Friday, February 20, 2009

b-day gift ideas

so i did some research on the internet (while the girls were taking naps) to find just the right gifts for my husband, josh, last month. and i thought i would share some of the items in case anyone else out there is looking for some birthday gift ideas for their loved ones.

1. jamie oliver's new cook book: jamie at home. get it here. no nonsense cooking. perfect for a culinary guy who doesn't like using measuring cups and spoons.


2. leather work gloves from costco. they smell like a cowboy and he loves wearing them on the weekend when he's working around the house.

3. pentagam 2009 typography calendar. buy it here. it is a 33 X 22 inch wall calendar that displays a different typeface each month. if you are into graphic design then this is the calendar for you. we have it in our main living room because it's more like a piece of art.


4. sky lanterns. first seen here on oh happy day blog. the paper is nonflammable and we want to take them to the ocean and light them the next time we go. here is the video of a sky lantern festival. they look so fun and festive.


5. flensted swallow mobile from rose and radish. made in denmark. they are one of my favorite finds. this was more of a gift for the girls, but josh gets to blow on it every day above their changing table so it moves and captures the girls attention when their diapers are being changed.


6. subscription to national geographic. we were both zoology majors for our undergrad education so we love reading the articles about exotic animals in the deep jungles, arid climates,or polar regions of the globe. he's been getting this subscription for @ 5 years and the brilliant photography amazes me each month. this is a staple birthday gift for him every year.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

quebec city winter carnival




quebec city has a yearly winter carnival that looks like a blast. this year it ran from january 30-february 16. i have been to montreal, but never quebec city and after reading about it i would love to take a family trip there once the girls are old enough to enjoy it. i love snow and why not embrace it by going snow rafting, seeing ice castles, and watching dog sled competitions. maybe add some spiked hot cocoa and i would be set. what a winter wonderland! read more about it here. above images from here.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

happy valentine's day






happy valentine's day from our family to yours!!
lots of treats and surprises going on today.
have a happy, happy day!!

Friday, February 13, 2009

loft living





gorgeouso. discovered this loft space on decor8 blog. she found it from the loftlife magazine blog. this is the loft of interior designer, andrew flesher in minneapolis, mn. i get so inspired when i see interior decorators mixing antiques with modern furniture.

growing up with a mother and grandmother who were antique dealers, my heart sings when i see beautiful antique furniture whose character cannot be duplicated. and then mixing it with the white concrete floors and modern kitchen cabinets is just icing on the cake. the black ladder back shaker style chairs in the kitchen are fabulous. i don't need coffee this morning, these images have given me a jumpstart to the day!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

photo wall


via the style files. i have a photo wall in my dining room, but it's not this cool.

baby shower idea





via inchmark. how cute is this heart themed baby shower!! read more about the details here.

cathy gedda westrell





via design sponge. love, love, love this home of swedish designer, cathy gedda westrell and her fiance erik. i'm going to have dreams of white painted wood floors and decorating with clean lines after seeing this. they have inspired me to color code my book shelves. read more about it here. and see more pictures of their place here.

sycamore hollow



i know i am a little late to start posting about valentine's day, but that's the way my life is with twin babies. i think i'm going to be a little late to the party for the next 18 years. sycamore hollow, a store located in rockport, ma is one of my favorite places to shop. i have found such meaningful and unique things there. the owner is so creative and she mixes old and new things flawlessly. i have found vintage things there as well as some pretty cards and stationary. above are some of the things i have purchased in the past for friends and family. the heart memo holder is only $12 and can hold pretty photos or postcards. the lavender-filled heart sachets made with vintage linens are created by karen king of boom studios. it says "you are here".

the blog for sycamore hollow is here.

cedric


my friend maggie and her husband clifton are new parents to their beautiful baby boy... cedric odyssey. i think he is just the cutest thing. i can't wait for karoline and rory to be buddies with him. maggie is going to be such a great mom and i am so happy for them!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

happy birthday josh!


happy birthday to the love of my life! i am so blessed to have you as a husband and a father to our baby girls. you make me so happy and i love the way their faces light up when you walk into the room and talk to them. your creativity, thoughtfulness, and humor is running through their blood. if they are even 1% like you we will be so lucky.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

hand over fist


how clever are these hand over fist bandanas. they are hand-screen printed with a lion on one side and a tiger on the other. helps to bring out the inner beast in your kiddo. via inhabitots.

two bottle bag


cute reusable bag found here. fill it with wine bottles or perrier. there is a divider so they won't clink or break.

cottage in a day



i am really drawn to the modern architecture of these cottages nestled in the woods in northern michigan (one of my favorite places). cottage in a day is a company that makes these prefabricated, energy efficient beauties. check out their website here. michael fitzhugh is the architect. via materialicious.

valentines



via black eiffel. beautiful letterpressed valentine's day cards for your sweeties. find them at bread + butter.

Friday, January 23, 2009

tricycle


how cool is this 1970's industrial ricksaw tricycle? you can get it at factory 20. they carry some really unique items. i can just picture one of my girls cruising around our place with the other one in the back seat. perfect for twins!

susyjack*


i know i'm a little late in ordering my 2009 wall calendar, but i saw this one from susyjack* contemporary paper and had to have it. this is the first time i have ordered anything from susyjack* so i am so excited to receive this in the mail. and while i was at it, i ordered the heart and arrow valentines card hanging kit for my sweetie and a desk notebook in the wheelie pattern to record the eating times for my girls. her things are so fresh and modern.


Wednesday, January 21, 2009

home









took some pictures of objects around our home. the sunlight inspired me!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

inauguration day

what a day! blue sky. electricity and spirit in the air in washington d.c. and all around the country. people coming together. history made. tears of joy. and prayers for a more peaceful world tomorrow. countries around the world seeing the u.s. as a different entity. hope. peaceful transition of power. clean slate. inclusiveness. the new president's smile. michelle's graciousness. that beautiful yellow outfit. sasha and malia's cuteness. freshness. the feeling of being on the cusp, the corner of something special. urge for public service. what a beautiful family. it's reality now.

Friday, January 16, 2009

stamp for change


via a cup of jo. so looking forward to obama's inauguration next tuesday and can't wait to see what michelle will be wearing. am digging this stamp. get it here.

zoe pawlak






via katy elliott. happy friday! even though the temperature outside is frightful, these paintings by zoe pawlak are delightful.

Monday, January 12, 2009

tiny warbler designs



while i'm on the topic of stuffed animals, i thought i would highlight tiny warbler designs. kate keeler of vancouver, bc hand stitches the whale and owl above. how lovely. after looking at tons of baby websites, i have decided that life is too short to buy all the cheap plastic toys for the girls. i would much rather have less toys for them, but choose ones that are handmade with meaning and a bit of design. forget the barbies, and hello wooden blocks, cardboard, and felt.