flickr photo of the day + merry christmas!

"b's christmas" by mrs. french.

I just wanted to stop in to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a wonderful holiday season. We completely lucked out and made it to Los Angeles from our very icy town, even if our plane was seven hours late. I am not going to have much time to post throughout this week, but I will try to update at least a little bit. Anyways, Happy Holidays friends!

best of the week.

• Magazine Inspiration {martha stewart & inside out} from JuBella.
  
• Warm Sticky Toffee Pudding from David Lebovitz.
  
• snow, through my eyes from abby try again.
  
• FREE Printable Gifts, Gift Tags, and Other Downloadable Holiday Fun! from Cafe Mom.
  
• Miniature Porcelain Artwork from Kitty Genius.
  
• Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Surprise Cupcakes from The Baking Bird.
  
• Post from December 15th from Shanna Murray.
  
• Lavender and Espresso Truffles from Tartelette.
  
• Ruffle! from Le Blog de Betty.
  
• things that make me smile from Wish Wish Wish.
  
• D.I.Y. Paper Covered Matchboxes = the perfect hostess gift from Creature Comforts.
  
• The cookies from The Small Object Steno Pad.
  
• naomi + josh: snow days from A Little Sussy.
  
• DIY No-Sew Tree Skirt from The Paper Pony.
  
• hello!lucky: interview and updated sneak peek from Design*Sponge.
  
• diy project: erin’s winter scene placecard favor, also from Design*Sponge.
  
• Estelle from Cachemire & Soie.
  
• Ez's Christmas! from Swish and Swanky.

thought of the day : magic.

"The Magic is in the Telling," from the PAPERgraphic portfolio of Yulia Brodskaya.

flickr friday : happy holidays.

Counting: One day until Hanukkah, Six days until Christmas, and thirteen days until New Year's.


1. beaded snowflake., 2. 24 Days of Christmas - 12/24, 3. stringing, 4. flakes, 5. Christmas 1955, 6. 2006 Octopus Christmas card, 7. Molly's Sketchbook: Hanukkah Coasters!, 8. snowflakes, 9. 7{24 Days of Christmas}, 10. little elf, 11. lazy decorating, 12. i'll have a blue christmas, 13. I ♥ Treats, 14. a good sunday, 15. Just in Time for Christmas, 16. waiting for Christmas..., 17. Christmas cookies #4, 18. first night, 19. Dear me, Merry Christmas! love, me xx, 20. Untitled

holiday gift guide : in the stores.

Since at this point, shipping gifts from the internet to arrive by Christmas isn't really an option (unless you want to pay high costs), I thought today's gift guide should be in-store items from generally easy-to-access places. I am not usually one to promote chain store shopping, but we are down to five days before Christmas Eve and sometimes last-minute shopping just has to be done.


1. Owl Candle ($10), 2. Knit Crochet Fingerless Gloves ($16), 3. Hoot Wall Art by Amy Ruppel ($50), 4. Squirrel Away Jewelry Stand ($16), 5. DIT Eiffel Tower ($4.99), 6. 8" Print and Pattern Plates ($6), 7. Lomo Diana Dreamer Camera ($65), 8. Born Again Vintage ($24.95), and 9. Crosley Princess Phone ($50)


1. What A Man Should Know ($20), 2. Selima for J.Crew blue Barbara glasses ($325), 3. Girls' silk taffeta Anastasia dress ($148), 4. Cable ballet slippers with pom-pom ($29.99), 5. Girls' flower headband ($16.50), 6. Erin metallic ballet flats ($140), and 7. Mirror-metallic mini notebook ($9.99)


1. The David Sedaris Box Set ($79.98), 2. The True and the Questions Journal ($16.95), 3. Wire Bound Sketch Book with Paintbrush Icons ($12.95), 4. Jonathan Adler Words Collapsible Umbrella ($16.95), 5. Jonathan Adler Kensington Multi Color Mini Journal- Set of 3 ($14.95), 6. Domino: The Book of Decorating: A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy ($22.40), 7. Notecard Book : Lotta Jansdotter ($15.95), 8. Drawing Set Pencil/Charcoal 14 pieces ($8.95), and 9. Chalkboard Message Candle Black - Unscented ($24.95)


1. Gilded Posie Ring ($118), 2. Take Flight Ornament ($6), 3. Zinc Letters ($18), 4. Silhouette Cuckoo Clock ($368), 5. Gallery Circle Skirt ($198), 6. Grapefruit Sugar Bowl ($18), 7. Mistral Nectar Fruits Foam Bath ($36), 8. What Would Audrey Do? ($22.50), and 9. Shaded Path Heels ($168)


1. Schylling 20" Sock Monkey ($14.99), 2. Glass Acorn Ornament - Silver (Large) ($7.99), 3. Assorted Glass Ball Ornaments - Purple ($6.99), 4. Winter-Themed Mini Trays 2-pk. - Trees/Dots ($1.49), 5. Tadpoles Organic Cotton Embroidered Owl Romper ($24.99), 6. Converse One Star Flap Cap - Garnet Rose ($14.99), 7. Penguin Dinner Plate ($2.99), 8. Women's Xhilaration® Selena Ruffled Mary Jane Flats - Yellow ($13.99), 9. DwellStudio™ for Target® Leaves Pot Holder and Oven Mitt Set - Brown/ Taupe ($5.99), and 10. DwellStudio™ for Target® Plush Blanket - Olivia ($14.99)

flickr photo of the day : delicate.

Untitled by mirjan.

currently daydreaming...

of wearing one of these beautiful vintage dresses from Posh Girl Vintage for Christmas and New Year's Eve. Aren't they just perfect?

thought of the day : somethin' good.

"Something is happen... in orange," from Valentina Design's shop. (print, $12)

freebies : gift tags.

Why spend money on the same old pre-packaged gift tags when you can print some of these lovelies out for free?


1. Clip-Art Tags from Martha Stewart, 2. Fill-in-the-blank Gift Tags and 4-pack Gift Cards from The Small Object, 3. Tags/Labels for You! from (inside a black apple), 4. Holiday gift tags from Microsoft Office, and 5. Free Little Tags/Labels from Creature Comforts.

flickr photo of the day : wish.

"crackers" by red felt flower.

gift guide : books from creative female bloggers.

Since there are still a couple more days that you can still order Christmas gifts from Amazon, I thought I would share some of the beautiful books by some of my favorite female bloggers. I am quite sure that each of them would make an excellent gift.

• 1. Super Natural Cooking: Five Ways To Incorporate Whole and Natural Ingredients into Your Cooking by Heidi Swanson of 101 Cookbooks
  
• 2. The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home by Jane Brockett of Yarnstorm
  
• 3. A Year of Mornings: 3191 Miles Apart by Maria Alexandra Vettese and Stephanie Congdon Barnes of 3191
  
• 4. Printing by Hand: A Modern Guide to Printing with Handmade Stamps, Stencils, and Silk Screens by Lena Corwin
  
• 5. Things I Learned About My Dad: Humorous and Heartfelt Essays edited by Heather Armstrong of Dooce
  
• 6. How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum by Keri Smith of The Wish Jar
  
• 7. Stitched in Time: Memory-Keeping Projects to Sew and Share by Alicia Paulson of Posy Gets Cozy
  
• 8. Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew by Amy Karol of Angry Chicken
  
• 9. Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen by Clotilde Dusoulier of Chocolate & Zucchini

thought of the day : optimism.

"Look on the bright side" by illustrator/designer Samantha Hahn.

etsy favs of the week : early tuesday morning edition.

How is it already the week before Christmas? I feel terribly busy and overwhelmed, trying to get everything together before we head out-of-town for the holidays.

Anyways, since I didn't get these to you on Friday, here are this week's Etsy favorites. Enjoy (and get that last-minute shopping done!)


1. Fragile - print from Asta ($27.95), 2. Red crystal suede and leather floral necklace from Babette ($75), and 3. vintage brooches 8.5x11 from Hula 70 ($25)


4. Forest Owl Soap Dish Tray In White from fruit fly ($29.99), 5. Baby Deer, 7 x 8 Fine Art Print from Sharon Montrose ($25), and 6. Custom Portrait Silhouette Plate from Dolamakes ($49)


7. 8X10 print (loving is for lost souls) from Nicole Anne Robbins ($10), 8. Spend Less leather billfold wallet from trees with knees ($28), and 9. printable gift tags - nature from Seventy & Sunny ($5)

flickr friday : o, christmas tree!

1. 30 Days of Christmas...Frosty, 2. My favorite piece, 3. O tannen bonbon, 4. this years tree, 5. it's beginning to look a lot like (pink) christmas!, 6. starlight starbright, 7. The Tree, 8. Soft Trees, from The Purl Bee, 9. getting all christmassy, 10. lostdeer, 11. Fake Silver Tree!, 12. paper cut tree, 13. Winter Pine Tree Cakes, 14. 309: 12.6.07, 15. morning light, 16. christmas tree

two pieces of news.

Number One: One of my favorite bloggers, Ez of Creature Comforts, just posted some of my inspirations and an interview with me right here. It is such an honor to be a part of her beautiful weblog.

Number two: After just realizing that my shop was basically sold out, I re-listed more of my "Be kind, design" shirts in three different colors and sizes. They are still at their discounted price of $15 and can be received by Christmas if ordered by noon on the 15th (this coming Monday).

decoration idea.

I remember seeing this last year- such a creative holiday decorating idea. I must admit, I am completely absorbed in the holiday season right now. (image from Living Etc.)

flickr photo of the day : alone.

"Solitude" by Ellie Niemeyer.

holiday gift guide : artwork.

Because, really, I think it is one of the best things to give as a present.


1. Gift Print by Im Smitten ($40), 2. Animal Print...Fox by Sarah McNeil ($28), 3. Little Acorn, Print by Marjorie Liucci ($17), 4. Knowing - ACEO 1 by Bec Winnel ($5), 5. I like my shoes by Askey ($20), 6. Socktopus Art Print by Susie Ghahremani ($20), 7. Imperial Giclee Print by Michele Maule ($20), 8. Ballerina print by Ward Jenkins ($25), 9. Summer Friends Print by Chet & Dot ($18), 10. Divert by Camilla Engman ($160), and 11. Tag You're It by Heidi Burton ($25)


12. beehive bubbles print neato by Matte Stephens ($35), 13. Clifford by Ashley Goldberg ($35), 14. Barely able to draw breath by Olivia Jeffries ($17.50), 15. Quiet Spirits - Print by Catherine Campbell ($18), 16. Squirrel Girl Print by Emily Martin ($18), 17. California Condor - Signed Archival Print by Lisa Congdon ($35), 18. Banjo Bear by Julianna Swaney ($30), 19. We Are All Connected ($39.99), 20. My First Piano Print by Christina Vantzou ($45), 21. original drawing with watercolor - you hold me together by Heather Smith Jones ($23), and 22. Mistletoe Miniature - Handcut Original Silhouettes by Pen and Paper ($19)


23. Self Portrait 3 Print by Mareike Auer ($40), 24. Cakes by Henni Haworth (£90.00), 25. Owl Silk Screen Limited Edition Print by Amy Ruppel ($35), 26. Come On by Molly Butterfoss ($20), 27. little savages 8 by Fawn Gehweiler (price unknown), 28. Limited Edition Print (Shroom party) by APAK ($15), 29. Poster - Katta by Studio Violet ($25), 30. Blue Horses by Saelee Oh ($75), 31. the califoregon meadowlark print by Jill Bliss ($40), and 32. Mrs. Beaver by Lori Joy Smith ($85)

thought of the day : you do.

"you do, i mean it," found in harpy's photostream.

abby powell.

A quick morning note: One of my favorite Portland talents, the lovely Abby Powell, is closing her shop at the end of the day until the holidays are over. If you are looking for a wonderful gift for someone or just want to have one of her beautiful prints hanging in your home, I highly recommend heading there before it's gone!

best of the week.

• Addicted to (Pretty)Porn: One Woman's Story from Huffington Post (so honored to have my other blog featured in this great article).
  
• Christmas in Paris from The cherry blossom girl.
  
• Favorite Cookies: 1941-2008 from Gourmet Magazine.
  
• Kreativ mischmasch i pastell from Purple Area.
  
• Potatoes- Les pommes de terre from La Tartine Gourmande.
  
• 10 Weird Gourmet Foods from Neatorama.
  
• D.I.Y. Fabric Flower Garland from Creature Comforts.
  
• six things that make me happy from small souvenirs.
  
• New Flickr group: Poppytalk Collectors.
  
• Frost and hot pies from Pure Blog.
  
• Bloesem Guest:: handmade Holiday decoration from Bloesem.
  
• My Favorite Book Covers of 2008 from The Book Design Review.
  
• Holiday Home from Posie Gets Cozy.
  
• 101 Reasons to Buy Handmade from Poppytalk.
  
• flickr favorites :: dwellings from unruly things.
  
• Bonbon Oiseau and my Candy Cane Marshmallow from Cannelle et Vanille.
  
• Blogger's Favorites -- Forty-Sixth at Grace from Simple Lovely.
  
• cinnamon swirl bread from Heather Smith Jones.
  
• trinoculars interview from the glass doorknob.
  
• festive style... from this is glamorous.
  
• uxus design's mcvillage from Design*Sponge.
  
• 2008 gift guide: bloggers' wish list, also from Design*Sponge.
  
• Tips on Food Photography by Helen of Tartelette for My Cooking Hut.
  
• Afforable gifts under $1 from Domino Magazine.
  
• I can't wait from Orangette.
  
• Five in Focus with Jonathan Adler from Film in Focus.

etsy finds of the week.

1. Cute Mini Sausage Dog Dachshund - Retro Gustavsberg Leaf Fabric from Alice Apple ($17), 2. Letterpress Gift Tags. Yellow and Gray Tree. Set of 9. from Sycamore Street Press ($10), and 3. sea sally, see from Goose Grease ($10)


4. doily clock from and furthermore ($24), 5. two translucent porcelain cups with tray from stepanka ceramics ($75), and 6. plantable seed tags designer series - wine tags from porridge papers ($2.25)


7. Bookgirl 8.5x11 print from The Ward-O-Matic Shop ($25), 8. ELISA - matted print from Dear Dodo ($18), and 9. Butterfly Gladness Garland from Royal Buffet ($15)

flickr friday : snow white.

There are a few extra photographs this week. There were just too many lovely white images to sort through.

Oh, Winter, you're just around the corner...


1. Any Sense of Time, 2. Untitled, 3. baked meringue kisses, 4. Recycled paper flower, 5. I like Miss Jeannie., 6. Awkward daydreams (365/239), 7. two spoons, 8. I had a dream.., 9. whiteblouse, 10. white christmas, 11. confectioners' sugar: a romance, 12. winter white week IV, 13. 0217, 14. snow day, 15. sheworeawhitedress, 16. white window, 17. More muffins, 18. Untitled, 19. THE BIRD, 20. white

anthropologie : tea.

Might I just say that I am absolutely enamored with these extremely teapot-inspired home decor items from Anthropologie. Really, I am in awe.

Pictured: Tea Party Candelabra ($398) and One-Lump-Or-Two Lamp ($198)

thought of the day : importance.

"What's important in life is not the triumph but the struggle," a print by green chair press. ($25)

holiday gift guide : paper goods.

Welcome to the first of many gift guides for the month of December. I always love giving lovely stationery to friends and family- it is generally quite inexpensive and always nice to receive. Enjoy these beautiful products from some of my favorite companies and artists!


1. Smart Women writing journal ($16.95), 2. "call me" tiny cards ($9.50 for 12), 3. "Winging It" Notecards ($15.95), 4. card box set ($18), 5. Accident Report Cards ($5), 6. Paddingken Stationery ($12), 7. Pearl Paper Doll Kits ($35), 8. Spiral Flower ($65), 9. note card book ($15.95), and 10. "i love..." ($12)


11. what's the work hummingbird ($30), 12. Heart Keys ($4), 13. peace cards ($18 for 5), 14. Motel Luggage Tag Set ($12), 15. Bike Notebook ($8.50), 16. Wintry Trees Journal ($10), 17. Door Hangers: Grocery ($12), 18. blossom rosette ($18), 19. Sleepy Reader Write-On Labels ($4) , 20. Horse Coasters ($8.25 for 12), and 21. Bird notecards ($7 for 4)


22. Prim & Proper: My Pastel Blouse ($28), 23. postcard book - casablanca (AU $15.95), 24. Be Strong ($8), 25. Faces stationery ($6), 26. Kate's Cameo Note Card Sets ($30), 27. Electric Bird Tower ($30), 28. Desk Notebook in Azure ($12), 29. Be A Dear Bookplates ($8), and 30. Orla Kiely - Pear Bound Note Book ($15.50)

flickr photo of the day : softness.

"colour" by mirjan.

I must apologize for how quiet this week has been on here. My poor laptop took a turn for the worse and is rather ill at the moment. Last night we moved our desktop computer out of the attic and into the downstairs bedroom and installed a wireless card so updates should be back to normal.

thought of the day : ride on.

"Keep Calm and Ride On," a print by Jen Renninger (such a great variation of the original!)

things i'm loving : monday night edition.

1. Gift Pack ($54), 2. You can ('t) hide from love plate set ($39), 3. pine cone candle ($8), 4. Kindred 5x7 print ($16), 5. rENS Kopje Kopje ($105), and 6. Partridge In a Wreath ($8)

happy december!

It's the first day of December, which I think officially marks the true beginning of Christmas season. You know what's making me feel filled with holiday spirit? Seeing our new baby pink Christmas tree all lit up at covered in vintage ball ornaments. If you have been reading this site for awhile, you might remember me posting about my dream tree last year. Well now it sits in our dining room, shining so brightly, purchased at a thrift store for the mere price of $4 (oh yes, I realize how lucky I am). I think I'm in love.

Anyways, Happy December everyone!