Beyond cuteness

This has to be the cutest freaking kids sweater EVER!!! By Oeuf

Flashback in time

This is one of my favorite photos of me and my oldest sister. (I'm on the right) Believe it or not, I think this was in a mall. Can you imagine, they would never do that these days. I was soooooo afraid of that little cub, I didn't want him touching me at all. Look at those paws!!! So cute, right! well I can say that now.

Sunday ............Amsterdam

I clipped this image from today's Star Ledger because I loved it! Especially that pink bicycle! It talks about how riding a bike is the cheapest form of transit while visiting Amsterdam.

Home + Beautiful

I saw these images on the oh so lovely blog Sanctuary, originally from Elle Interiors. Home of Liza Giles.

The image I love the best is that Closet!!!!! Love it... with the pop of color from the clothes!

Valentines all ready to be delivered...

which is amazing for me to actually have done on time! Maybe I am turning over a new leaf... ha : )

I decided to use the Black Apple Valentine notes, as you can see. How could I not, they're just too sweet!

Book love

So here are 2 amazing books I ordered today........ I cannot wait to get them!!! Well I don't know for sure, but I hear they are quite wonderful!!!!!

Hey S -Day!

That's what my little girl calls Saturday and Sunday's .....the S days, so cute!!!

Went to Yoga this morning and I feel great! I've committed to 2 days a week(meaning paid for). I know that doesn't sound like much, but for someone who's not big on exercise of any kind, its a good beginning.

I have too many unfinished crafty projects lying around that are bugging me!!! like this

appliqued pillow case for little J...... so far from being done....

or these letters I cut out of fabric to make a(different) pillow with 'HOME' sewn onto.....

I am almost finished with some Valentine's Day suprise gifts for special someone's. I can only give a partial peek or it will totally give it away. They are tea towels that I've embroidered onto.......

Enjoy your S -Days my friends!!!!!

First time hearing

Right now I'm listening to: Leona Lewis' 'Bleeding Love'....................

Can you believe

these are from Costco.com................. they look so freaking awesome and not to mention temptingly delicious!!!!

I got the grey scarf girl!

Did you see the Black Apple shop update at 2:00? Well if you blinked your eyes you missed it. It was the fastest ever. And I was able to get the Red Headed girl that my daughter has been asking for............YAYYYYYY! She will be sooo happy!!!

Truth be told, my favorite is the Pink Hair, but it's not about me, right? I had to keep telling myself it's not for me.... not for me!! ha ha

JCrew gorgeous!

Wow.... check out this dress, can you believe it's JCrew! I love it.

It's called the Campo De'fiori!

Pebble-filled tray

I love the idea of this pebble-filled tray placed near your front door for all your dirty shoes. (Martha Stewart.com, of course)

This is on my Wish List

Made by 'gooseflesh' on ETSY. Her work is truly gorgeous!!!!

Monday .........holiday happenings

HI all..........

The weekend is almost over. One last day to run around. Last night I rented 'La Vie En Rose' about the life of French singer Edith Piaf. Such a moving story and very powerful. I really enjoyed it.


Today I have lots of things to do and some grocery shopping. But my first stop is for a nice hot cup of Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla coffee. Yummmmm


Here are some photo's from Amy Butler Design. I'm always craving something Amy Butler.
Especially the lounge pants!!!!

Friday ......here and almost gone

Well I am sooooo glad it's Friday and I'm on my way to pick up some Hibachi Chicken and a little sushi too!!! Yummm...
See you Monday, um or Tuesday since it's a holiday for me!
Enjoy the 3 day if you have it too!!!

xoxoxox
J

Nest

I like the word NEST. I think warm and fuzzy thoughts about the word NEST compared to the well used 'HOME'.

So I loved this pic when I stumbled across the blog of Pam Garrison. Pam is a mixed media artist and blogs about her crafty adventures.

Saltwater.net

Have you visited Saltwater lately? Saltwater is a British clothing design label based in London and Cornwall. I'm totally drawn in by their photography, the styling is wonderful!

and the Saltwater kids section............so very charming!

DOMINO: Anticipation

I just noticed the cover of Domino's February issue .................Organization!!! Can't wait to see it.

Feels like forever since the last issue was a Dec/Jan combo issue.

Blog obsessed

Well, I am obsessed with reading them anyway! You just get lost in click after click to wonderful creative blogs.
Today I'm browsing here:
www.paperpony.net
www.makingitlovely.com
www.pinkshirtsandcarwrecks.blogspot.com

I want a Hygge life........ : )

I am sooooo very intrigued about the idea of living a Hygge life. Here below is how its described on Alex Beauchamp's site Hygge House. Doesn't it just sound wonderful?

"The Danish word Hygge (hu-gah) is a feeling or mood that comes from taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary everyday things simply extraordinary; whether it's using real lights on a Christmas tree or breaking out the good wine when friends come over. It's about owning things you only truly love or that inspire, being present in yourself and your life, putting effort into your home without being Martha Stewart or buying a bed in a bag. It's about being conscious and authentic from home to work to friends to celebrations and making all events {no matter how big or small, mundane or exciting} matter. Words like cosiness, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, fellowship, simpleness and living well are often used to describe the idea of Hygge.
Some refer to Hygge as the Art of Creating Intimacy (with yourself, friends and home). Technology and modern day busy-ness has removed Americans from themselves, their homes and ordinary tasks, making them feel as though these things are hard to do, have no importance or are too time-consuming. Danes, however, only like to do things that are fun, nourish the soul and are familiar so they find ways to incorporate that into their daily life. By creating simple rituals without effort {such as brewing real tea with a little china cup every evening to stopping at the farmers market every week to buy flowers} the Danes see both the domestic and personal life as an artform and not every drudgery to get away from.
Taking pride in what you have now and not just what you dream are part of Danish life and Hygge. Think of it as what Chic is to the French; a lifestyle that can explain a table top to a dinner party to a charming house or a personal way of being. Basic, uncomplicated, unexaggerated - Hygge!
Hygge House focuses on how to live well; giving ideas for home, travel and personal time. Part story-telling blog, part magazine, part links to places, Hygge House isn't just another web site; it has a soul that'll help you find the special in the every day and in you. "

Tuesday happenings

Here's what I'm requesting for Valentines day! YES, a pair of shoes that I'm really loving! These MaryJanes are from Zappos and look super comfortable. I can't wait to get them.

At lunch time I scored the most perfect PINK vintage-like half slip. (At TJ Maxx) You know the kind that really looks like its been around with the most beautiful delicate lace on the bottom. And it was NEW!! It was such a steal. I will show you pictures, when I take them.

Tomorrow I start my YOGA class, YIKES!!!! I'm the worst when it comes to any form of exercise. Though I admit when I took the classes last year I absolutely loved them. The problem is sticking with it once the class ends. That's always the problem, right? And the class is offered through work on-site, so I'm not too thrilled about embarrassing myself infront of people I might have to see again. Oh well.

Book: The Family at HOME by Anita Kaushal

I think I am going to buy this book today. I just can't wait any longer. I've browsed through it about a week ago, but I didn't want to pay full price. So now I've got a coupon!

It just looks like great book. If you love beautiful images, its filled with tons. 300 to be exact.

from the publisher:

'Kaushal, herself one of seven children, embraces the modern concept that children are a natural part of our lives, neither inconvenient beings nor precious centers of the universe, and so The Family at Home, focuses on the needs of both parent and child. For example, a library trolley adds whimsy to a volume-lined living room and displays books within a child’s grasp; oversized pillows that look tidy both on the floor and on a couch make for inviting family time and easy cleanup; cubbyholes that double as a secret reading space and room divider create a shared bedroom; and axe-hewn teak benches contrast warmly with the surfaces of a sleek kitchen. The unique spaces in this book have the hallmark of a home anyone would want to return to: they are livable, flexible, and, above all, brimming with individual style.

The book’s four chapters echo the rhythms of family life and consider how each space lends itself to dual use, depending on whether children are present:

• Live shows how to adapt living areas to the needs of children and adults.

• Share offers ideas for making the kitchen and dining areas flow impeccably for cooking, eating, and celebrating with family and friends.

• Nest is devoted to making bedrooms and bathrooms calm retreats.

• Bare focuses on light and air, gardening, nature, and caring for the planet.'

Target love

I'm in love with this skirt coat from Target, just love it. I have it in the Sunset Yellow and just picked up the Ruby last night. Forgive the Target stock photos, but I didn't get a chance to snap any pics yet. I love a vibrant coat in the dull dreary days of winter, it cheers me up.

Hello 2008!

Happy New Year everyone!

Holly asked us to share our resolutions on her blog in the comments section, so I thought I would share here too.
Basically Resolutions totally scare me to bits, so this is what I do.

You pick 12 (or less) themes/goals or areas that extremely important to you that you want to focus on.

For example:
Organization
Friends
Art
Family
Health
If you don’t have 12 you can repeat some…….like Organizing for me!!!!

And for each month on your calendar you will write it at the top, so maybe
January = FRIENDS or whatever u pick.
So when you are planning your week, your focus is on FRIENDS and you will pencil in things related to it. Whenever you have free time you will do at least one thing related to your GOAL for that month. . You might try to schedule get togethers for a few weekends. Pencil in phone calls for friends that you want to call…. …you send notes. You might make something for a friends bday.

Month by month……..Everytime you open your planner you are reminded of that goal.
You’ll see that it just happens that you are spending more and more time on the things that matter most to you!!!

oooh I almost forgot to tell you........

about one of my Christmas gifts! My sis bought me a brandy new sewing machine!!! The pressure is on. But I'm sooo excited! It's sooo ironic that I would ever be excited about a sewing machine. I would have never thought so a few years ago.

stitch...stitch......ouch! haha... I better get lessons~

Hello, hello

So this is the first weekend where I actually don't have to run around and I don't know what to do with myself! Imagine that. Well, I've spent some time 'creating' a Valentine piece and I have a sick lil girl who needs some TLC. I could take down the tree but it seems too early, I'll wait till after the new year.

I'm looking forward to 2008 and many new things to come!! Wishing you a fun filled New Year's Eve!!!!

This is the new piece for your Valentine! It's titled 'Does LOVE grow on trees?'

In the works

EDIT: this is the updated finished pic. : )

This illustration I'm working on is inspired by my favorite lamp! As if you didn't know.

I still have to add a few more things... maybe some embroidery....hmmmm......... let's see.

Woof woof!

The 'Woof Woof' print can be found in the shop now.

Read it: NY Times article

There was a great article about ETSY in Sunday's (Dec16) NY Times magazine! I am going to see if anyone still has a copy today. But you can read it online here......

Great exposure for ETSY and it's sellers!

Art for him

This one is titled 'My guy', inspired by the endless search for holiday gifts for a man.

Will be in the shop as a print soon!

Hello rainy, snowy Thursday

I'm feeling much better. I've sorted through all the presents I bought so far, wrapped some, figured out whats left. So I feel like I know what I need now and that makes all the difference!!

I also worked on some art last night, which I love, love, love. It's great when you're in the moment and it just flows naturally, oh how we wish it be that way always.
I don't have a pic right now. But I'll upload tonight. It's actually an ART Piece for guys! It's not exclusive, but made with keeping the guys in mind.

stuck

Hi all.......I'm in such a shopping funk, if you can believe it. I'm just refusing to do it. The thought of the crowds just turns my stomach at this point. I know this is temporary and I will need to go back out and shop. But not now, not today, maybe not this week.

Art

I saw this piece of art while I was out shopping yesterday. I really like it! I snapped this pic with my cell. It says 'there is no such thing as small change'.

Pick your own presents.......

So do you ever pick your own presents for Christmas? Well, this year, with all the shopping I seem to be doing, I think I'm just going to consider them my x mas presents! Hey, makes it easy for the spouse.

So these amazing pillowcases are also from Dottie Angel. I cannot wait to get them, along with my tea towel.

And did you notice the embroidered words...............so cute and frisky!

One says 'feeling lucky' and the other pillowcase says 'try me'. : )

Weekend recap........

...reading December's Domino, of course...........

Well let's see........Friday was the lil dance recital which was soooo cute!!! I love watching all the little ones with their tutu's and happy faces. She did such a great job. Not shy at all, which was great. You just never know when that shy bug will show up. And we all went out for a bite to eat after.

My daughter's best friend and her family went to the same restaurant as well, so my lil chicky was just happy and silly as can be!! I took lots of photos.


Sat........went to visit my sister and kiddies who I haven't seen in many, many months. So it was Great to see them!! And that evening we went out to celebrate my sister-in-law's Bday, yum!

Sunday... as I mentioned, it was supposed to be all about 'doll making'. But I ended up sick in bed..all day!!!! All day. So nothing happened on Sunday. So that's still on my to do list.