Dumfriesshire, Scotland

This day exemplifies a classic case of ennui like no other in recent memory. In my attempt to snap myself out of my ennui induced state, I came across this clip of Andy Goldsworthy in Rivers and Tides that made me smile (he lives in Dumfriesshire). I wouldn't call myself a nature girl but I can appreciate it's beauty and sometimes it serves as a powerful reminder that you can't take thing too seriously. And that it's probably best not to build things here when it's windy.

Lamport Hall, Northamptonshire

I have an affinity for garden gnomes. In fact I have a droll chartreuse coloured one that sits on my desk and doubles as a lamp. I found him on my desk, when I came back from lunch one day, all wrapped up in matching chartreuse coloured tissue paper. I felt like a kid on Christmas morning and am ever so thankful to my friend who thought this happy little gnome would make a great addition to my otherwise boring desk (he's adorned every desk I've had ever since). But I digress …

Garden gnomes were first introduced to the United Kingdom in 1847 by Sir Charles Isham, who had the foresight to bring some home with him, following a trip to Germany. He placed these gnomes (they were made of terra cotta if you must know) in his garden at Lamport Hall. Apparently only one of them (his names is Lampy) has survived the test of time and is still on display here, in the Hall.

163 West Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena, California

I walked into the office this morning and found an envelope sitting on top of my desk. Inside was a beautiful letter pressed thank you card! I've always loved stationary. I like to buy it just to look at it, not necessarily to use it. I've gotten better at parting with beautiful stationary especially since I'm sharing it with friends and family. The card reminded me of one of my favourite stationary destinations, Papersource. I could spend countless hours in here.

798 9th Avenue at 53rd Street, New York City

In honour of my first blog post I thought I'd start with a place I wish I was, more often than not…

It finally feels like winter and I feel like comfort food. Macaroni and cheese to be exact. On a trip to NYC I sampled the mac and cheese at almost every restaurant I went to and the one that I still think about is the Mac and Jack at Eatery. It's definitely worth the plane ticket and the Sunday wait!