seen: from December Anthropologie catalog, p. 10 (link for details)
It celebrates Winter. From the pullover to the bangles.
11.30.2010
wooden nativity set
I have a soft spot for nativities and want to grow an entire collection. Of course with a 1 year old and 4 year old, that's not an easy task when little hands want to play with all of the little pieces. Naturally. So you can imagine my excitement when I decided to flip through the One Step Ahead catalog today and found this: a pretty + child-safe 24 piece wooden nativity that reminds me of the German Holztiger set (which runs about 10 times this price). And for that price! Joy!
make a modern chalkboard christmas tree
seen: DIY modern chalkboard christmas tree (via poppytalk)
Canadian House and Home does an instant modern take of a Christmas tree. "No fuss and needle free" if that's what you're going for. Or maybe just another super & simple decoration to deck the halls (with only a canvas, a dowel and chalkboard paint).
11.29.2010
armelle blog's: magnetic chalkboard frame
Isn't the grey/silver perfect! This framed magnetic chalkboard is not so much shabby chic (their rap, I think) but pretty and functional and sleek. Of course it came from Armelle blog. Go here for how-to instructions.
how to make a fresh wreath
seen: "bits & bits wreath" by Studio Choo for Sunset Magazine
I haven't made my way through Sunset's December 2010 issue yet, but I do have page 75 opened on my desk (see above). It's gorgeous and inspiring and comes with a how-to decorate your house with your "backyard" foliage. I'm not sure Christmas season will feel quite right until I get something like this onto our front door.
Read their DIY (beautiful & natural) wreath instructions here.
Note: My local Whole Foods is selling 24" fresh evergreen wreaths for only $14.99. (Nice and thick and heavy even.) I swept up that deal this afternoon and am excited to add my own bits and pieces (especially succulents).
11.24.2010
diy glass jar labels
I've typically seen glass etching on the bottom of casserole dishes and it just hasn't been my thing. But this is super- the instructions are simple and the results are too, which is exactly the way I like it. (I'm still dreaming about these jars/this cupboard though! Dear Jamie, please open a US shop.)
I found this DIY on the new & great looking blog dear Inspiration (friend Lindsey's cousin). You should bookmark it.
*****
Happy Thanksgiving tomorrow!
11.22.2010
DIY stamped christmas cards version 2010:
my inspiration:
my DIY:
+
+
+
one favorite family photograph by Justin Hackworth
I love sending & receiving Christmas cards and am excited that twenty-ten will bring back a Burgoyne family greeting. This year, coming from The Bay area.
11.18.2010
sammy seagull
seen: sammy seagull print
Wayne Pate: Thanks to Tiff's tip, I finally found this seagull print that is so oddly charming (birds and stripes and rainboots!). Wayne Pate has a fun portfolio and I'm glad to know of him now.
[More here.]
baby carrots
Have you heard of the new & hip baby carrot campaign "brought to you by a bunch of carrot farmers?" They're trying to get Americans to eat 'em like junk food and are starting with new packaging, mimicking the likes of Doritos and Cheetos, a rock-n-roll website and several clever advertisements.
"It's not an anti-junk-food campaign," says Jeff Dunn, Bolthouse Farms CEO and a former North America president at Coca-Cola. "It takes a page out of junk food's playbook and applies it to baby carrots." (source)
This $25 million dollar effort plans to show itself in school vending machines. I really like that part.
Do you think it will work?
11.16.2010
senegalese storage baskets
serena & lily has suddenly become a stand-out to me in their last couple of catalogs; the styling of their boy rooms (the Ronan room! and that Pez wall in the Asher room) is feeling a bit more broad and I really like it. (Dear Serena & Lily: the source for that framed seagull print on page 45?)
I've learned that authentic decorating (for your home to look like you- a new focus of mine) usually grows from the details built over time-- ones that you love and somehow share some sort of meaning. My current favorite Serena & Lily detail is these handmade Senegalese baskets, made by artisans in Africa from natural fiber and recycled plastic. Maybe because I love Africa, I love the zig-zag pattern and bringing some handmade history into my home- all in the name of storage.
11.15.2010
wishing I (we) had a Kanken to love
seen: Kanken mini
Kanken: The functional, affordable, Swedish (English?) backpack that's existed for over 30 years. Available in 23 pretty great colors!
[also sold here]
county fair party
seen: county fair details
Thanks for another one, Hip Hip Hooray! I can't decide if I love the tiny petting zoo or pig applique tees more. It's the perfect unisex idea.
inspired: sweet holiday magazine
seen: white christmas tree
Just ended my day with Sweet Paul's Holiday Magazine. Have you flipped through it yet?
I was going to share a favorite page, but instead it became a list: the cranberry almond streusel cake, the cupcake flowers gift wrap, the decor kit (available here), this entire party theme (!), the tree of memories, this centerpiece and this teaser. Maybe you should just have a look yourself..
11.14.2010
minted: photo calendars
[originally seen on stephmodo]
"imagination is a terrible thing to waste"
seen: wool felt crowns by Dream Child Studio, $18+ (as seen here)
11.12.2010
topozoo
seen: topozoo sets, $30 (seen here)
Topozoo: I have toys on the brain (love Christmas & giving) and these look brilliant. Choose from a safari, dinosaur or monster set and have 5-piece wooden animals (3 animals/set) that can be mixed and matched to create your own crazy zoo. (Made from recycled, formaldehyde-free MDF; finished with water-based, non-toxic stains; packaged in a recycled cardboard box. Made in the USA.)
go car
seen: kid-o go car, green, $10
I've talked about my favorite Kid-O before, and we found another little gem yesterday. For $10, a sleek, smooth riding car with a built in handle in the prettiest grass green. Maybe my new go-to one year old gift; or a perfect bribe teaching tool for a little boy who is supposed to use words to get what he wants. (He can only play with the new & exciting go car by saying something resembling "car." Language = results. It's working. :)
And for fun, we're dying to try the real go cars in San Francisco. They have a 2 hour "locals tour" that looks like a great (but nail-biting) time. Have you go-cared?
11.07.2010
framed: Lauren Pressey Photography
by: Lauren Pressey
Los Angeles
The Sam Project
Motherhood is nothing short of scary. I am constantly searching for balance. To focus on one thing at a time. To give my children, most importantly, my all. In my 2 1/2 short years of parenting, I continue to believe having a daughter might just prove to be the scariest endeavor I'll face. I fear doing, saying, or being the wrong thing and I'm well aware that we haven't even begun to scratch the surface.
This is Sam in a dress I once wore. To see her as so much of myself gives me perspective. Perspective on my ability to do my best as a mother and the hope that my best might be worth remembering.
*****
[See previous "framed" features here.]
diy holiday gift wrap
seen: DIY potato-stamped gift wrap via Bloesem Kids
Oh man. I love this image. And the idea of potato or apple stamping our gift wrap this year. Wouldn't that be an incredible on-going craft project this month? Coordinating colors and choosing shapes and letting the boys help!
11.06.2010
clothbound (children's) penguin classics
Did you know they have these colorful/artistic hard-bound classics for children too? I picked up The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn today, wishing I had gotten Peter Pan instead, but ready to just start a collection (to really read together) regardless. I found them at Anthropologie.
11.04.2010
how we did halloween.
We managed low-key costumes this year and the boys didn't know the difference. They were comfortable and face-paint-free. (& the practical in me especially loves that most of the pieces double as dress up or daily wardrobe additions.) This is how we did it:
Finn: superhero
super hero cap by Soil + Olive Juice union suit (used 30% off coupon- doubles as pajamas) + homemade yellow cotton star and cape.
Cole: Todd, the fox
Oeuf fox mask and tail set + essential apparel union suit ($15 no tax, free shipping) + homemade felt tummy.
My other favorite halloween showcases (although in a different league!):
tip: deal on outerwear.
Did you know that Mini Boden is currently having a 30% off outerwear sale? It's true. We actually missed it (ordered a bit too early) but this coat came for Cole yesterday and we completely scored. It's made for these California winters- not bulky, warm, soft, reversible, with a hood! and many pockets! We went a size up (size 5-6 for a normal sized 4 1/2 year old) and it's perfect with a rolled sleeve- leaving enough room for layers. (I actually prefer wearing the army green (not shown) on the outside.)
This is how I like to do my shopping.
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