a favorite: required weeping

I watched a REALLY schmaltzy Hallmark sponsored tv movie last night. Why, you ask? There was nothing else on tv (which also means that I was too lazy to turn off the tv), but also because I needed a Hallmark commercial fix. They are just the BEST commercials to watch if you need an instant and easy weepy moment on the couch sandwiched between your eye-rolling husband and sweetly sleeping cats. Here is a favorite and I dare you not to tear up:

Happiness is...

via IndieBound

...this Peanuts collection of books by Charles Schulz. So sweet, so sincere, and so true. These simple images really do just make me happy (though, of course, I'd tweak the top image to say: "Happiness is a cozy kitten"). But aside from my cat lady needs to modify the one image - I think these books would make such cute gifts for just about anyone (and also check out Schulz's "Love is Walking Hand In Hand" for the perfect Valentine's Day gift).

via Cultural Calories

via Duarte

via Duarte

via Doug Pratt

via IndieBound

sherlock meets little red

Isn't this vintage 1950s herringbone reversible cape coat just divine? Someone needs to snap it up and quickly before I cave in and buy it for myself...

via Dear Golden Vintage

fanciest finger puppet

Miss bird was found in the etsy shop of sweetbestiary. She is said to be not only industrious, but a gossip, according to her listing.
Regardless of her potential big mouth, I am impressed. What an amazing piece of art. This finger puppet is fashioned from paper mache, paint, fabric, and lace. Whether or not you have the need for a new finger puppet in your life-you have to admit....she is pretty cool.

All images courtesy of sweetbestiary via Etsy

for my snow buried friends...

Snowy Morning

Wake
gently this morning
to a different day.
Listen.
There is no bray
of buses,
no brake growls,
no siren howls and
no horns
blow.
There is only
the silence
of a city
hushed
by snow.

- Lilian Moore

poem via "The Golden Book of Poems for the Very Young"

image via rags and tatters

HGTV Dream Home

There are some pretty impressive giveaways out there, but.... for real? A HOUSE. How can you not give the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes a whirl? Worst case scenario-you lose 35 seconds of your day....best case scenario- you win a house in Stowe, Vermont!

This is not just any house either- it is a Dream Home. From what I can see on the online tour, it is rather incredible. The dining and kitchen spaces alone were enough to convince me of said dreaminess...
Sleeping and bathing spaces...not too shabby.

The outdoor living space would really allow you to appreciate the beauty of the Vermont setting nearly year-round.
Even the laundry room was too snazzy for words.....and plenty of bunk space for the kiddos or all of those guests who are bound to pop in.

I have never won an online giveaway - maybe this time....:)

All images courtesy of HGTV

quilts, quilts, and more quilts

I'm in New York for a few days to visit family, but I did get in some museum time too and was able to hit one of my favorites, the American Folk Art Museum, where they are having not one but two quilt shows! (1 and 2). Such lovely handiwork to admire especially when one needs a quiet and calm moment away from family (and New York) nuttiness.

all images via American Folk Art Museum

Nearly wordless and quite perfect

Shadow by Suzy Lee was named one of the NYTimes Best Illustrated Books of 2010. It is a wonder -capturing a child's perspective on the world in a fascinating nearly wordless, almost monochromatic, series of double-paged spreads that break free from the pages of the book that contains them.

Lee's depiction of a girl playing in her family's storage space is all about the world that unfolds when the light bulb is clicked on, illuminating the space and her imagination. The shadows the girl creates soon take on a life of their own and when they travel across the pages' borders the reader realizes there are many stories happening here. The book lends itself to being twisted and turned and "read" from all different angles.

Ms. Lee should be applauded for her ability to portray a child's play in all of its fascinating detail and excitement.

All images courtesy of google

Birthday

Image courtesy of D-504 via flickr

Happy Birthday to a gal who stands out in a crowd! Enjoy your day , Vivi....may the upcoming 365 days be your best yet.

Hansel from Basel

I'm in need of some cute yet cozy winter tights and these menswear inspired ones by Hansel from Basel look just about perfect to me...

 

animal portraits - cool or creepy?

"Young Mr. Fox" via ThisYearsGirl

There seem to be lots of cool animal portraits on Etsy these days that are at the same time really surreal and full-on silly. I'm loving them - though, I'll admit, some creep me out a little bit more than I can handle. For example, Mary, the owl = night terrors while Loppy Sue, the bunny = oh just sooo cute! (However, upon reflection - it looks like every single owl portrait freaks me out so maybe it's just owls dressed up human in old timey pictures I can't handle...)

"Picture Day Series" by BeatUpCreations

"Set of 5 original postcards" via SandraArteagA

illustrations by berkleyillustration

art prints by GrandOleBestiary

"Dolly Kitten" by Hot Digital Dog

Make It Do

Pinecone Elves

I love stumbling upon a blog I know will wind up being a favorite. That was definitely the case with Make It Do . I had been searching for Snowman Kits because my kids had received one for Christmas that they were crazy for and I was thinking ahead to next year and gift possibilities for nieces and nephews. Anyhow, I stumbled upon Make It Do's- Make It: A Snowman Kit and was instantly smitten.

The blog has so many great projects, ideas, and recipes carried out in tutorial form with pictures. It is one of those sites that makes you want to try the DIY ideas you uncover and love, but never give a shot. Make It Do just celebrates resourcefulness in general. I have plenty of fashion, design, and "head-in-the-clouds" blogs that I really enjoy visiting , but I needed this kick in the pants to be more creative and productive!

Snowman Kit

Baby car seat cover tutorial

Banana Cream Pie

Childhood Tradition

All images courtesy of Make It Do

Thursday, Winter White, and Etsy

flurries cowl- handmade with suri alpaca courtesy of windowsill

I remember when I bought my wedding dress that the color was "winter white", not white or off-white or ivory, but winter white...ever since then I have liked the idea that there is a shade of white out there by this name.

I decided since we are into January now that I would do a Thursday and Etsy post all about winter white. It was interesting because in my search I discovered that this one color, in its infinite range of tones and values, can be cool or warm, cozy or formal, casual or elegant, but I always think it is beautiful.

For the art lovers, some winter whites found in various mediums....

Image courtesy of lucysnowephotography

Image courtesy of holli

Three cold porcelain flowers courtesy of oenpia
Wall sculpture courtesy of PrinceDesignUK

To get something just for you in the perfect shade of winter....

Porcelain Snowballs and Pearls Multistrand Necklace courtesy of SuiteOne Studio

Bridal Sash Belt courtesy of MGMwedding
Swarovski Cream Pearl and Silver Rhinestone Ball earrings courtesy of kathcojewellery

Porcelain Dove Bobby Pin courtesy of Revisions

Snowflakes shawl courtesy of DagnyKnit

Nothing would brighten up a room in your home like these snowy additions.

Ornate vintage frames courtesy of dignifiedrubbish

Cappuccino Mug courtesy of wapa

white covered dish courtesy of ceramicsbyamy

Eyelet lace letterpress card courtesy of pistachiopress

Pearl Drops Pillow Sham Cover courtesy of TheHomeCentric

Everything for baby....

White Felt Button Shoes by JibJabbers
Boutique Matinee Baby Set courtesy of amotherscrochet
Deer nightlight courtesy of laurawallstaylor
Pure Vanilla courtesy of camillam

There you have it- a little winter white for all!