I'm lovin' it.

2009 has just kicked off, and i'm already in LOVE with so many new things. Here is a list of some recent acquisitions, holiday gifts and various tchotchkes that the mister and I are truly diggin':

~ Our groovy Chemex coffeemaker, which was coveted after being spotted in 2 late-'60s Mia Farrow movies (John and Mary and Rosemary's Baby), so it became my housewarming gift to Mr. T.

~ A unisex Autumn-toned poncho from Greentree Weaving, purchased at the Maryland Renaissance Festival (yes we totally went! Photos soon, promise), preferably accessorized with a clay Churchwarden's pipe from Keen's Chop House.

~ Our enormous French '70s-peasant-chic dining table, purchased for a steal at ABC Home's awesome new outlet in Hackensack, NJ, and a '70s burl-wood coffee table (found at a fab mid-century decor store in Wash. DC).

~ My glam new Karen Walker sunglasses (Mr. T's Xmas gift to me), along with Kenny Shopsin's new cookbook, and wonderful  tomes about Vivienne Westwood and Bill Gibb.

~ Falke's super-warm Family tights (a Winter essential), and Kalustyan's masala chai sipped out of Starbucks' cable knit holiday mug.

~ 9 Volumes of Time Life's awesome 1979 Good Cook series, found at various antique malls in Atlanta GA and Hyde Park NY (only 14 more volumes needed to complete my collection).

~ A nautical-style ropeball doorstop, to be used as a bookend for my grandfather's National Geographics (a lovely gift from my beloved in-laws), and the wickedly beautiful '70s Marantz turntable I gifted Nic for Christmas.

~ A '60s spice rack with porcelain jars and cork tops won on eBay for $22, and the worlds largest macrame chandelier, found at an antique store in Woodstock, NY for $75.

~ The vintage Pfaltzgraff pot my lovely mom gave me for Hanukkah, which Nic and I used to make a delicious homemade Kedgeree on new years morning.

~ Ali Baba the Pug! (Check out the pic below of his very first snow encounter, which he loved).

And since many friends have been asking me what it's like to have moved from hustly-bustly Manhattan to the cozy woods of Upstate, NY, i've decided  to answer by posting these lyrics to a favorite Nina Simone song (with words by Anthony Newly and Leslie Bricusse):

Birds flying high you know how I feel
Sun in the sky you know how I feel
Reeds driftin on by you know how I feel

Its a new dawn
Its a new day
Its a new life
For me
And Im feeling good

Fish in the sea you know how I feel
River running free you know how I feel
Blossom in the tree you know how I feel

Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, dont you know
Butterflies all havin fun you know what I mean
Sleep in peace when day is done
Thats what I mean

And this old world is a new world
And a bold world
For me

Stars when you shine you know how I feel
Scent of the pine you know how I feel
Oh freedom is mine
And I know how I feel