More October Obsessions

{Literally the BEST candles I have ever purchased: a delicious fall assortment from Our Own Candle Company. I'm picky about candles; these are never too artificial or sweet and smell exactly like they should. Our home is currently scented with hot cinnamon buns and pumpkin spice, and at $5.99 a pop (I cleaned out our local T.J. Maxx), they are far more reasonable than overly-perfumed Yankee candles. I'll be scouring stores for more, as I think they make a perfect host gift for holiday dinners.}
A decidedly stressful week has left me seriously craving home comforts and general coziness. Lately I've had a resurgence of appreciation for master animator Miyazaki's Ponyo, a tale of a little goldfish princess with a strong will who loves a kind little boy named Souske. BFF of 21 years Lisa first put me onto this wonderful movie, and while the shrill English-dub children's voices can be a tad much, it's a lovely film that leaves me feeling happy and peaceful. In the movie, a wild storm rages through an ocean town, leaving the sea high and swollen; giant navy waves crest mightily, and (spoiler alert!)the intrepid goldfish gets her wish and becomes a little girl. I watched it during Hurricane Irene while nursing a Scotch followed by a hot tea with honey, which the characters drink in a candle-lit kitchen after their storm. Ever since I was child, I have loved books and movies that make me crave the food the characters are eating, particularly hot, savory meals when it's dark and gloomy outside.

{A frame from the opening credits of Ponyo, with beautifully undulating waves and the friendly little house that serves as a beacon to ships at sea. Photo credit: www.colourlovers.com }

{Ponyo and Souske expressing justifiably utter delight over their scrumptious-looking ramen noodles with ham, scallion, and egg, to be eaten in a warm, snug living room while the rain and wind rage outside. Photo credit: www.365boegel.blogspot.com }

{Our favorite instant ramen noodles, which have sadly been discontinued. My husband is an aficionado of ramen, both instant and legit, and these are truly delicious. Much about this image amuses me, particularly the rambunctiously joyous Asian men enjoying noodles together on the side of the package. You can add all kinds of treats, but I particularly like to drop in an egg for the last minute of boiling; it coats the noodles, and pieces of yolk float appealingly in the broth.}

{After a particularly grueling session of coaching cross-country last week (my co-coach is a Spartan monster who makes me, I mean the children, run in the rain), all I wanted was a giant bowl of Ponyo-inspired noodles, plus this fragrant red pear.}

{While they aren't necessarily the most flattering choice, striped tops in soft, thin materials and all different color combinations make me feel totally comfortable; a sequin/button or two dresses them up. Here are a few of my favorites, from Old Navy and Target.}

{A random vintage-inspired card and letter holder looks right on the mantelpiece. I'm currently pretending I never saw the "Made In China" sticker on the back and that I found it at some funky flea-market for the super-creative and ultra-hip.}

{It looks even cuter filled with some of our favorite cards, both from friends and one another, in an array of colors. I can never bear to throw away meaningful greeting cards and am a sucker for a well-turned phrase, so I'm happy these notes have a special home.}

{One of the best OOCC candles; it smells like something sweet and well-spiced baking in the oven with a hint of cream, cocoa, cinnamon, and cardamom. Pocky biscuits.)

Pocky was my favorite treat as a kid. My mom had this racket going where she would buy me a box to entice me to be patient as she shopped at the 'Asian store' for groceries, and the classic red box still gives me a sense of excitement. In an unfortunate series of events, my husband went for the second packet when the box was open at the wrong end (I wonder who would do something so foolish) and chocolate-covered biscuit sticks spilled out all over the floor. I stood by the 5-second rule.

-xoxo