advertise on design is mine!

I have dabbled with going through with this awhile back, but now it is official: Design is Mine is now offering advertisements. Information about becoming a sponsor is available right here.

best of the week.

A whole lot of goodies this week!

• Fantastic Friday Links from simply stated.
  
• grandma knows best from perfectbound.
  
• Collection Preview: MCQ ALEXANDER MCQEEN FOR TARGET from The Fashion Time (I am rather excited about this.)
  
• in the kitchen with: wendy dooldeniya from Design*Sponge.
  
• Paris part 1 from scout-holiday.
  
• Guest Blogging : Bliss In The Kitchen from Tartelette.
  
• interior motives from Your Heart Out.
  
• 38 things to do before I turn 39 from hula seventy.
  
• So wonderful a fabulous new collaboration: print + press.
  
• The story of the berry Pavlova — L’histoire du pavlova aux fruits rouges from La Tartine Gourmande.
  
• The Inauguration of President Barack Obama from The Big Picture (this gives me goosebumps.)
  
• Genius Wedding Idea: City Hall + Yellow Dress from Smitten.
  
• Four Fab Facts from Garance Dore.
  
• Also from Garance Dore, La Femme Française.
  
• If you haven't read it yet: Obama's Letter To His Daughters: Your Smiles "Fill My Heart" from The Huffington Post.
  
• Smile! Polaroid is saved from The Independent (woo!)
  
• {inspiration: pinkish lavender, still} from {this is glamorous}.
  
• When Irish Eyes are Smiling from Miss Jane.
  
• Paper Boat Peeps from The Small Object.
  
• custom valentines from hello handmade from freshly blended.

etsy finds of the week.

1. 100 percent organic tote- Handpainted from Carry Me Away ($20), 2. Man versus the Kangaroo Print from Michael C Hsiung ($12), and 3. doily drawing 3 from fieldguided ($25)


4. Owl from Three Sisters Ink ($15), 5. small branch handbag from kate durkin ($42), and 6. high waisted pencil skirt.....pure patchwork from Sohomode ($150)


7. Giclee Print (item No. P-2009-9) Sit Eat Enjoy from Jenn Ski ($41), 8. Super Bowl in Outfit pattern, Vapid colorway from Jill Rosenwald ($200), and 9. Little Red - Print from fall down tree ($15)

flickr friday : written with love.

1. 5 minutes with liquid paper, 2. changes, 3. I'd rather wear fur than these shoes, 4. September journal pages, 5. postcard8, 6. Goethes poem, 7. Us, 8. SX 70 Polaroid, 9. Memo, 10. 02142008, 11. peaceandlove, 12. Untitled, 13. Penmanship?, 14. page deux, 15. fresh ink, 16. not just good; good-good.

thought of the day : words of wisdom.

"Live What You Love," from Hijirik Studio ($12.50, found via black. white. bliss.)

freebie of the day : blackpio 2009 calendar.

Today's freebie: A totally cute foldable 2009 calendar from Valentina at Blackpio, which you can download right here. (Also, she just posted a free Valentine's box, if you're interested!)

brigitte sire.

Somehow I bookmarked Brigitte Sire's website a long time ago but I have no recollection of looking through her stunning portfolio until now. Brigitte is an extremely talented photographer who has worked with such greats magazines as W, Nylon, Bon Appetit, and Wallpaper, to name a few. Lovely, lovely work.

flickr photo of the day : beautiful art.

"yellow" by Camilla Engman.

valentines : part one.

1. upside down possum from Broadway Paper ($3.50), 2. Warthog from La Familia Green ($6), 3. Because Your Kiss Is On My List from Sidepony ($4), 4. Tattoo Man from rock scissor paper ($2.75), 5. cupcakes from Seltzer ($3.25), 6. I Heart You (+Pin) from Pink Loves Brown ($15), and 7. owl love you forever from Night Owl Paper Goods ($6)


8. heart beats from Art School Girl ($5), 9. You Rock from Zeichen Press ($4), 10. love from Binth ($4.25), 11. Good Catch from Egg Press ($4.50), 12. hands card from Bella Muse ($3.50), 13. Don't Forget Elephant from Hello Lucky! ($4.50), 14. apple of my eye from Saturate Design ($4.20), and 15. Amore No. 114 from Pancake & Franks ($6)

macarons.

I do not usually post many food-related items on here, but I couldn't resist linking to Aran's recipe and gorgeous photographs for strawberry and vanilla bean macarons. If I haven't mentioned it by now, macarons are by far one of my favorite things.

freebie of the day : nate williams' wallpaper.

Super-fabulous desktop wallpapers right here by the very talented illustrator and designer Nate Williams.

thought of the day : stay away!

"Stay away from my children," by Sa'd Khorsid (found in his Flickr photostream.)

back to basics.

I used to be a much flashier dresser (and every once in awhile, I still love throwing on something more unique and bright), but lately I much prefer the look and comfort of comfy basic clothing. My current favorite look is an oversized t-shirt (I admittedly love these), jeans or black leggings, ballet-esque shoes, and a blazer or over-sized cardigan. Plus, it makes it extra easy to mix-and-match and be completely comfortable running around frantically with the kids.


1. Oversize Stripe Scoop Neck Tee (£22.00), 2. Molly Flat ($158), 3. H81 Judith 3Q Swing Top ($11.92), 4. Boy Tank ($15.50), 5. Lantern Skirt (£32.00), 6. Slim Straight Leg Trousers (£185.00), 7. Avondale Tote ($188), 8. Coleen Thick Striped Shirt (£107.00), 9. Eliza Sweater Cardigan ($17.80). and 10. BB Classic Flat ($220)

flickr photo of the day : strings attached.

Untitled by lobster and swan.

freebie of the day : valentine's day goodies.

I have two freebies to share today, both of which are Valentine's Day themed. Call me a sucker, but I have a major soft spot for this over-commercialized holiday. You can blame it on my love of red and pink.


The first one comes from the Martha Stewart website and was spotted just a little while ago on S.HOPtalk. All you have to do is click here to download an adorable valentine wheel game (instructions included.) I love this idea.


I love everything that Emily Martin does, so it's no surprise that I am rather smitten with her free valentine print-outs. I am definitely going to be sending these out this year. (On a side note, Emily just did some new classic-styled valentine designs that will be up in her shoppe very soon.)

thought of the day : today.

"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. THANK YOU." from the wonderful thankyoutoo.org.

a tour of my home.

I am so excited to announce that CafeMom's Home & Garden Buzz blog just posted an interview with me and a tour of my home right here! It was lovely to work with Sheri and share some of my thoughts on home decor.

For the original photos, along with a few more, check out my House Tour Flickr set.

inspirational posters.

In honor of the positive feeling in the air today, I have decided to do a round-up of inspirational prints. Let me just tell you, finding well-designed motivational prints is tough, so I was quite happy to come across these beauties.


1. Voice by Nikki McClure ($8.50), 2. SMS: Make It Work For You print ($30), 3. BREAK THE ROUTINE ($18), 4. GROW ($14.95), 5. We Are All Connected-LARGE Print ($39.99), 6. Believe AP (£45.00), 7. This Is My Year ($10.99), and 8. Random Acts of Kindness - 4x6 Illustration Print ($8)

style rookie.

My friend Alice just pointed me over to this fashion website: Style Rookie. I am completely in awe of how incredibly fashionable this 12-year-old is. When I was her age, I was in combat boots, stretch pants, and oversized environmentalist shirts. Can I adopt her?

flickr photo of the day : an array of colors.

"kaleidoscope" by nessa k photography.

new feature : freebie of the day.

So, in case you haven't noticed, it has been quite a long time since I last updated my Free Design blog. I think I got ahead of myself when I thought I could manage three weblogs at the same time. I am going to leave the site up, but I will no longer be adding new things to it. Not to fear though, I have decided to add a new feature to Design is Mine that will put all the free goodies I frequently gather to good use- a daily post featuring a well-designed and creative freebie! I have a ton saved that I cannot wait to share.



Today's freebie comes from the clever folks over at Egg Press and is featured over on Cookie Magazine's website: three absolutely adorable Printable Party Invitations. Just print out on some heavy stock paper and send them out. Too cute!

thought of the day : home.

"My Home," found in Rob Ryan's Etsy shoppe. I really, really love this.

things i'm loving : monday morning edition.

Hello and happy Monday. I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was rather unexciting- the sickness just won't get out of our household. Last week it was a stomach virus, this week it has been the full-blown flu. Luckily, it seems to be passing (I'm crossing my fingers.) Might I just say that I am ready for sick season to be over, and truthfully, winter in general.

Oh well, here's to a fresh new week with plenty of lovely things.



Above: 1. Ants (£200.00), 2. Millie the Dearheart Bunny ($20), and 3. Wibele Cookies ($12)
Below: 4. Moisture-Absorbing Coasters, Bird Motif, Set of 2 ($16), 5. Jeffrey Campbell Frill Heel ($89.99), and 6. Vintage Bench ($499)