Italian Holiday

My junior year in college, I had the privilege of studying abroad in Florence, Italy. That was a decade ago, and I've been plotting my return trip ever since I left. On Holiday is my ode to two things that I like a lot: Italy and Fiats. I figure maybe if I draw about them enough, my return trip will come true.



I had considered putting a tree on top of the car, but then thought that the skis were much more romantic -- two lovers jetting away for the weekend through the Italian countryside to a remote little ski chalet where they sip hot chocolate, sit by the fire wrapped up in cashmere blankets and leisurely flip through the pages of A Farewell to Arms. At least that's what I think of.

Image Sources: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six.

Little Darlings

I spotted the amazing photography of Sharon Montrose of The Animal Print Workshop the other day, and wanted to pass the link along. The newest collection is called Little Darlings, and really the name says it all. I also couldn't help being lured in by all the other collections, too, though.

Exhibit A:

Piglet. Oh my goodness. Where do you even start with this one? I think if he were hanging on my wall looking at me it would be impossible to be sad.

Exhibit B:

Kitten and Feather. I know one little girl in particular who is obsessed with "kitty kats" and would love to have this one where she could see it and point to it and name it over and over again.

There are many, many more incredible photos on the site sure to put a smile on your face! Starting at $25, they'd also make great holiday gifts.

[All images from Animal Print Workshop; First seen on Black Eiffel]

Head Over Heels

Howdy! How are you? Things around here are going superb. I just finished up and entered 8 new wedding designs for the latest wedding challenge on Minted:

SECRET GARDEN


PICTURE PERFECT PAIR


PERCHANCE


POCKET WATCH


TWO BY THE SEA


ESTABLISHED


DAPPER


ENCHANTED FOREST


This challenge has some truly gorgeous and original designs in the mix, so if you have some time over the next week, hop on over and vote!

Over the next couple of weeks, I'm planning to share some insights into what inspired my new holiday cards. Italian mountainside, anyone? Yes. Please. Stay tuned! And in the meantime, is there anything you guys have been wanting to know? Burning questions? About my designs, of course. I wouldn't be much help when it comes to Calculus or Astronomy. Or figuring out who was off-sides. But I do happen to know a bit about diapers, Legos, and how to throw a spiral, so questions about those subjects are admissible, too. I'm out for now!

Trick-or-Treat in Paper

I love this Made by Joel Halloween project! So clever and cute. I'm definitely going to try and make one of these with my boys. I think they'll love it too. And probably add some "interesting" characters to the mix. Check out the full tutorial with download here.

Florida

If this doesn't scream "Old Florida" [what with the golf clubs, fishing poles, palm tree and old window], then I don't know what does. Last weekend, I took a little jaunt with some friends to Micanopy, my favorite close-by getaway. I picked up some vintage Pyrex dishes with little Amish people on them, too [my too kind and generous friend actually secretly paid for them for me for my birthday while I was checking out some old matchbooks].





They go nicely with my 1960s countertops, no? Countertops that I don't think I could ever bring myself to replace. Even with my soft spot for marble. You just can't buy gold flecked ones anymore!

International Goodies Swap

After I wrote this post on the DIY printed masking tape, Sophie-Charlotte at French Home Made contacted me about a swap she's been putting together. You can read all about it right here, but essentially, each American participant is paired with a French Participant and you exchange supplies/paper/DIY items from your part of the world. Neat, eh? I thought so. It took me right back to the happy pen pal days of elementary school. Here's what I sent off today:



Can't wait to see what lands in my own mailbox!

The Trendys

It was a happy mail day a couple weeks ago when I found out my design The Perfect Match was a top ten finalist for The Trendys awards!



The news is happy, yes, but the thing I liked most about the package was that it was sent all the way from Hong Kong. How great are those stamps?



Thanks, Natasha, for sending this my way!

Labels.

From the ones Anthropologie fancies.

M's 2nd Birthday Party

We had a small get together to celebrate M's birthday two weekends ago. Since she's our only child who hasn't lived in a big city, I decided to have a city party for her. We built a little city house complete with graffiti on the side walls.





For the favors, I found these little taxis in the clearance section of Target after last Easter. They are kind of what started the whole theme. And no party table is complete without a pair of stuffed nunchucks.



For the invitations, I wanted something distinctly Boston since that's where we had lived, so M took over the famous Citgo sign with her sweet smiling face.



We had brunch and a donut cake that she wasn't so happy about at first.



And she was still super serious while we were opening presents...



...until she opened up a dress. Her first outfit was tossed to the side, and with the new dress came a liking of donuts. Happy times are here again!



And by the end of the party, she was down to her diaper cover.



Which I guess is how most good parties should end, right?!

PS: See those blue chairs? That look a little worse for wear? They are now on their way to Atlanta to be recovered -- I cannot wait!!

Downtown

We hit downtown last Friday...



...for a friend's art show...



...that was amazing. I'll give you one guess who designed that poster. About halfway through the night, I started envying Reggie's shoes...



...I chose style over comfort, and was regretting it.



So much so that I was sitting down on the ground. The gross downtown pavement. I don't even want to think about what has been there. But I was desperate.

Bonus of the night: when the Hares joined the buskers and rocked out:



Quite the distinguished buskers, I might add, with their little oriental rug.