My Wish List, By Jeanine

I witnessed *gasp* Christmas decorations being placed on shelves the other day at Target. Actual holiday decorations. I was all, was it not JUST 62 degrees out last weekend? And if I'm not mistaken, isn't that Christmas endcap printed on the back of a recycled Back-To-School Savings sign? And the marketer in me was saying, yes, but this is the time we start convincing people they're already behind the holiday game and have to start buying NOW. We're tricky, us marketers. Kids have only been in school for a month yet and we're already informing you you'd better getting planning for summer or risk becoming the laughing stock of your neighborhood...

Aside from that though, these decorations are also a clue that my favorite time of year is officially underway -- the months that begin with football, transition into fall leaves and cider mill visits, to walks on cooler autumn nights, moving into all-Christmas music on the radio, all the time, twinkling holiday lights and decorations and eventually ending with lots of family, food and fun -- there's nothing like this time of year.

It's also the time of year when I unabashedly keep many, many wish lists. And here's a sneak peek at what's currently at the top of mine:

1. I'd love to show off this delicate Green and White Lattice Clutch on a night out with my hubby. Etsy seller Briana Edelman Designs has a number of fun fabric options, but all are lined with a beautiful contrast of pink lining.

2. I've unexpectedly fallen for this set of Daschund Bookends, designed by one of my favorites, Jonathan Adler.

3. This handmade 'rescued paper' Alphabet Guide Notebook by Etsy seller ohsogood would make the perfect place to keep my running Wish List. And her other journal and notepad designs are equally as adorable.



4. Finally, I've never been one for a bread box, but this option has drastically swayed my opinion. The Typhoon Buick Retro Bread Bin is so modernly designed and would add such a fun pop of color on our kitchen counter.




All right, now it's time for you to confess -- what's on your wish list?

Etsy Me

My craftiness has been on hiatus after the high of completing a produce sticker placemat for Hunter. In fact I'm certain the months that've passed since will soon peak into a Creative explosion at which point my nearest Michaels store will discover me short-circuiting in a heap of tulle and decorative punches screaming JUST ALLOW ME TO CROSS-STITCH DAMNIT!

Until then, allow us to revel in the genius that is Etsy. What's Etsy you ask? Etsy is a conglomerate of far more skillful and accomplished crafters than I. Shall we try a few SAT-like comparisons to explain? I am the McDonald's commercial TV actor to their Sean Connery. The slice of generic American cheese to their 4-Cheese double souffle. The John Navarre to their Tom Brady. In other words, Etsy = WOW.

Here's a quick hit list of my faves from today's perusal:

1. GreedyDolly's Blue Honey Necklace Never mind that the seller is a friend of 10 years, Helen. On, it exudes a bit of this modern Wilma Flintstone vibe, with the blue stone breaking up the heaviness of the dark wooden beads.


2. I think I'm in love with these clever herb garden markers by MonkeysAlwaysLook which are fashioned from old spoons. I'm inspired enough to try this myself but don't think I could get the look just so.



3. Looking up and up, take a peek at this outstanding side table by MichaelArras. Someone commented to me once on the number of circle-related designs we have in our home, so I suppose this fits right in. That and there are no sharp corners for little ones to catch a forehead on.


4. IF we were in the market for a new entertainment center and IF the Hubs would allow me to spend say, $1400 on said new furnishings and IF this was even still available, I'd snag this FABULOUS walnut lucite design from Modology in a heartbeat. Price? A bit steep. Completing the overall mod ambiance of our home in one purchase? Priceless.

Moral of the story? Stick this in your browser and start creating your own wish list: www.etsy.com (And depending on how you see it, you may or may not thank me for it).

I Think I'm In Love

Lately I've become inspired by some neighboring blogs -- inspired in design, inspired in parenthood, inspired in fashion. But there's one blog that's inspiring another part of me: My wallet. Twig and Thistle was introduced by my bro's woman, Nicole, and it quickly became a regular on my Favorites list. The blogger's eye for inspirational design includes these adorable reusable veggie bags by Wonder Thunder. They're an excellent alternative to grabbing all those plastic bags at the grocery store and are said to weigh practically nothing (so as not to disrupt a produce scale).

Naturally I clicked right thru and hit 'purchase.' (Side note to my husband to whom this will be brand new information: Honey, I loved these and had to have them... and no I didn't buy them from our joint account. They are mine. ALL mine.)

If you too are in immediate need of adding these to your person for your next grocery trip, I included the link above but will gladly do so again here. Enjoy. (I KNOW I WILL)

Good Riddance Free Address Labels!

Was tiring of constantly slapping those free, non-profit address labels on outgoing mail (or was it guilt perhaps riding me for not having sent in a check? Hey, I volunteer!). Regardless, I finally opted to invest in something a bit more Creative than a label bearing a misprint of our last name.

Just couldn't help myself after discovering this adorable address stamp by Sweet Papery.

Now don't be too disappointed -- our mail will not be embossed with the Thompson family but it will look pretty darn cute. And mod. And classy IMO. They also have plenty more options should this one not strike you the same as it did me.

Pay my bills via postal mail? Happy to... let me just find my stamp pad.