Archive for December, 2011
San Francisco based artist Julia Kostreva has an online shop featuring 2012 planners, notebooks, pillow covers and art prints. I really like her clean, colorful designs and I’m especially smitten with the planners seeing as how better organization is always my list of New Year’s resolutions. Check out Julia’s full selection goods here.
Christina is the writer behind the design blog, Down and Out Chic. She’s a budget-friendly design huntress that’s passionate about art and the handmade movement. She adores all things striped and polka dotted and would spend most of her afternoons vintage shopping if her closet were big enough. Find her on Twitter or at D&OC.
It is hard to believe winter hasn’t even started with some of the temps that we’ve been seeing around here. While I’m lucky the icicles and whipping winds have held off, it makes me a little dreamy for winter scenes. Think bundled strangers going to and fro + crazy crystals hanging low, threatening danger to all who cross under their path. For now, I’ll indulge in the treats from Urban Revisions to give me my winter fix. The hand shredded scarves look mighty toasty!
Special treat for readers: Use code SHIPFREE to get…Free Shipping!
Every year I try to find a new and interesting wrapping paper to use for all our presents and gather up a bunch of tags and other packaging goodies. Honestly, wrapping presents is one of my favorite holiday activities.
So I picked up the wrapping paper a few weeks ago at a craft fair and since then I’ve been hunting for the perfect tags. But there are SO MANY awesome (free) printables online this year I am finding it tough to decide. Which is why I am rounding up all my favorites here for you. And asking… Which ones would you choose? I am leaning towards them all. Haha….
Merry Gift Tags (from Christine for The Sweetest Occasion)
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Peace, Love and Reindeer Hugs Gift Tags (from Eat Drink Chic)
Fun Gift Tag Printables (from The Handmade Home)
Totally Awesome Gift Tags (from Hey Look)
Holiday Knit Gift Tags (from Eat Drink Chic)
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Holiday Themed Printables (from Ez of Creature Comforts)
Happy Holidays Printable Card (from Mon Carnet)
Hand-Drawn Printable Gifts Tags (from Hey Look)
Merry Buildings Gift Tag Printables (from Giver’s Log)
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Speech Bubble Gift Tags (from Martha Stewart)
Warm Wishes Printable Label (from Martha Stewart)
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Festive Holiday Printables (Amy from Thank You Cards Shop)
And one last stop for printables (specifically tags)… Jessica Jones has put together a colorful roundup of gift tags on How About Orange. Definitely worth checking out!
The new year often brings about new additions. If there is a new mama or a mama-to-be in your circle and you are looking for a perfect gift to commemorate her new role in life, be sure to stop by Jenny Present Custom Jewelry. Along side her Original Proud Mama collection of handstamped necklaces, there is the much praised Lauren monogram wrap bracelet (above – top left. as seen in the PEOPLE Magazine’s 2011 Holiday Gift Guide!) and the Gold Angelina necklace (below) that Leighton Meester owns. Any gossip girl fans out there? And as a present to you readers, you can take 10% off by using coupon code pns10 at checkout. But hurry because the deal expries December 31, 2011!
I rarely get around to reading other blogs these days, at least on a regular basis. But one that I always catch up on (at least once a week) is Creature Comforts. Ez is always selecting the most beautiful things for her blog, which is exactly why I was so happy to be over there sharing my latest holiday diy with her readers yesterday.
The project is for a washi tape star ornament that doubles as decor (image above). So if you’re interested in making your own (I swear it is insanely easy), head over to Creature Comforts for my full step-by-step tutorial.
And if you’re itching for more last minute diy projects for the holidays, check out my free eBook, The Happy Holidays Guide to DIY (filled with eight easy winter project ideas – gifts, wrapping, ornaments, etc).
Fueled by her love of fashion and design, Cristina of D.I.M. has launched her small shop showcasing vintage fashions and re-purposed vintage + handmade jewelry. D.I.M., which stands for do. it. myself., is a focus on “trends and recreating them through handmade and vintage pieces.” This can be seen in her well styled + simple clothing shots, like this gorgeous mink cape, alongside her remixed jewelry items. I can’t wait to see even more from Cristina in the new year!
This contributor post was written by Genevieve of Lightbox SF.
As December draws to a close many of us have the natural inclination to reflect on the year gone by and create big hopes for one quickly approaching. I’m not much of a fan of resolutions because of the “succeed or fail dichotomy” they set up, but I am a fan of big planning and dreaming. So I want to challenge you with an exercise I have many of my clients do in the early stages of our working together.
Give yourself an hour or two where you know you can write undisturbed. Set up your favorite writing tools, blank paper and pencil, your favorite lined notebook and fountain pen or your computer, maybe with a program like Omm Writer.
I want you to write out the details of your ideal day. Start from the moment you wake up until you fall asleep. This isn’t a getaway vacation day, but an ideal day in your everyday life. What work would you be doing? Where would you be doing it? Who else would you interact with? How many other things you enjoy would fit into your day?
Don’t let yourself get hung up on your current reality. If you have a toddler at home, but are secretly yearning for the day when he goes to school so you have your afternoons to yourself, write out that day. Dream bigger than you possibly dare.
Add in all the details you can. Think of how your entire life will be at this moment, not just your work experience. Are you in better shape and effortlessly fitting in exercise? Have you found the supportive, loving partner you’ve been searching for? Write out how he fits in. How do you feel during this day? What specific tasks are you doing? What is your larger role? This vision can be next year, 3 years or 10 years from now.
Imagining your perfect day allows you to see a new reality of what could be, it gives you something tangible to work toward. Use this vision you’ve created as a guide for what you want to accomplish in the coming year. Post your perfect day somewhere where you can see it. Use it as motivation when you have those “frustrating, just want to quit” days. If you can imagine it, it is possible.
What can you do right now to get one step closer to this reality?
painting by Lisa Coutts
Genevieve Robertson writes about creative marketing strategies over at Lightbox SF. She helps makers, artists, and crafters brand their businesses by telling their stories and embracing what makes them unique.
