Christmas roundup (the first of many, I'm sure)

Since Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away, I'm pretty sure I'm officially allowed to talk about Christmas. So here's a bunch of Christmas goodies that get me all giddy inside.

plush ornaments from Skunkboy Creatures (who is super talented and pretty much amazing)

porcelain snowflakes from hodgepodgearts (uhm, I already bought a set of these. I just couldn't resist!)

custom illustrated cards from Rifle Paper Co. are the best thing ever.

darling gift tags from Miniature Rhino via Nice Package

Now aren't you feeling Merry and Bright?

You're welcome.

bright whites

You may remember me going on and on about this beautiful sparkling clean white interior a while back.

Well I've got another one.

White floors, I will have you.

I suppose the frames don't hurt either. Not one bit.

via the cinderella project

Oh yeah, and remind me one of these days to share with you our refurbished 70s coffee table. We took a big, clunky wooden thing and painted it shiny white and suddenly it's fresh and new and quite lovely. And would go nicely with the home above.

Thank you

On this Veterans Day, thank you to all the vets (including my grandfather) for your service, your sacrifice, and your dedication to our country.

via Youth/Exaggeration (aka the mister)

Dear Santa

Remember how it felt when you were a kid and you got the big holiday toy catalogs? Pages and pages full of sparkly new toys, the likes of which you've only dreamed of? And all you could think of was cutting pictures out to send to Santa in the hopes that some of them would end up under your Christmas tree? 

Well... this is my new toy catalog.

 

Page after page of the most scrumptious sounding bath and body goods known to man. So I'm just putting this out there- I wouldn't turn my nose up at any Christmas stocking containing some of the following:

Christmas Cracker

Christmas Present

Gingerbread House Tin

Or really, let's be honest here. I'll take pretty much anything from Lush that fizzes, bubbles, or lathers (and maybe even some that don't). That stuff smells so darned good and makes me feel like a million bucks, so it's a-ok with me.

gifted

 

 

These pictures are super old but I finally got around to giving this blanket to my brother and sister-in-law (who are expecting their first baby very very soon!) so I can finally post it! It was a pretty fun knit, and easy, and I love how it turned out. I felt pretty productive getting this all finished up and sent out, especially since I have been (sadly) not doing much knitting this year. I was browsing through some of my old photos recently and saw how many projects I completed in 2008, and compared it with 2010, and let's just say I would be a very busy lady for the next two months if I were to try to get even close. Shame shame.

bring it on, winter!

I fell in love with these gloves-in-progress on SockPixie, and I'm hoping she publishes a pattern soon! My cold hands could use a little something new and cozy.

happy feet

 

Is this not the most amazing rug you have ever seen??

hay shop via the dainty squid

papercuts

How cute are these paper mobiles from gosh & golly? (spotted on Paper Crave)

On a slightly related note I've decided that I want to decorate my home for the holidays with simple white paper rings a-la kindergarten classrooms everywhere. I'm pretty excited. :)

like?

To be honest I've never really liked Tom's shoes. Sure the story is great and they give shoes to people in need and they're good people and everything (and I've heard the shoes are comfortable), but if their shoes are ugly I'm still not going to buy them. Even the gold Tom's which have become the new Converse in weddings everywhere (just trust me) I think are rather hideous. But now they have these gold herringbone ones and, well, I might like them...

Now on my book shelf: Amy Sedaris

I already own her first book, I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence which is a whole bunch of brilliance so as soon as I heard that she had a new book coming out I pre-ordered it. And it came in yesterday! As Sherry A. McMillan, a reviewer on amazon.com, points out "there are no creative ideas for a serious crafter", and perhaps a sham to be among serious craft publications, but it is Amy Sedaris, and it is hilarious through and through. If you have ever wanted bottle cap castanets, fake candles made of either drum sticks or various fruit, or just wondered what to do with all of those seashells and coconuts you have laying around, then you might just get some great ideas here. Otherwise, just have a nice laugh and marvel at the perfect styling and character of the entire book. She has even been on the Martha Stewart show (more than once), and been compared to her interestingly enough, so she's alright as far as I'm concerned.