I’m always looking for yummy treats to give as little gifts for the holidays. And this year, I’ve found my “source”: Sweets ALLways launched recently (I missed a chance to go to a tasting party because I was shopping in Boston, and I am sad that I missed out. I heard rave reviews) -they have something for every sweet tooth. Scanning the list of made to order sweets, I’m coveting the caramel chocolate dipped pretzels, the sugared pecans, the jumbo cupcakes, and oh yeah, replenishing my stash of coconut marshmallows. My good friend R picked up a package for me, and let me just say that they were the best! (And they’re wrapped so nicely, too!) So, I’m thinking I’ll stock up on some Sweets ALLways goodies. They’ll make great teacher gifts, favors, stocking stuffers ….. and of course I’ll save a few for myself. I have to try their cupcakes. Check out Sweets ALLways at sweetsallways.com. Happy shopping!
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photo by Roger Foley for Cottage Living
Sometimes, while I wait for the USPS to deliver my magazines, I preview them online. For example, I learned that Cottage Living’s December issue features a cute snowball windowbox project. (see photo above) Doesn’t that look cozy? I wish that I had installed a windowbox this year on our patio …. perhaps 2008. I also love Kitty White’s Alabama cottage, which was photographed for the issue. Beautiful style. And I think that the Holiday Idea House should be in there, too. Wonder when my copy will arrive? Speaking of magazines, New York is featuring a gift guide this week. Click on your intended giftee for some original, and dare I say “fun” ideas. (Hey, they are even featuring 100 gifts under $100! Starting at under $5, that should guarantee something for everyone.) This magazine will get to me late for sure. I just got last week’s issue yesterday. (No, I’m not bitter.)Wondering what the world would be like without music, or Muzak? You could find out tomorrow, if you participate in No Music Day. You can make your statement for, or against, by visiting nomusicday.com. I can certainly relate to people trapped, working retail, listening to the same holiday songs over, and over, and over …..I’m taking the rest of the week off for the Thanksgiving holiday. As early thanks, 1. Thank you all for reading my blog and 2. Thank you to the bloggers I read daily: I am grateful for your myriad inspirations. I’ll see you again on Monday!
Set your Tivo: Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving special is on abc tonight at 8/7c.
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Well, it was another busy weekend, with no end in sight. Friday night, we ventured into the city to attend Emily’s Open Studio night. (This is the best photo I took. Of course it is of the food.) It was great to finally meet Emily – we’ve been talking over the blogosphere for awhile now. The party was great, the studio was cute and fun to see, and I met some interesting people. Thanks, Emily! I’m so glad we could make it! Can’t wait to see more from Orange Beautiful! Saturday, we took a drive out to the western ‘burbs for our niece’s 5th birthday, and Sunday was yard work day (and read the papers). Lots of people were hanging lights, which was smart, because it’s supposed to be c-o-l-d next weekend. We are going with the ultra-minimalist pre-lighted wreaths. My strategy this year is to get the gifts purchased and wrapped, and spend time doing activities. Like going to the museum, going skating, having dinner in the city, etc. Keep in mind, this is my plan the week before Thanksgiving. We may have to go to plan B if I don’t get the shopping finished. I just feel that my son will remember events more than “stuff”.
Felix Doolittle, one of my favorite stationers, is scheduled to be on the Martha show today, but I’m not sure whether it was to be live, or pre-recorded. I can’t imagine that Martha will be doing her show this week after her mother’s passing on Friday. (It looks like the show will go on, including a tribute to “Big Martha”. Now I have to watch. I’m guessing that Felix Doolittle is the “secret source.”)
For my (little) Martha moment, check out these wreaths I made last week, and hung yesterday, using ribbon I had squirreled away. I’m pretty happy with how they turned out. The instructions I used can be found here, courtesy of Martha, of course. See you tomorrow.
Hello again! I was reading Emily’s guest blog post about business cards (well, that wasn’t exactly the theme, but it’s what I focused on) because I am geekily in love with cool business cards. My son will even pick them up for me in a shop, restaurant, wherever. It’s cute, especially when we’re somewhere like, I don’t know, the gas station, and he’ll grab the card, hand it to me, and give me that look of “Look what I got! For YOU, crazy woman.”
Anyway, I digress. I ended up fixating on the beautiful Chartreuse flip books from their open house, and remembered how obsessed I was (am) over their business cards. (Both pictured above, courtesy of Laura @ the SCOOP and Chartreuse.) And then the idea hit me: Why are there not packages of cute business cards, a la baseball/football/sports cards? They could be randomly packaged in sets of 10 or so, for sale in stationery shops. You know I’d spring for a pack (or three). Hmmm, let’s take this further: price of $3 or $4? Packaged in a cute glassine envelope with a sticker? Imagine my glee when I ripped open the package and saw “I got a Chartreuse!”For further persuasion, spend some time at Daily Poetics’ Flickr account. (Perhaps a mix of current and vintage?) So, great idea, or crazy?
Can you believe its Friday? (and less than a week ’til Thanksgiving ….. I’m totally in denial about that, but I’ve ordered desserts for the feast, so I guess it’s not total denial.)Here are the Five:
- untitled (and I would really like one, by the way)
- will you have breakfast with me?
- treats in paper & string
- Still Waiting ….
- Poppy
It’s brownie acquisition day: I’m headed to my boutique to pick up some chocolate goodness! Hope your weekend is delightful, and I’ll see you on Monday.
