Monday Morning Mix - Christmas Songs!

Good morning!  I'll be back a little later with a recap of the Dustbowl Holiday Market, but I wanted to get things started off with a playlist for your Monday morning.  And, what better to fill a playlist than with Christmas songs?  I think I'll do another Christmas playlist next week as well, because there really is no shortage of great Christmas songs.  The tracks are listed below, but the entire playlist can be enjoyed right here.

Photo by Andy Peters.

You can listen to the entire playlist (for free!) right here.

Enjoy!

Dustbowl Holiday - TODAY!

Just a reminder that I will be at the Dustbowl Holiday Market today from 6 pm - midnight and tomorrow from 11 am - 6pm.  

I'll be there alongside:

Anty Shanty

Doin' Fine

Domestic Fox

Hide the Good Scissors

Pistachio

Ruth Borum-Loveland

Wild Hare Beadery

You Are Constance

It's a small group, but a really great mix of artists and crafters.

Hope to see you there!

Amy

Splendid Finds - Grey and Yellow

I come by my love for yellow naturally, as it is my mother's absolute favorite color.  I think of her when I see the color, and I'm sure I always will.  Grey is one of my personal favorites, so the combination of the two seems like a natural choice.  And it's a really popular color combination right now, which is just fine with me.  Here are a few of my favorite grey and yellow picks:

Left to Right, Top to Bottom

Single File Necklace - Anthropologie: $98

Zig Zag Citrine Rug - Dwell Studio: $650

Glazed Hand in Yellow - Fishs Eddy: $43

Charlotte Cardigan by Tinley Road - Piperlime: $69

'Small Car' Tote, Large - Orla Kiely: $280

The Rustic Hair Tie Package (Set of 5) - Mane Message: $7

Left to Right, Top to Bottom

Carnaby Flame Mug - Jonathan Adler: $18

Ascot Swing Coat - Anthropologie: $168

Yellow Pop Herringbone TOMS - TOMS Shoes: $54

Brightness in Shimmering Shadows Necklace - Elva Fields: $268

12' Garland - Polka Dot Shop: $12

Customizable Keep Cup - Keep Cup: $8.50 - $14.20 

(price varies by size)

Dustbowl Holiday Market

Live in the Norman area?

I'll be at the Dustbowl Holiday Market this Friday and Saturday.

It looks like it should be a great show -- 

an intimate group of eight other artists and crafters --

 along with live music, cupcakes, a photo booth and more!

I hope to see you there!

Music Monday - Winter Songs

There were a few rumors swirling around over the weekend that we were going to get some snow in Oklahoma City today.  It doesn't look like it will actually happen, but it did leave me hoping for a snow day.   While that may not come for a while (if at all), it did put me in the mood for some "winter songs".

 I am a big fan of Christmas music, but I really like what I call "winter songs".  There is something about grey skies, hot coffee and melancholy music that gets me every time.  I have compiled a short list of songs that fit into this category perfectly.  The tracks are listed below, but you can listen to the entire playlist here.

Listen to the entire playlist (for free!) right here.

Picture found via Gabrielle on Pinterest.

Splendid Finds: Black and White

Black and white will never go out of style.

It works with clothing, accessories and in the home.  

Here are a few monochromatic picks:

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Wood and Resin Stripe Bangle, Heliotrope: $19

Black 10" Cake Stand, Fishs Eddy: $64.95

Lines and Arrows Cushion Cover, Be Still Shop: $55

Reversible Chevron Clutch, Hammocks & High Tea: $169

Bow Bridge Thin Bangle, Kate Spade: $128

Alpaca Print Reusable Bag, Baggu: $8

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

I Love Knots - Rope Bracelet, Junghwa: $15

Book Cloth iPhone 4 Case, Jack Spade: $40

Much Love Print, AshleyG: $28

Cute for the Commute Bag, ModCloth: $62.99

Seyes Ruling Tee, Anthropologie: $68

Time Peace Clock, ModCloth: $39.99

Enjoy!

Amy

Photo template courtesy of Pugly Pixel

Music Monday + Thanksgiving Recap

First of all, just a reminder that I am offering 20% off my entire shop today (Monday).   Just enter MERRY2011 at checkout.  Okay....

I hope you have all recovered from Thanksgiving + Black Friday + Small Business Saturday + Cyber Monday.  I mean, really.  I actually had a really lovely Thanksgiving.  Sometimes I feel like the holidays are so packed with cooking, cleaning up, and so on, that you miss actual "family time" -- but this year I felt like we all got to spend quality time together and that was really, really nice.

And, thanks to Pinterest, I attempted several new recipes this year.

I made these sweet potato cupcakes, via Cupcake Project.  I made mini cupcakes, so the uncooked crumb filling didn't really work.  I ended up tossing out the first batch that went in the oven and left it out of the other batches all together.  They tasted fine without it.  Which is actually amazing, considering I managed to leave out the apple cider and oil.  This is what happens when you talk on your cell phone while you are baking.  Lesson learned.

I also made these S'mores Cookie Bars, via Lovin' From the Oven.  I have had these bookmarked for a while now.  They were really, really easy to make and were very yummy.  While I love a baked good, I'm not a big fan of really sugary desserts.  This was a little too sugary for my taste, but something I'll probably make again.

If you have been on Pinterest at all, you have probably seen this picture of the Crispy Potato Roast from Fish Food (via Martha Stewart).  It is so pretty and it seemed like a new take on a classic side (the russet potato), so I thought I would give it a try.

It really is a pretty easy recipe, and it did turn out looking just like the picture.  But I was a little disappointed in the final outcome.  The tops of the potatoes were dry and tough, while the bottom half was nicely cooked.  It's probably not something I will make again, but it was fun to try something new.


This was my third year to make stuffing.  This is my go-to stuffing recipe, via Martha Stewart.  Thanks to Whole Foods finally making it's way to Oklahoma City, I was able to use a loaf of pumpkin bread like the recipe suggests.  I gave it a nice sweetness.

What did you make for Thanksgiving this year?  Any hits or misses?  Any recipe suggestions for future holidays?

I am not doing a playlist this week, but I did want to leave you with a little something.  The Head and the Heart's entire album is really great, but this track is definitely my favorite.

The Head and the Heart singing "Winter Song"

Enjoy!  Happy Monday!

Amy

Black Friday Sale

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I certainly did.  I'll post a little later about our Thanksgiving, but I wanted to do a quick blog post about a sale I'm offering in my Etsy shop.  Today (Friday) through Monday I am offering 20% off store wide.  Just use coupon code MERRY2011 at checkout.  Enjoy!

Splendid Finds: Gilded

 There was a period in my life (a fairly long period, actually) where I stayed away from anything gold.  It felt very "old lady-ish" to me.  I don't know if it's that my tastes have changed, or if I am now, indeed, an old lady.  Regardless, I definitely feel drawn to things that have a bit of a gilded feel.

Here are a few finds that (fingers crossed) don't feel "old lady-ish" at all.

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Small Gold Paper Bowl, Gretel Home: $24

Gold Lines Ring, Osnat Har-Noy Design: $58

Le Pavillion iPhone 4 Case, Kate Spade: $40

David Stark Wood-Slices Dinnerware, West Elm: $36-$50

Distressed Metallic Squares Bronze Pillow, Dwell Studio: $58

Zig Zag Tray, Up in the Air Somewhere

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Gold Triangles Glass Vase, Dwell Studio: $162

Hedgehog Coin Purse, Kate Spade: $95

Gold Pinwheel Necklace, Stone & Honey: $65

Deco Sequin Stocking, West Elm: $34

Mirrored Mirth Trees, Anthropologie: $18-$68

Kiel Mead Forget Me Knot Ring, Design Public: $50

Enjoy!

Amy

Photo template courtesy of Pugly Pixel

Monday Morning Mix - Thanksgiving Edition

I don't know what happened to November, but Thanksgiving is this Thursday, ya'll. Last Monday, a mere one week ago, I was on the phone with my sister when she mentioned that Thanksgiving was the following week. I absolutely did not believe her. I was certain that we had a few more weeks. But, upon return to my office, I confirmed that she was correct. Crazy.


In honor of the upcoming quality time I am about to have with my oven, I thought that I would compile a Thanksgiving-themed mix this week.  This isn't music that is necessarily intended for mealtime (unless you have really lively family gatherings), but intended more as cooking/baking underscoring.

The tracks are listed below, but you can listen to the entire mix by clicking here.

Listen to the music mix here.

Photo courtesy of Vintage Everyday.

And another thing...

Wouldn't you just know it...I finish compiling a collection of colorful objects 

and then (after it's already posted), 

I come across this little guy...

Multicolor Chevron Striped Snap Purse by oktak

Maybe I like multicolored things after all.

In other news, my online shop is looking awfully Christmas-y lately:

I created paper cuts of the text and photographed them over glittered paper.  

The designs are clean and simple, but with a little sparkle...

because Christmas deserves a little sparkle, yes?

View all of the cards right here.

Splendid Finds: Color Story

My personal color palette tends to lean more towards muted colors.  

I prefer "pops" of color over all-over technicolor.  There is something about the holiday season, though, that makes multi-color feel very festive.  I think it has something to do with the many years I spent working at Gap where the holiday season meant piles of "crazy stripe" everything...

Anybody with me?

Here are a few striped-knee-sock-free options, should you or someone on your wish list need a little color this season:

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:
Bird Power, print by Carrie Marrill 20x200: starting at $20
Folk Stripe 15-inch Tray Gretel Home: $42
Neopolitan Stripe iPhone 4 case Pencil Shavings Studio: $39.99
Tunnel, print by Treasure Frey: $20
Prize Ball Pop Top Mitten, Kate Spade: $75
2012 Wall Art Calendar, Paper Source: $29.50

Left to Right, Top to Bottom:

Contemporary Gift Tags, ModCloth: $7.99

Check Mark Art Print, TwoEms: $26

Prize Ball Thermos, Kate Spade: $35

Crochet Loops Tree Skirt, Anthropologie: $298

Sami Woman Print, Lisa Congdon: $34

Color Block Shoe Clips, Bando: $25

Enjoy!

Amy

Photo template courtesy of Pugly Pixel

Monday Morning Mix

I don't know about you, but I have been having a really difficult time adjusting to the time change.  I feel like this happens every year.  I love fall and winter and I get so excited for the holidays--and I certainly don't mind the extra hour of sleep when we get to "fall back".  But it seems like the following week is always the same awful routine:  I force myself out of my very cozy bed onto cold wooden floors.  I struggle throughout the day, trying to decide just how much coffee is too much.  And then I drive home, baffled that it is already dark outside, and I feel like I could forgo my evening plans and head straight to bed.  I know I will eventually adjust, but for now I will do whatever I can do give myself an extra little boost.

Instead of focusing on one artist or song for a "music monday" feature, I thought I might create an entire playlist of upbeat tunes for your Monday morning.  Nothing overly chipper or bass-thumping.  Just some tracks to hopefully get your week off to a good start.  The tracks are listed below, but you can listen to the entire playlist by clicking here.

Listen to the playlist here.

Photo by goff gough.

Tiny Things

Emily Henderson (from my fave Secrets From a Stylist) started an amazing project, I'm A Giant!  She, along with several other bloggers, are creating fully-furnished dollhouses from scratch.  Doesn't sound like a cool project to you?  I get that, but the nine-year-old within me thinks it's the best project, like, ever.  I loved playing with my dollhouse as a young girl and look forward to sharing that with my niece and daughter(?) one day.

I, unfortunately, have zero time to build/decorate/furnish a dollhouse and even less space to store said dollhouse, so I am opting out of the project.  But, seeing all of the dreamy houses circling about has  me thinking about all things tiny.

This is a great option for those that want a more temporary option.  It ships flat and comes with furniture and accessories (including a grand piano and sewing machine).

I love this mobile, made of thirty paper houses. 

Delicate and airy.

Adam and Quincy of Pearson Maron make lots of incredible, tiny things like miniature polar bears, rabbits on wheels and itty factories like this one.  If only factories really did produce hearts and rainbows...

J Davis creates rings, necklaces, charms and earrings featuring tiny houses, but I like this Neighborhood Ring the best.  Don't think nine-year-old me wouldn't have had a story for every house on the block.  Trust me, she would have.

If I didn't have a horrible history of killing every plant to ever have entered my home, I would consider purchasing a little terrarium, or several.  I think this one with the tiny deer is fairly adorable.

And speaking of tiny deer...

I'm in love.

Check out Emily's blog for updates on the I'm A Giant! project and other lovely things.

&

I've added lots of new things to the shop recently, but the ampersands are definitely some of my favorites. A perfect way to say "you & me" or "us & them"...or a great gift for that single typography-obsessed friend of yours (you know you have one).

Teal

Turquoise

Grey

Pink

Like all of my paper cuts, each ampersand is made of individual sheets of paper.  They are cut by hand, one at a time, and then carefully glued together.  And framed, so they're ready to hang!

Enjoy!

Amy

Pretty Things

I came across this video today, via Creature Comforts, and it so perfectly echoed what I have been feeling over the last few days, that I had to share it..."make it beautiful". Just like Erin Jang did for this video (for Martha Stewart Living), I try to make pretty things out of simple objects, like paper. I don't have a "mission", per se -- I'm not trying to make a loud statement, or change anyone's mind. I just like making pretty things.

Click to view

This weekend, I was honored to be part of the Girlie Show once again. This is a fantastic show -- incredibly organized, amazingly well attended, and full of really, really talented female artists. This was my third year to participate, and it did not disappoint. Being at an art show is a little surreal. It's not like having an online shop or selling in a boutique, or even being part of an exhibit. In those cases you have very little contact with your customer. But in an art show, you hear every comment. You get real-time feedback from people who are truly excited to finally put a face to the name, or are seeing your work for the first time. It's humbling to receive compliments and to hear nice things about your work, and it's an honor when someone decides to purchase something that you made.

Photo by Nathan Poppe

99.9% of the things I heard people say were positive. There was one girl though who, while standing next to me, made the international sign for "puke" and said "Too much work!" Honestly, I wasn't insulted as much as surprised. I, by no mean, expect everyone to like my work. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, "too much work"? I guess it's the opposite end of the "Why would I pay hundreds of dollars for something my five-year-old could paint?" argument.

For me, as I would assume it is for most artists, it isn't about the time involved. I create what comes from within me, no matter how long it will take. Am I relieved when I glue down the last piece of paper for a project? Absolutely. But I get equally excited to start the next piece, and that's why I keep at it.

I'm a "love is in the details" girl, so the intricacies are (for me, at least) the best part.

It's been a while...

So, since my last post was regarding Christmas -- I might not be the world's best blogger. Yikes. One of the projects that kept me busy since my last post was designing and assembling wedding programs for my cousin's wedding. My cousin was the groom, so working on the programs ended up being a great way to get to know his fiance, Ali, a little more.

Such a beautiful couple (inside and out).

Photo by Candi Coffman Photography

I already had a fairly good sense of Ali's style and taste preferences, which is so nice when creating a custom project for someone. I knew that she was using succulents and ranunculus, which are also two of my favorites, so I definitely wanted to incorporate them into the overall design. Ali makes the sweetest cards for friends and family, so I wanted the programs to have that handmade feel, too.

The covers were printed on kraft paper, which gave a nod to the burlap and twine that were used in both the wedding and reception. I machine-stitched the programs together with a lime-colored thread. It was definitely a time-saver, when compared to other options, but gave it that nice handmade touch.

The ceremony and reception were incredibly beautiful, and it was such an honor to be included in even this small way. Congratulations, Matthew and Ali!

Photo by Candi Coffman Photography

Splendid Finds - Heidi & Finn

Around this time last year, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish before my next birthday. One of the items on this list was to make clothes for my niece, Sophia. December approached, and that check-box on my list remained empty. So, I was tremendously excited to come across Heidi & Finn -- an Etsy shop full of patterns for modern, chic children's clothes.

Once you purchase a pattern it is emailed to you in a PDF file. The file includes the pattern in a range of sizes and a full step-by-step tutorial complete with color photographs. The tutorials make it really easy for a novice sewer, like myself.

I used the Sweet Pocket Pinafore pattern and made a Christmas outfit for Sophie. I substituted ruffles for the suggested pocket, but otherwise stuck with the pattern.

From the back:

Since Christmas, I have made a few other things for her, including this hoodie:

If you are not much of a DIY-er, Heidi & Finn Studio sells ready-to-wear clothing and accessories with a similar aesthetic and cuteness factor. Enjoy!

In the Kitchen - Sweet Potato and Black Bean Lasagna

Last week I came across this recipe for Sweet Potato and Black Bean Lasagna, via Kathleen of Jeremy & Kathleen. Unusual, for sure, but intriguing none the less. I gave it a try and was very pleased with the results. The leftovers were great, too!

It's an easy recipe, but definitely not quick, as you have to roast the sweet potatoes before layering them into your lasagna. I used a standard size ceramic souffle dish, and the smaller size corn tortillas fit perfectly inside.



I'll definitely make it again, and thought you might like to give it a go as well! Thanks, Kathleen!

Poppytalk Handmade - Love Transforms

Starting today, I am part of the "Love Transforms" market over at Poppytalk Handmade -- and I'm so excited! In their own words, Poppytalk Handmade is "an online 'curated' and monthly-themed marketplace exhibition site which showcases handmade and vintage goods from around the world."

This month's market includes love themed items (just in time for Valentine's Day!) and items perfectly suited for handmade weddings.

You can visit my table here:

Music Monday - Fleet Foxes

Sorry for the very unintentional absence. I am happy to be back, and excited for what this next season has to offer. This week's Music Monday pick is "White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes. I have to say that, while I do love Winter, I am longing for a bit more daylight, slightly longer days. This video made me want it even more.