happy holidays!

christmas baking

Maybe it's because I've been in a baking sort of mood (it's one of my favorite gifts to give), but I love the food and treats that go along with Christmas. I found They Draw and Cook through my sister's blog and love the combination of recipes and illustration. Sadly, I base a lot about the recipe on how much I like the illustration. Here are some of my favorites.

All recipes from They Draw and Cook.
(click on recipes to make them larger)

christmas ideas

A little taste of some items on my Christmas list.

1. Starlette Crown from Giant Dwarf, $50 2. Baked Explorations Cookbook, $19.77 3. Vintage Raptors Chart, $300 (Saw some vintage biology charts at an antique store a little while back and fell in love!) 4. Denim Tote Bag, $42 5. Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches, $16.47 6. Jensen Wood Turntable, $88 7. Sweater Boots, $25 (I used to hate these but they've grown on me. They look sooo comfy.)

it's beginning to feel a lot like christmas!

After an amazingly productive day of Christmas shopping, 4 hours of non-stop Christmas music to the slight annoyance of co-workers, and a large peppermint flavored coffee, I am in the holiday spirit! I now need to focus on preparations for the 2nd annual Christmas party hosted by the bf that is in just 2 short days. I think eggnog and mulled wine are a must. These photos are so cheery and great inspiration for our party.

Photos by Chris Everard.

globe hunting

I have a bit of an obsession with globes. My collection has been steadily growing and I'm always on the lookout. This version from Upon a Fold is a fun twist on the classic.

applesauce cake

I just made this wonderful cake for my book club girls and it was delicious. I see a whole lot more applesauce cake in my future this holiday season.

Picture and recipe from Smitten Kitchen.

darling oxfords

I've fallen in love with the oxford style lately. I found so many great deals on cute pairs while shopping on Black Friday (yes, I was one of those) and didn't pounce on any but luckily I have found some great options online.





top to bottom:
1. SM Oxford Flat, DSW, $49.95 2. Envy Tango Oxford, DSW, $59.95
3. & 4. Bursley, Aldo, $41.99 5. Ann Marino Library Oxford, DSW, $44.95 6. Audrey Brooke Stake Oxford, DSW, $69.95

longing for a change

I've been contemplating a new hair color lately...red?

Image from here.

weekend project with the sister

Food and crafts. That's sums up my family-time. My sister and I made wreaths based on this tutorial that I previously featured in a "10 things" post.
My apartment is officially Christmas-fied.
Picture by me of my newly decorated front door. (I apologize for my extremely poor hallway lighting).

10 things i'm loving

1. newsprint leaf garland, $16 2. Anthropologie T-Rex, $28 3. west egg frock, $59.99, almond extract dress, $134.99 (i'm in love with creams and ivories lately) 4. riding boots! Steve Madden Button Up Greyson, $119, Aldo Marquerite, $79.98 5. Gilmore Girls (obsessed for the last few weeks) 6. paper mache fox by Elizabeth Jardine (A-mazing!) 7. origami alphabet (I'm trying to think of a way to incorporate them into my next project) 8. dress form, $300 (would love to own one) 9. Try Hard Every Day 10. Manu Clustur Necklace, $50

party dresses

If I had money to spare and a great holiday party to attend I've have a hard time choosing.

Both from Madewell.

beautiful interiors

I came across the portfolio of S.R. Gambrel on Apartment Therapy and fell in love. In my opinion high end design can be a little cold and unwelcoming but I feel like I could move right into any of these homes.






All photos from the portfolio of S.R. Gambrel.

the holiday season is upon us

Halloween through the end of the year is my absolute favorite time of year. I've refrained from starting up the Christmas music just yet but that hasn't stopped me from starting my shopping and planning. I'm looking forward to breaking out my Christmas decorations, and snow, and parties. The crazy 70 degree weather we've had the past few days hasn't helped in getting into the holiday mindset though.

I saved this image last year and don't remember where it's from. It's been patiently waiting in my inspiration folder all year.

oh me, oh my

rhino, giraffe, zebra
all from Anthropologie

I do have a gift card burning a hole in my wallet...

10 things i'm loving

clockwise from top left

ikea solsta sofa bed only $149(!!!) I really want to try to snag it while it's super cheap; men's cameo ring from erie basin, it sadly isn't in his shop any longer but I still love it; lovely autumn wreath how-to from my new favorite blog, A Beautiful Mess; old navy plaid skirt; Tim Gunn's book Gunn's Golden Rules (a great and fast read!); this map pillow really inspired me this week; MINI PUMPKINS!; the Archeologist's Daughter Dress from ModCloth; my halloween candy of choice this year, Butterfingers; Langston glasses from Warby Parker, I love everything about this company.

mad (monster) men

Has Sesame Street always been this on top of popular culture? I was a big fan of the neighborhood back in the day. They are so current lately, spoofing Mad Men,True Blood, and the Old Spice Guy.

Also check out True Mud, and Smell Like a Monster.

Moo.

mark your calendars!

Start your Christmas shopping (a little) early at Murphy's Seasonal Bazaar as part of First Friday events. Swing by the Murphy Center in Fountain Square on Friday, November 5th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Mmmmm...cake

San Franciscan artist Paul Fernay recently collaborated with is wife Jordan Fernay on the series Let Them Eat Cake. I'm loving the texture and variety. I would love to own one of these but I think it would just constantly make me crave cake!



See (and buy) the whole series here.

embroidery with a purpose

I've been using embroidery as a medium more and more lately and really love the results. I am always looking for ways to blur the line between my crafty side and my everyday graphic design work and when I happened upon the work of Evelin Kasikov it blew my mind. It is such a modern take on a traditional idea.

Took at her site for more great embroidery-design projects.

i want this

I'm suppose to be on a fabric buying freeze but this tempts me. Think of all the wonderful you could make out of this.


Found here.

new chevron stamp project

I spent my morning off starting a new tablecloth. My newest stamp is genius, if I do say so myself. It's pretty easy to line up and is going much faster then some of my previous attempts. I'm more then half done already.

already planning for 2011

My search for the perfect planner always commences around this time. New calendars and planners are being introduced for the new year and I am on the hunt. I start this early because it really does take me months to find the perfect one that fits my strict criteria. Yes, I have rules for my planner.

a. It must have full page monthly calendars. None of this weekly calendar stuff.

b. It must be small enough to be portable, therefore, it needs to be able to fit into my purse. The 5.75”x8.75” size is ideal. I shy away from the notebook sized planners.

c. I need adequate square space for writing. I really do write EVERYTHING in my calendar so it needs to be able to accommodate it.

d. I also don't like them to be burdened with all the extra bells & whistles such as daily planning pages, address pages, future planning calendars that extend to 2020, or the entire periodic table of elements. I usually find a way to eliminate those because I pack it full of my own things. It quickly becomes home to all my little slips of paper, lists, and pay stubs. I am slightly flexible on this element, however, I understand I'm asking a lot.

e. And finally, it must be pretty. I have to carry this thing around for 12-months! That's a longer commitment then I make to the purse that it will be in.

So, you can understand my amazement today when I was browsing online and came across this. It might just be the one! Now I don't want to jump to any conclusions but it meets about 90% of my criteria. It does have a lot of extraneous pages, but even I can concede that a few might be helpful. Who knows, maybe I can actually use the "notes" pages provided versus writing my ideas or sketches on random post-its and scraps and tucking them in between the pages. I think I may be in love...but I also have strong feelings for this one as well. Oh dear, who would have guessed that I'd find 2 strong candidates before it is even October!

[images via fred flare]

new project

Here is a little preview of a new project I'm working on. It's been partly inspired by my family's sudden obsession with visiting all 50 states. We've become quite competitive and I'm definitely in last place. I always associate life moments with where they took place so I like the idea of having a little reminder. I only have Indiana and New York so far but they'll be in my shop soon. (photo by the lovely Hayley Jurnak)

What should be the next states (or countries) that I make?

needs vs. wants

I can completely relate to the idea of this project. I always want things I don't need. In addition to her great designs, the Recovering Lazyholic is also a super talented photographer.

Below is my favorite (green thumb) and the bf's (waffles).

music monday: ida marie

I think this sums of my week ahead pretty well. Oh My God by Ida Marie

ming makes cupcakes...and cookies and savouries

I stumbled upon the world's greatest (and most dangerous) site, Ming Makes Cupcakes. I want to try each and every cupcake but first are these two. She has everything, great photography, a fantastically simple but nice website design, and great recipes. This is my new favorite bookmark!

Click on images to view the full recipes or find tons more here.

oh, happy friday

I admire this eclectic assortment of goodies. Vintage posters, old clocks, good typography...it all works together beautifully.

Found at Hilda Grahnat's blog.

merely contemplating...

Please excuse this random couple, I am using them as a prop. Though they are lovely, really only the girl is important. I found them as I was perusing Oh, Darling's photography blog. I am rather protective of my long hair (it's a slow grower) but seeing this short little bob made me think how nice short hair might be. Hmm...

summer lovin'

I've suffered through a string of steamy 90+ July days lately without adequate air conditioning. These hot Midwest days make flowy summer dresses a necessity.

All from Ruche. All darling.

speaking of freelance whales

Oh, was this too long ago to just offhandedly bring it back up? Forgive me, but they're are always on my mind. Reason number 1,467 to love Freelance Whales...their album art.

the uniform project pt. II

The Uniform Project that I posted on way back when released the dress for sale. It was a little out of my price range so I had to pass but they just released the dress pattern. For an additional twenty dollars they supply you with fabric and buttons as well.

I'm tempted.

My apparel sewing skills are rusty but I love the dress enough to try to tackle this. Find the dress and pattern here.

new julia rothman

A preview of her new illustration work. She can do no wrong in my book.











See more beautiful patterns here.

i'm drawn to this...

DailyCandy email dropped this gem in my inbox a few days ago. I don't know why I love it so much...maybe because it's looks ridiculously comfortable and the tie-dye is a mature take on what we used to spend summer afternoons creating in the backyard.

Find more of Mina Stone's collection here.

vintage letterheads

A fantastic collection of vintage and new letterheads. See more here.

the coffee cup

I've always loved the iconic NYC coffee cup.

Buy here.

INDIEana Handicraft Exchange

The Handicraft Exchange this weekend was a success! Despite the 90+ degree weather and raging humidity we had tons of shoppers and I got some great feedback and some wonderful ideas from people I met. I wanted to give you all a peek of my booth (for those of you who didn't get a chance to see it in person) and let you see all the goodies that you can expect to see coming soon on my Etsy shop.