cool new calendar

Sometimes calendars tend to blur together by this time of year but this one definitely stands out. This would be a perfect Christmas present for the bf if I wasn't already done with his shopping.

From The Wild Unknown, Songwriters Calendar, drawings include bob dylan, john & yoko, emmylou harris, kurt cobain & more...

a stethoscope for a giant

While doing some Christmas shopping on Mass Ave the other day I noticed this spectacular over sized stethoscope on the building front. Our downtown needs more cleverness like this to spruce it up.

christmas wish list

The holidays are officially here and my holiday shopping is in full swing. I was inspired by the Design*Sponge editors' gift guides and decided to create my own.

Ash Canvas TOMS in a size 7 / Sky Planter / Stainless Steel Water Pitcher Milkmaid Butter Dish / Handmade Home / Silver Measuring Spoons

christmas list making

I'm still in search of a coat. It's on my Christmas list so I've been searching all my usual stores and sites but have come up a bit disappointed. I did find a few possibilities along with some adorable dresses that I have absolutely no need of but couldn't help but bookmarking (new year's?). What makes the revue coat (far right) from anthropologie extra cute is the mismatched buttons that go down the back.

silence & noise pleated back wool coat from urban outfitters / poinsettia coat from modcloth / revue coat from anthropologie

Beautiful but unneeded (for the moment).

blue roses dress from modcloth / tide is high dress from modcloth

thanksgiving baking disaster

In preparation for a visit to the bf's family I was baking chocolate ribbon loaf cake as my contribution to Thanksgiving dessert. This is how it ended...

...overflowed in my oven and partially raw. I blame it on my oven. All my cooking troubles started when I moved into this apartment. I salvaged 4 pieces of cake and I plan to embarrassingly pass it off for my dessert. Luckily I was not the only person entrusted with dessert duties.

bird and banner

I have long admired the work of Bird and Banner. They are most known for their wedding work and other invitation design. I think one of the reason's I most like them is because their work is similar to my own. It is comforting to see another succeed with a similar design aesthetic and approach. Their work focuses on a hand done quality, especially incorporating sewn elements and screen printing methods. Bird and Banner is a source of continual inspiration to me and their website is loaded with darling examples.

craft fair post-view

With my first craft fair under my belt, here is a little preview of the items I am selling. I'll have some new items to add in the upcoming weeks. I have two Christmas events coming up; one in my hometown and my final fair is a part of my city's "First Friday" Holiday Hoopla event in the beginning of December. Look for them in my etsy shop as well.

ruffle pillow / embroidered lunch bags / Christmas stockings / reusable snack bags

i want one

his name is angus. i would name mine fenway.

from Helen Mor's flickr stream

monsters of folk

Recently obsessed with monsters of folk and am loving their album art.

happy belated josh

My boyfriend turned the big 2-6 a few days back. I meant to post these a little sooner but I completely forgot. I tried my hand at some ties for him so he has something spiffy to wear to school. I also got him an awesome new tie clip that's a sword so he can stop swiping my bobby pins.

chilly weather has put me in search of a new coat

Love the color, love the toggles, love the collar. Love it enough to buy?
From Mod Cloth

my sister is getting married!

The oldest Scott girl is officially engaged and my head is already swirling with ideas for her wedding which is 12 months away. I've been saving all my good ones for her! Below is some of my preliminary ideas for her...

 

1. 100 Layer Cake  2. Once Wed  3. Tec Petaja  4. Once Wed  5. Bird and Banner  6. Tec Petaja  7. Sohomode Etsy Shop  8. Warm Country Meadow Etsy Shop  9. Once Wed  10. CiCi Bridal Etsy Shop

a fondness for craft fairs

My sister and I have a booth at a craft fair in November and I've been trying to "plan" the look of our table. I found some inspiring images on flickr today as I perused some of my favorite sellers. Ours is just a small town craft fair but I can dream...

These beautiful booths belong to
Leungski's flickr photostream / Bird and Banner (via Something's Hiding in Here's Flickr Stream) / Something's Hiding in Here / Rifle Made by Anna Bond

hello autumn!

I've had to restrain myself from throwing on tights these last few chilly mornings. I have to remind myself that by 11 am I'll be regretting it when it hits 80 degrees. However, now that it's the official first day of fall the tights shall be brought out from the back of the drawer and become an outfit staple. With such a variety to choose from I gathered some of my favorites to share.

Plaid / Cable Knit in Grey / Classic Tights in Navy / Shimmer in Black

First up, American Eagle has an enormous selection that are inexpensive enough you that you don't have to feel guilty buying a different pair for each day of the week.

Grooved Channels Tights in Grey / Blush Grove Tights / Loops and Lines Tights

These beauties are from Anthropologie and very reasonably priced at $18 each. A pair of these could spice up the basics I've been trying to stock up on.

Other great resources for tights are Gap and Target. They are super cheap so you can stock up on the basic opaque and colored ones, also you won't feel guilty when you snag the darn things.

i adore

I'm in search of inspiration lately because I've been feeling at a creative loss. This picture caught my eye and I can't stop staring at it.

lovely vintage caketoppers and delicious looking cakes via project wedding

new find

Find another great 2010 planner from Denise Laurel via Oh So Beautiful Paper.

is it too early for a new calendar?

Last year I bought a calendar by Miriam Bereson and just received an email this week announcing the release date of her 2010 edition. I just love her calendars but learned that I am not a wall calendar type of person. Instead, I need a calendar that I can keep in my purse that is on me at all times. Last year I experimented by having both, but found my wall calendar remaining blank for a good portion of the year and then I could never quite manage to keep it up to date.

image via miriambereson.com

If I just got a wall calendar for "looks" and hung it solely to keep track of the date, I might go this route. This fabric panel calendar from SeptemberHouse on etsy just screams for embellishment.

I'm more of a planner girl. Love the hand drawn quality of this one from TheAyBeeCees.

Another good planner from Sarah Pinto's etsy shop if you're a weekly organizer. She has a variety of cover options to choose from.

braids

I was inspired to learn how to french braid today.





















lovely picture found via flickr

iphone case

Reason #1 why I want an iphone.

I am pretty happy with my lovely lg Dare. So far, I have very few complaints. However, why is it that people think that only those with an iphone would enjoy a beautiful wood case.


The case I'm in love with is from Miniot

i love this trend

My wardrobe staple...


American Eagle Dolman Sleeve Striped Sweater, American Apparel Stripe Pocket Frock, Urban Outfitter Mirror/Dash Nautical Stripe Dress.

the uniform project

I am often speechless at the creativity and commitment of others. My sister sent this project my way today and it left me wishing that I had the follow through to do something this spectacular.

Sheena Matheiken has pledged to wear a "uniform" of the same dress for an entire year as a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, reinventing it with only accessories, or handmade or vintage goods. The black dress is adorable on its own but Matheiken enlists the help of designers and individuals to donate their goods or their overlooked accessories to her project, to help her redesign her look each day.

As of today, day 103, she has raised over $8,000 dollars for the Akanksha Foundation.

Click here to see all 103 outfits.
images via the uniform project

isn't this room just swoon worthy?

I can't decide what exactly it is that drew me to it. The globe collection, the well-organized built-in bookshelf, or the gorgeous sofa. It's all just perfect.

Featured on design is mine today.

i could buy a whole new wardrobe here

My sister turned me on to my new favorite site, Mod Cloth. I'm in search of a dress to wear for all my upcoming wedding celebrating. I found a few options along with a few more that I just really like. I fell in love with everything and most is pretty affordable although some items are a little on the pricey side (for me). I'm thinking 2 or maybe 6...or maybe some more shopping is in order. Wouldn't 5 be the perfect dress for work?






1. The Black Lodge Dress 2. Spring Benefit Dress 3. Darling by Day Dress 4. Prep School Dress 5. Polo Match Dress, 6. Mulberry Dress

They even have adorable shoes. Can you tell I really love mary janes? I'm in search of a black pair to wear with my bridesmaid dress but really want something a little different. I don't want just any pair of black shoes. My search didn't come up with a whole lot of wedding shoes, but definitely some others I would splurge on!

(Carriage Ride Wedges, Black Mirror Wedges, Stone Cold Mary Janes, Plump Pump in Sapphire, Double Heel-ixs)

if my life were a movie...

this would be a much funnier version with (i'll bet) a sweet, storybook ending which I have yet to accomplish. Graduating college is not all it's cracked up to be.

Furthermore, I really love Alexis Bledel ever since her Rory Gilmore days.



Another movie I am extremely excited (or possibly dreading) is The Time Travelers Wife because it is one of my top ten books. I've come across some previews and think it has potential, but I still highly recommend the book.

alice

Movie poster series for the upcoming Alice in Wonderland.
Images from Rotten Tomatoes.

Pfenninger invitations

I just finished up the invitations for my friend and her husband-to-be for their August wedding. This was my first experience designing wedding invitations and I definitely learned a few things for the next time.

I haven't managed to get a picture of the final product yet, however, I will try do that soon. The invites were a little booklet with five separate pages containing the invitation, reception information, accommodation info, and a tear-out rsvp postcard, all tied together with ribbon.

new HannaKinsey jewelry!!

My oldest sister just opened her own etsy shop with her great handmade jewelry. She uses vintage/repurposed pieces and gives them a modern flare. I am very into the combination of unconventional pieces in my jewelry and her necklaces and earrings fit the bill. Made with a mixture of antique and vintage charms, beads, buttons or fittings, her pieces are often one of a kind. Hop on over to her shop, HannaKinsey, and see more lovelies.

1. Turquoise Earrings, $6.50/pair 2. Morning Glory and Mint Bead Necklace, $35.00 3. Orange and Teal Dangly Earrings, $6.00 4. Beach Glass Necklace, $30.00

cruisin' in style

I've been on the lookout for a basket to make using my bike more convenient. My inability to carry things is what keeps me from riding my bike to the store or on other errands. Searching online I found a couple of great options and am trying to narrow it down. My bike is a blue cruiser that, sadly, looks its age. I can't decide between a metal or wicker basket, and also can't decide whether it should attach to my handlebars or to the rear rack.

I think #4 is by far my favorite but has the largest price tag, which is a huge mark against him. Maybe I can find a budget-friendly version of him out there...

The top contenders are...
1. Front Willow Wicker Basket from ComCycle USA $29.95 2. Wald Giant Delivery Basket from The Bike Shack $49.99, (21"x 15" x 9") 3. Cynthia's Twigs European Wicker Bike Baskets from Tahoe Mountain Sports $39.95-69.95, available in a variety of sizes 4. Basil Pasja Rear Wicker Bike Basket from Tahoe Mountain Sports $82.95 5. Wald Folding Rear Grocery Basket found via Amazon $34.99/set of 2, available in black, white and chrome

brand new on etsy

New pillows recently posted on my etsy.

dear sneak peek-ers

Dear home sneak peek participants,
Thank you for allowing me to be a temporary voyeur into your home and life. I would also like to thank you for filling me with unreal expectations of my own home. I know that somewhere in your spotless, minimalist living space you too have a secret stash of unorganized, uncolor-coded, items that you are unsure of where to stick. You have that closet overflowing with gift wrap and art supplies that you just can't bring yourself to get rid of just in case you ever need them. I'm on to you, you have these storage areas hidden away, out of the sight of the camera. I'm also on to the fact that you own a t.v. despite its carefully planned absence. Don't be ashamed of your enabler attributing to your secret obsession for Gossip Girls and reality television. I will have to come to terms with only looking at perfectly accessorized homes, knowing that I do not have the patience or time to live in one myself.

Some of my favorite sneak peeks inside other people's homes: first from Home Sweet Home, next three from Design*Sponge sneak peeks here, here, and here.

new spin on the old lantern

My favorite part of this before and after over at design*sponge was the lovely arrangement of paper lanterns, garlands, and paper bouquets. Apparently I was not the only person who had an eye on it. Its creator posted additional images on her site and instructions on how she made it.

my bedroom inspiration

This is my ideal bedroom, give or take a few bits of it. I lusted after this duvet at Anthropologie for months, not quite able to justify its price tag, until it sold out. I love the juxtaposition of the dark brown with lots of floral prints and yellow. As you can tell, this picture has seen better days. It's been on my bulletin board for months now.

family photos

One area in which innovation has not necessary been a complete improvement is with portraits. New camera technology works so hard at being realistic that it has stopped producing classic and timeless images. Black and white photos are so forgiving, both for the subject and composition. Even a badly taken one can come out looking good.

Aren't my grandparents quite the stylish couple?