Things That Make Me Smile: Objects Handmade(y)
January 12, 2010
I adore my crochet doilies from Ikea. Not sure what to do with them yet, though I find this very inspiring.
And I am treasuring my hand-cut wooden anchor necklace by Emedemarta. Opening the package was quite the experience; little brown paper packages tied up in red and white baker’s twine, a thoughtful handwritten note, a little pouch to store my necklace, and little extras thrown in with my order. Definitely my favorite Etsy store right now.
And speaking of handmade, my good friend Stacie and her sister are doing an apron giveaway on their blog Never Enough. My post is a little late on this as the contest ends this Wednesday, but head over there for your chance to win a retro, Minnie-Mouse inspired apron. Good luck!
Couch Dreaming
January 9, 2010
Yeah, this is what I do when I waste pretend time. I really should be prepping the craft for nursery at church tomorrow, but it’s really satisfying to look at pretty things online. I’m not ashamed to admit that.
All sofas from Room and Board: The Hutton, Reese, and Dublin.
Silent Night
December 24, 2009

Have you heard Ryan’s piano arrangement of Silent Night yet? If not, you can listen and download here. I promise it is very beautiful.
And how fun is wrapping gifts? Being surrounded by paper, trimmings, and a good pair of scissors is my happy place.
Pretty necklaces by Kate
August 3, 2009


Just in case you haven’t already heard, Kate is updating her shop with yet another round of handmade necklaces! They go really fast, so I’d sign up for her shop update and stay within a 1-foot radius around your computer this Thursday evening. A week ago, I managed to snap up one of the last two. Definitely my favorite necklace right now, which means I freak out whenever the kids get near it.
Renegade Craft Fair
July 13, 2009
We visited the LA Renegade Craft Fair, and went through as *slowly* as the boys allowed. In other words, Dax’s mini tantrums and signature back-arching move kept us from staying at one booth longer than two minutes. Kai did just fine. Which is great, since he better get used to being dragged around places that involve the words ‘handmade,’ ‘arts,’ and ‘crafts.’ Many more years of that to come, kids. (But I will buy you ice cream, promise.)
Artists that I liked:


Illustrator Caitlin Kuhwald



Wood block prints by Tugboat Printshop
(Saw the three individual, hand-carved wood blocks used
for the three-color crab print above. It was really amazing.)


All the Pretty Colors
June 11, 2009




Stacie and I went down to the LA garment district today, and I was reminded of what a simple girl I am. Because when I die and get to heaven, presumptuously assuming I’m going to heaven, I’d gladly choose to move into a warehouse full of ribbon and trim over a mansion, any day. Wait. Unless that mansion is a Marmol Radziner prefab. Hm. My brain is now hurting by this hypothetical.
diy mother’s day
May 11, 2009
One of the things I really wanted this mother’s day was to make a Lizzie Fortunato-ish necklace or bracelet. Of course that entails me going to the craft store alone and some quiet time piecing my spoils together. Heaven! So here is my knock-off prototype.


And here’s the real deal.
And lastly, mother’s day isn’t quite over for me yet — I’ve asked Ryan to take me to Sprinkles this Friday. I hear it’s supposed to change your life. My own homemade cupcakes are pretty kick-a*$, so I better not be disappointed!
{images via Lizzie Fortunato Jewels and Refinery 29}
One Sexy Beast of a Necklace
April 28, 2009

Subversive Jewelry by Justin Giunta. Via Nylon magazine.
it kills me
November 10, 2008



OH! To fall in love a dress that just isn’t modest enough. All I ask is for designers to use just a 1/2 yard more fabric. Right? Word.
mood enhancer
October 29, 2008

I feel happier just looking at these amazing images by Courtney Brooke.
and one last post for friday: aluminum water bottles
October 17, 2008

So glad I never sprung for a Kleen Kanteen, or even a Sigg, because I’d rather spend on one of these!
Buy at Doe.
DIY Envelopes
October 1, 2008

Digging on these handmade envelopes from Sarah’s blog.
Fabulous, or fabulous?
The Weather Outside Today Makes Me Want to Bundle Up in These
September 28, 2008
If only…
September 23, 2008
If I got a penny for each time I hear the phrase:
“I NEED a band-aid!”
(Kai)
I could probably afford these shoes:


Height, ruffles, and platform-goodness.
Oh yes.
{via Urban Outfitters}
Tasteful clash. Mesmerizing.
September 16, 2008

Marc Jacobs Spring 2009
{photos via style.com}
So This Girl Walks Into an Office…
September 9, 2008

Without giving much thought to it, this is what I grabbed to write on for my meeting with a client today; my dirty, oil-stained, moisture-warped notebook. Yikes. Upon arrival, I was prepared to explain away my blunder. “Yeah, I have a few pages left in it — I don’t like to be wasteful,” and/or, “I’m just trying to minimalize my carbon footprint by being resourceful.”
Lame.
But here are some prettier notebooks that I wouldn’t mind bringing to the table:


(See Jane Work, Stories & Divinations, and Urban Outfitters)
A Party in the Making
September 8, 2008
Still a month-and-a-half away, but I’m already planning the boys’ birthday in October. I’ve decided on a theme, so now my work involves piecing together the party details — cheaply.
A few things I’m inspired by:

Outfit of My Eye
September 4, 2008

The scarf, the cardigan, the vintage lace dress, the gray tights + boots…I love it.
{via Anthropologie — of course}
The Hunt for a Bed
August 8, 2008
Since we’re in the market now for a big boy bed, I’ve been a little obsessed. While I know we’ll end up getting something super-economical from Ikea, here are a few that I love:

Via Ohdeedoh.com

Ikea Minnen bed (love the look without the squiggly bedrail).

Pottery Barn Janie bed
Ideally, I’d love something along the lines of a vintage, retro hospital bed, painted white. But that’s dreaming, of course. If we can get our act together this morning, we’ll head down to Ikea to check out what they have.
Can I Live Here?
July 26, 2008

Gorgeous, gorgeous loft. I am practically drooling. More pictures here.








