Happy New Year!

Well I am off to Minneapolis to ring in the new year with some great friends who have really helped me through this past year. Before I leave you, I wanted to share my new year's resolutions with you...

Be more positive. Having been surrounded by some less than stellar people over the last few months I have really allowed it to affect me and my personal relationships. I came across this "5 Things Happy People" do on Oprah.com. Love her or hate her she really does offer some great insights, and here they are:

1. Find your most golden self -- fulfill your life's purpose
2. Design your life to bring joy -- take actions, make necessary changes
3. Avoid "if only" fantasies -- don't buy into ...if only I get a better job ...if only I get a boyfriend
4. Put your best friends first -- just hang out
5. Allow yourself to be happy -- have fun and don't feel guilty

Draw more. I put all my draw supplies away after my last college art class and have not unpacked them since. Now is a good time to get it out again and just start see what!

Eat less sweets, if any. Admittedly I started binging on cookies, bars and candy before Christmas and haven not stopped since! I seriously need to cut out white sugars in my diet and my goal is to start with sweets. :(

What about you, do you make new year resolutions? If so, what are they?

Have a happy and safe New Year. Cheers!

{Image via Flickr via Jeneyepher}

New Year's Eve Garland

With all this extra time on my hands I offered to bring decorations to my friend's NYE's party. I had made this type of garland before that I saw on a few blogs (can't remember which ones?) and thought it would be a great way to use up some extra fabric. I have provided a step by step process below in case you want to get crafty over the holiday break.

1. Spray paint (3) 81/2 X 11 sheets of construction paper with silver spray paint. Trace 20 circles using a juice glass for your pattern. Then cut out the circles with a serrated edge scissors.

2. Pick out fabric that matches your theme (the party I am going to is Black, White, Silver & Blue). Trace 20 big circles and 20 little circles -- I used at spice cover to make the big circle pattern and a sprinkles top to make the little circle pattern. Shapes can vary here so have fun with it, open up your cupboard to find all the pattern potential you will need!

3. Cut circles and pair the big and little circles together. This part was the most fun for me. It allows you to design how the colors and patterns will come together.

4. Use a 1/4" ribbon as the base to your garland (I improvised by cutting down a 1" ribbon and then folded and sewed it together to get my desired width). Place the ribbon beneath the big and little circles and above the paper circle. Using a zigzag stick sew a straight line, adhering everything together. I placed each circle about 6" from one another, but you can place them at your own desired length.

Again, this is really easy! A great way to use up extra paper, fabric and ribbon. Plus, you can reuse it! When the party's over just pack it away for next year -- no need to go out and buy new stuff. I hope to snap a few pictures of it all hung up to share with you so stay tuned!

Bubble Wrap Calendar

The aftermath of Christmas has really done a number on my house. Presents, boxes, wrapping paper are still laying about. Time to pick up and get organized for 2010! You may have seen my post about this wall calendar last week. Here is another great calendar...a poster-sized bubble calendar! Pop down the days of each month. It's currently out of stock, but will be available January 4, 2010. I can't wait to get my hands on one. Let the popping begin!

Best Christmas Present

Hello all. I hope you had a great Xmas weekend and enjoyed great food, friends and family. I enjoyed making the most of my weekend, I even ended it with a trip to the Packer game (Go Pack, Go!). Looking back on the holiday, at all the great presents that were exchanged it was this Gnomes 30th Anniversary Edition book that was my favorite gift I gave. Andy went as David the Gnome this past Halloween and ever since has had a strong interest in them. Not knowing much about the "mythical" creature I decided he needed this book that details Gnomes everyday life. The illustrations are just beautiful, making it a humor but interesting coffee table book. I highly recommend this book for the children (or children at heart) in your family!

What was the best gift you gave this holiday?

xmas09: It's a Wrap

So I have been waiting patiently to post this year's holiday wrapping! Each year I try to do something a little different; either in color, fabric or mood. I'm not quite sure what this year's theme is...maybe Ginger Monkey's (that's what Andy calls the wrapping paper with Gingerbread-like men -- got it from Ikea last year)?

Anyway, I had seen this miniature fabric flower garland featured on Once Wed a while back (blog post here, in case you missed it) and have been dying to try them out for a while now. I used some leftover navy blue chiffon an old pillow case from Ikea and an ill-fitted dress from Forever 21 (it was a total impulse buy, I fell in love with the print and bought it without trying it on; given their no return policy it went in the fabric bin right away). The directions on Once Wed are super easy to follow, all you need is some fabric, thread and a needle. I am now obsessed with them! I'm trying to find ways to incorporate them into everything dress, decor, design and even our wedding. I'm toying with the idea of creating multiple garland strands that will be strung together over our head table to add some color and interest. Any thoughts or other ideas for these adorable flower poms?

Next up...Once Wed's Fabric Poms -- a larger version of these mini flower poms!

Andy and I are headed to my parents tonight for a couple days and then will join his family for Christmas day. Looking forward to the nice long weekend ahead of us. I hope you all have a very happy Christmas with your loved ones. I will be back next week with some New Year's Eve posts. Until then, safe travels!!

xmas09: Inside Martha's Home

Martha posted pictures of her home decorated for the holidays over on her blog yesterday. Wow! Of course it's filled with beautiful and tasteful trees, planters and arrangements all ready for the festivities - would you expect anything less? Her decor is a combination of old pieces along with new from her Grandinroad collection. Click here to see the rest of her photos.

xmas09: Give a Gift and Help a Pup

Roover by Andrew Grant is a book of "shelter" dogs. These beautiful images capture the kindness in each of the pooches featured on the pages. The inspiration for the book came when Grant realized how many dogs and cats were filling into shelters due to the recession and families being forced out of their homes. I think it would make a great present for the dog lovers in your family. Plus 10% of your purchase goes to shelters across the nation! You can buy it here now.

DIY Wall Calendar

What a way to kick-off the New Year?! A giant wall calendar ready to be filled with New Year's gatherings, work outs and plenty of date nights. Being one that always buys a calender, fills it out BUT never bothers to reference it; this calendar would do me a lot of good. It's so big, I could never forget about important dates again.

{image via Design Sponge}

Etsy! It's a J.O.B.

In case you did not see this article in the NYT yesterday, it is a must read! It highlights the ins and outs of turning your hobby into a full time business via Etsy. Andy and I often discuss how to achieve a good life/work balance, how to do what you love full time? What happens if your hobby becomes your profession; Do you...lose an appetite for it, pick up a new hobby to replace the one that just became your J.O.B. or become completely absorbed in it - losing all aspects of the life you once had (the one where you were sitting behind a desk counting down the hours until 5pm)? I guess you don't know unless you try, right? This article really made me think about the gives and takes of a hobby-based business that I had not thought about before. It sounds glorious...working from home, brewing some coffee and getting to work on hand-made items all day, everyday! But as author Alex Willimas (husband of premiere blogger Joanna Goddard of a Cup of Jo) points out, there is a lot more to it than that.

And for all you Minnesotans...the article mentions Minneapolis designer Angie Davis (shown above), owner of Byrd and Belle, who started her shop on Etsy last year after she was laid off from her job. Be sure to check out her blog and give her some love; she sells great iPod and laptop cases!

So what are your thoughts? Have you thought about ditching your J.O.B. and heading out on your own? What would you do and how would you manage it?

Site of the Week: Rare Device

I wish I would have know about this site before I did all my Xmas shopping. Rare Device carries super cool stuff! These are among my favorites. I cannot get over how clever/scary the Bottle Opener is! (Top to bottom: Crow Bottle Opener, Tokyo Bay Agent Watch, Handbuildt Candy Bowl, Liv Hoodie)

Made by Julene

How great are these paper pieces via Made by Julene? They would make such a neat and personal gift for someone; I'm thinking anniversary - what year is paper?

{found via Fancy Frills; images via Made by Julene}

Wooden Tape Dispenser

Love, love, love this smart design! Available via Tinted Mint.

{image via Oh Joy!}

xmas09: Holiday Florals

After visiting Kitty, our wedding florist (who is as adorable as her name), flowers have been on my mind. I am so anxious to see all of our ideas come together on the big day. I found these lovely arrangements on Ink & Peat. Wouldn't these make beautiful organic holiday centerpieces? What do your holiday centerpieces look like?

{images via Ink & Peat}

Happy Weekend!

Enjoying my day off, snuggled up with a cup of coffee next to the Xmas tree. Why do Xmas lights make everything instantly cozy? We are headed up to Minneapolis this weekend to meet with some wedding vendors (Rosa Designs and Michael B Studios) and catch up with friends. What are your plans this weekend? Stay warm!

{image via ellemoss on etsy (available for purchase)}

Sparkle & Shine

I'm a big fan of bling. You might not see it right away upon meeting me because I usually skew toward the classic buttoned-up look or casual bohemian style but I like to add a bit of sparkle/shine here or there (and what better time to do so than during the Holidays!). I love the idea of an all black outfit with a chunky jeweled necklace or pairing a flowy skirt with sequined belt. Above are some shiny things that caught my eye.

What is your favorite sparkly/shiny piece of clothing or jewelery??

(top to bottom) BCBGMAXAZRIA Urban Rock Studded Leather Clutch, Giuseppe Zanotti Jeweled High Heel Sandals, Anthropologie Longest Night Dress, Sachin + Babi Monaco Necklace, J.Crew Sequin Tuxedo Cardigan)

Prints via Office

I came across Office via Oh Joy! yesterday and just had to share. All of these prints are available for $35! I'm thinking of getting the Snowflake one for Xmas!!

Decorate with Deer?

So decorating with deer? Who would have thought it would become so fashionable? My fiancé, having just shot an 8-point buck a few weeks ago has been teasing me about hanging a deer head in our living room. A stuffed deer head starring at me from across the room, I don't think so. I have however warmed up to the "sport" of hunting (even cooked venison for the first time - you can check out the recipe via my guest post on A Nutritionist Eats!) and the decor options that come with it. I prefer the antler-only look, perhaps even spray painted white and hung on a brightly painted wall (similar to the above image) - anything to make it look less real. Since I was in the browsing mood, I captured the many deer decor ideas that are currently out there. The options are endless...

What do you think about the deer decor trend? Is it here to stay?

P.S. if you're looking to achieve this look without harming an animal, you can find cardboard deer heads here.

{images via: 1. Country Living, 2. The City Sage, 3. Unknown, 4. Apartment Therapy}

Iomoi: The Bag

I hope you all had a nice weekend. Mine was very nice; I got some holiday shopping done, ate at a great diner in Milwaukee and am all set to get the tree up this week. I saw these bags from Iomoi on People.com the other day and immediately clicked through to check them out. The custom bags come in different styles, colors, prints and prices ranging from $78 - $135. What a great beach bag or holiday gift!

xmas 2009: Gift Guides!

Wow, are there some great gift ideas out there or what? So many wonderfully original, smart and handmade items to choose from. I try to start scouting for gift ideas throughout the year; as I see things for people I write it down so that I can look back on it when the season approaches. I find it helps me feel prepared and not make a thoughtless, last minute gift purchase. One thing that I think helps narrow the endless search is to chose a theme for each Xmas. Andy's siblings do this and it works great. Last year it was "kitchen gadgets" this year it is "games," and there is always a $25 limit. Listed below are some of my favorite Holiday Gift Guides for this year:

Design Milk decided to fore-go the "Gift Guide" and instead provides a Holiday Wish List. I love the Color Masking Tape shown above, so simple but fun! Click here for more.

I love Poppytalk's emphasis on handmade items for The Cook, The Maker, Him or Her. Click here to view the 2009 Holiday Gift Guides.

Design*Sponge's Holiday Gift Guides are a must. They feature ultra creative gifts under $100, $50, $25 and more. I definitely sipped on a cup of coffee while browsing their Gift Guuides.

In need of stocking stuffers, gifts for kids/teens, guys/gals? Creature Comforts has done a beautiful job again this year of organizing their gift giving ideas. Click here to view their Holiday Showcase.

Do you gift with a theme? Any good game ideas for me? Happy Weekend + happy gifting!!

xmas09: Advent Calendars

The Xmas posts continue today! Being in the DIY mood lately I wanted to feature some very creative and easy DIY Advent Calendars. As kids I remember my sister and I would fight over who got open what day. Opening the tiny door to discover what was inside was more exciting than the actual present or treat waiting for me!

There are so many great DIY ideas out there, here are some of my favorites: (top to bottom) 1) I love this match box calendar (via Sweet Paul - instructions after the jump), so sweet and perfect for little ones! 2) Very family friendly; put notes in each envelope listing fun activities or recipes (via Design*Sponge - instructions after the jump). 3) How adorable are these string of mittens? They would make any fireplace more cozy (via Centsational Girl). 4) Although this does not scream Xmas I love that it looks like art; definitely my favorite out of the bunch (via Fototiller).