i'm out there

Look, our family photos were featured here on the blog Sensibly Styled! I love that blog and always get good fashion tips there.

merry christmas!

I am looking forward to spending the next couple of days with family and friends, and relaxing at home. I'm almost done with all the christmas preparations and am definitely ready for relaxation mode! All that's left is to wish you a very merry christmas and a happy new year!

p.s. elf on the shelf has been a hit again this year, the kids love looking for skippy every morning.

who would buy this?!

While looking for snuggies, came across this image the other day...a little disturbing, wouldn't ya say?

downtown chic

People are cool. Not even a week after I posted my wanted book list, I received a complimentary copy of Downtown Chic by Sixx Design! And it came straight from the authors via their assistant! Definitely the most awesome thing that has happened to me because of this little blog. I was totally thrilled when first contacted, and have been totally thrilled pouring through the pages of the book since. And so has my husband, Stuart. He dabbled a little in architecture during college, and really likes a lot of the architectural details shown.
The book is about a husband-wife design team with six kids, and it goes through 7 major house renovations they did. They took run-down properties and created million dollar spaces. Plus it has a ton of gorgeous photos, design and renovation tips, and great quotes throughout, adding in humor to something that can be frustrating, like renovations.
On the design side, I immediately want to try and replicate several things. Their work is inspiring and seems so do-able because a lot of it is the result of flea market shopping, paired with their talent of having an eye to put everything together of course. I know that when our kids are older, and we have a house with a larger yard, I'm going to want an in-ground trampoline like they had at one of their houses.
So, if you can't tell, I love Love LOVE this book! Thanks Sixx Design!

I heard they're doing a show on Bravo too, premiering next year.

for fun

This would be great to hold all my little random sewing objects that are currently rolling around in a drawer, and are always hard to find when needed.

this or that

I can't decide if I want Hello Good Looking or Fancy Seeing You Here to greet visitors in my entryway. I have the perfect little place for a print, and have been looking for the right one. Any thoughts? Or any other fun prints you've found?

hydrate

I need to drink more water. Right now, next-to-none is my daily dose. A fun water bottle like one of these might help me want to drink a little more.

swiss

I like this swiss cheese board. Not too sure about the mouse that comes with. But believe me, I'd get plenty of use out of the board...I love cheese.

black & white

Can you tell I've been surfing the web a lot lately?! Mostly in search of gifts, but I find a lot of goodies for me too! Love these black and white options from Shabby Apple.

my wanted book list

Make-up Masterclass by Jemma Kidd

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts

Downtown Chic by Sixx Design

As pictured above, the Coralie Bickford-Smith Penguin Classics, any and all of them. Those covers are gorgeous!

Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease

gift guide

I've been getting tons of ideas from Martha's Gift Guide this year. I've found quite a few things to give, and like too many to mention for myself as well! And, even if a particular product might not catch my eye, it usually leads me to a great website where I can find something else. Go check it out if you're having a hard time with someone on your list!

new notion

How have I never heard of a bias tape maker until yesterday?! If I had had it only one month ago, this little tool would have made my day several times over.