The Latest from Amy Butler

I am really needing a new laptop bag for my computer and I've been waiting to find something a little different and more stylish than most of the stuff out there. Well, my wait is over. I just spotted some of Amy Butler's newest designs on the decor8 blog and I'm in love. The patterns...the colors...genius! I am definitely buying one of the laptop bags, and I think I may have to ask Santa for one of the travel bags, too. LOVE!
Images copyright Amy Butler Designs

Another hit from scissors.paper.cake

Here is another party from scissors. paper.cake...isn't it perfectly beautiful? I just love the apple red color paired with the powder blue...unexpected and wonderful! Ladies...you rock!

Yummy Parties

I love these amazing party pics that I found from the new talented Australian team called scissors.paper.cake. When I think of the phrase 'eye candy', other than a gorgeous guy:), this is what comes to mind. Don't you just love the sushi?!

Feeling Festive

Pictured clockwise from the top: Christmas in the City invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd, Ribbon Champagne Flutes from Real Simple Celebrations, Winter Holidays invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd, Chocolate Cupcakes with Gingerbread Toppers from Martha Stewart Holiday Sweets, Merry Stripes invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd and Paper Angel Name Places from Cox and Cox.

Cuckoo for Zoku!

I'm thinking that the Zoku Quick Pop Maker looks like a fun gift for the whole family this holiday season. Watch this video and see what you think. It looks like instant gratification to me... can't wait to try it! Available at Williams Sonoma for $49.95 - $79.95.

Annie

My daughter Annie is featured on the local news today. She's talking about her jewelry and hair accessories business where a portion of her profits are given to St. Jude's Research Hospital in Memphis. Click here to watch the video. Have a great weekend!

Oh Nuts!

One of my favorite Christmas memories as a child was when my family would visit the home of the Metz's. Every year it was their family tradition to sit down together and fill what seemed to be hundreds of walnuts with treasures and hang them on the Christmas tree. When their family and friends would visit during the holiday season, each person would choose a nut from the tree, crack it and see what they got. Is that fun or what? I don't even have to tell you how magical it was and how much we looked forward to our visit at their home. Their walnuts were simple with looped red yarn hanging from each. I have since embraced this tradition. Some years I keep them simple and others I spray paint them in silver or gold. This year I decided on plain walnuts with natural twine and finished with a little red and white gingham knot. Inside they are filled with gold coins, fifty-cent pieces, a few pretty postage stamps, tootsie rolls and even some folded money. The winning walnut has a ten dollar bill! You could fill them with sweet holiday messages. It doesn't have to be money and you don't necessarily have to hang them from a Christmas tree either. You can hang them from a wintery branch that you use as a centerpiece on your table. You can really get creative with this. For many years I would decorate a tiny little topiary and use it as the centerpiece at our annual holiday party at the office. It was fun to have a nice lunch together and then pass the nutcracker around the table and see who got the treasured walnut. So on behalf of the wonderful Metz family, I give you their fun tradtion which I have enjoyed for many many years.

Gettin' Crafty

In my December 2009 issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine, two projects relly stood out for me. We'll see if I get a chance to do either one of them... I hope so! The entire magazine is just full of terrific holiday ideas as always... but here are my absolute faves. Directions on the decorative candles can be found here and the pinecone elves here.

Ferm Living

I love to find new online stores with quirky and cute unique items, and I just found a new one...Ferm Living. Here are some of my favorites...

Clockwise from top left: Bindweed Wallpaper, Keys Wall Sticker, Velo Tea Towel, Peacock and Fern Silk Pillows

Pottery Barn Kids

Here are four cute items I saw in Pottery Barn Kids recently.

Thanksgiving table cloth, plates, tumblers and garland. Cuteness!

Ribbon Candy

Is there anything prettier than ribbon candy? Just a simple bowl full of ribbon candy and you've got an instant holiday decoration right there... one that would make any child's eyes light up for sure! (image via jordanferney.blogspot.com)

Festive Wall Art

Love this big removable wall appliqué for instant holiday decor. This baroque tree by Nouvelles Images is available for $30.00 from cambria cove.

G'day, mates!

Addie just wants to say hi!

annie b boutique

Here are a few of Annie's jewelry and hairclips from annie b boutique. These make great little stocking stuffers!

Visions of Sugarplums

I haven't tried to make any of these gumdrop pops or candy snails and mushrooms before so I don't know anything about them except that they are so darn cute! I hope that I get a chance to sit down with my children and make some of these little decorations because these are the little details that you remember. These gumdrop figures are what dreams are made of! Isn't this what they mean when they talk about visions of sugarplums... something sugar-sprinkled and wonderful like these little guys? I must make time to create a few before the holidays... should be a fun project for all!

Stacy Claire Boyd Notepads

I took a pic of some of our newly designed notepads that I'll be passing out this year for Holiday presents to friends and family. I LOVE the size of these new notepads...8.5" x 5.5"...perfect for jotting lots of notes in a pretty way. I wrapped mine up in a chocolate brown grosgrain ribbon with one of my favorite pens attached. These notepads come with envelopes and are a great way to send a personalized note in a budget friendly way...they're only $40 for a 100 sheet notepad with 100 envelopes...a perfect gift for them, and you!

Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving is right around the corner! Here are a few nice things to whet your appetite. Featured clockwise top to bottom is a fun Thanksgiving invitation from Stacy Claire Boyd, Perfect Roast Turkey from Martha Stewart, Maple Leaf Syrup Favors from Favor Affair and Quick Placecard from Martha Stewart. Enjoy!

Kid Stuff

Here are some cute ideas for holiday gift giving...

Above: Playshapes from Miller Goodman

Above: Personalized towels from Charlie Lewis

Adorable handmade lambswool scarf, hats and "Monty" the fox created by Sara Carr on etsy.

Turkey Day Decorations

Kid's handmade art is always the very best decoration to make any Thanksgiving Day table more special. Here are a few cute ideas that I found at Parents.com and FamilyFun.com.

Clockwise from top left: Thankful Turkey Center Piece, Painted Rock Place Card, Thanksgiving Banner, Turkey Table Topper, Technicolor Acorns, Painted Rock Place Card

I am crazy for this gigantic bird's nest. If I had one of these I'd put it smack dab in the center of my kid's playroom, turn the lights down low, put on a feel-good kid move, throw my little birdies in the nest with a bowl of gummy worms and let them doze off safely in their big nest!

How cool!

hellohanna.com

I love these "get set" placemats from hellohanna.com...so whimsical and fun...it's like playing with colorforms while you eat. I'm going to order some of these for my daughter's birthday party...won't the girls love to decorate them as they eat their pizza! They also have 2 other designs that are just as fun..."hello robot" and "hello jungle". Adorable!