thirsty

Of course when I'm back east the NYT's runs an article on how good the drinks are in San Francisco. Like I needed the reminder! The writer visits Beretta, Alembic, Bourbon & Branch and some others. Read the article here.

bah-humbug

apparently my 7 month old niece is not a fan of christmas. i'm spending christmas eve night at my brothers so hopefully seeing my happy face on christmas morning will cheer her up a little!

have yourself a merry one

on my way to the east coast!

i think i posted this video last year but it so well depicts xmas in jersey i just couldn't resist posting again.

chronicle crafts

i'm always amazed at the talent of my co-workers, on a daily basis and annually when we have our christmas craft fair. kate posted about this over on the work blog but i thought it would be nice to show some pics here.

kate bought old tea cups at good will and with some soy wax made these awesome candles. i bought the adorable mini one, and am still debating who to give it to for xmas.

these shirts and prints are from my friend geoff, one of our fabulous designers at chronicle. you can buy them at his etsy shop.

i adore these stockings clare made. i love stopping by clare's desk and seeing all of her detailed drawings, you can see more of her art here.

sandy and her husband have a fantastic little card biz called Treat Zone, you can also get their sweet cards at their etsy shop.


and i brought some jewelry and wallets this year.

i love these snow guys that designer beau bergeron created in below freezing chicago recently.

(via cr blog)

by and by

i'm probably the last to see this but i just love this map by emily wick. i first saw it on pret a voyager and than saw that's it's been posted quite a few places.. and i can understand why!
i've always been a fan of new hampshire's motto.
and who knew this was oregon's motto? what does that even mean?

this map reminds me a little of the fabulous ork posters.

texting with feeling

With all of the fancy new technology in our lives I'm constantly fascinated by how we communicate today. i miss letters, but I also love twitter and the convenience of texting. I feel closer to people I wouldn't know as well if it wasn't for blogging and twitter and keep up with old friends and acquaintances I probably wouldn't even remember if it weren't for facebook. while I am an active and happy participant in all of it, i appreciate artists and crafters commentaries on these new ways we communicate and connect.


I loved these 20 embroidered text messages by Ginger Anyhow.

I also really love the animated version (or virtual 3-d simulation as she calls it) of falling asleep while watching a dvd, also by Ginger. So brilliant, I hate it when that happens!

Ginger's texting project also reminded me of the embroidered blog that Rachel posted about on Craft.

what it feels like when you're reading a book you can't put down

love this image and idea.


seen first via Swiss Miss image created by Marina Camargo

cute or creepy?

it has been a very long week and i can almost taste the cocktail i'm about to dive into. i really can't decide if i think this little guy is adorable or kinda creepy?


More photos of this little guy over on SFist.

buy more books!

it's tough times for print media. i love this campaign encouraging people to buy books as gifts. read more! it's good for you.

hello hello

it's been a long sad week and i'm sort of surprised it's not friday yet. BUT there are some good things happening that i am excited about and one of them is the fantastic party we're throwing for the new Hello Lucky! Book, Handmade Hellos. there will be crafting and wine and lots of good people, so if you're in SF i hope you can make it. It's from 6-8pm, tomorrow 12/11 at the Hello Lucky studios 977 Howard Street.


Anh-Minh wrote a fantastic article about the Moyle sisters and their fabulous individual style that ran in the Home section of the SF Chronicle today, read it here.


i hope you can come craft with us!

cover kitty

naughty santa and the best mulled wine

it's always so refreshing to see the place you live in through the eyes of a visitor. there are things so unique to san francisco, i sometimes forget to appreciate them in my day to day. take this santa photo for example which my cousin took when she was visiting this week-- where else would you find a leather daddy santa complete with a whip as a decoration for a non-profit homeless shelter? i love this city.

i always miss the east coast around the holidays, the snow and cold, the houses decked out in holiday lights and tacky lawn ornaments. it's hard to get that kind of holiday spirit here but we came pretty close today, picking out a christmas tree with sarah and roger, baking holiday cookies and sipping on this delicious mulled white wine from the Decemeber issue of Martha Stewart Living. i love this recipe! and it's versatile enough for any season, refreshing and light for summer sipping but full of fall spices that make it perfect for holiday parties. i'll be revisiting this recipe for sure. a note, we couldn't fine Muscat in the market we were shopping at so i bought triple sec instead (you can also use cointreau) and it seemed to work well.

holidaze

i love this retro-looking wreath Rachel posted over on Craft.


home sick today and i got to watch the Martha Show, i love these acorn lamps that someone on her staff created. they're pretty involved but look awfully sweet.


i am always so blown away by the crafts made by linda and i adore these mini-sweaters she crocheted and turned into ornaments for friends. she links to a pattern for them on her blog.

and if you're looking for some lovely handmade gifts for the holidays be sure to check out the Etsy shop Linda has set up, 100% of the proceeds will go to her brother-in-law who is battling kidney cancer.

more decorating

a few more things i might need one day for the new home i don't have yet.


Squirrelly Shirley & Squirrelly Sam Salt & Pepper Shakers from Merchant of Kismet.


Seven Deadly Sins Tea Set by Trixie Delicious.


Ampersand Cutting Board by House Industries.

Stencil in NY!

If you're in NY there is a fun event happening at Powerhouse Arena this Saturday for the book Stencil 101. Wish I had a private jet to get me there!

make believe decorating

I often fantasize about how I would decorate my home if I had a home that was all mine. I have great roommates but I've had so many over the years and its gotten me in the habit of just putting time and energy into making my own two rooms in the apartment look nice. All of my favorite art and beloved plants take up space here. But one day I'll have a place to call my very own and I can't wait to start decorating it. I've picked out hundreds of different color schemes for the walls, fabrics for the curtains I'll make, plates, and furniture, this non-existent place has been renovated a million times already.


I like knick knacs, as much as I try to clear the clutter from my life I can not deny this fact. I like little things that serve no purpose but to look at and make one smile or remember. Which is why I'm drawn to the funny little creatures in The Runny Bunny's Etsy shop. I especially love the hybrid section of the shop which gathers the lambs with bunny heads, or bunnies with ladies torso's. They are totally creepy but also delightful and ancient feeling. I'll have several of them on a shelf somewhere in my new house.

this made my day and it's only 10am!

Fifty People, One Question: New York from Crush & Lovely on Vimeo.