I have been working like a mad person round the clock, I am trying to figure out when will be the best time to stop, but I am kind of hoping I can work up until the due date, do you think that is totally unrealistic? The only thing that I think will stop me is being able to bend, who knew I did so much bending in my line of work?  Packing parcels is labor intensive!  I have been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to properly sit down and watch Jessica Hische’s class-Introduction to Lettering which just started (a class  I have been anxiously awaiting).  I ended up just playing the videos while I worked and listened to them, it’s definitely a motivating class, I am going to highly recommend it and can’t wait to actually sit down and be able to watch it.  It motivated me enough to break out my sketch book. I re-drew the narwhals above (well, one narwhal) from an antique engraving I had, but I was sorely disappointed with the result as it actually looks just like the original drawing so what was the point? Grrrrr.  I am going to keep practicing, I really would love to make them more naive which seems like it would be easier but not for me (I am currently loving this artist) . I just started learning how to draw a couple years ago, I love the Ames book series, they are made for children but I think they are a great for any age novice to have a modicum of drawing success.  I also like to recommend this book, it’s for more realistic drawing techniques but I don’t know of any books that help in developing your own drawing style, do you? I guess that just comes with more practice. And for the record I do believe anyone can learn to draw, yes, some people do have innate natural ability (I am not one of them) but it is a skill that can be learned!

In other news, I have so many great finds that I thought you may be interested in so I decided to share and do a quick round up for you. Yes, they most definitely run the gamut so there should be something for everyone!

Round postage stamps?  What took them so long? I think this idea is so fresh, I hope we see more designs in the near future.

I have been planning our meals for the month, mostly doing it the old fashioned way (pen + paper) but I signed up for a free 30 day trial at this clever little company. It allows you to store all your recipes you find on-line in one place, create shopping lists based on the ingredients for said recipes and will also send the list to your phone so you don’t get to the market and cringe when you realize you forgot your list on the kitchen counter.

Speaking of meal planning if it’s not easy I am not making it, sheesh, I can barely stand without toppling over so easy meals like this lentil soup are a time + life saver! I make my own lentils, but the recipe uses canned ones, both ways are super easy!

I wrote about pie last week, Elizabeth Colling was generous to share her recipe I have added it to the post!

Anyone have a gel manicure lately? I haven’t since I became pregnant but I use to love how they looked (and how long they lasted).  This new product claims to be very gel like without the hassle of going to the salon and special UV lights, my interest is peaked.

Wow, this must be the month for new font releases, there are some lovely ones to consider-Chameleon is a unique font family where each font is different but made to go together, interesting concept (I especially like the capital ‘H’ and ‘L’ on the Chameleon basic), Aleka is currently on sale, it’s a modern calligraphic font that has a distinct handmade hand to it, I can see this becoming a popular font. I would love to see a talented designer use String in a project, it’s so delicate yet doesn’t take itself too seriously. Eduardo Recife of Misprinted type is just a super talent, his Mercy font is a true calligraphic font and would be perfect on invites and envelopes, it is just gorgeous.

Speaking of fonts have you heard of the Typism conference?  If you are interested in lettering you should stop by their site to view a few of the videos from their last get together, I especially liked the vid on brush lettering.

Because I will get a few dozen emails on this, the font I used above is my beloved Jacob Riley by Magpie Paper Works.

This is so random, but this company has created faux wishbones so everyone at your Thanksgiving feast (vegans included) can participate in making a wish. I think it’s a charming idea!

Winners!  For the Modern Calligraphy book Pamela P. (I thought it was sweet she wanted to get  copy to her daughter), and the wreath monogram giveaway last week-Lauryl, I loved all your answers but hers included a squirrel mention.

P.S. It’s Veteran’s day here in the states, thank you to all the individuals that make it possible for me to sit at home and write about such frivolity (as witnessed above), I don’t take it for granted and am highly appreciative of the sacrifice.

I am an Elizabeth Messina fan, you?  So, when she emailed photographs of her friend Elizabeth Colling’s new Pop-Up Pie venture I knew I wanted to share (how could I not?). Elizabeth Colling’s name might seem familiar to you as well since she is one of the food editors at the illustrious Martha Stewart Living empire (a huge stamp of food approval). The pie I am featuring is a chocolate ganache with chocolate cookie crust (did you just gain 5 pounds reading that?). I better show off the pie so you can really get the full effect….

Pies come in re-useable tart pan and are $43 per pie (there’s three other delicious flavors-double crusted apple brown butter, southern pecan with a classic pate brisee crust and pumpkin with graham cracker crust). Pies can be picked up in beautiful Montecito, California at the Jenni Kayne Home Store on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 and there will be limited shipping available too, just contact Elizabeth Colling for details!

I have taken the same sort of approach to researching baby gear as Madame Curie must have when figuring out techniques for isolating radioactive isotopes. My research has been both thorough and massive and has left me feeling spent and even more confused than when I started the process.  I have multiple concerns about baby gear, after the obvious ones of safety, I need to make sure the gear is actually needed and then of course there’s a major aesthetic component that is near impossible to find. I need to shop where the Swedes do, I never see their nurseries with garish gear which is what seems prevalent in the American market-for shame.  We are on an obvious tight budget since I was sick, but we have been very careful on purchases so we figured we could have a few investment pieces.

Being in 526 square feet has also helped in decision making, I don’t want a ton of ‘things’ (never) but I do want to be prepared.  We decided to forgo the stroller for these first few months, I don’t know if that’s a wise decision but we are going to try. It’s coming upon Winter in the Pacific Northwest so we didn’t think we were going to be doing much stroller pushing in the cold + rain, we are going to wear her as much as possible which is where the Baby Bjorn Miracle comes in (it’s a new and improved Bjorn). We looked into many, many carriers, Ergo’s  were high on our list and had amazing reviews but not so great reviews for newborns.  We are also looking for a non-tie sling option, but haven’t being able to decide on one (I am open to suggestions).

We got hooked on trying the techniques laid out by Dr. Harvey Karp in ‘The Happiest Baby on the Block’, he suggests a swing, have you seen the current swing options available?  Firstly, we don’t have room for a traditional behemoth swing, who does?  Secondly, most are so hideous that my eyeballs would melt before I could put my baby in one.  That’s when I found 4 Moms. Do you know about this amazing company?  Beautifully designed pieces both aesthetically and functionally.  They are basically the Apple of baby gear. What really sold me on their swing the Mamaroo (and I won’t sugar coat it is at the upper end of the price range) is that at my hospital it is the only ones they use in the NICU that actually calm the babies and put them to sleep–SOLD!  You need to watch their video to get a grasp on how crazy cool this swing is. It also happens to look great in our modern abode, so there’s a double thumbs up on that. You should also check out some of their other offerings as well, the Origami stroller will blow.your.mind. even the tub had me at hello.

I am obviously no expert on anything baby, in fact my husband and I feel a bit like bumbling idiots and she hasn’t even arrived yet, but I do know a thing or two about being clutter free and living a fairly minimalistic (‘stuff’ free) life. Btw, there are other color ways available for the above items, we are most likely going to go with the grays, there were no white options which I am sure was done for pragmatic reasons, but still…

P.S. And I am super open to any and all suggestions from those that have come before me and actually know what they are doing. Thank you to Paige for suggesting this sleep book! And thank you to Kate for introducing me to 4moms!

I know Halloween just passed, but I have been in the holiday spirit for awhile now, maybe it’s because as a shop owner you need to prepare so far in advance for holiday that you are aching to get your goods up and celebrate the season, or it could be that I am one of those crazy holiday people. Confession, I have always referred to Christmas time as ‘Tristmas’, yes, I know that may not be PC but tell that to my five year old self. I am just into the holidays.  So it was with great excitement when my friend Meg, a talented photographer and all around creative said she was working on a holiday magazine.  I love Meg’s simple style and her authentic voice. I have recommended her books and templates previously (I am going to have to order baby’s 1st year book template!) and I do think the holiday issue will be a welcome inspiration addition.

Meg featured the Besotted Brand wreath monogram stamp for easy + elegant wrapping, I never realized previously how nicely they worked for holiday but they do indeed!  To celebrate the mention I would love to give away one wreath monogram. Just answer the following question by Sunday, November 10, 2013:

What indulgent gift would you love to receive this holiday? (it could be completely unrealistic!)

And the winner of last week’s giveaway was–Kate, I loved that her sentiment was both cheeky + thoughtful. Please email so I can get your prize sent off to you.  Speaking of prizes, the last two bestowals have gone unclaimed, I have started to put the winners up here so definitely check to see if you have won, I put your name and your answer just so there is no confusion on whether it was your answer. You can find the winners page under the ‘resources’ link at the top of the site. I announce all winners on the following Sunday/Monday of the giveaway. Unclaimed prizes will be just that, unclaimed so if you play, please come back to get your prize!