Tollipop Door Hanger

Kristen from Tollipop sent a care package to my kids for Christmas. Because she's an incredibly kind sort of person. It was filled with handmade adorable-ness. An ornament. A doll. A necklace with interchangeable faces. A framed illustration. And a little door hanger.




Everything is truly beautiful, but I think the door hanger is my favorite. I borrowed it from the kids and now it greets me at the entrance to my bedroom. The velvet ribbon. The pretty print on the reverse. The stitching detail in the little sweater. Too wonderful for words.

Here are more photos of the adorable-ness. The necklace is also a huge hit — I wore it at Alt Summit and received all sorts of compliments. And Betty has attached herself to the doll. Of course.






Isn't it wonderful to send and receive pretty things in the mail? I want to send a little door hanger to everyone I know.

Leap Design

Such a funny snowy day her in Colorado. The kids had a delayed school start so it was a lazy morning. I heart lazy mornings. But they'll be home any minute — it's time for me to get the fire started and warm up some hot cocoa to greet them. In the meantime, here's something pretty:




My dear friend and business partner, Laurie Smithwick owns a graphic design company with her husband Bob, called Leap Design. They recently re-designed their website and it is freaking awesome. If you are looking for a design team for print or web (Laurie does design, Bob does programming), you should for sure give them a whistle. You will love working with them.

The photos are of Laurie & Bob's wedding invitations. The wedding took place at a summer camp. So fabulous! Lots more pics in the portfolio section of their website.

Oh. And don't miss: I just posted more stories about pregnancy and growing families below.

Big Orange Balloon

I'm dying over Tracey Clark's image of the prettiest balloon ever posted on Shutter Sisters. How dreamy would it be to see this in person?

Rune Guneriussen

Gorgeous photos by Rune Guneriussen. This snowy globe one is outstanding. I haven't tried to find any deeper meaning in it, but I can't stop looking at it. So I'm pretty sure it's trying to tell me something.

Thanks for the link, Lauren.

Urubbu Fine Greeting Cards

Wow. I felt like I had happened upon some really cool person's secret stash when I clicked over to Urubbu. Check out their incredible greeting card designs. So handsome. I almost don't want to share.

Twig & Thistle Blog

This morning, on new-to-me blog Twig and Thistle (it's a great one!), I saw two pretty things I wanted to share:

A calendar/book designed by Yoshie Watanabe — with real ribbon worked into each illustration. So beautiful. It's no longer in print, but if anyone finds a source on an existing copy, please let me know. I would love to own one.



And these yummy stamps showcasing Mexican imports. See more examples from the series on the Twig and Thistle post.

Product Display

Please Sir had an excellent post the other day (with lots of pretty pictures) on product display. Whenever I see beautiful shop display, it makes me crave owning a picturesque little store. I have no idea what I would sell, but it would be fun to make it pretty.

Thank you Notes

If I'm going to be writing really good thank you notes in 2009, I'll need to start with really good stationery. Like these sweet, simple Hello cards from Sarah Jane.

Baby's Breath

Spotted on kirtsy. This blog post featuring photos of Baby's Breath is beautiful. So simple and so winter-y. I especially heart the bouquet.

Mini Cake Stand

I know it's sold out, but I'm still coveting this little Scallop Cupcake Stand from Whitney Smith Pottery. Dear Whitney, please make more. Thank you.

Found via Say Yes.

Zena Hollaway

Spotted on kirtsy. Gorgeous underwater photos by Zena Hollaway featured on Daucus Carota. Completely awe-inspiring. I just love that someone's brain thinks like this.

Sycamore Street

Say Hello to Sycamore Street Press. If you try to find something they've produced that you don't like, you won't succeed. For it is all beautiful. Beautiful! I love holding a prettily printed something in my hand.

Smock

Based in Syracuse, NY and printing on sustainable papers, I am loving the collection of wedding and social stationery offered by Smock. Great details. Lined envelopes (which always make me happy). And look how the very charming fill-in-the-blank invitations become extra-super-charming with the help of a good calligrapher:

Hand-Painted Ribbon

I don't know if you've been watching, but it's been extra-fantastic at Kirtsy this week. I've bookmarked like 30 different links I want to share with you or remember for some future project. You can find the top links this week by clicking here.



In fact, here's one that I found like 2 minutes ago: hand-painted ribbon at LeiLiLaLoo's Etsy shop. I'm going to be happy all weekend just because I know this exists.

Pretty File Folders

I use file folders all the time. All. The. Time. And I love it when I come upon pretty ones. Audrey of Bright White Design just sent me a link to these. Pretty plus 100% recycled. 12 folders in 6 designs for $16.50. Nice.



And can I just say here that I can't wait(!) to take the kids shopping for school supplies!!!!

Garden Party

Jordan taught me that if you're looking for pretty party ideas, wedding magazines are one of the best resources. She's brilliant like that. In the current issue of Wedding Style Guide there is a story on a Garden Party Bridal Shower that made my heart go pitty pat. I'd love to throw the same party — not as a bridal shower — but just as an excuse for the ladies to lunch.




I love the tagged canning jars ready to host fresh flowers that the guests arrange themselves. I love the hearty sandwiches served on sheets of brown paper. Lots of lovely details. Bonus: you can even get free downloads for the party stationery — invitations, hang tags and signs — so that you can throw a party just as pretty as theirs.

And if you're not subscribing to this Australia-based magazine, you might want to do so. Wedding Style Guide is a treasure. Full of gorgeous photography and brilliant party and entertaining ideas.

Migros Had Me At Hello

Mr. Josh-with-the-flawless-eye sent me a link to this post featuring food packaging for a Swiss company called Migros. Gorgeous. And smart. Take a look.

via The Dieline.

Anyone up for some armchair traveling? — Guest Mom Allysha

I LOVE this photo blog, Portes et Fenetres (which is French for Doors and Windows). I stumbled across it while looking for pictures of France, where I lived for a year and a half. It is dedicated to photographs of interesting and lovely (you guessed it) doors and windows. The photographers, simply known as Guy fils, Julien, et Guy père (who, I'm guessing, are a father and his sons) capture some beautiful sites in France and abroad. I visit several times a week. It's an inexpensive way to travel.