treasures at home.

The holiday season is officially upon us. A time centered around family, friends, and giving thanks.

Working in the fine jewelry industry, the end of November and the month of December make up the busiest time of the year. Orders pour in as people design sentimental gifts for their loved ones, the calendar becomes jam packed with often overlapping appointments, and weekends are spent traveling outside Manhattan for private trunk shows.

Little time has been left for blogging. However, I did manage to play around with my camera over Thanksgiving.

The holiday was spent at my late grandparents' home in New Jersey. For as long as I can remember, most family events have been hosted here. This year was special as it will probably be the last time that my relatives gather at the memory-filled estate.

The house is a treasure trove of small oddities, antique (often mismatched) furniture, vintage newspapers and magazines, beautiful 1950's wallpaper (also occasionally mismatched within the same room), old photographs, heirloom paintings and cross stitches... The list goes on.

Every table top, corner, and wall is littered with mementos from the very full life my grandparents lived. Photographs tell stories of past family get togethers, small figurines littered between painted china recall special travel experiences, the click of a typewriter evokes the spirit of my grandmother, the writer.

Beauty abounds throughout the entire home. I hope to discover more inspiration as my family continues to rummage through its relics.

denim, dogs, and dads.

Nothing is as beautiful and inspiring as a hug from a loving puppy.

I was able to hug the best pup I know on Sunday when I visited my parents in New Jersey. Copper, a four year old golden retriever, is one of the sweetest, gentlest souls I know. He's also just really damn adorable.

A lover of the outdoors, Copper spends most of his time with my father, an extremely talented carpenter who spends much of his time working outside.

I cannot say enough good things about my dad. He taught me to love vintage and antique oddities, to appreciate fine workmanship, to be generous to anyone and everyone, to use my time wisely and efficiently... the list goes on.

One of my dad's staple uniforms (while I was growing up... and still to this day) is pairing faded, paint-splattered jeans with a faded, paint-splattered (often denim) workman's shirt.

One of my staple uniforms (for the past few years) is pairing dark denim, sometimes ripped jeans with a faded, sometimes scuffed-up denim jacket.

Like father, like daughter. {And dog, for good measure.}

Shot in New Jersey in front of my dad's wood pile/work area. Photos by Nicole Weiler and Chris Weiler. Wearing {a feel-good, no-brainer outfit with my constantly present, most favorite accessory: the silk scarf}:

vintage denim jacket, J Brand jeans, keds x Opening Ceremony kicks, vintage Hermes scarf, assorted silver and gold rings