A perfect Easter present.

Present & Correct posted a great pictorial for a sweet little easter gift to send it the mail. See the details here.

Hey I like you: Cake for a wife.

With the 'Hey I like you' series I try to write about blogs that are unique. One of my favourite things about blogging is the community that comes with it. Last summer I discovered a bountiful and wonderful community of health bloggers, one of which is Andrea of A Cake for a Wife. Andrea has chronicled her journey of weight-loss (she's lost an incredible 84lbs to date) with wit, reality and great pictures (not-to-mention the excellent title). I highly recommend this blog to anyone who is looking for a bit of inspiration in turning over a new leaf and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Giveaway: A Farmer's Daughter.

The winner is Lulu!

This past weekend I shared a table at Blim with friend and jewelry designer Melanie of A Farmer's Daughter. Mel is always coming up with cute and fabulous unique pieces. She has offered one of her newest pieces, a leather tassel necklace, to one of our readers (colour choice is yours!).

To enter, please visit A Farmer's Daughter and leave a comment below with your name, email address and your favourite piece from her shop. For an additional entry, make a post linking back to it on your blog or on twitter and post a second comment with a link to your post. Comments will close on Monday April 5th at midnight.

Knit kit.

How wonderful is this idea? Kits that let you DIY your own fab fashion. Love it. From Wool and the gang.

Thomas Paul Nautical Coasters.

Yes Please. Found here.

In my bag: Part IX.

Our next post is from Alli of One Pearl Button:

I'm Alli, an archaeologist and graduate student who tries to do something creative everyday. I blog about crafting, fashion, photography, and life in general at One Pearl Button. Some of my current loves include clothes that are too big, crocheted afghans and odd animal friendships (I wish my cat would befriend a duck). I sell my photography at OPB Studios.


1. My bag. The Gretel from Rennes Le Chateau on Etsy. It was a Christmas gift from my husband, and I still go weak in the knees over it. The leather is buttery soft and smells amazing. I'm a vegetarian, but I swoon over nice leather. What can I say - I enjoy contradictions.
2. Sunglasses. After a long, grey, Midwestern winter, I'm loving that the sun is back out. I'm always losing and/or breaking sunglasses, so I never spend more than $5 on a pair. I think these are from Forever 21.
3. Handkerchief. I don't like tissues, so I usually carry a hankie - vintage ones are always super soft.
4. Emergency bag. Advil, Gas-X, Zantac, band aids, nail clippers. I've been carrying this stuff in a clear plastic Burt's Bees cosmetics bag for years; doing this post makes me realize that I should upgrade to something prettier.
5. PetSmart PetPerks application. I think I'm given one of these nearly every time I go to PetSmart. Then I promptly throw it in my bag and forget to fill it out and return it. I'm sorry, environment.
6. My wallet. It's by Fossil and made of lovely reclaimed deep purple leather. Yup, once more my love of leather reveals itself.
7. My phone. A cheap-o slider style. It takes me *forever* to write a text. I knit a cover for it because I'm pretty hard on electronics, and I wasn't sure if it would survive without one.
8. Camera. I have a fairly large camera collection, and I try to carry one with me wherever I go. The Fuji Instax Mini is really fun for taking silly pictures of friends.
9. (not pictured) Keys. Oops, I threw my keys onto the ottoman in our front hall when I got home and forgot to grab them for the photo. They are fairly boring, so you're not missing much. Picture your keys, but with the addition of a giant round key that says "Mazda" on it, even though it goes with a Ford Probe. It's one of the great mysteries of the universe.

Thanks Alli! Only a few more parts of this series to go.

Cambridge Satchel.

Recently we were on the hunt for a brown leather bag for my sister's birthday. I wanted something leather, classic and handmade. Fortunately I stumbled upon Cambridge Satchel in the UK who make stunning (and most definitely classic) leather satchels in an array of colours and sizes. We decided on the 11" satchel (the most handbag like) in vintage brown and had her initials embossed on the front. It is lovely and now I want one for myself. The only question is, what colour to choose.

Start here.

I have admired the Start Here books since I first saw them in Blueprint magazine a couple years back. I love the concept of being able to join your notebooks together as you go. They are the dream of come true of any obsessive organizer.

Great online store: Icelandic Market.

Icelandic Market, what can I say? I think I will write you a haiku.

dear icelandic market
thank you for giving iceland
to me and the world

Icelandic Market offers a plethora of goods and brands designed by Icelandic folk. What's wonderful is that you have the opportunity to learn about each designer as well. It is a beautiful shop filled with beautiful things that make me want to visit the beautiful place that is Iceland. (P.S. they also carry blue lagoon skin care products)

Lines and Arrows.

1. pillow 2. ring 3. card 4. notebooks

Make your own pocket book...ok!

I think Scout Books is awesome. Not only do they offer a selection of great printed pocket books but you can have your own made with personal designs. I'm so tempted, but do I really need 50? Nonetheless they would make great wedding favours!

Knit wit.

Images here.

Have you heard of the Knit Wit? I read about it in an issue of Martha Stewart Living. It is a funny little gadget that lets you make crochet-esque flowers. The story in Martha Stewart had some great ideas as to what you could do with them (embellishing pillows, mittens, or making an afghan). Of course, because I've got DIY on the brain, I searched for a tutorial on how to make your own knit with. And hooray, I found one on a great blog called Craft Daisies! To see full instructions click here.

Images here.

Sovereign Beck.

I think these handprinted ties by Sovereign Beck are really great. Its nice to see unique takes on the classic tie.

Neat nests.

Aren't these birdhouses great? They're from a company called Neat Nests that makes environmentall friendly houses for our fine feathered friends (with a modern design aesthetic).

Links of Note.

Well this week has been tough as I have not been feeling well at all. I had a bit of a breakdown in terms of my lack of exercise and excess of eating and thus gaining of weight. Summer is coming and it is getting warm and I just felt so uncomfortable. So after a day of being sad about it I'm back in the swing of focusing on what is good for my body in terms of food and exercising. It is amazing how easily I forget how great it feels. Do you struggle with similar things? I think we all do from time to time. Anyways, now I can't wait for summer! Yesterday was one of those rainy but warm days that I love.

This weekend I am going to be selling some of my Sam Made things at Blim Market. If you're in the city, you should stop by! Otherwise enjoy your weekends.

Wouldn't it be nice to spend a summer in one of these 'Rolling Homes'.

How incredible does this ice cream parlour sound!

I have always loved popcorns balls. How sweet are these oscar party favours?

A very cute, spring wedding.

It was nearly 19 degrees on Wednesday (that's Celsius). Who couldn't use a good romper?

Want a project for the weekend? Why not try these fabric-covered flower pots?

Or how about making some snazzy recycled jar vases?

I can totally pictures a cute studio apartment with a 'space-saver bed' like these.

This is a very lovely peek into Confetti Systems' studio.

You could try making your own lip balm with this tutorial from Andrea of Lotus Events.

And last, but not least. Why not enter our giveaway hosted by Essimar. She is an incredible artist and you get a unique piece of her work!

Have a good one!

Thinking about gardening.

Image 1 & 2.

Every year I think it would be just great if I would start a garden. However, there are always two things that stop me: 1. I live on the second floor of an apartment building and 2. I have a hard time keeping plants alive. So when I saw these woolly plant pockets on poppytalk, I knew we were on to something. These projects are pretty ingenius as they can be hung inside or outside and create little plant masterpieces.

Even better than this, lovely Miss B of Locomotive clothing suggested the idea of using a canvas shoe organizer as an easy DIY alternative. I googled this idea and found these instructions.


Image 3.

I think I may just need to try this on our balcony. Now just to figure out how to attach it to the wall.

Rennes le chateau.

I love the leather bags from Rennes le chateau. They are the perfect combination of utility and whimsy.

Curse of the multiples.

Don't you think these pieces are a fun and modern take on the silhouette? Great work from Curse of the Multiples.

Vancouver Guide: Blim Market

For the guide this week I thought I would write about Blim and consequently Blim Monthly Market. Now I must confess I have an ulterior motive here as I will be selling this month's market on Sunday at Heritage Hall on Main Street (if you're in the market for chocolate mustaches, pinback buttons, pouches and more, I am your girl).

Blim is a significant arts and crafts establishment here in Vancouver. As an art resource center, Blim offers button making, screen-printing, drawing, and knitting classes as well as facilitates film screenings, animation, video, dance, spoken word and related shows. They are also an excellent resource for certain hard to find art supplies (gocco screens anyone?). Blim is also the fantastic host of a monthly market that showcases crafters, designers, bakers and collectors (including our beloved Coco Cupcakes). In the next few months Blim will be moving from their humble location at Main and 17th to a sizeable and exciting location downtown. I have to say I am happy that such a resource exists in our community and I strongly recommend you check Blim out on your next visit to Vancouver. Or if you live here, go tomorrow.

Raybans.

How fun are these rayban sunglasses? I love the classic design paired with the summer colours.
Can you tell I am becoming a tad summer obsessed?

Hey I like you: Tiny Art Director

Have you heard of Tiny Art Director? Oh, I sure hope so. Well, at least now you have. This week's 'Hey I like you' is Tiny Art Director; a blog featuring work by Bill Zeman and his hilarious five-year-old daughter (and art director). Each post consists of a brief by the T.A.D., then the execution of the brief, then a critique from the T.A.D. (and sometimes a rendering of her own). These are some of my favourites: stupid ugly angry monkey, on the house and kangaroo and giraffe. (but they're all good, really)

What's better is that chronicle books has now published a Tiny Art Director Book!

Giveaway: Essimar.

The winner is Katherine!

Essimar has to be one of my favourite artists. I love the way she uses colour and texture to create vibrant images of shapes and animals. Her bunny cutouts are my absolute favourite (as you already know I have a soft spot for our long-eared friends). Esther of Essimar has provided me with a lovely animal cutout to offer to one of you. This is a hand-pieced together and absolutely lovely (I am sorry my picture does not do it justic).

To enter, please visit Essimar and leave a comment below with your name, email address and your favourite piece from her shop. For an additional entry, make a post linking back to it on your blog or on twitter and post a second comment with a link to your post. Comments will close on Monday March 29th at midnight.

Rise and shine.

Oh summer! Come soon. For now I would be content carrying this 'Rise and Shine' tote from Kate Spade. It is hand-embroidered.

Here is the write-up from the site: "through our unique hand in hand partnership with women for women international, we employed survivors in war-torn countries to create this limited-edition spring tote. the generously proportioned bag features a printed sun with tonal embroidery, hand stitched by women in bosnia and kosovo."

Very neat.

Elastics on my wrist.

Does anyone else have the habit of wearing elastic hairbands on your wrist? When I saw these gorgeous hand-formed bangles from Joy O Design, that is exactly what they reminded me of. Simple, fluid design. They are really lovely.

Tea party.

My apologies for the lack of posts yesterday. Allergies do a number on me every year. This past weekend we celebrated my older sister's birthday with a well-planned tea party. She did an amazing job with the food and favours and my younger sister and I decorated the apartment. Unfortunately I am not the best photographer, so forgive the dark and blurry photos.



On the menu were homemade scones with jam and clotted cream, chocolate cherry cupcakes with white chocolate frosting and blueberries, veggies and dip, and finger sandwiches (egg salad and brie/apple).
Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, my sister brought over mini top hats to decorate. (Brendan even made his own)


And here is the birthday girl herself.