setting the table with kraft paper

just feels right this time of year.

from emersonmade
please check out her beautiful handmade flower collection

from martha stewart

from country living

via just happily ever after

are you making your list?

and checking it twice? your christmas card recipient list, that is?
[more important question] do you know what you're going to do for your family photo yet?


if not, here's a simple/lovely option:
1) grab a large frame from your local good will/salvation army
2) find a patterned background: brick/wallpaper/the side of a barn
3) cram inside & smile, or look serious, or be silly - let your personality come through!
i think this a great option for a family of any size!

sunshine bathing

yellow and white will be the inspiration for my future bathroom remodel. it's decided.

dear santa...

here is just a little list of wishes to add to the letterpress combination kit.

1) martha stewart collection cupcake tree available at macy's; 2) hunter 'original tall' rain boot in yellow available at nordstroms; 3) bianca clutch in black croc patent leather from elaine turner; 4) nike pacer women's running skirt in smoke/sea green form nike store; 5) mechanical pastry bag from williams sonoma; 6) a year in japan by kate t. williamson available at amazon; 7) 500 years of summer dvd available at amazon; 8) photophilic robe from anthropologie; 9) xyron create a sticker available at paper source.


this list kicks off my 2009 gift guides - keep checking back for some great ideas for your loved ones.

the twelve days of...gifts!

forget the traditional advent calendar and the sub-par chocolates...
instead, give personal mini-gifts leading up to the big day.
use these fun day number labels from mini mart, an online store from marta writes. package includes days 1-25, and bonus 1-12 (to celebrate the 12 days of christmas)

letterpress love [AT HOME!!!!]

CAN YOU READ MY EXCITEMENT?!
finally! you can letterpress at home!
dear santa, all i want for christmas is this awesome new letterpress combination kit from QuicKutz available at Paper Source!


Kit includes:

• Letterpress tool
• Epic 6 machine
• 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

wedding wednesday: veterans day edition

today, our nation pauses for a moment (if that) to acknowledge and appreciate those that have served to protect our freedom, those that signed up for life that quite honestly, i would never have signed up for...

there has been a lot of talk today about the homeless rate for veterans (1/3 of america's homeless served in the armed forces), of the lack support from our government related to healthcare and other benefits. but, more often than not, there's another casualty of war for our veterans...
their marriages.
* the divorce rate for army officers is close to 78%

image from chase elliott

But, there's always HOPE!

if you can FIGHT on the frontlines, you can FIGHT at home to make your marriage work.

despite injury and months of separation, many have successfully found ways to readjust and reunite their love

check our this great resource: www.operationmilitaryfamily.org

here's a great article from hitched mazagine

think about...

sending invitations for thanksgiving.
i know it's just family - but, why not? here are my modern favorites...

from hostess with the mostess

from anh - minh .com

from tiny prints

from tiny prints

from pear tree

pantry perfection

i think i am having an emotional affair...with food storage.
it started 3 years ago, while i was working at the container store (they have an entire wall dedicated to tupperware, glass containers, and nifty storage options designed only for lettuce, cupcakes, or leftover pizza slices).

here are some images that make my heart swoon.

colorful cookbooks and canisters, oh my!

image from everything mom

i would love some of these "vintage" snack containers.
i'd love one for cat food. i am officially on a hunt.

image from girl meets glamour

i actually have some matching canisters that i registered for my wedding. i love them - they're white with bamboo tops.

but, currently i don't have a place to set them out - they just hide in my cabinets. i'd love to a have a little nook, like this, to set them on..
image from: ?

i wish i had purchases these large glass storage containers from the container store while i still had my employee discount. they are perfect for flour, sugar, oats, cornmeal, etc... they look perfect here on a buffet. i also heart the toaster on the tray with a sweet fruit basket.
image from wide open spaces

same song, different verse. glass storage is beautiful - as is this entire display.
image from ?

treatcakes [with a side of trick]

almost to sweet to eat.
country living . parents . amy atlas

imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

i hope amy atlas is flattered when i try to re-create her halloween dessert tablescape* for our party on saturday...



*on a smaller scale, of course

tooth[picks]

these make me laugh..

set of 24 from cb2

jill-o-lanterns

husband & i are going to an annual pumpkin carving party tomorrow night. last year, i was completely unprepared. we ended up just carving "welcome". simple enough. this year, i am interested in creating a whole assortment of pumpkins on my stoop - i'm thinking florals, leaves, with a mixture of polka-dots. forget the days of the plain ole' jack-o-lantern. i, myself, am more inspired by these feminine "jill-o-lanterns"...

images from crafty nest, country living,
dot com women, southern living, and sunset.

and in case you're planning on hosting your own pumpkin carving party-
you should check out this inspiration board from the finer things.

wedding wednesday: new resource

this new bridal magazine arrived via post service today.
i'm a little too excited to browse - considering i'm already married.



get your own free issue of get married here
it looks like there's some pretty good inspiration...

birthday in a box

what better way to say "happy 'you're one year older'" than this adorable boxed by birthday by etsy seller: iluvsugar? includes: a party garland, pin the tail on the donkey, a perfectly huge balloon, party blowers, handmade party hat, smarties, tootsie rolls, an extra surprise and a month's supply of birthday gumballs.

discovered at outblush posted by smitten design

iluvsugar also has these genius gumball a day six month supply kits

hello-ween

confession - i love hello kitty. i even have a pillowcase of hers that husband bought me one time when i was sick...
needless to say, i heart these halloween cards from tiny * prints

see more on their blog, tiny talk, here

growing green: eco-friendly baby shower

one of my uber-talented friends [see: may books] hosted this fabulous modern eco-friendly baby shower for one of her friends. i instantly fell in love and knew i had to share...

custom designed invitations/ re-useable gift tags.
also featured: eco-wrapping tips:
use ribbon instead of tape, ditch the wrapping paper for swaddle blankets
or re-useable bags, don't even think about bringing diapers.
more here.

i love the green theme! and the custom tags...

water with lime and lemonade look sleek in these lorina bottles with removed labels.



goodie bags, the green version.


for more from mica, check out her blog!

wedding wednesday: design*sponge style

if you claim to have a "design blog" or if you just spend hours reading them, then you must have lusted over the pages of grace bonney's design*sponge. honestly, it's hard to get any more famous in the blog world.
i have been following her interior inspiration, travel guides, and before & afters for quite some time; and was thrilled when i saw her wedding on the pages of martha stewart weddings!

all images from martha stewart

the writing is on the wall

via pearl street interiors & spearmint baby

zzzz...

taking a mid-day nap on this couch [in my head]
image from simplygrove

party for the cure

october is breast cancer awareness month.
why race for the cure, when you can throw a party for the cure?

download pink party for the cure supplies at paper & cake
50% of proceeds go to the susan g. komen foundation
plus, you could take donations on your own!

modern fall inspiration

this weekend i will magically transform my dining area into one a combination of these beautiful photographs..
aren't the gray pumpkins simply lovely!

images from:
shelter pop
apartment therapy
katiedid
happy mundane

bring home the fair

what happens at the fair, doesn't have to stay at the fair...
when you invite a little ferris wheel inspiration into your home.

1) ferris wheel pillow from charlene mullen; 2) ferris wheel phone stand via internet siao;
3) ferris wheel from pottery barn; 4) ferris wheel letterpress cards from papernstitch;
5) journal - ferris wheel from supermarket; 6) carnival glass from fish eddy

no excuse pumpkin pie

martha is taking away any excuse not to bake a homemade pumpkin pie, with this
precious pumpkin pie dish, complete with the recipe...

available at macy's
ps- they're having a sale

wedding wednesday: jim + pam say "i do"

there is a wedding tomorrow - and you're all invited! 9/8c on NBC... "the office" goes to the chapel!

1) bride + groom cupcakes from saucy's sprinkles; 2) torn notebook paper wine labels from death by kerning;
3) jim + pam on the cover of entertainment weekly; 4) jim + pam inspired rsvp from etsy seller thefuturemrsdarcy;
5) bobblehead pam (a photo of jim's was not yet available) from the nbc store

i rsvped for 2 - beef

the complete jim and pam invitation collection
from esty seller thefuturemrsdarcy
i.love.these!