I’m on a roll, kids. Posting 2 days in a row. I’ve been teaching myself Photoshop & design using Pugly Pixels‘ amazing tutorials and PS resources. Check it out if you’re interested in upping your blogging game!
I put together a little holiday glam look book of items that would make any outfit more festive. Enjoy!
bow | necklace | ring | collar | earrings
While the Hubs and I were wandering through the maze-like alleys of Venice, we came across Madera, a cute little shop selling modern housewares. As we walked through the door, my heart skipped a beat when I saw a low table in the middle of the store that had dozens of ceramic bowls with lovely hand-painted designs in an assortment of colors. Seriously, there’s nothing I love more than gorgeous ceramics. Should I have been a potter? Probably, except I would never be able to keep my mani in tact. 
As I asked the shop owner about the bowls, and I learned that they are made by a Lithuanian potter named Aida Dirse, who now lives and works in Venice. I was tempted to buy one on the spot, but I was scared that it wouldn’t make it home with us in one piece. Drats. But since finding the online store, I’ve added one of these pretty things to my pinterest wishlist board. (Hint!)
[Alas, I didn't think to take pictures in the shop, so sources: Reebob, Dear Ada, I Love Lucky Home]
The Mr. and I don’t yet have any outdoor space to call our own, but we certainly hope to one day. For now, I settle on tending to our terrarium that holds a few small, potted flowers. But that doesn’t stop me of dreaming about star-lit outdoor spaces that will make even the most uptight among us relax as if they’re in a day spa.
[Update! Eek! I forgot to credit the sources. Bad blogger, bad! Sources (top to bottom): Apartment Therapy, Paper Tissue, Tumblr (anybody have a better source?)
Don’t you just love these? I’m especially partial to the dreamy fort nestled in the forest. I don’t know why, but I have a serious thing for forts lately. I spied this build-a-fort kit from Modern Parents, Messy Kids and I think I might make an adult version. Wouldn’t that be just such a delightful gift to receive? Or maybe I’m the only adult that appreciates the age-old tradition of fort making. But I don’t think that’s true at all.
Holy goodness. I’m such a sucker for caramels. And for salt. Guess what: these are so-soft-and-creamy-you-can-hardly-stand-it AND sprinkled with sea salt to contrast the sweetness. If you’re a fan of dipping your salty Wendy’s fries into Frosties, you should try these. Plus its way classier than the dipping and swirling of fast foods from the dollar menu.
I ordered a few of these from The Caramel Jar to try to make sure they were as good as they looked. Without a doubt, they are. They aren’t what you typically think of caramel- they are so far from the Milk Duds center that it shouldn’t even have the same name. I’ll be using these for an upcoming event (hint hint!). These would make such a fun gift for a friend across the country that you just want to send a little somethin’ somethin’ to. Yum.
[all images from The Caramel Jar and used by permission]
I found ShiBang Design’s shop on Etsy several months ago, but her website is beautiful too. Robyn Stephens creates beautiful works of art on bags and pouches using layers of texture with different materials- felt, yarn, and what appears to be snippets of tulle. Check out some of my favorites below- they are definitely on my Christmas list!
Hello, morning owls! Did you hit up the stores at pre-dawn for killer sales? For the record, I think you’re crazy if you did. If you’re about to head out, drink lots of coffee to stay alert and on the look out for the uber-crazies among the bunch. I’m drinking a cup o’ joe, except I’m snuggled in a cozy blanket on my couch surfing the interwebs looking for perfect gifts.
Yep, I did another gift guide. Goodness, I love searching for the perfect gift. Check out my guide for trinkets for the hard-to-shop-for types in your life!
I’ve never given much thought to wrapping my gifts. It’s always seemed like a waste to use so much time, money, and resources to create an outer shell that will just end up laying listlessly waiting on the floor to be scooped up into the recycle bin.
But this year I’m going to try to create beautifully wrapped presents. Since I was a little girl, my mom has spent hours creating jaw-dropping and magazine-worthy goodies tied with bows and other toppers. I’ve always admired this skill of hers, and hope that she passed the genetic gene on to me!
