samhain, Nos Calan Gaeaf!
Giulia & her editor wish everyone a fun & safe Halloween! 
...and other costumes you can make tonight or Sunday. Yes, yes. You can do it. If you're in the eastern part of the country, welcome to snow & ice. Already. There might be materials at home for costume construction; if not, if it's safe to drive or walk, maybe you want to escape all that college football for a bit. Just a thought...
While chasing Giulia (into everything as usual), beginning (!) Halloween prep, & readying for what feels like a sudden cold snap, GG's editor slowed down enough to see deer outside the window early this a.m. The building borders a finger of Rock Creek Park so that makes sense. We know that deer have become a controversial subject in many parts of the country. We're not getting into that now. They are pretty to us.
Make some of these as soon as you can. Pepitas (or pumpkin seeds but it's so fun to say 'pepitas') are fresh this time of year. From pumpkin carving to doing what we did: buy a bag at Whole Foods or your co-op. We just made the Maryland style & there are 5 more variations on the darling Cherry Tea Cakes blog. You can make up something of your own, too. Yum. 
We define domestic violence as a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. --USDOJ Office on Violence Against Women
If you're in the Washington, DC area (or will be by January 8, 2012), definitely stop in to the new Degas exhibit at The Phillips Collection. There's also a Degas exhibit on at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. There are some good articles in the New York Times & a good slideshow on The Guardian. Here's the Degas label on The Guardian, too, so you can see all the article titles at once.
Such a large tummy/ I can't wash it all at once/ A squeegee would help. -- Cat Food Breath 
Of course you can buy honey year-round; but at farmers markets & coops, right now, beautiful jars & bottles of new golden honey are available. Saveur & Martha Stewart have good articles (& recipes) about honey. You can check with the National Honey Board for information about honey in your area.
For ways to celebrate a feline-themed Halloween, check out National Geographic Kids. They have printable masks, costume ideas, labels for collection boxes, & a cat o'lantern for their worthy Cause an Uproar initiative. Of course, there are Halloween ideas that are non-cat related. Eyeball deviled eggs, anyone?
There's time over the weekend to get ready for Halloween. We'll be posting about good causes & Halloween soon. For tonight, though, if you're in North America, Netflix Instant has 39 episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents available. We just scared ourselves silly watching a few. Boo!
We are devastated by what happened in Ohio yesterday. But we do not blame the legal authorities nor the lovely Jack Hanna. We blame people who buy & sell wild baby animals.
The weather here is distracting: gray, windy, occasional downpours. Very dramatic. Or very gloomy. Maybe both. There's little time to write or post. Still, these photographs by Elisabeth Perotin, a wedding photographer living in Reims, France are inspiring; we do love carousels.
No, we are not kidding. Look how people are helping the penguins affected by an oil spill off New Zealand. Thank you to Lori for tweeting a link to the story this afternoon. We're rushing so text below is directly from the etsy blog: If you’re interested in donating a penguin sweater, New Zealand yarn store Skeinz has provided a handy how-to and is organizing the donation efforts.
Yesterday was the official World Food Day 2011; World Food Week activities continue this week.