a holiday week.

• Fab Friday: Pretty in Pink.
  
• Alix makes a lovely Little Red Riding Hood.
  
• Falling through the stars.
  
• I'm daydreaming of staying in this Amsterdam hotel.
  
• Yummy and beautiful: a icy peppermint stack cake.
  
• It's no secret- I love sleep.
  
• Just so pretty: how to make a sequin photobooth backdrop.
  
• I really want to make these maple buttermilk tarts.
  
• Best of 2011: 15 beautiful ways to store your books from Apartment Therapy.
  
• Free flamingo thank-you cards download.
  
• I love the idea of throwing a thank you for being a friend party.
  
• Gonna have to make one of these: a DIY Instagram calendar.

Happy New Year, folks! Enjoy a fabulous weekend! (above image by Kathryn Whyte)

ten images of inspiration : new year's resolutions.

Ten great inspirational phrases/resolutions for the new year in the words and art of ten artists. Are you all ready for a clean slate? What are your resolutions for 2012?

Sources (from top to bottom): Keep Calm Gallery, Laura George, Friends of Type, Jeff Rogers, Magalerie, Spread the Love, Keep Calm Gallery, Help Ink, Groundwork, and Mary Kate McDevitt.

flickr photo of the day : dotted.

"favorite blouse" by Le Portillon. (See also: portfolio & blog)

gorgeous interior shots...

...from a favorite photographer, the lovely Hallie Burton. Inspiration galore.

whooooooo.

I have always loved owl cookie jars, but I think this one from Hello Polly takes the cake. I kinda want to hug this dapper little guy. ($45)

a completely adorable home..

...from a completely adorable lady and her beau. Elsie really knows how to display her unique style and creativity. You can see more photographs/snippets of her home tours here. (See also: Red Velvet Shop)

thought of the day : winter.

"The Invincible Summer," a quote print by Matthew Kavan Brooks for Society6. (Print also available at Urban Outfitters, $15).

I'm back from the holidays. I took a little more time than expected to get myself together after the chaos of Christmas, but here I am. I hope you all had a lovely vacation/holiday and are all ready for a brand new year. Xoxo.

ten images of inspiration : happy holidays.

Season's Greetings, friends! I am more excited than I can say for this glorious weekend. Enjoy some of this holiday inspiration, thanks to my Pinterest favorites!

Pinboards (from top to bottom): Colleen Ludovice, Ez Pudewa, Jenny Holiday, Missy Kulik, Poppytalk Handmade, Emma Fexeus, Ez Pudewa, Kirsten Grove, Erin Loechner, and april and may.

flickr photo of the day : bird painting.

Untitled by sue.h.

gift guides : for the dapper gentleman.

I ain't gonna lie- there are very few things in life I love more than a dapper man, one with good style and etiquette. This gift guide is for those who are lucky enough to have one in your lives.

1. Polk Open Patch Blazer ($995), 2. blackberry bow tie ($68), 3. Anchor Paperweight ($68), 4. Set of 3 Vintage Shaving Brushes on Stands ($99), 5. Wolf art print ($10), 6. Wentworth Pewter Flask (Round) ($54), 7. The Modern Gentleman: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy and Vice ($3.05+), 8. Braun Analog Watch ($150), 9. La Sardina Lomography Camera in Domino ($69.99), and 10. Morestead Hankies (£45)

december giveaway : dear golden!

Today there is another giveaway from a lovely Design is Mine sponsor, the great Lauren of Dear Golden. It's one of my favorite vintage apparel shops on the web, I must say. Lauren is offering one lucky reader the above stunning necklace- so pretty. All you have to do is leave your name and email in the comments no later than Christmas Eve at noon.

'Tis the season for giving!

hovey design.

I cannot even tell you how excited I am that the Hovey sisters are now doing interior design. Those two ladies are truly fabulous and have the best aesthetic. I might just marry both of them if I could.

thought of the day : subliminal.

"Eating off the floor never ends well," one of Sycamore Street Press's darling letterpress "subliminal baby" prints. ($35, see also: website)

gift guides : for the homebody.

For those who prefer being home with tea and pajamas to going out bar-hopping, this is for you. (I am much one myself.)

1. Pinwheel Breeze Loungers ($48), 2. Brooklyn Mug ($10.95), 3. The Beautiful And The Damned ($25), 4. Bubble Elixer ($35), 5. WOOL FELT SLIPPERS (£59), 6. IDEA Dynamic Headphones ($140), 7. Pendleton Merino Wool Blanket ($108), 8. Home Sweet Home Print ($40), 9. Patchouli Powder Box Candle ($28), 10. House Shaped Pillow By Donna Wilson ($105), 11. Hario V60 Buono Kettle ($59.95), and 12. Soup Love ($12)

bonjour, weekend.

• Nicole designed the prettiest dollhouse I have ever seen.
  
• The way to my heart? Animal portraits. They never fail to make me happy.
  
• Amazingly easy-to-make porcelain candleholders.
  
• Alix is just too damn gorgeous.
  
• There are few things more classic during the holidays than brown paper packages tied up with string.
  
• A peek into a beautiful book.
  
• Yes: a French-Vintage-inspired holiday dessert table.
  
• Such a perfect and classic look.
  
• I am really loving Anabela's gift picks for the year.
  
• How to make holiday surprise crackers!
  
• These peppermint reindeer patties sound delicious. (Included: free printable gift tags.)
  
• A bedroom makeover for three kids. Inspiring.
  
• I daydream about living in a farmhouse like this someday.
  
• Kelly's comprehensive list of holiday cocktails. Drink up!

Enjoy your last weekend before the holidays, hopefully with plenty of Bing Crosby and hot toddies. (Above illustration by Danielle Kroll)

flickr photo of the day : parasol.

"Victory Patterns - Hazel" by bonjour celine! (See also: blog)

december giveaway : pamwares!

Good afternoon! Another day, another giveaway- this time from the adorable shop Pamwares. Pam makes the prettiest aprons, bunting, wreaths, and more, and she is giving away a $50 gift certificate to her shop! Such a generous gift to one lucky reader: all you have to do is leave a comment on this post with your name and email address no later than Tuesday, December 20th at noon.

Also, Pam is offering all Design is Mine readers a 10% discount off of anything in her shop- just use the coupon code "DESIGNISMINE" at checkout. Thanks Pam!