Mayor's Christmas Parade

Charm City, how we love you. A few weeks ago we walked down to The Avenue in Hampden to witness the Mayor's Christmas Parade. It is a celebration of diverse groups of folks, dancers, bands and running into friends from all over the city.

Good neighbor Alice ran into a reindeer.

Jenny from Zensations was festively dressed in her dancing Santa hat and poinsettia pink puffy coat.

The high school marching bands and their dancers thrill me every year. I just love, love, love their sass, steps and jams.

Oh my gracious.

Even the fire truck got into the band fun.

Princesses waved from convertibles.

The Shriners drove a fleet of small trucks and had a band piping in an open air bus.

But just when we thought Charm City couldn't get any more charming, this Auto Club group of hydraulic cars turned the corner off Falls Road on to The Avenue. 

The crowd went wild when the cars "bounced". 

Awesome.

E's soccer buddy Malcolm, selling Mrs. Puff's Pretzels, was dubbed Santa Pimp.

We are not sending a Christmas Card this year. But if we had, this would have been the winner. We were enjoying a nice break at Spro this summer. It's maybe one of my favorite pictures we've ever taken together by Matt Roth with my iPhone. He told me to tickle E.

Sending you Peace, Love and Health from Charm City for the New Year,

Nelle & E

Tranquil Tuesday: Fall 2012

Fall has really taken hold in Stone Hill. We have lost all of our leaves and many of the storms have damaged so many of our trees and our neighbor's trees that our village looks different these days. It's hard not to get a little sad when everything looks so bleak. But fall is a time of letting go. So I encourage all of you to take some time to turn off your cell phones today, set your DVR (Tuesday is a great TV night all of a sudden) and read a book. Go for a long walk. Meditate on what you need to let go. Holy man do I have a lot to let go. I can hardly believe is has been nine months since I lost my job. I have been trying to land a full time gig, questioning if I should start my own company, and continue to wait for answers from places I've applied.  But I have to be honest, I cried this year when I saw the first leaves begin to fall. How has this time flown by so fast? I remember when I was little and could hardly wait for Christmas. It seemed like the days just dragged on. Now, it feels like days just disappear. 

The best medicine I suggest is to get out there and volunteer. It truly makes what little sadness I have had disappear. It is also great way to prepare for Christmas in this Advent season. Try not to get too caught up in what to buy people. Taking photos has been my medicine to stay cheerfully spirited despite no budget. What a great lesson to learn as well. Like the Grinch learned:

And he puzzled and puzzed, till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.
Maybe Christmas… perhaps… means a little bit more."

Hampden's Holiday Windows

Our neighborhood is decked beyond belief for the holidays. I was frankly a little put off seeing some windows decorated the week after Halloween this year. Everywhere I turned people were rushing Christmas. The "wait your turn Fat Boy" cartoon was sweeping the Internet with a feisty turkey giving Santa the business. I totally got that on November 2. But now, after Advent has begun and I have had time to reflect on what I am truly thankful for, I am ready for Christmas. My first stop was Trohv on The Avenue in The Hampdens. 

Oh Trohv. With your brown paper packages tied up with pine cones! I want to make out with you. Your "over the river and through the woods" Woody car cruising on the front window just warms this Midwestern born heart. Thank you for the fake snow too. This rain and creepy fog in mid-December just bums me out. We could have had inches of snow had the air been a wee bit closer to 32 degrees. Damn December. Bring it on. 

I had to stop inside Trohv to see their always inspiring displays. They never disappoint. I'm still obsessed with the star burst pencils from this post.

Their chalkboard screamed customer service to me in a hip fun way.

If you need ginormous candy canes? 

Gingerbread mix and stocking stuffer's galore.

Killer wire lamps, adorable ornaments and simple baskets for wrapping?

Vintage ornaments? Yep, Trohv has got you covered.

 Sparkly pinecones

Felted mistletoe

The Flexible Flyer's in their displays just warmed every part of my soul.

If I were fully employed I would have gone to town on their wrapping station. Paper Porn.

A few blocks west, Paradiso's red and white display is such a nice contrast with their pea green facade.

I love the cardboard deer head.

Sue's snowmen and yarn snow balls at Lovely Yarns were my all time favorite. Notice the knit hats on the snow lady. So clever. So adorable. So jealous it isn't snowing yet.

The "Yes on 6" downspout yarn bomb outside is why my New Years Eve brides love this state so much. We did it Maryland. 

Double Dutch

I stopped in to Ma Petite Shoe for a little chocolate teaser.

Charm City Cook is now selling her caramel salted brownies at Ma Petite Shoe. We met Amy and Susannah and Amanda's wedding and realized we were stalking each other on Instagram. So hilarious but true.

Spro has an upside down tree in their front window with a gorgeous row of Poinsettias. 

You must try their Mexican hot chocolate. It has a heat from cayenne pepper that is amazing.

And finally, In Watermelon Sugar's windows never disappoint. Did you notice that these shops are all so unique and independent? We keep hearing great things about more restaurants and art pop up spaces joining The Avenue. 

We are truly so thankful to STILL be living in Baltimore. It was touch and go there for a minute but we are here to stay and thankful to be able to walk up and see the windows in our hood. It's not New York City, but I'm okay with that.