Thursday, January 12, 2012

The Brandenburg ' Best of ' List 2011



This year we're teaming up to give you the ultimate ' best of ' list. For
past years see 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006.

Fiction:
Ben: Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Toni: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Nonfiction:

B: The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age by Randall
Stephens and Karl Giberson
T: Design*Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney

Time Waster:
B: Grantland
T: Pinterest

Favorite Blog:
B: Religion and Other Curiosities by sociologist Peter Berger
T: There is absolutely no way I could pick just one: (Design*Sponge, Rockstar Diaries, Atlantic Pacific, to name a few)

Film:

B: The Tree of Life by Terrence Malick
T: The Descendants by Alexander Payne

Restaurant:
B: Kraftwork
T: Terrain at Styers Cafe

Television Drama:
B: Breaking Bad by Vince Gilligan
T: Friday Night Lights by Peter Berg

Album:
B: Middle Brother by Partisan Records
T: Middle Brother by Partisan Records

Song:
B: The Decemberists, "This Is Why We Fight”
T: Benjamin Francis Leftwich "Atlas Hands"

Newsmaker:
B: Rob Bell
T: Kate Middleton (obviously!)

Brand:
B: Warby Parker
T: Hunter

Best of the Best:

B: The Tree of Life
T: Kate Middelton

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Christmas in Minnesota


The whole family together in Rice Park.


With my niece Ellie in the Missoni hat and mittens we got her.


In our new tent!


Legos with Uncle Ben.


A get together with old neighborhood friends.


A visit with grandma.


Coffee on the Mississippi.


New Years Eve in Cambridge at the Pearson's.

NYC at Christmas


NYC public library, skating rink and tree.


Charis and I at THE tree...at Rockefeller Plaza.


The famous Saks Fifth Ave.


The Chrysler building at night.


Some enormous holiday decor.

Homegroup Christmas Party


Lots of delicious food.


Charis and all the white elephant gifts.


Ben and his white elephant gift...a door with a bunch of CDs.


Chillin'


Berlin guarding the coats.

Christmas Cookie Swap

Before Christmas my friend Kim hosted a cookie swap in her home. We all brought cookies to share and came home with a delicious assortment of Christmas cookies. It was a great night with the girls. Thanks for hosting a fun night Kim!


Putting our cookie boxes together.


Kim and Carissa with the final product.


All of us.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Design*Sponge Holiday Tour

I am a huge follower of the Design*Sponge
blog and its author Grace Bonney. Every so often they come through Philadelphia with some sort of event and every time it is sold out before I get a chance to sign up. This time around I GOT IN! It was a wreath making class followed by a holiday party/book signing. The night was held at the Anthro/Urban headquarters at the Navy Yard..always a fun venue!


Grace Bonney!


The wreath making.


Navy Yard holiday decor.


The small decorative details & food were to die for!


Decadent hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows.


The final product on our door.