I have gone to heaven

And I was looking at Lonny Magazine! I just found this great publication that only puts out an online copy. I do love to have a magazine in my hands to admire the great images, but this magazine is so cool I can put that need aside. I have been on a internet adventure this morning following the links they provide over almost every image. This easy access could be bad news for me :) I'm still investigating how you can subscribe. Stay tuned for that. Here's where you can find it: http://www.lonnymag.com/

Here are some teaser images...

Neck Garland

Happy Holidays! Since Christmas is over some of you might start taking down your tree. Not me- one year I left it up until March! For those of you who weren't ready for it to be over and are suffering a little holiday withdrawl, create your own garland with these necklaces from Anthropologie...

Golden Festoon Necklace

Stormy Sea Necklace

Silken Fringe Bib

Allamanda Necklace

From O'Keeffe Necklace

Creative gift wrapping ideas

Compliments of Martha Stewart... (again)
Blow up a calendar on your copier and circle the special day

Print on copy paper and wrap with a bright bow!

Paint chips make a creative gift tag...

Use newsprint as wrapping paper and complete with a fun ribbon.

Myko's first Stocking!

This weekend we did our gift exchange and myko enjoyed her first stocking full of treats!

Fluttering greetings

These 3-D greeting cards by Ruby Recycled are so great!

smart packaging

Love it! Quirky convenience in a cup :)

Etsy for him

I never thought about shopping for the man in my life at etsy, but I found some great options today!

For the social drinker: English Leather Bottle from Hardwick Housewares Leather shop

For the collector: Vintage 40s-50s Classic Reidell Leather Roller Skates from the Vintage Supply co.

For the musician: Sterling guitar pick cufflinks by Silver Made Studio

Little Houses on Etsy

I'm LOVING this cowl neck sweater by Little House. I am so drawn to clothing that combines style with comfort. The neck on this is almost architectural with the big buttons and shapes it creates. Her page is amazing- check it out!

Sinching Style

Etsy featured this great seller today called fullgive leather! They use reclaimed materials- mixing the old and new for a funky, eclectic design. They also do wallets, bracelets and bags but I was blown away by the destructive quality of these authentic leather belts!

the dirty BLONDE belt.

hooner MAC in white.

the cherry bomb.

the willy.

It's Winter!

And cold, cold, cold in Chicago. You know it's going to be a bitter midwest weather day when the second you walk outside, your nose hairs freeze! And then I realized it was a mere 4 degrees when I got in the car. Frigid! I just want to go home and curl up in this throw from anthropologie... (Although we will be skiing soon, so I guess I can't complain!)

My Dream House

I LOVE the craftsman style of this house. The black iron trim around the windows and a matching trim on the roof with amazing barn doors at the garage entrance are so rich. Their is so much character here and really leaves you with so many options for the decor inside. I would use a mix of old and new to bring in the craftsman style and still keep it clean and simple. There is not a day that goes by that I don't bring up "building my own house" someday. Hopefully we are fortunate enough to be able to do that. Speaking of being fortunate- don't forget about Dave, Dustan and Dylan's company- www.planetbulbstore.com for all your lighting needs!!! You don't want to be opening gifts in the dark on Christmas morning :)

One legal apartment; 2,965,000 three stories, balconies, and parking spaces; three point five bathrooms; four bedrooms. (Of course, mine would not have that price tag on it!) geez!

This is the before shot! 815 Alvarado in 1997 when listed as a 688 square foot one-bedroom with one car parking and sold for $325,000:

Wowed by Architecture

I was just parusing the "world wide web" and found this amazing architecture image. Again- my love of mixing concrete and wood prevails. But how cool is this?!

Natural and doable Decor'

If you are like me and are just starting to accumulate your Christmas decor, here are some ideas compliments of my "best friend" Martha Stewart! Or freshen up your traditional decorations with some of these to add a new twist.

Above: An idea for a newel post (or your front door): Take several lengths of heavy-gauge wire, knot one end of each, and string through a clementine and a jingle bell (your hands may get a bit sticky). Twist all the wires into a cluster and secure with a large bow.

Above: Lush greenery draped around the house, especially doorways, creates an inviting atmosphere and a woodsy aroma.

Above: Instead of the traditional evergreen, try a homemade wreath of citrus fruits. Start with a circular piece of florist’s foam, then use wooden florist’s picks to secure large items, such as oranges, first. Continue with smaller fruit―kumquats, clementines, limes. Tie with a thick velvet ribbon.

Above: Use wooden quilting hoops to create a mobile that floats over a table like a weightless chandelier. Turn the inner ring 180 degrees and wood-glue it to the outer ring at the top. Choose various sizes and hang the spheres at different lengths with clear fishing line and thumbtacks.

This is so me!

The Scart Trick Sweater @ Anthropologie features a built in scarf- hello! It couldn't be more made for me. I love how they pair this fun green and pale pink scarf with the simple knit fabric .

Reclaimed wood & concrete

This is just anther image showing my love of reclaimed wood and concrete together. The slatted wood is very natural but has a modern feel with the rhythm it creates.

Common Mother Nature!

We need some snow :( Although it has been nice to relax over the Thanksgiving holiday, it would have been much more exciting to be on the slopes! But the free time did give me time to find this GREAT jacket that would look amazing with my new brown bargain ski pants I got at the sample sale this summer. If my husband catches on to the hints I've been dropping, maybe I will be rocking the slopes in my new Patagonia Women's Powder Bowl Jacket!

It's Tree Time! The Holiday Season Has Begun.

Last year, we braved putting up a Christmas tree in our small 850 sq. ft. apartment. After my husband left the tree laying on the ground w/out water all day, I had to clean up all of the needles that had scattered from the tree fitting through the small front door. I was a little worried how this was going to turn out. After nursing the tree with water and tying the tree up to a door to compensate for the $6 tree stand (again my husband's crafty idea) the tree turned out great and we enjoyed our first holiday season as a married couple :) Had the situation not turned around, I would be looking at creating one of these pieces of art on my wall. Deck the walls!

Hang decorations directly on the wall in a tree shape to create a crafty holiday centerpiece.
String hung on the wall acts as makeshift tree limbs to hang decorations on!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Letterpress Class

I am super excited- my Letterpress II class starts next week at Evanston Print and Paper! Just doing a little drooling...

Feeling the Domino effect

Those of you who were blessed to read or look at a Domino magazine while it was in print know how amazing it was! I found some of their magazine shots on flickr...

I LOVE the mixing of blues and greens in this shot. The dark color is Benjamin Moore- "Soot"

Again, the mixing of Blues is so calming.

Check out the old beat up floors here. They have so much character!

My obsession with mustard pops up again!