Thankfulness

It's Thanksgiving Day in the United States today. I will be working (!) until 2 pm, and then I will celebrate the day.



There are so many things to be thankful for, including: ~the love of family and friends ~freedom to worship ~God's daily provision of material needs, especially when I lost my job (talk about living by faith!) ~good health ~the gift of creativity, with the means and avenue to exercise it ~you! Thank you so much, dear readers, for taking the time to follow and read this little blog. There are so many talented bloggers out there (is anyone else reading over 50 blogs?), and it's humbling and encouraging that you are interested in what I have to say.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

*image via Hostess with the Mostess*

read more...

Oh, to be Nate's Sister!

I haven't read Glamour magazine for years, but apparently it now has a decorating column. I did not find out until yesterday that the studio apartment of Nate Berkus' sister (Nate has a sister?), Marni Golden, was featured in the publication.



I love the fact that Nate used items from his affordable HSN line...




the pops of color...

this dresser was painted in peacock blue

and the clever solutions.

magazine files corralling the clutches

an extra- large cork board, framed in moldings, gives way for hanging bills and mementos

*Photos by Paul Costello for Glamour*

read more...

Why Chicks Rule

Worldwide hunger and poverty are so hard for me to comprehend sometimes. What can I possibly do to help my fellow human being? It turns out that, through organizations like World Vision and Heifer International, it's quite simple: give some chicks. It's literally the gift that keeps on giving. From World Vision:


"Chickens are a beautiful gift of nutritious food for a hungry family. Fresh eggs raise the levels of protein and other essential nutrients in a family's diet, and the the sale of extra eggs provides money for clothes, medicine... Chickens are easy to breed--- so your gift can multiply to share with neighbors and make a better life for the whole village." (emphasis mine)



$20 will give a family a flock of chicks. Very easy, right? As if you needed another reason to give, right now if you make a purchase from one of my favorite letterpress printers and enter the code "GIVECHICKS" at checkout Hello!Lucky will donate 20 chicks. They have some amazing holiday cards right now.

In partnership with Heifer International, Hello!Lucky's goal is to donate 3,000, which will feed about 100 families.


If you can't give this holiday season, then I hope you will consider this worthy cause year- round for your charitable giving.

*Image sources: Heifer International, Hello!Lucky *

read more...

Letterpress for Less

I am in the process of designing invitations for a Christmas dinner that my husband and I will be hosting at our home. As I was browsing Paper *Source for some envelopes that would complete the invitations, I could not believe what I saw:

{Scrapbook Trends}

{Lifestyle Crafts}

You are looking at a tabletop at-home letterpress machine from QuickKutz's Lifestyle Crafts line. Somehow I missed this from this summer's post- CHA trade show report. I have to admit that I'm intrigued (and dare I say, impressed?). I am a fan of letterpress and want to learn the art. The kit is relatively affordable at $149, and I think this may be a good way to get my feet wet in letterpress, so to speak.

The kit includes the following:
Letterpress tool
Epic 6 machine (I wonder if other die-cut machines would be compatible?)
Clear packing mat with packing sheet
Ink brayer
Ink base
Black letterpress ink
Letterpress paper (10 sheets of A2 flat)
Paper positioning guides
Printing plates
Printing plate adhesive

Demonstration of use:






Plates can be purchased separately for $25 per set:



Customization of designs and plates seem to be a major issue at the moment, but the company is planning to offer a program that will have this feature. Lest anyone should be mistaken, this machine cannot replace an actual letterpress machine. Nevertheless, it seems to be a good option for DIY crafters. I'm planning to drive 30 minutes to the nearest Paper*Source this weekend to check their nationwide holiday demos. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

read more...

Cozy Chic

Brrr! As I type this post my feet are cold, and somehow my sweater isn't adequately keeping me warm. I''ll be visiting my in-laws next month, who live in Washington state. This California femme better get ready!

Layered look on the street; so chic, yet uncontrived
via French Elle

Keri Russell for In Style

French actress Clémence Poésy, via Garance Doré

Toasty neutrals...

both by Loeffler Randall

via {this is glamorous}

Or cozy rich tones...

Angela Lindvall for British Vogue

Toast

read more...

Gift Wrap Stations

Happy Monday, mes amies! Numerous projects await me this week. I am planning to reconfigure my craft room in order to accommodate an area for wrapping Christmas presents. I need to make it easy for my husband; otherwise he'll just pull out the first pair of scissors he sees (it could be the one for fabrics--- eek!). Some ideas:

use a peg board, from Do-It-Yourself Ideas

another peg board idea, from Lowes

peg board wall, from Country Living

If you're short on square footage, how about these hanging gift wrap organizers?

Real Simple

Container Store

Or a rolling station, which can be tucked in a closet when not in use?

Container Store

I love these simple solutions:

This trash bin stores rolls of wrapping paper, via Good Housekeeping

The Petersiks of Young House Love carved out a small, yet effective wrapping station. How adorable is that personalized planter, corralling the rolls of gift wrap?

Now let's stop for a minute and drool over these spaces, ok?

French General

Martha Stewart

read more...

It's Beginning to Look Alot Like...

Now that Halloween has passed I have Christmas already on the brain! Please don't get mad at me. ;)

I really have to plan better this year, which means beginning this month until mid- December I need to be checking off a list of things to do each week. It's nothing extravagant. In fact, the earlier I get a head start the less I waste money and becoming stressed out so I can focus on the more important things: the birth of Christ, fellowship with family and friends, and helping out others. This week I will type out a gift list and set a budget. This year's budget will undoubtedly be significantly smaller than in years past, but I'm ok with that. Here are some gift picks on my radar at the moment, all for under $25:

{ a. Kate Spade desk planner ; b. jute butterfly tote; c. melamine plate }

{alphabet paperweight}


{owl figurine; elephant earthenware
cup & saucer set;
cherry blossom earrings }

What are your budget- friendly gift ideas?

read more...

Celebrating Martha Stewart Weddings

I may be married, but I still love to browse through wedding publications like Martha Stewart Weddings (MSW). I love all the details, from the bride's dress to the reception tabletop. Recently the MSW celebrated its 15th anniversary with a party at the The Plaza in New York City. Feast your eyes on the lovely photos!

floral design by Matthew Robbins

Morimoto sushi--- yummy!

A wall of cakes!

Dessert buffet by the amazing Amy Atlas

~Photos via The Bride's Guide and Brenda's Wedding~

read more...