In Remembrance

Like all of you, my joy in the holiday season has been tempered by the profound sadness of last Friday's tragedy. My friend Maryam from the blog My Marrakesh posted the photo below on Facebook with the heartfelt observation that she has been finding comfort in random goodness. 

Her photo inspired me to search the web for more acts of kindness. 

(from the Mayor of Newark in the wake of Hurricane Sandy)

And of course this.

(Photographed by Jennifer Foster)

Someone just sent me this link too (click HERE). Twenty-six more moments that will restore your faith in humanity. 

* * * * *

Editor's Note:

I'm going off the grid until the new year. I'm going to work on my book, hug my family and possibly have an adventure or two. And then in 2013, join me back here and we'll do a whole lot of catching up.

Thank you all so much for another wonderful year at A Bloomsbury Life. Your wisdom, wit and endless curiosity have made this blog a place that I can't wait to get to in the morning. Your comments are always revelatory and your eagerness to be a part of the conversation humbles me. You are all SUCH an inspiration.

Most gratefully yours,

xx/Lisa

Above Hollywood

He didn't want a birthday party this year, that boy of mine.

"After all, I'm turning eleven, Mom," he said."What I'd like to do is go on a hike with you and dad. All the way to the top of that range we're always pointing at."

My husband and I exchanged glances.

Really? A hike?

Instead of a birthday party?
Was he feverish?

Or is this how childhood ends, with a casual sentence on a morning like any other, with no advance notice, no bang and no whimper?

* * * * *

So hike we did.

And glad we were.

Because every step... 

(The Hollywood Hills, December 9th, 2012. All photos by LBG.)

...was an adventure...

...and every vista was indescribably beautiful. 

(Looking west to Griffith Park Observatory.)

City life seemed very far away. Up here, there was no holiday madness. No 21st century buzz. Just stillness. And light. And air.

And gratitude.

(Mount Hollywood marker, 1519 feet elevation.)

On the way down, Luca forged his own trail. 

He led us into a dense grove of cedar trees on the edge of a steep promontory. Locals call it "The Secret Garden of Griffith Park." It's the kind of place where even the sun needs a special invitation to enter.

And there, in a little clearing, we stumbled upon this. 

Have a great week.

x/Lisa

The Anti-Holiday Gift Guide

Last week's post was for those of you who were motivated to do a little early holiday shopping.

This week's post is for those of you who are still languishing in a carbohydrate haze from Thanksgiving and haven't even begun to wrap your head around the fact that it's the first week of December.

Below, ten great reasons to procrastinate a little bit longer.

10. You haven't finished that T Magazine design article on Julia Muggenburg.

(HERE.)

9. You're reading your horoscope.

(Via Tory Burch blog. HERE.)

Sagittarius
Happy Birthday, adventurous Sag! You are always seeking excitement and new experiences. The most exciting days for you this month are December 11th to 13th, which is the new moon. Do something wild!

Capricorn
Mars is still in your sign and will join Pluto on November 27th, the day before the eclipse of the moon. Plan to meet with people in positions of power.

Aquarius
Aquarian power dates are December 15th to 17th, which are perfect days to get together with friends. You will feel unusually social.

Pisces
Pisces are naturally kind. Your days to give are November 21st and 22nd, which happens to be Thanksgiving. Perfect time to open your home and your heart.

Aries
Aries is the sign of the self and you have to focus on yourself — it’s your destiny. On December 7th and 8th, you will be rocked by someone else. Hold on for a wild ride.

Taurus
Taurus and Scorpio are the signs of money and November 27th will be a money day for you. Be bold, and you’ll get what you want.

Gemini
The full moon is in Gemini this month, but it’s not just an average ol’ full moon; it’s an eclipse of the moon on November 28th. Define what you want to change, and it will happen.

Cancer
Your sign loves to entertain family and friends. The perfect weekend for a holiday party is December 1st and 2nd. Make it wholesome and homey.

Leo
Your power date is December 3rd, which is a perfect time to treat yourself with something you’ve never done before. You will want to break through a barrier.

Virgo
Virgo craves efficiency and you have a couple of very operative days this month. Plan to reorganize your finances or speak to advisors on December 5th and 6th.

Libra
Libra is the sign of the diplomat or the negotiator. Your most persuasive day this month is December 8th. Whatever you want you will probably get on that day.

Scorpio
There is a big party of planets in your sign this month, which gives you even more power. And for extra Scorpio intensity, the moon joins them all from December 9th to 11th.

8. You're lost in that insanely fascinating article from Brainpickings on the daily routines of famous writers.

(E. B. White. Article HERE.)

7. You can't stop watching this Swingin' London fashion video.

(Click on arrow to play. Or click HERE.)

6.  The newest issue of The Lady just arrived.

(HERE.)

5. You need Winston Churchill's six tips for a successful life, and you need them now.

(HERE.)

4. You're making Nigella's lemon polenta cake.

(Recipe HERE.)

3. You're curious to discover exactly how many of the London Guardian's top 1000 novels you've read. 

(Article HERE.)

2. You just read this article about 21st century brain overload and need to close your eyes.

(HERE.)

1. You absolutely cannot deal with holiday season parking lots.

 (Click arrow to play video. Or click HERE.)

Holiday Shopping 2012: Let's Do This Thing

Here you go.

This year's list of book pairings to hopefully make gift-giving a little easier. 

All picked with you and the people on your holiday list in mind.

And all still deliverable by Christmas if you act promptly.

x/Lisa

1. FOR INCORRIGIBLE E. L. JAMES FANS 

(Fowl play, BDSM style. $11.82. HERE.)


AND

(Super easy to kick off. Grey Jack Purcell slip-ons, $75.00. HERE.)

2. FOR DAPPER DANDIES 

(Incredible style, endless inspiration. $18.98. HERE.)


AND

(I own it and I love it. Paul Smith Hipstagram handkerchief, $39.07. HERE.)

3. FOR THE KID WHO'S COOLER THAN YOU 

(According to the Washington Post,  "it's the sort of goodie favored by brainy 
kids who love wordplay, puzzles and plots that zing." $8.87. HERE.)

AND

(I want this in my husband's size. Boys Zara sweater, $45.90. HERE.)

OR

(I want this in my size. Girls Zara jacket, $59.90. HERE.)

4. FOR CLASSIC AUDIOPHILES 

(He rocks it old school, in his own words. $15.00. HERE.)

AND

(How fun would it be to crank up "Heart of Gold" on this? 
Crosley AV Room Portable USB Turntable, $160.00 HERE.)

5. FOR LOVERS OF GRACE 

(Because we've been entranced by her ever since "The September Issue." $19.02. HERE.)

AND

(Because it's tough and pretty, just like Grace. Belstaff Kent handbag, $2,650.00. HERE.)

OR

(Clare Vivier Tropézienne tote, $386. HERE.)

6. FOR CUTTING-EDGE FOODIES

(I want to make the roast sweet potatoes with fresh figs asap. $19.85. HERE.)

AND

(Save over 500 plastic bottles a year -- isn't that reason enough?
 Sodastream carbonated water maker, HERE.)

7. FOR ETERNAL WANDERERS

(Her photos are a quasi-transcendental experience. $30.88. HERE.)

AND

(Made from the kind of leather that looks even better scratched up. 

Cross-body Roberu leather camera strap, $108.00. HERE.)

8. FOR HIGHBROW PLEASURE SEEKERS 

(It's supposed to be even better than "Atonement." $15.00. HERE.)


AND

 

(Someone gave me these for Christmas last year and I've spend the last 364 days thinking about them. Squirrel brand creme brulée almonds, $42.99. HERE. Other sizes available.)

9. FOR EARLY ADOPTERS 

(Find out what's going to happen before it happens. $16.35. HERE.)

AND

(A wooden block speaker for "the-first-one-on-the-block" types. $32.00. HERE.)

10. FOR CHIC NESTERS 

(Turn your workspace into one you can't bear to leave. $31.48. HERE.)


AND

(Chic-ify your office with python trays. $40 and up. HERE.)