Water for Christmas

Water.org, baby.



Cheers,
Whitney

The Nutcracker

The holiday season is benchmarked by many things to me. 

The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center - image via Kelly-Mooney Photography

But this classic ballet set to Tchaikovsky's exhilarating score is the most elegant of Christmastime traditions.  Many people say it's slow and a bit schmaltzy, but I'm a sucker for 'The Nutcracker.'  I've attended countless performances of the ballet by different dance companies in many different venues.  No matter if they're local children or world-renowned ballerinas, the performers always tug at my holiday heartstrings through dainty dances and the wonderful plot of this classic story. 

There is a holiday party at Clara's house.  She and all the kids play and dance.
image via Cho Photography



Clara's mysterious godfather brings her a gift, a handsome wooden nutcracker.
image via Peter Norvig Photography



Clara is absolutely smitten with the gift. She falls asleep in the parlour under the Christmas tree with the nutcracker.
image via Hong Kong Ballet

Clara dreams that the Nutcracker comes to life to defend her against the invading mice army.
image via Will Brenner Photography



The Mouse King and his army are really scary, but Clara is saved
by the Nutcracker's heroic bravery.
image by Rosalie O'Connor via Faster Times

The Nutcracker turns into a Prince, who whisks her away to a magic snow kingdom.
image via Hong Kong Ballet



They are greeted by dancing snowflakes in the enchanted forest.
image via Mazzaferro Photography

The Prince escorts Clara to the Land of Sweets where they are greeted by the Sugar Plum Fairy. They tell the fairy about their daring battle with the army of mice
and she rewards them with a celebration of dances.
image via Will Brenner Photography

 

image by Carol Pratt for the Washington Ballet

Mother Ginger, a gingerbread house-like apparition,
opens her skirt to free dozens of dancing gingerbread cookies.
image (and very cute backstory) via Dumping My Purse



image via Brio Dance Company

The Land of Sweets send Clara and the Prince off with a stunning parade farewell.
image by Jim McFarlane via the Berkshire Review

Clara awakens from her dream and finds herself by her Christmas tree with her beloved Nutcracker.
image via Carlos Echenique

If you have a chance to see this classic Christmas performance (and there's probably one in your area), support the Arts and treat yourself to this magical tale with superb orchestral score.
Cheers,
Whitney

Oh Christmas Tree

Despite being a major Christmas person, I opted out of getting a tree this year.  My husband was shocked that I didn't want one.  I'm not completely sure why I'm not feelin' the tree this year, but perhaps this fantastic, award-winning little film nods to my apprehension. 



How lovely are thy branches.....
Cheers,
Whitney

An Open Truss

When I was in design school at the New York School, I took a terribly difficult lighting class that challenged my embarrassingly basic mathematics, physics and chemistry knowledge.  Through the semester, I learned so much about the science of light, about color temperature, kelvins and electric wattage.  But perhaps most importantly, I learned about the importance of lighting placement.  Yes, we all know that lighting is more than the basic builder's-grade flushmount popped into the ceiling of a hallway or kitchen.  It's about creating zones of light: Overhead, Task and Ambient. 

In a project for that Lighting class, I designed a magnificent beam ceiling for a private club of a racetrack.  The room was to resemble the interior of an equine barn, and so I used an open-truss ceiling, with the beams of the structure fully exposed in their structural glory.  As it was a lighting class, I devised a system so that the room's overhead lighting would be built into the beams. Man, I love wood beams...

Of course I have emphasized my love of exposed beams on this blog, as well as the cozy cool look of the American lodge, but let's take yet another look at extraordinary ceilings.  The exposed beam truss ceilings shown here give me goosebumps. 

Source: theroofovermyhead.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

I've had this photo for years.  Anyone know the source?

Painted scissor trusses via Pacific Truss



via Vermont Timber Works



via My Home Ideas

I've had this photo for years. Anyone know the source?



via Southern Living



by Tracery Interiors

via Style Files



via Home Away vacation rentals

via Mi Casa Revista

via Vermont Timber Works

via Yossawat

via Houzz

by Gap Interiors



via Timber Home Living



Source: spicerandbank.blogspot.com via Whitney on Pinterest

Cheers,
Whitney

Up In The Season

I've been caught up in the Season of Christmas, hence my absence from the blog.  Between nursing a three-and-a-half-week-long head cold (three and a half weeks, people!) and managing the shopping/wrapping/sending gift mission and, oh yeah, work, I've neglected CYAH for over a week.  Shame on me.

But I come back bearing gifts... FREE printable gift tags for your holiday gifts.  There are many artistic, crafty and downright adorable bloggers & artists on the web who have generously provided their art for free download this season.  So why buy those tiny sticker tags or pricey cardstock options when you can print them out for free on your own paper at home?  Any of these will add an extra crafty panache to your gifts this year.


 Baking Labels and Gift Tags from Crafty Carnival

Free printable tags from Insightful Nana

Christmas Tags from Yoonie At Home

Holiday Gift Tags from Nina Seven



Gift Tags & Wine Bottle Tags from Alpha Mom

 

Botantical Tags from West Elm

 

Gift Tags from Brunte Productions

from the delightful Sarah Hearts, Free DIY Gift Tag Template

 

Holiday Labels from Orange You Lucky



Blue Gift Tags from Totally Severe

Typographic Gift Tags from Eat Drink Chic

Holiday Tags from Blush Printables

Happy wrapping and happy gift-giving!

Cheers,
Whitney

Sleep Much?

I've been experiencing some bizarre sleep patterns of late. Some nights brutal insomnia, but some nights college-student sleepiness. Oh well, perhaps thinking about dreamy beds, like the one below, will send me back to the land of usual sleepers.

Oddly, I don't even know the source for this bed. 

The tearsheet is in an inspiration folder without a manufacturer tag.  Anyone know it?

Sleep tight!
Cheers,
Whitney