The Heads of State

I spied these posters by The Heads of State at High Street Market and knew you all would appreciate them.  Aren’t they vibrant and fun? I love the art deco feel. These would be perfect in my study. I think the colors will pop amid the creamy white back ground. What do you think?  I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they’ll create these posters for cities and famous landmarks worldwide. Click here to order your limited edition screen prints. Their full store is coming soon and I can hardly wait to see what goodies they’ll have.

Vintage Wire Baskets

I’ve had these metal industrial crates since college.  They’re a bit shabby but  I could never throw them out. They’ve been so useful through the years and I’ve always been fond of the industrial chic style. Instead of being an obscure storage bin in the garage or car, they now take center stage inside my home. Vintage wire baskets are a decorative way to store just about anything.  I use them to house our extra blankets and pillows in the living room.

If you’re not a fan of wire baskets, you will be!

You’ll love Mothology, and not just for their wire baskets.

These beauties are from Hudson Goods.

I LOVE White Flower Farmhouse. Check out their Locker Baskets.

There ‘s also Etsy! NeatoKeen offers other vintage goodies.

These colored baskets from Stacia Maria would be great in a child’s room.

Plantable Valentine Cards

Girl In Gear Studio has the best Valentines cards I’ve seen. They’re plantable cards!  What exactly is a plantable card? Here’s Stacie’s explanation.

“Give your sweetheart a paper valentine – and a valentine bouquet – all in one! Our interactive plantable valentine card is both a sweet note and a wildflower bouquet.Our original design is printed on fine vellum, which is sewn carefully onto seed-embedded cardstock. The vellum greeting can be removed and saved, while the backing may be planted as a lasting reminder of your love. Each valentine comes with a recycled kraft envelope that is elegantly printed with our original heart design.  Instructions for planting are included with each valentine.”

You can buy one for your Sweetheart and they also come in 20 pack minis.  So cute I can’t even stand it!

Lovely Measuring Cups

Needed to have cookies for a gathering.   I baked after the kids went to bed. It was late!  But was I upset? Nope. I was actually looking forward to it so I can use my blue Nigella Lawson Ceramic Measuring Cups. They’re just so adorable it made my late night baking fun.  I know they’re not for everyday use but it’s nice to have little lovely things in the kitchen.  I found other lovely cups I thought you’d enjoy.

Nigella’s measuring cups come in different colors.

Anthropologie not only sells clothes I adore, but they have kitchen gadgets too.  These Florist cups are sweet.

Puffer Bird Measuring Cup, also from Anthroplogie.

Izmir Measuring Cups from Anthropologie.

Don’t leave the kids out.  They’ll appreciate these mouse measuring cups by Kuhn Rikon.

These Russian Doll measuring cups stack on one another for easy storage.

Last Minute New Year's Eve Party Ideas

Thought I’d post some New Year’s party ideas for those of you throwing a bash at your home.  If you’re an organized person, chances are you’ve got your stuff together and your decorations are already prepared.  You can go ahead and skip this post. But for the rest of us who sometimes do things last minutes, here are some pretty doable- easy to put together in a jiffy- party ideas. Click on the photos for more info and instructions to recreate .

Toast the new year with these homemade champagne flutes. They double as a party favor.

If kids are invited,  don’t forget to include kid friendly snacks and fun hats!

These crepe paper balls include hidden fortunes and predictions.  Oooooh….

Martha Stewart (her creative staff?)  is so clever.  No wonder she’s a gazillionaire! The numbers on these champagne flutes are self adhesive numbers you can find at office supply or craft store!

Another simple yet lovely idea from Martha. You don’t have to work very hard to do this one

This is adorable-writing new year wishes and placing them in these homemade boxes made from left over Christmas packages. But when I read the instructions, it was just too much hassle.  Thanks Southern Living, but I don’t like to work that hard. If you have time to do this, I’m jealous. Will you share photos of how yours worked out?

Rachel Ray’s entertaining idea-a bunch of white gourds.  Lots of them together would look lovely but I was trying to think of where the heck I can find gourds this time of year.  Does anyone know where to get gourds? I don’t recall ever seeing them at Michael’s.  If you can find them and create this look, please send me photos.

Before you put your Christmas lights away,  you can use them for your New Year’s Eve party.

My First Give Away!!

I found the perfect calendar for my office. Isn’t it pretty?  It’s from Etsy shop Girl In Gear Studio. I needed something that can sit in front of me when I’m on the computer; something to glance at for a quick date check without having to click on the desktop; something I didn’t have to hang with a tack.  This calendar was exactly what I had in mind.  It  comes with a jewel case that doubles as a stand!  I love that it’s different,  compact and I’m also loving the lovely colors and designs.   You want one too?  Guess what?! Stacie, the designer and shop owner of Girl in Gear Studio, was so kind to contribute and be a part of something so momentous for Smallburst-our first giveaway! This is so exciting!   Please pay Stacie’s shop  a visit.  You’ll find other calendars and cards which Stacie designed herself.  While you’re at it, check out her photography which you can also purchase.   Thanks, Stacie!

Okay, so for the giveaway all you have to do is share your new year’s resolution by leaving a comment. One winner will receive a calendar similar to the one pictured above. The drawing will be on December 31st.  I’ll contact the winner via the e-mail your comment is associated with.

Here are my resolutions: lose weight ( this makes it every year), lay off the computer (I’m an addict!), be more patient (especially when the kids are out of control ).

All comments must be submitted by December 30th.  GOOD LUCK!

**************just got an e-mail regarding where to comment.  If you’re on this post via the home page,  look at the top right corner of this post next to the date. See the word bubble? Now click on the number next to it.  Thanks!********************

Christmas Card Holder

It’s December 1st  so Christmas cards will soon be making their way to your home.  We get quite a bit of cards so I’m trying to find a way to display them all since most are photo cards of family and friends.   There are some great X-mas card displays out there-homemade and store bought.

If you have time, the following look easy enough to make. Click on the image for a tutorial.

Pottery Barn offers a few very stylish card holders

Place cards around a dooway, window or on a bannister with Hang-Ups By Design.  Doesn’t have much charm but it gets the job done.

Mason jars, Ball jars, jelly jars, oh my

Who knew these canning jars can be so versatile.

Now you can store your loose buttons in one place-from The Cherry Stem

This repurposed jelly jar is just too cute.   Midwest Find turns plain old jelly and mason jars into unique soap or lotion dispensers. Gotta get one for the kitchen!

I must have these.   This is from One Gift One World. These bottles have a bit of moss, conifer and it’s also pine scented.  If you’re going the artificial Christmas tree route this year,  this ornament will make sure you’re not going to do without that fresh pine smell.

How creative! A mason jar bird feeder from Black Crow Forge.

From this…

To This!  Get your hanging mason jars at  The Cherry Grove.

Here are some gorgeous vintage pink mason jars from Pretty Darn Cute.   What would you do with these?

Funky Lunch

Get a load of these very creative sandwiches by Funky Lunch.  They may look too good to eat.   Very fun foods for kids and adults. Great for theme parties, don’t you think?   Check out the rest of their creations in their gallery. They’re trying to generate enough interest to launch a recipe book so check them out.

Shark Teeth Hunting

For the last hoorah of the summer, my family decided on a day trip to the beach.  I found this great beach where you can hunt for fossilized shark  teeth from the Miocene Epoch.  Just an hour drive from our house is Calvert County, Md which is located along the Chesapeake Bay.   Although we only found a few small teeth, fossil hunting was really, really  fun.  We’ll definitely have to do this again at another nearby beach. Our goal is to have a collection to fill a jar.  You know, I may be more into this than my kids!  

Here are locations where you can start your fossilized shark teeth collection. Maybe there’s one in your neck of the woods.

UPDATE: 

This site give more locations.  Check it out and plan for your next outing.