When the days start to get shorter I often find that I need to make more of an effort to fill my life with things that make me happy, since the sunlight doesn't just do the job for me as it does in the summer. The most recent activity that's brought me joy is singing lots of karaoke (horribly) at bars around Boston*, but when I'm not holding a microphone trying to channel Third Eye Blind (I really do wish you would step back from that ledge, my friend) I browse the interwebs and stores for beautiful, interesting, delicious things. I often don't buy them, but the hunt is fun and helps me forget that it's 2pm and dark. So here are 10 things I like; flannel, fleece, wool, and chocolate all included (more after the jump).
Here is semi-darkness from a recent morning, also known as a sunrise:
*Karaoke venue suggestions include: Courtside, Orleans, and that's it. By "bars" I really only meant the two places I've ever gone and by Boston I mean Cambridge and Somerville exclusively. But I digress.
1. This travel mug:
It's a Pendleton Glacier National Park blanket in the form of a mug!!!!! IT'S PERFECT! It's also china, so you can use it as a mug at home and then just put the lid on when you're ready to hit the road.
4. The Ropes bracelets:
I think The Ropes deserves their own blog post, but for now, let this photo suffice. And in the interest of full disclosure I will have you know that I bit the bullet and bought both of the above, the former at Daytrip Society, the store I recently fell in love with: 
3. The Patagonia Legacy Collection, specifically this fleece:
Ugh. I love it. I want it. I want to live in it. I want to never take it off even when the inevitable salad dressing and hot sauce stains appear (those are things that happen to everyone, right?).
4. Adopted iPhone case in python.
At $165 I can see not buying this...but then again, it's so awesome that I could almost justify it to myself. Except then I think, "it's an iPhone case. Relax."
5. The J.Crew Pixie Pant in Jodphur:
Wardrobe staple enlivened a little.
6. The Everlane Reverse-Denim Tote:
Practical, beautiful, useful, ____-ful. Proof that less is often more.
7. This 3.1 Phillip Lim Quilted Paneled Knit Moto Jacket:
So far out of my price range it's not even funny buuuuuut a girl can dream.
8. The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes
I finished this a few months ago but I still catch myself thinking about it. I couldn't put it down; it had been a while since I was sucked into a book so forcefully. I highly recommend it; the twist at the ending is juuuuust A+.
9. Black Dinah Chocolates:
Pretty sure I've mentioned these before, but they're the creamiest, richest, most decadent chocolates and they're made on an island off the coast of Maine. Those two attributes mean I could include them in every post I write and it would be fine. They have some great Thanksgiving specials up on their website right now, too (yes, they ship!).
10. These adorable plaid Toms with painted on tassels:
Warm, festive, and charitable. A win win win.
