Christmas in October

I can't help it--I love Christmas.  Here's a warm-up list of things I love for Christmas this year--to decorate with, to gift others with, or things I would love to receive:

Balloon Dog Ornament- Urban Outfitters $10

image via here

 For those of you who know my husband, he would love this.  He claims to be a pro balloon-animal-maker--I will admit he has skills, but pro-talent I have yet to see.

Goldencup Bolero- Anthropologie $118

image via here

How beautiful is this amazing little ditty?!--it would look so pretty overtop a little black dress.

Temporary Hand Tattoos- Dinos and Robots- Uncommon Goods $12

 image via here

 A perfect stocking-stuffer for a certain nephew...

Kraft Snowflake Wreath- West Elm $30

 image via here

 Wishful-thinking kind of decoration.  (Probably the only snowflakes I'll see this year).

Astro Ornament- CB2 $2.95

 

image via here

Unique and affordable.

 

 Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa Red Velvet Cupcake Mix- Sur la table $12

 image via here

I'm obsessed with Ina Garten and my sister is obsessed with Red Velvet anything...check out Ina's other mixes available at Sur la table.

 

Nordic Ware Holiday Pancake Pan- Target $34.99

  image via here

I'm currently craving pancakes...and these would be so cute for little ones!

 

Hope this gets you in the holiday spirit, albeit a little early!  What do you want for Christmas?

XO 

 

 

Share

Vintage Finds and My Craftiness Makes a Come-Back

I have gotten back in touch with my crafty side the past few weeks, maybe it's part of my "nesting" phase....

Simple white kimono-style infant shirt embellished with some vintage buttons

Flour sack burp cloth embroidered with a guitar and the baby's initials, JMH

embroidery patterns from Sublime Stitching

I also got my first knitting lesson today.  I have since forgotten all I learned, as I have officially mucked-up the scarf I started this afternoon, but I will not give up!  I went to In the Loop, a knitting store on Devine Street, beside KD's Treehouse.

Lara Winburn, the owner, was so helpful and really fun.  She is pregnant too, due in December, so we had lots to talk about as she coaxed my clumsy hands to knit.  It was fun, and I will be back next Tuesday for my second lesson with a group.  As soon as I have something that halfway resembles a hand-knitted item, I'll share.

Last weekend I went to PackRats for the first time with a couple girlfriends--I am officially in love.  My two amazing vintage finds:

working vintage lamp, painted an amazing red color- only $16!

framed black & white photograph of a couch in the woods- $10

I was on a serious budget last weekend and couldn't spend any more money, even though I wanted to, but I just couldn't leave these two items in the store.  PackRats has amazing vintage clothes, shoes, purses, and household items, as well as unique handmade items--at waaay affordable prices.

PackRats is located at 2009 Greene St, beside 5 Points Tattoo.  (Walk up the stairs from Greene St, right beside Andy's Deli).

Have you any new discoveries or creations?  I'd love to hear about them.

XO

Share

Weekend Round-Up

So, I haven't done one of these posts in quite a while...(being nauseous 24 hours a day didn't really do much for my social life)...but I'm back in the saddle, so here goes.  My weekend suggestions for Columbians:

 image via here

1) Remember when Joaquin Phoenix went kinda crazy a couple years ago, announcing he would not be acting any more, but singing hip hop?  Well, Casey Affleck has made a documentary of that crazy year of his life, and I for one am interested to see it: I'm Still Here will be showing at The Nickelodeon Friday, October 8th through next Thursday. 

image via here

2) Trenholm Road United Methodist Church's Annual Pumpkin Patch is open.  Interested in purchasing a pumpkin or seven to decorate with?--it's the place to be.  It's open 10-7, Monday- Saturday and 12:30-5 on Sundays through October 31st.

3) ESPN's College GameDay is in town on Saturday...maybe not a big deal to some, but to others, this is everything.  I will be in attendance at the USC vs. Alabama game.  I'll be one of the only sober ones, just enjoying the food and fall weather and hoping the Gamecocks don't get embarrassed...(Alabama is #1 in the nation, y'all)...and maybe trying to catch sight of Mr. Herbstreit.

image via here

 

4) Not into football at all?  Go shopping!  You know you need a Halloween costume, and Hip-Wa-Zee is having a costume sale. 

 image via here

Little Lambs & Ivy is having a calendar sale all month- each day is 20% off of something different in October--Thursday is 20% off all items with ANIMALS, Friday's special is 20% off all RED items and Saturday is 20% off all Baby Gifts. 

 image via here

And, if you haven't checked out PackRats yet, I highly recommend doing so--if you're into really cheap but cool vintage items and/or handmade stuff, check them out.  (I went for the first time last weekend and am enamored--post to come this weekend highlighting my vintage purchases!)  They also have a blog here.

So, what are you doing this weekend?

Share

20x200 Project

Have you heard of Jen Beckman's 20x200 Project?

In her words: "As we see it, there are a lot of people out there who want to sell their art and a lot of people who'd like to buy it. They just have a hard time finding each other. The internet is the perfect place to bring those people together, and we're exactly the right people to make it happen. We're passionate about art and the internet at 20x200. We're really excited about creating a place where almost any art lover can be an art collector."

The site introduces at least 2 new editions a week, one fine art photo and one work on paper.  All art pieces are available in multiple sizes, and prices start at $20.  Even poor social workers like me can own original, limited edition art from new, up-and-coming artists, no less!  Exciting!

Here's a print that I love, just released this week: prettymaps (sfba) by Aaron Straup Cope.

image via here

And here's a print I purchased from the project: Ideal Bookshelf 6 (cookbooks) by: Jane Mount.

 

image via here

Original art for everyone!

Share

Etsy Loves

Here are some of my favorite recent Etsy finds:

image via here

I am obsessed with finding a small terrarium to put on a bookshelf in the baby's room!

image via here
Awesome blanket made from vintage materials.

image via here
 Beautiful handmade scarf.

image via here
Amazing, unique art print: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

image via here
Handmade clutch--love the fabric!

Have you fallen in love with Etsy yet? 

Share

The Gender Reveal Party

This past week the hubs and I went to the Dr. for my 5 month ultrasound, where we found out the sex of the baby.  We invited close friends and family over for the "big reveal" that evening. 

James made cupcakes with an M&M (pink or blue) in the center, and we had everyone gather together to bite into the cupcakes and discover the sex.  We also had all the guests wear pink or blue based on their guess as to the baby's sex.

"Team Blue"

"Team Pink"

Obviously, those who thought the baby was a girl greatly outnumbered those who thought it was a boy, and that was probably my doing--I was so sure it was a girl all along!

But, as everyone found out a few seconds later....it's a BOY!

James and I are thrilled and have finally decided on a name: Jones Milledge Hill.  Jones is my mother's maiden name and Milledge is my dad's name.

Thanks to everyone who made this night so fun and special for us.  4 1/2 months to go!

Share

Friday Awesomeness

I adore this. Happy Friday!

I am looking forward to staying in town this weekend--attending a wedding shower for a friend, partaking in Group Therapy's Annual Chili Cook-off, (click here for last year's review), and doing some shopping with friends...maybe even registering for some baby things, now that we know the baby is a BOY!  Pictures of the big reveal party to come this weekend!

What are you up to this beautiful fall weekend?

Share