Design Mom: Twelve Days of Christmas

Gabrielle Blair just announced she will be having a a "super-wonderful-over-the-top-holiday-celebration" on Design Mom starting Friday, December 12th. Can't wait to see more details as she always has the best giveaways. Check it out!

holiday gift guide: catch all

Okay, so this gift guide is kind of random but has a lot of fun things in it. Some of them are kind of gag-gifty, some of them are more like stocking stuffers. But at any rate, there are lots of good ideas and sources. So, without further ado....

For the Gardner in Your Life:

1. Talking Bean Plant! $15
2. Grow a Wish Kit $19

For Grandparents:

Help the grandparents in your life show that not only do they have the cutest grandkids, but they are technologically savvy with these gifts!
1. Digital Photo Key Chain $18
2. Digital Photo Watch $60
3. Digital Photo Display with Touch Screen$99

For Men:

1. Guide for New Dads$13 (I think I am going to get this for my man before we have another baby!!)
2. Tie Tack $9
3. Tie $30
4. Cuff LInks $10
5. Wrist Cuff/Wallet $45

For Moms:

1. Mama's Little Book of Tricks $13
2. Supermom Necklace $23

For Parents:

1. Airfork One $10
2. Wheel of Responsibility $13
3. Kid Remote $9

More for the Ladies (of all ages!):

1. Funny Earrings $40 (the second pair would be funny to give your teen, although, they probably, like, totally wouldn't wear them)
2. Mini Chi Travel Set $99
3. Decorative Hair Elastics $5
4. Feather Headband $34
5. Poppy Pins $5
6. Reversible Headband$8
7. Feather Hair Clip $18
8. Headband Set $10
9. Travel Jewelry Wallet $25
10. Jewelry Tree $49
11. More Cute Bobbie Pins $10
12. This one isn't pictured above but ANY Bare Escentuals kit I'm sure would be well received!

More Random Stuff:

1. For Your Resident Thespian $7 (This guy has lots of cool Shakespearian illustration stuff)
2. For the Writer in Your Life $8
3. For Animal Lovers $20


1. For the Brownie Edge Lover $36
2. For ANYONE $5 (This etsy store has lots of cute cheap downloadables)
3. For a Reader $4

{Prices are rounded to the nearest dollar}

Oh, and did I forget to mention? Of course, anything from any of my two etsy shops would be a wonderful gift also:) Ha!

holiday gift guide: babies and kids

Here are some adorable and educational gift ideas for babies and kids for reasonable prices! Wish I could get them all!!


1. Etsy $27.50
2. Etsy $11.99
3. Etsy $24
4. Etsy $24.99
5. Uncommon Goods $18


1. Uncommon Goods $34
2. Liapela $50
3. Uncommon Goods $40- This was one of my favorite stories when I was little
4. Modern Nursery (set of three) $25
5. Uncommon Goods $36- Kaden loves monsters and I know he would love this book and little monster friend.
6. Uncommon Goods $50
7. Etsy $36
8. Moolka $22.49
9. Oompa $13.49

Can you tell I love books? I would have put the whole Oompa website on here if I could have. Visit their site for hours of fun!! Stay tuned for more gift guides!

Here's a link to some great etsy gift guides also!

gift for Kaden, gift for me

I went into Old Navy yesterday and fell in love with the toys that they are carrying right now. They feature puzzles, games, and books from Charley Harper! Both fun and visually stunning for Kaden and me! Find them here.

on inspiration and the world wide web

First, an update: A few posts back I promised I would let you know how the light keeper pro worked out. Well I did figure it out- it is pretty cool. I highly recommend them if you have a pre-lit tree.

Now on the world wide web: other than cleaning house, working on some designs, and playing with my little guy today, I, of course, surfed the internet. Can you believe the internet?! The avenues it has opened up to the whole world?!?! I subscribe to a bunch of blogs that inspire me and introduce me to all sorts of cool new websites, people and things. But sometimes I feel a little too inspired if you know what I mean. There are so many amazing people and things out there, who needs little old me?

There are so many cool things I see I never know what to share exactly that feels true to who I am, what I want this blog to be, and isn't just copying someone else. What I have come up with for today is oeuf. The products, the website, the images just spoke to me. Unfortunately they are a little out of my pricerange for the time being (as are most things that speak to me). But until I can afford them or learn to knit like my amazing mother, it doesn't hurt to share it with others and enjoy it all the same, right?! Below are some of the drool-worthy things you can find there.



See more here.

cute as a button

I really do plan to post more than just crafts on here, but these were my favorite things I saw from all of the blogs I saw on reader this morning. See these and other great Martha craft ornaments here.

It reminded me of a project I saw on Ali Edwards blog last year that I wanted to do. See it here.

december first

December is officially here! To me, December first has always meant the arrival of one of Santa's special helpers in my home, my beloved Mr. Goody. I grew up with a Mr. Goody at my house. Mr. Goody comes to watch over little boys and girls to make sure they are being good. Every morning Mr. Goody hides in a new spot for us to find him. We can't touch him or he will go back to the North Pole. I missed Mr. Goody from my childhood, so I am excited that Santa decided to send us a Mr. Goody this year:)

{I got him here}

In other December first related traditions I have seen a few advent calendars on this wonderful world wide web that I have loved. I don't have one yet, but am thinking of making one this year so that I have one next year. Here are a few favorites from my round-up.

1. craftastica blog creation.
2. flickr find.
3. from shimandsons
4. from mod cottage
5. found here. My sister did one like this last year that turned out really cute.
6. the oh-so talented Ali Edwards came up with this lovely idea.
7. from loveland misc. {free download!}

A few more flickr finds:

8. Love this style.
9. Love the fabric used on this one.
10. If I were a more confident quilter I might attempt this one.

And one more... how cool is this. I may have to start buying more mints and collecting tins!