Mulled Wine

Is there anything better for a cozy evening in after a cold, rainy/snowy day? I say no.

Well, actually, I say mulled wine and spiced hot apple cider are tied for first in my books, but since today we're talking about mulled wine, we can just pretend that it has no competition for best cozy evening drink. I won't tell if you won't.

Ingredients
1 bottle red wine, a Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon

4 cups apple cider
3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
3-4 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon whole cloves
3 whole star anise
3-4 candied ginger pieces, chopped
3/4 orange, sliced into half wheels

1/4 orange, juiced

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil and stir. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring often. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Strain using cheesecloth {I kept some of the orange slices to the side before straining and used them in my mug}. Serve warm while writing your holiday cards.

Roughly adapted from this Ina Garten recipe.

Winter tidings

I have a confession to make.

I made the dramatic decision to not put up my tree this year. I pulled it and the accompanying sparkly trimmings, up from storage along with all my other holiday decorations two weeks ago. Which, for someone with the upper body strength of a toddler, was a commitment. Or so I thought. After putting up the other items I took a step back and looked at the boxed tree lying on the ground. I then took a look around my small apartment and realized I didn't really have a place for it that wasn't awkward or in the way {this being the first December I have spent in this apartment means I haven't been faced with this problem until now.} I also didn't feel like being stabbed by its wire branches in the moment. And so, I hauled the thing back downstairs to hibernate for another year. 

Having said that, I am pleased with the humble decorations I did put out and have been enjoying for the past couple weeks. Here are some of my favourites..

Activity advent calendar.

I love making myself an activity advent calendar every year. I always have a laundry list of things I want to do during the holidays but I used to struggle with making them happen. Turning that list into an advent calendar helps by breaking it up into an exciting daily part of my December.

Holiday card display.
I got this cute little card line from Target last winter and think it's the best thing. What girl doesn't have a weird thing with owls? Stringing up the holiday cards I receive from friends and family allows me to appreciate them without having them be crowded on a ledge somewhere.

A few childhood delights.
I actually have a decent collection of decorations from my childhood as my mother gave away a lot of those items in my parents' last move. I still have memories of reading these books as a child and getting so excited for Christmas morning. My mom made me the angel in the Christmas of 1990 (when I turned one!) and the little thing has been perfectly preserved even after being pulled out every year to be put on display. I cherish her even more every year that I unwrap her from her protective bubble wrap. The squirrel (Richard, if you must know his name) is a new addition from Target. He's cool.

Cold weather snacks and scents.
After four years of running around the city on a wild goose chase, I finally got my hands on a David's Tea Advent Calendar this year. You have no. idea. the joy I felt when I walked into the store at opening and saw them unwrapping them from their shipping boxes. It has been so fun to open that little door every morning and try something new. Having said that, I also still love my tried and true Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane tea and its perfect combination of peppermint and wonder. Finally, no Christmas would be complete without almond roca and the smell of cinnamon and spice throughout my home. Please disregard the awful exposure of this picture. This is just what happens when you get home from work well after dark and have to rely on artificial lighting.

New Beginnings

My, my. It's been a while since I've done this.

I've been thinking a lot about what I want in life, lately. The things I thought I would have accomplished by the time I was twenty-five. Where I'd be. What I'd be doing. Who I'd be doing them with. And although the initial onset of realizing that none of those things have happened yet was terrifying and discouraging, the more I consider it and begin to plan projects for myself, the more I start to see the opportunity that is in front of me and the freedom that I have to continue to build and change and create a life for myself that I love. 

There are things that have happened over the last two years in particular, whether through thoughtful decisions or short-sighted leaps or uncontrollable circumstances, that have certainly felt anywhere from inconvenient to insurmountable changes in the path that I thought I was on. I never thought I would regret a career change that I have invested so much thought and planning into. I never thought I would go a week without reading, let alone countless months.  I never thought I would stop prioritizing things I love to do. I never thought my mom wouldn't be here for my twenty-fifth birthday.

But I suppose that's just life, isn't it? It's life's job to throw curve balls at you and change things up constantly. And it's your job to learn to become more agile and to move with the current, but all the while not giving up on the things you believe in and the commitments you make to yourself. You may need to change them to work with new circumstances, but you don't throw them out the window completely.

So I'm working on picking up the things I put down long ago. Planning out projects that motivate me, get me learning, and that I'm passionate about. Re-prioritizing plans and remembering that the commitments that I make to myself are just as important as the ones I make to anyone else. And just like stretching out your muscles for that first jog after a long winter indoors sipping hot chocolate by the fire (or furnace) in baggy sweaters that may or may not be both for warmth and to cover up the many holiday feasts and treats you've enjoyed, I suppose you just need to start slow, be persistent, and remember to not give up.

Twenty-five.

Twenty-five.
Well my goodness this is kind of terrifying.
I'm twenty-five.
My brain keeps yelling "I've been on this earth for so long! How?!"
But also it's kind of terrifying.

Moving on. I thought I might take some time to share my birthday traditions as a means of calming myself down and remembering that it's just a birthday.

I like to throw on Sixteen Candles and eat mini fruit marshmallows. Why? I don't know. But I've done this for the last ten years and I don't see it stopping any time soon.

I also like to stay up until midnight the night before and take some time to reflect on the things I'm grateful for, what the last year has brought, and all that I have. I will also tell you that this typically happens while I'm looking out my window into the night all super dramatic-like {because a girl is allowed to be like that on her birthday. Why else would this song exist?}. 

Finally, I call my parents and thank them for the whole creating me thing. Because I wouldn't be the person I am today without them. Thanks.

The Relaunch

Welcome to Twenty-Five & Vine, previously known as Some Kind of Lovely.

Twenty-five & Vine is a lifestyle blog, focusing on the day to day. It is a place for inspiration, design, beauty, and adventure.

Having moved back to Vancouver this past January, after being away for a few years post-graduation, I'm feeling a little lacklustre. This project is a means for me to collect the things that make me smile each day and practice being committed to myself and the personal goals I set, not just to my job. This is a place to be authentic and true and real - yes, on the internet of all places. A place for me to share the things that inspire me, with the hope that they inspire you as well. A place for me to find light and beauty in something each day and to share that sparkle with others. A place to practice and share my design skills. A place to perfect baking recipes and for others to make delicious creations as well. A place to take risks and be brave. A place to be quirky and silly as well.

And finally, Twenty-five & Vine is a place for me to leave my thoughts and play for a while.

I realize it's only mid-November, but this is happening.

It's time for a Winter To-do List!

I have big plans for this holiday season, so I might as well start sharing them now. The weather turned crisp and cold and wonderfully frosty approximately a week and a half ago and very quickly ushered in scarves and mittens and frozen noses and the sound of jingle bells. Here's what's on my list for Winter 2014 - would love to know what you're plans are too!

Decorate! Tree, lights, figures of woodland creatures wearing scarves... all of it.

Hot Apple Cider.

Make a homemade advent calendar.

Watch a holiday stage show.

Make homemade holiday cards.

Go for a walk in the snow to look at the twinkling lights.

Mulled wine.

Stay calm when the roads get icy and my morning commute becomes dicey.

Bake sugar cookies.

Watch the tried and true Christmas movie marathon: Miracle on 34th Street, Love Actually, and Daughter of the Bride (it's horribly great and yes, you may judge me.)

Try to leave the office by 5... 30. 5:30. 

Bake my dad some holiday treats.

Enjoy family time.

Attend a Christmas market. Or two.

Country christmas music. 

Make plans for 2015.

CMF: Valentine's Day(?)

Hello CMF Friends!

This week’s Country Music Friday will feature Country love songs!

*GASP* What? People sing about things other than small towns, alcohol, and trucks in country music? Sincewhen?

Since always, people. Where have you been living? Under a rock? Get with the program.

The First: You Sound Good To Me by Lucy Hale

Lucy Hale of Pretty Little Liars, {previously of Privileged,(previously of American Juniors – remember??!)} has broken into the music scene {or, depending on how you look at it, has re-broken into the music scene?}! How fun! This song makes me excited for summer {gear down over there, David. I just said I was excited for summer. I still prefer autumn.} Also: 1:31 of the video makes no sense to me – why include that clip? Unnecessary.

The Second: Somewhere Only We Know by Dan & Shay

I first heard these boys a couple months ago on the ray-day-o with their song 19 You & Me. Which is also great! But then, as I typically do when I hear a new artist, I youtubed them. And voila! I found this acoustic song. That they sang and recorded in the backwoods {classy}. And it also really shows off their vocal skills. So, amazing! I particularly love their mini-riff a the very end. What d’ya think about that?

The Third and Final: Hope You Get Lonely Tonight by Cole Swindell

I just really like the rhythm of this one and the way he puts stress on the latter half of each line. I will also say that you need to actually listen to the song. If you judge me purely based on the title, I am very aware that you will assume me to be some sort of bitter, terrible Valentine’s Day Grinch. That’s why I need you to listento it. Because then you’ll realize that I’m not! 

Sidenote: Cole is playing a concert tonight but I couldn’t find anyone that both loves country music AND had no Valentine’s Day plans to go with me... Le sigh. I’ll catch up with you next time, Mr. Swindell!

  

Thanks for listening!

Karla