the haystack needle

oh what a night

I'm just popping in quickly to say I got thrown down by some awful stomach bug last night. After a super weekend spent with some out-of-town friends, trying out a few amazing restaurants, making the best homemade brunch in my cooking history, and getting all dressed up for a holiday party, I woke up at two in the morning last night feeling like the world was ending and my stomach was taking me down. I'm still not sure what got me, but I am so incredibly thankful to my sweet husband who stayed up with me the whole time and took care of me in the most amazing way. Thanks, D. I love you. After years of living alone and having to brave the outdoors to stock up on Gatorade and soup on sick days, I'm also so grateful to have a stocked fridge this morning thanks to Dan. The worst part (since I hate sitting around doing nothing) is I feel too wiped to even get caught up on reading. Hope you all had a healthier start to your week.

xo Jen

(this much letterpress card by clementine press)

lotta jansdotter crafting workshop

One of the highlights of my week was definitely attending a craft workshop Tuesday at the new studio of the ever-amazing Lotta Jansdotter. I'm a huge Lotta fan, and her studio is pretty much a dream space. This loft is tucked inside an old knitting factory in Brooklyn, and she has great big crafting tables set up to spread out and work. The floors are pretty, too. And she has little vintage touches everywhere, like white enamel pans holding craft supplies. The workshop was also hosted by Rowenta, so we could try out their new steam irons while making a holiday craft project with Lotta's pretty linen fabrics. I chose to make a fabric bird ornament. It didn't go well. First, I tried sewing it up on the sewing machine. But I wasn't thinking and didn't sew pointy corners in the places where the pattern called for (like the beak), so my bird ended up looking more like a lopsided heart. But no matter, it was so much fun to play with Lotta's fabrics for an evening, and they'd pulled together a great group with some of my favorite people that I never get to see enough. And I may try the bird ornament project again at home. It was simple. I'm just a silly new sewer.

 

 

And I'm not getting paid or rewarded with sewing lessons or a lunch with Lotta to say this, but I'm a Rowenta loyalist. I brought my trusty Rowenta Perfect steam iron up to Maine for our wedding to help with ironing tablecloths and steaming out my dress. It worked out so well, until on the honeymoon, when my sweet husband accidentally dropped the iron and broke it. Now I have a mini Rowenta travel iron, and I'm saving up to buy the Rowenta expert steam generator. With that beauty, I could reduce the number of dry cleaning trips we make for Dan's work pants (that currently get sent out after one wear because of wrinkles.) But don't underestimate the travel iron. This puppy steams! I had to steam out a silk dress of mine that was a wrinkled mess last weekend. It took about 15 refills of water (since it's a travel iron and the water cavity is small), but it let off a ton of steam and got out the wrinkles.

And I have one Rowenta story that I think is pretty funny. A couple years ago, my brother Steve asked me for an iron recommendation because his iron didn't work well and his girlfriend hated it. I picked out a Rowenta steam iron for him. The next day I heard from him. Turns out that inside the Rowenta iron box that he bought was not a Rowenta iron, but a Sunbeam iron! I'm not a fan of Sunbeam's irons. And apparently some sneak also knew that Rowenta is better and did a switch. Come to think of it, I don't think Steve ever got the proper iron because we couldn't figure out how to prove what happened to customer service!

ps. I'm wearing my new ban.do headband that's my latest you-make-me-happy accessory. Have a wonderful weekend!

+ photographs by Patricia Willis

gift guide: stocking stuffers (gifts under $12)

I love when you find a gem that's costs as little as $10 or $12. Because some things, like Indian take-out, don't have to be expensive to be great. 

+ These teeny tiny boxes are handwoven in Columbia. I'd gift a box to a friend as a special place to stash her pretty rings. (And you could fill it with some mini handmade treasure or trinket from the dollar store.)

 

+ Ever since I saw Todd Oldham's shop filled with Charley Harper prints, I've been a big fan of the artist. So I was tickled to see a Charley Harper coloring book — perfect for doodlers young and old.

+ I love this little practical yet pretty glass mister for anyone who's adopted a plant (or a mini forest, like us.) So many people are also creating terrariums for their home — and terrariums need a spritz of water now and again. 

+ A butterfly on a stick (or a butterfly wand) is sure to inspire a little wonder for any girl who has a soft spot for winged magic.

 

+ I'd love this pretty pad in my stocking — a list pad for what to do on a day just for me. What would be on my list: leisurely wander around my neighborhood (still exploring all the shops), stop for coffee and cupcakes, rev up with a long vinyasas yoga class, and wind down with a delicious dinner with Dan.

+ I'm always scouting out great recipes (aren't we all?), so I think this set of eight letterpress recipe cards gives way more than the $10 price tag. You're really gifting 8 fantastic meals that you love.

+ This linen sachet is filled with lavender and handprinted with an image of scissors — perfect for a knitter to tuck in with her yarns. And sachets are one of those things you never buy for yourself but love to have around. 

+ At $4 each, you can pick up a few of these bright wooden yo yos, which are painted with non-toxic paint.

 

+ I love the mix of sweet and sour, so lemon curd is a little indulgence that hits the spot. It tastes delicious with morning toast or use as a custard-like filling for pie. Spoon is my favorite source for jams — and they package everything as sweetly as if it were made by you. 

 

+ Inspired by the classic paper bag book cover we all used in middle school, Book City Jackets offers designs that turn books into affordable art for your shelves and coffeetable. This Guest Room set is the perfect gift for the couple who's always hosting houseguests. They can cover their favorite piece of fiction, non-fiction, and their favorite book to leave on the nightstand.

Phew, so that's all for the gift guide series! Hope you were able to check a few gifts off your list.

Happy shopping! Jen

gift guide: give a little something green

I think a lot of us are taking a handmade, DIY approach to gift-giving this year. It's certainly the greenest (and most affordable) option. I've tagged a few sweet recipes I want to try making as food gifts (which will require the purchase of this handy kitchen tool.) But I also have my eye on a bunch of fantastic handmade gifts and lovely finds made with sustainable materials. If they don't make it on my to-buy list as Christmas gifts, I'm sure a few will make the cut as wedding gifts, shower gifts, or a special gift to myself in the new year. 

+ Make no mistake, if I received a box with this succulent kit inside, I would do a shameless dance of joy. I think a living, breathing plant is one of the greenest gifts you could give. And this low-maintenance bowl of succulents gets 5 stars for style — you're basically giving someone the coolest centerpiece to have on their table all year round. This fishbowl kit is custom made in a recycled glass vessel. Succulent Love snaps a photo of your design, carefully wraps up the elements, and sends everything in a box along with special directions on how to recreate your succulent design. ps. Kelly, the wonder designer behind this beauty, crafted together her wedding with gorgeous succulent touches — definitely check it out.

+ I have a weakness for pretty drinking glasses, and these tumblers double up on two things I love: recycled glass and Moroccan style. A giftset of these recycled tumblers would surely make someone's day.

+  For all the new moms, there's a solid maple teether that's an eco-friendly alternative for baby to nibble on. I spotted this on Rosie Hippo, a site all about natural, handmade finds for kids. 

+ There's nothing like having a fantastic stand to display the homemade cupcakes you proudly made from scratch. Perfect for the aspiring baker — an Acacia wood cake stand.
 

+ Head over heels for this Indian paper pad and its 500 sheets of recycled paper with graphic images from Bollywood posters to Indian washing detergent ads. This is no average Post-It pad.

+ Molly, my amazing cousin-in-law (is that the term? can I just say cousin because I'd like to be more familial with this wonder woman) has lived everywhere from Vermont to Thailand, so she knows something about fair-trade and tipped me off to Dolma Designs. There I found this super pinwheel tablecloth that's simply modern in style, completely handmade by Indian artisans under fair-trade practices, and costs just $36. Found: one perfect gift for anyone who loves to entertain. There's a lot to love about the story behind Dolma Designs, too. The owner, Melinda Haselton, got the name for her company while visiting a Buddhist Geshe in India (Dolma is the Tibetan word for compassion.) Melinda donates 15% of profits to schools in India for poverty-stricken youth. And she's worked with a few other fair-trade businesses to get Burlington, VT, qualified as a Fair Trade City. Brilliant.

+ It's just too darn cold out there for plain old lotion to help dry skin. Moisturizing body oil is my solution. I got to sample this certified organic body oil from Ilha Organics that's infused with green tea, restorative calendula, flowers and amazing scented concoctions like lemongrass oil and ylang ylang oil. Let's just say I'm hooked. Mom, you need this.

+ Yes, finally some options in the green arena for iPhones and iPods (because the pickings at the Apple store last time I checked were quite un-innovative.) Love these felt sleeves that work as gifts for him or her.

 


+ This blank book measures high on the green ranking: letterpress recycled brown board covers in black soy ink. And, of course, using a notebook translates to being unplugged. Like Bon Jovi, I once called Jersey home, so I had a song run through my head when I saw this book's name. 

+ Hello, vintage feedsack cotton giraffe handmade by Laura of Wren Handmade. You're like the puppies on the street that I can't walk by without cooing about how adorable you are.

+ This handknit hot water bottle cover is a gift that's both green and cozy. And I'm betting this will get lots of use on those gloomy, chilly winter days when you don't want to get out of bed (like the one we're having here today.)

I also highly recommend popping over to Pia's blog (this stylist's special space in the blogosphere is one of my favorites) for her Enhance the Everyday gift guides. You'll see what I mean: one big wow of I-want-everything and oh-my-this-is-the-perfect-gift. In my opinion, her gift guides are the best I've seen anywhere — and everything is curated by her careful eye to be some combo of handmade, vintage, sustainable, and simply gorgeous. Check them out: gift ideas for him, for her, for home. Thanks for all the inspiration, Pia.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing stocking stuffer gift ideas: gifts that are $10 or under.

gift guide: spark their imagination

 

I love the idea of giving a gift that sparks the creative wheels. Not to sound like a sap, but honestly the blogosphere has been one huge gift of inspiration for me this year. And I'm really loving my new subscription to this magazine, which is full of imagination. Here's a roundup of finds I love that may inspire the work or wonder of someone in your life. 

+ I'm stuck on these tailor sheers that make me want to follow-up on my goal to learn how to sew. For a big gift, you could pair these professional sheers with a gift certificate to a local sewing class. One of my resolutions for 2010 is to take a sewing class at Purl. And I imagine these sheers would be just as lovely to have around to snip ribbons.

+ I don't think there's anyone — young or old — who can resist 3-D glasses. Doodle and and watch your drawing jump off the page with this 3-D doodle kit. Super stocking stuffer. 

+ There's something magical about a carousel. I love the idea of this laser-cut merry-go-round mobile floating above a little one (comes in white, too.) 

+ If you were a fly on the wall of our apartment recently, you would have heard me hint, suggest, and flat-out ask Dan to soup up our iPods with new playlists as the perfect gift for me (please!). We've both slacked on taking the time to update our music collection, and I need good tunes when I'm working on a project. Here's another way to give the inspiring gift of music: a portable balloon speaker that hooks right into your iPod.  

+ Every knitter I know is always short on containers for their balls of yarn waiting to be turned into something special. I adore this blockprinted yarn keep as a practical solution for the constant knitter. 

+ I think this was the year of Japanese tape. Who wouldn't love a pack of 10 pretty Japanese tapes for countless creative craft projects.

 

+ Crocodile Creek makes adorable bouncy balls for kids. Here they can play ball and learn about the solar system.

+ Ideas hit me at the most random times, which is why I always need a notebook on hand. These letterpressed faux bois blank books are filled with 300 unlined pages of possibilities.

+ With all the gloomy economic news, I think us grownups need a lighthearted gift in our stocking. This fantastic coloring book features artwork by Lena Corwin, Shabd Simon-Alexander, Mociun and more. And it's ok if you color outside the lines.

 

+ I never thought I'd get into mini Christmas villages until I saw Stephanie's elf houses. Simply darling. Imagine the little elves living in these handmade homes. And your elf village might need a little tree.

Tomorrow's gift guide will focus on giving a little something green!

find me here: from the right bank!

Today, I'm thrilled to be a guest over on one of my favorite blogs, From the Right Bank! Alek is currently on the road from Seattle to Atlanta making yet another huge move, and I am eagerly waiting to see how she decorates her new home. She has an incredible eye for design and she's bounced around living in cities both here and overseas — including Paris! The girl doesn't even mind the process of moving, which boggles my mind. (Although, I don't think I would mind packing if it were a move to Paris.)

So hop on over to From the Right Bank. I'm sharing two books that are my latest obsession plus a sneak peek at my apartment (with my favorite score from the Brimfield market!). See you over on the Right Bank...

(photograph by Debi Treloar for Recycled Home)

gift guide: all about style

Feel free to judge these gifts by their looks: here are 10 gift ideas that are a stylish bunch to unwrap.

+  For the daily commuter or anyone who jams their wallet with receipts and change (like me), a Meg Cohen coin purse is a gift that hits the bullseye.

+ Your pooch will walk in style with a red gingham lead.

+ This folksy flower oilcloth kneeler cushions the knees of any gardener. Or makes a practical gift for the mom who's regularly kneeling on a hard, tiled floor for bathtime with the kiddos.

+ Durable rope, adjustable brass o-rings, and solid bronze clips make Found leashes super stylish. What makes a Found leash a feel-good choice: knowing 25 percent of all profits go directly to a non-profit dedicated to spaying/neutering and providing homes for animals who have not yet "found" their home.

+ These knotted leather and gold rings from By Boe are a little (affordable) bling to give a friend.

+ I love my stemless wine glasses, but I have to agree with Dan that they're not quite right when the guys want to bring out the Bourbon. These concrete tumblers are the ultimate guy's glass (and I heart their style, too.)

+ For the office Secret Santa gift exchange, printed tea towels are a practical gift that everyone could always use. These Leanne Graeff tea towels feature designs based on camping — so fun!

+ This modern wood and yellow fondue pot would fit right in at Takashimaya. Luckily, I spotted this vintage gem on Etsy, for a price that won't give you sticker shock.

 
+ These Viv & Ingrid pom pom hairties would be a sweet present for a teen girl in your life (love how they come packaged in mini patterned fabric pouches!).

+ I adore this black + white gingham tie by Anabela — what a fantastic handmade tie for your one-of-a-kind guy.

Tomorrow's gift guide will focus on gifts that spark the imagination!