Yo la tengo

Sorry for the general quietness around here...busy times, folks.

That's why I'm going to rewind and talk about stuff that happened almost a month ago! Santa got it all wrong this year and thought I was good enough to deserve some seriously awesome Christmas gifts. Here are some snaps of the shelf I really, really wanted.

I think it's doing an superb job of housing some of the crap I drag home on an almost-daily basis.

You can also see another jazzy gift peeking out of the corner of this picture.

My parents were so thoughtful and got me this wonderful mini tabletop photo studio thing that includes some great lights, a itsy-bitsy tripod, a light tent and an assortment of different colored backdrops. The cats are really enjoying naps in the light tent, but the tabletop lights alone have been worth it for photographing things for the shop. Such a sweet gift!

What I got for Christmas Solstice

Say what?

Yes, not X-marks-the-spot-day yet, but Marc and I did our little gift exchange this weekend since we will be traveling to several exotic Midwest locales this week. What's up, Louisville? Hat tip, Indianapolis.

On Saturday, accompanied by some Sufjan holiday jams and some hot spiced cider, we tore into some presents. All ribbons and bows were promptly placed on sleeping cats. Where they stayed in place for HOURS. We have LAZY cats.

So, you want to see what I got/gave?

We had a kind of wishy-washy budget of $50, but I think both of us went a teensy bit over...ah well. It worked in keeping things relatively low-key I think.

He got her:

A very pretty etched glass ornament I'd been fawning over just last weekend. Unlike the one pictured, mine is clear glass and prettier, but they don't seem to have it online.

Somebody reads the blog. I also received a very awesome 2010 rooster tea towel calendar from P.O.S.H. that is also not on their website. Sad face.

Loop candelabra, which is really a vote of confidence in my book. Marc is always afraid I'm going to burn the house down with candles, so this just gives me another chance to prove him wrong (fingers crossed). Also a great gift because I'd love to have three of this to link together, so he's all set for upcoming gifts.

Le Foret eco-keepsake notecards. Definitely needed and notecards he won't feel weird about using either.

I am a very lucky lady.

She got him:

Heather grey houndstooth cardigan. I was into the elbow patches. Plus, we all know how I'm feeling about h-tooth these days, right?

Plaid tie. Again, exact one isn't on the site, but there are options.

Set of custom M&A (mergers and acquisitions?) napkin rings, thanks to the awesome gift guides from Design Crisis. They're nautical and masculine, right?

The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles. Marc loves his bikes, and this book is full of gorgeous bike porn photography.

Plus one more little mystery present to come...

Happy Solstice, gang!

What's going on with you?

Stocking stalking

Our stockings are hung. And these pictures are pretty embarrassingly bad.

First off, an aside. The plants seem to be doing ok inside! My orchid is even throwing off a new flower spike, which I tried--and failed--to capture in this picture.

Stockings are so much fun because it's all about how stuffing something small but meaningful into a very limited space (that's what she said!). Last year, I found these Santa stockings that somebody's grandma had clearly lovingly handknit. They don't have our names on them, so just for a day, I'm Frank and Marc is Mary Anne. It keeps things spicy.



Shopping for stockings is maybe my favorite part of holiday prep. I can't really say what's going in Marc's because he reads this. I have, however, been in charge of my mom's stocking since I graduated college. I volunteered for the job, and I have a lot of fun doing it. Despite bookmarking this site on my mom's computer for her convenience, I'm pretty sure she doesn't read it. This means you can expect a lot of racy posts about drugs and sex and all sorts of things that drive her crazy. (Such as me eating food that has fallen on the floor, trying to open packaging with my teeth and improper folding techniques.)

ANYWAY, here's a list of a few things that might make fun stocking stuffers. Some of these are geared specifically toward my mom's stocking, and the others are just inexpensive, jazzy things I've ferreted away in my "Ideas" "I am an inveterate consumer magpie" folder:

1. Earring backs. I actually received these in my stocking one year. I tend to misplace these faster than I used to lose Barbie shoes when I was a kid. Super handy and it means you don't have to cannibalize your other earrings that actually came with backs, which I'm back to doing now that I've lost all my spares.

2. Clear hair ties. Just a personal preference here. Clear, inconspicuous and strong. They're like the vodka of hair accessories.

3. Nutella. Tasty and something I'd never buy for myself but would consume in about a week.

4. Silver polish. Just get the toothpaste size. Even if you don't have much silver, it will come in handy for shining up jewelry and lots of other metal that happens to be around the house. You have to keep your meat cleaver nice and pretty now, you know?

5. Cheese knife or some sort of serving piece. IMO, It's nice to put something a bit fancy you're going to keep and use in a stocking. If you do it one piece at a time, you're not going to break the bank, but you're going to help the giftee build up a nice collection of serving pieces. Vintage is an awesome way to go on this one too.

6. Bicycle bell. More practical than you'd think if you know someone who rides a bike. Imagine driving a car with no horn....

7. Vintage masking tape. Just pretty and frivolous. To make up for the bell, I guess.

8. Tillandsia. Would look nice peeking out of the top of the stocking. My mom is obsessed with these, but her giant scary Maine Coon cats (she has three and they're terrifying) keep eating them.

9. Pistachios. These and cheap red wine are like crack for my mom.

10. Stationary. For writing your thank-you notes, of course!

If all else fails, just stuff a big bottle of wine in the stocking. I don't think you'd hear many complaints about that.

Get behind me Santa

In terms of being greedy, I am most definitely on the naughty list. Whenever I seem to ask anyone I know what he or she wants for Christmas, I get a bunch of hemming and hawing nonsense: "Oh, I don't know...there's not really anything I need. I haven't even really thought about it at all. Can I get back to you when I come up with something?"

Oh boy. That's so not me.

Ask me that question any time of year and I'll whip out a pretty hefty list or direct you to my Amazon wishlist.

So, instead of concocting a gift guide, here's a list of stuff I might add to my own list. (Not that I think I'll get anywhere close to all of this loot--I love surprises more than presents, so keeping a big old list ensures I'll have no idea what's in the box I'm shaking in a few weeks. Plus, we have strict budgets and I feel like it's cheating if the giver goes over. Control freak much?)

It's my hope that you find something that a friend or loved one might like (most likely a girl friend or loved one) or maybe even something to pipe up about when someone asks for your list!

1. Alcove wall shelf from CB2. I'm into the simple industrial look of this and would love to hang it in the living room and show off some of my vintage planters.


2. Charley Harper appetizer plate set. We have four of these and a mish-mash (not in a good way) of other salad/dessert plates. Eight would be conducive for a proper dinner party.


3. Um felt tote. I've wanted one of these for years, but I keep on forgetting ask. Read my mind, people! They're so chic--the opposite of trendy. I could see an artsy 75-year-old-lady rocking one of these. Plus, I love the way they fold flat.


4. Lilla Peep-toe wedges. Is it weird to ask for shoes as a gift? I don't really care. Plus, how hot would these be with some textured tights?


5. Fear of Flying. Everyone in my book club is cooler than I am and therefore has already read this. I'm thinking my mom should give this to me since she already gave me The Diary of Anias Nin and How to Save Your Own Life last year.

She should probably also replace me in the book club.


6. Metallic dot necklace. Yeah, at $40, this organic paper necklace is pretty flashy.


7. Everyday I'm hustlin' poster. Usually improper usage of "everyday" in place of "every day" AND posters that are just a phrase (keep calm and kill me now) bug the crap out of me. But I could see this poster (and a little Girl Talk) inspiring me to stay on my grind and hang in there like a champ kitten.


8. Geometry art necklace. This is just pretty and reminds me of the Sol LeWitt wall at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.


9. Tartella tea towel. This was one of the few things I saw at Renegade that I found to be sweet in a retro kind of way. But not too cloying or annoying.


10. Keisuke Serizawa calendar. I like the fun, folky vibe of these.

Happy listmaking and shopping, you merry band of elves!

Rushing the season

Pardon the interruption, but I have to get a quick note out to my cat.

Dear Harvey,

You know I love you. But dude, you need to slow your roll. It's not even Thanksgiving yet.

It was sweet of you to leave three jawbreakers (Two red and one green, natch. You always have had fabulous color sense.) and one rock from the fireplace in my shoe. But St. Nicholas Day is, like, two weeks away.

Let's live in the now and enjoy the present like the gift it is, little guy. If you're really good and chill out a whole lot, maybe Santa Claws* will bring you a pillow with that very saying needlepointed on it.

And you can scratch it all to hell.

Love,
Me

* Why is my love of puns developing much faster than my overall maturity level?

Coasting

Aww, I'm in love with these sweet retro coasters from Robot Candy's Etsy shop.


Pretty big selection too.


Even switchplates.

The only coasters I own are those free paper ones you get at bars. These would come in handy.

The cat city is out of the bag!

Here’s what I got Marc at Muji:


New York in a bag!


I thought it was a fun souvenir that was a little more original than a snowglobe or a Statue of Liberty pencil sharpener (though those are cool in their own right).

Once I saw the Guggenheim, designed by Illinois’ own Frank Lloyd Wright, was included, it was a must have. Quite possibly my favorite museum in the world.

Speaking of cats, who’s lazier than these guys?
I swear to god they're sewn to that couch.

Bats, bras and zombies

You know how sometimes you get a birthday/Christmas/Arbor Day gift that is so totally wrong you have to wonder if the person, who is presumably a close friend or relative, even knows you? Yeah. Mine was a porcelain Lenox sculpture of some dolphins frolicing in a frothy, cresting wave from a well-meaning aunt.

It was like this, but larger and uglier:


That's not to say I have good taste, it's just she didn't get me.

On the other hand, the person who sent me these links--she gets me. How awesome is this zombie lawn sculpture?

Not creepy enough? How about finding a baby bat in in your bra? I mean, everyone's done the "static-cling panties stuck to your leg" shake, but going about your day with a living creature nestled in your cleavage? That's a story!

Brown paper packages tied up with string

Today is Marc's birthday so I spent a little time last night preparing his gifts. Sometimes I like to use paper that wasn't originally intended for wrapping paper for a more unique look (plus it's a good way to reuse paper).

Since I work with a lot of printing vendors, I often get more posters and calendars than I can possibly—or even want—to hang up or use. While a poster of a woodpecker isn’t my first choice for a wall hanging, it can make really fun wrapping paper.

For Marc’s gift, I used the May page from this giant calendar I received a few years ago (December’s photo of Rockefeller Center at Christmas made gorgeous holiday gift paper). The flowering mountain is kinda girly, yeah, but it’s May right now, so why not, right?

To tone town the floral explosion, I wrapped the small gift in the calendar paper and used plain brown butcher paper for the bottom present. Then I tied up everything with some rough sisal string...and topped it all off with a masculine card with woodgrain print from Egg Press.

I think the end result is more “lumberjack on a sunny spring day” than “the hills are alive with the sound of music.”

As for what’s actually in the packages, stay tuned…