Prettying Up the Standard Envelope

Jane Austen's writing desk

Handwriting things-- anything-- just makes things so much more personal. I'll be the first to admit that I find pounding out words on the keyboard a lot easier than putting pen to paper, but there's just something instantly endearing about seeing words transcribed in script. The writer gives the reader an idea of their unique style in a way that just seems more intimate than Times New Roman.

Meant to Be Calligraphy

So, I try to hand-write things as often as possible. The ladies of my life have taught me to always send handwritten thank you notes. And even though it's tedious, I still longhand my journal as well. Because going back and reading my own (albeit very illegible) script a week or a decade later is a little more thrilling that way.

I loved the ideas I found on lettergirl's blog. I mailed three cards this week and took a certain satisfaction knowing that amongst bills and catalogs, my recipients would find happy envelopes like this:

Flowers for the girls...

Stars for the boys

Metallic silver, gold, and white pens are great for colored envelopes

All this takes is a Bic pen and a steady hand!

Visit her Etsy store here: lettergirl on Etsy

Valentine's Day Goes Digital

 

Gone are the days when "e-card" meant animated bunny rabbits and midi music files that sounded like a kazoo.  

In this digital age, e-cards have gotten very stylish, and can be a great little way to let someone know you're thinking of them. I just ran across this post from Oh Joy! and had to share.

Kate Spade has a fabulous array of Valentine e-cards just waiting to spread love all across the Internet. It's called  

"BMINE- A Gallery of E-Valentines"  

and for real.... they are super cute.

Go ahead, get you some brownie points with your Honey: 
Find your perfect e-valentine here!

Move Over, Martha, We're Making Bread Dip & Labels

I'm always looking for a thoughtful yet budget-friendly gift for friends who host dinners or maybe just need a little "happy" added to their day.

Here's a great little suggestion: Make a bread dipping oil (YUM), put it in a Mason jar, and add these oh-so-cute labels. Most of the work has already been done!

Download and print the labels by clicking here.

(Don't forget the cute labels for the top of the jar!)

Here's your recipe:

 

This great little recipe comes from Chatelaine, and seen on the always lovely Giverslog.

Stupid Dog Tricks

This may be the most irrelevant post I've ever made, however I'm going to squeeze it into the theme of my blog by pointing out that the Manuel Canovas "Bengal" print mentioned in this post does make an appearance.


I am an avid dog lover, and am the proud owner of rescue shelties. One in particular has the most precious demeanor, and about a year after adopting him he became a certified animal therapy dog. He and I make regular visits to hospitals, nursing homes, and inner city schools where he is unfailingly the most well-behaved there.

But not at home.

I'll let the pictures do the talking. This evening I arrived home from the gym to see this:

Eerily similar to the scene back two weeks ago:

 

 

Really? My "good" dog, the Canine Good Citizen (truly... he has a patch from the AKC to prove it) has decided that it is great fun to roll the house. 

Somehow he manages to never break the roll, never eats or shreds it, and always stops just outside bathroom.

And with that, I'll close out this very random post.

Please Excuse the Mess.

I seem to have a real personality disorder when it comes to my blog. Some days I want it to be loaded with damask and flowing satin ribbon; other days I want it to be crisp and simple.

This post will be about 5 sentences long, however I've been working on it for three hours.  Because Sybil here decided she wanted a new font for the headers.

I need a cocktail.

In the meantime, check out these amazingly detailed instructions on how to change your header font.

'Tis Better to Give: My Top Gift Ideas for 2010

This Christmas I did a lot of shopping online. I wanted to give truly thoughtful gifts to people so I actually started my shopping early, and am pretty pleased with the results. My goals for holiday shopping this year were:

1. Stay cost-conscious, and;
2. Surprise the person receiving the gift with something they weren't expecting.

Here are my favorites from this year:

This is my 21st century version of putting a great picture in a frame as a gift (and who doesn't love that?). If you're a Mac user, you can do this from your own computer; if not, you can still use great services like Shutterfly to do something very similar.

I did a lot of creating via iPhoto. I am "that girl" with a camera and as a result have over 8,000 photos in my library. I have so many great shots that there's too many to frame, so I decided to do the next best thing. Books can be made hardcover, softcover, or bound. I chose hardcover, with 25 pages, which totaled about $30 with shipping. I create it, then click "buy," and just wait for my new publication in the mail!

I made a book, like this, for my boyfriend. It chronicles our relationship and includes inside jokes at the bottom-- a little high-school yearbook, I know, but the template is so classy it helps out a bit. (And, um, no. He doesn't visit my blog. Ever.)

And a calendar for my Dad. It had a "pets" theme because our  elderly corgi passed away this year and I wanted to memorialize him and all our other critters in a way that would make my dad smile. Every month has a quote at the bottom related to dogs. This was about $25 to create and purchase.

Ah, Etsy. How do I love thee? This is where the real shopping occurred. And I have been so happy with what I found. The sellers have all been amazing, everything arrived just days after purchasing and many of the sellers contacted me directly to customize my order to just my specifications.

One good way to start is with the  "Pounce" feature:

 

You can find vintage items-- like these antique cardinal bookends I found from a little store in Oregon for my aunt, for $20. This seller is BDVintage, and their shop had all kinds of great, eclectic finds. 

And of course, there's always great handmade jewelry. As featured in my previous post, this talented girl just opened her store and I've ordered from her twice! She even included cute little gift tags for me as a thank you, which I thought was a great touch. Thank you to seller studioro!

Speaking of jewelry, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention my dog's new bling. Yes... dog. Bling.

Here's a modeling shot courtesy of my pup, Presley

My friends have gone crazy over his new "Call My People" Pet ID tag (he got to open it before Christmas). How can you not love that?! I just placed another order from this seller for gifts. Customized, beautiful, and under $20!  The Happy Chihuahua

 

There was literally something for everyone at Savor's shop. For $15, I got my mom and aunts some absolutely scrumptious handmade soap gift sets. They came packaged with a handmade soap holder and tied with a chic black bow:

This shop's owner is a total sweetheart who even refunds shipping if you pay more than the actual cost. Besides the great gift sets, Savor also offers whipped soaps (one is called Joie de Vivre!), creme scrubs in scents like Red Velvet Cake and Winter Grapefruit, and even has an unscented line for babies/sensitive skin. The hardest part about ordering here was choosing scents. (I should add here that, as a former Laura Mercier employee who was addicted to Creme Brulee products, these are better... and a fraction of the price.) 

At around $5 a bar, it's a great deal-- the soaps are lovely to look at, generous in size, and total indulgences!

Happy Shopping... and Merry Christmas!

The Barefoot Contessa Brings Good Tidings for the Tummy

 

Ah, the Barefoot Contessa. I have already professed my love for you, stemming from one of my best friend's love for you. Admittedly, my dear N is still much more on the road to becoming the next BC than I am, but that doesn't make my admiration and desire to, well... be you... any less.

Today's episode featured "Festive Fun."

And all that really needs to be said as to why this particular episode grabbed my attention is the menu:

It's festive fun with the Barefoot Contessa who is throwing a dazzling holiday dinner party for friends. A luxurious Seafood Gratin of lobster, halibut and plump pink shrimp in a golden saffron sauce is served. To follow, there's a creamy Pumpkin Mousse then spicy Mulled Wine and festive s'mores stuffed with French Chocolate Bark round a burning brazier in the garden.

I have a particular affinity for mulled wine, as I first tried it on a cold, cozy night in Scotland while living there for a year. The house smelled like cinnamon and the wine was warm and oh so yummy.







As a little (ahem, HUGE) sidenote: When I sent a text to N telling her how fabulous the holiday BC episode was... THIS is what she sent me back.

That would be N, talking to the Barefoot Contessa! 

I wasn't there, but apparently this was the exchange:

N: "Basically, Barefoot Contessa... I love you."

Barefoot Contessa: "I hope you like the new book."

I love you too, BC!!!!