Have a Very Happy New Year!

We made it another year!

I don't know about you, but I think this calls for a glass of champagne.

images via We Heart It
Have a very Happy New Year's celebration!
Be safe and don't forget to kiss someone you love.

Some BIG News

Last night, B and I celebrated our two year anniversary from the day we met. We celebrate this day because we haven't spent a day apart since.

If you were on Twitter last night, then you already know...
B asked me to marry him and I said yes!!!

Well, according to B, I didn't actually say "yes" for about a minute. I was completely caught off guard and in shock and stared, open mouthed at the ring. B had to prompt me a second time for my answer. He was so nervous.
Below is an awkward photo of me attempting to show off the gorgeous ring. It's taken from a weird angle and it makes me look like a teeny tiny person with a big head.

So, the ring is from the 1920's and it's a family heirloom. I'll be the fourth woman to wear it and I'm honored. We're so excited and very, very happy.
I've been beside myself wanting to share this news with you.
xo,
Christina

Lilac Bedrooms

I think these lilac bedrooms, from the November 09' issue of Living Etc., are wonderfully sweet and feminine. B would never stand for a purple bedroom, but I think this color offers a romantic, calming quality, especially when paired with grey.

photos scanned from Living Etc.
So serene...I just want to fall into that first bed and stay there all week long.

The Voice Project

I don't post a lot of videos on this blog as I realize that watching them is quite time consuming and the average blog reader spends about 5 seconds on each blog, but if you do have time today, these are definitely worth watching. First posted on Paste Magazine's site, these immediately grabbed my attention and they tell a story of true forgiveness and the power of music in all cultures.
The voice project:

Voice Project Intro from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

"Home" in Gulu from The Voice Project on Vimeo.

This is the original song by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. The band performed this song in Uganda after "they raised the money to help the Gulu Widows Group of Uganda start a farm to sustain their community."


Makes you want to get up and dance doesn't it? See the original post here.

Free Time Means Reading Time

The couple of days following Christmas proved to be both hectic and relaxing. The chaos came when I decided to accompany B's mom and sister (two fervent bargain hunters and fashionistas in their own right) to an after Christmas sale at Banana Republic. The sale, being 50% off all sale items, proved to be too good for me to stay at home, vegging in front of the TV. Because this sale was SO good, every female in Atlanta flocked to the nearest BR, elbowed their way through crowds throwing cashmere sweaters around in search for the right size, and waited in line for at least an hour to experience the mind blowing discounts. Yes, I was there...yes, I thought I'd faint from the claustrophobia of it all, and yes I survived with just a few cuts and bruises (mentally, if you know what I mean). Nonetheless, I'm happy to be at home, away from the crowds and in the comfort of my new pj's which I plan on living in for the next week. What will I be doing with a week off you might ask? Besides working on listing new items in the shop, I have big plan to catch up on some overdo reading. Here's what's on my list:

The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollen

via here

Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

via here

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

via here
I can't think of a better way to spend my free time doing something I have so little time to do normally. I'm halfway through the first two books and I highly recommend them (with books like these I'm not worried about the end. I've learned so much from both books already, I'm sure my recommendation will stick when I'm finished).
Now it's your turn...any recommendations in case I finish my list?

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays lovelies!

via here


via here


via here


via here

I wish you a happy, joyous, and peaceful holiday season.
xo,
Christina

Smitten for Stationary

The stationary at i'm smitten has me, well...smitten. Tell me you saw that coming, right?

{all images via i'm smitten}

I might need to add these to my post-holiday wish list.

Holiday Inspiration Part 3

I'm working through Wednesday and although it's only Tuesday, it's proving to be a long week. It's hard to work when all you want to do is drink egg nog and play with new gifts. Speaking of gifts, I bought myself the Moleskin set I've been wanting for so long. They're even better in person and I am not above treating myself for the holidays!

Below are some more holiday images to get us in the mood:

via here seen on House of Turquoise


via here


via Design Sponge


via Hello Tiger


via here


via design dish
Previous holiday decor ideas can be found here.
~
Some quick housekeeping...
The shop will be closed starting tomorrow 12/23 and will reopen 12/28. I'll be adding lots of new designs and vintage pieces after my mini-vacation that I can't wait to share with you!
You can still enter to win two items from the shop over at Iva Messy.
Starting tomorrow, posting on the blog will be intermittent at best. As hard as it is for me to stay away from all of you, I think it's important that we all focus on our families and loved ones and take some time for ourselves. This is my 467th post in LESS than a year, which is a lot of blabbering! I definitely think a couple days off will do me well plus a small absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Although, truth be told, I'm certainly already plenty fond of you, dear reader.
xo,
Christina

Objects on Paper

I'd love to have an art wall filled with simple illustrations of objects like those found in Nan Lawson's shop.

Mimi's Glasses- Pen and Ink Illustration- 8x10 Print $14

A Dry Head Pen and Ink Illustration of Retro Fan 5x7 print $10


Royal Typewriter- Pen and Ink Illustration- 8x10 print $16


My Diana Camera-Pen and Ink Illustration- 8x10 print $16

via Nan Lawson Illustration
Charming, aren't they?

Monday Dressing

What could be better on a Monday then slipping into a glamorous dress, and although you may feel like a train ran you over, you look like a million bucks?

via here


via here


via here


via City Light Photography
For the record, I am wearing a dress today. This one in fact. Still working on feeling like a million bucks though...

Things that make you go "awwww"

If these photos by chotda don't make you go "awwwww" then you don't have a soul.







via chotda's photostream
I thought I'd never say this after raising Bella (the most hyperactive, eat anything, monstrosity of a dog EVER), but after seeing this, I may need a puppy in my life (anyone have a puppy I can play with?).

I'm thrilled to be "blog sitting" over at Our City Lights today. Please check out my post-holiday wish list here!

{have you entered my giveaway over at Iva Messy yet?}

Plate walls and a giveaway

It's almost time for the new year and along with a new year comes new obsessions. Until then though, I'm still enjoying these plate walls and I hope you are too. Find the plate wall archives here.

via here {recommended by The Cottage Cheese}


via decor8


via House Beautiful {seen on The Home Files}


via Skona Hem {seen on Lenorenevermore}


via deco fabulous {seen on The Cottage Cheese}
Now for the GIVEAWAY part I know you're all anxiously awaiting...
It's not on my blog today, but I am offering not one but TWO items from my shop!
The lovely Iva Messy is hosting the giveaway. If you aren't already a fan of her blog, you should be because she's awesome. Thanks Iva! Enter the giveaway here.

I hope you have the loveliest of lovely weekends.
xo,
Christina

Packages for lovers of illustration

Who doesn't love a good package (get your head out of the gutter, or wait, am I alone in the gutter?)

If you like illustration and design, you'll love Pika Packages.

December PikaPackage starting at $20


October PickPackage starting at $20


March '09 PikaPackage starting at $25

{all images via Pika Land}
Each package contains a variety of goodies including: a Pickland zine, a gocco thank you card, prints, notebooks, buttons, comics etc and you can choose different sized packages as well (oh, that it were always that easy).

What can I say? It's my color.

In fourth grade, my teacher (who happened to be my favorite in Elementary school) came up to me and, because I was wearing a red sweater that day, said, "Oh Christina, red IS your color. Remember that. Red is your color."

I haven't forgotten the words of this kind woman, but I have ignored her advice for some time. Occasionally though, I'll wear something red and receive echos of that first affirmation: red is my color.
In case you're shy about the color red, you need not be. Once you put it on, whether it be as an accessory, a slinky red dress, or bold red lipstick you transform into something sexier, classier, and more confident. Or not.
I've gathered some inspirational images as well as some affordable products to get us in the mood...

via here

The perfectly frilly, feminine dress with a sexy back.
class act $52

via Shopcuffs


via here

Wear red tights under a conservative shift and you have instant ooomph.
Asos 80 Denier Opaque Red Tights $10.20

via Asos


via here

Make rainy days a little more fun with tall red rain boots.
Chinese Laundry Bog $60

via Piperlime


via here

A perfectly simple heel is transformed into the work shoe with attitude.
BDG Suede Pumps $48 (currently on back order)

via UO
We all have a color. It doesn't have to be our favorite, but it's the one that compliments our skin and hair and the one that essentially makes you come "alive" to those who see you.
Mt fourth grade teacher prophesied early about what mine would be and she was right.
I'd love to know...what's your color?