iittala Taika Dinnerware

Last year I was out with three of my best girlfriends, cruising Beacon Hill, pretending to be Ladies Who Lunch instead of Ladies Who Make Lunch, when I spotted this gorgeous iittala pattern, Taika, at one of my favorite shops.  I scooped up a mug immediately and have fantasized since then about owning service for four.  Maybe for my birthday?  Just a few weeks away...

Image credits: iittala Taika Mug in white; also in red, black and blue from iittala.com; iittala Taika dinnerware from allmodern.com

DIY Nouveau Wreath

Four days to go until Christmas.  Do you still need a little holiday kick to brighten up your house?  Try this easy wreath that I made in an hour, inspired by a recent post on Apartment Therapy.  Get to your local craft store and pick up a styrofoam wreath form and thumbtacks. I used a 12-inch form and 800 tacks {seriously}.

Park yourself in front of A Christmas Story and get to work...

An hour later.  Easy peasy.  

Not your style?  Try this DIY lovely from one of my favorite design blogs...

Via {frolic!}

Holiday Gift Guide: Abby Glassenberg Soft Sculpture

And while we're on the subject of amazing women who have left a career track to explore a creative interest, I have to mention artist Abby Glassenberg.  Four months ago, I was lucky enough to meet Abby when our kiddos ended up in the same kindergarten class at school.  A Hopkins- and Harvard-educated former teacher, Abby began reading craft blogs and revisiting her love of sewing while on maternity leave with her first child.  What followed was a decision to dive into art-making and motherhood full time, and a fabulous and fun blog on crafting and motherhood.  I have no doubt that Abby was an incredible teacher, but she happens to be a really incredible artist, creating pieces with which I would love to fill my house -- handmade, beautiful and filled with personality.

I've seen her work up close and it is even more amazing in person than when photographed.  The detail is incredible, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and oh, those incredible faces!  But make no mistake, while her soft sculptures are meant to be adored, they are not meant to be tossed around like a stuffed animal (for hands-on lovin', Abby offers a selection of soft toys).

 

Late next year, we can all get an inside glimpse of the talent and work that goes into her soft sculpture when her book of fabric bird sewing patterns published by Interweave is released.  But until then, the only way to own an Abby Glassenberg original is to visit her etsy shop or one of the boutiques and galleries that carries her work. 

Image credits: Abby Glassenberg

Holiday Gift Guide: Posh Peacock Paper Goods

As a risk-averse working mom who has many creative interests outside my day job, I am inspired when I hear about women who have left a career track to start a cottage business.  I'm even more inspired when that leap has been taken by a close friend.  But the absolute best is when that close friend has started her own biz creating ridiculously pretty and simple paper goods that you want to fill your desk and the desks of everyone you know.

Such is the story of Christine Koh, one of my oldest and closest friends, and the self-taught designer behind Posh Peacock.  Deciding she would rather "perish than publish," Christine left the academic world (she is a former music and brain scientist) to pursue her creative interests...and we are all the luckier for it.

I started buying Posh designs before the business really launched in 2006, and have been a customer ever since.  Christine's design work ranges from custom paper goods to web design to small business and non-profit identity, and it's all beautiful.

Some of my favorite picks?  Semi-custom stationery, calling cards and the limited edition bird cards (I'm such a sucker for birds).  And because Christine operates at light speed, there's still plenty of time to order for gift-giving.

Image credits: Posh Peacock

Holiday Gift Guide: All-Weather Boots and Bag

It's winter. The weather in Boston on Wednesday was horrific, and although I would love to say it's really early for the snow/slush/ice/rain situation that's happening, I know as a New Englander that just isn't so.  Instead, I'm accepting our reality, and offering up two gift ideas to combat the nasty weather in style.

After years of buying inexpensive rain boots and being annoyed and soaked every time a seam ripped (which was pretty often), I finally coughed up the dough for the original -- Hunter Wellies.  Get them with removable fleece inserts and you've got a rain boot and a cozy snow boot, all for a little over $100.   Best thing is you can get these for everyone on your list -- men, women and kiddos. 

When it comes to handbags, I never go pleather.  Something about the stiff, squeaky material that reeks of plastic just isn't my thing.  But after a recent trip to Old Navy (yes, the same visit when I found the sparkly piggy), I've decided to let go of my outdated fabric stereotyping, and embrace the pleather of today.  This bag is just as cute cross-body as it is a top handle or shoulder bag.  Kind of like the Foley + Corinna that I lust after, but with a much smaller price tag.  Get it for your sister, girlfriend or any chic and practical woman in your life...my Aunt Liz loved my teal version.

Image credits: Hunter High Gloss Wellies, $115, Nordstrom; Faux-Leather Crossbody Tote Bag, $32.50, Old Navy