the haystack needle

key wristlet

Dan likes to tease me about my keys. True confession: if you saw my keys, you might think I'm a janitor. I'm not sure if I could even identify half of my keys and they're jumbled on a few rings attached to a super long key chain. I like the fact that my keys are impossible to miss in my bag. But the bigger my bump gets (and the more I think about how much more I'll be carrying around once baby is here), I think he has a point. These key wristlets are cute enough to make me want to downsize and edit my mass of keys. I just spotted them at one of my favorite web shops, Twine. The shiny smoke key wristlet is definitely going on my birthday wishlist. 

Image: Twine

jam jar wine

Leave it to my friend Erin to find a bottle of wine that perfectly personifies my style: sweet, rustic farmy, gingham, modern, homemade — to name a few. And I adore jam (we had jam jars as our wedding favors.) My dear friend Erin came down to Brooklyn over the weekend to see our apartment for the first time, and she brought this bottle of wine with the best label that I've ever seen (and may just be too cute to drink!). She crashed in our mezzanine area of the loft under globe lights, and then Sunday we got to take a long stroll in the sunshine. I've had so many big and small adventures with Erin. She is a rockstar friend through and through. She's even the person who married Dan and me on a Maine farm. How amazing is that? I love how a visit with a good friend is like a shot of Vitamin D and instantly recharges you. {Thanks, E! Love you!}

what's on my wishlist

I've always loved making lists. Each year, I make up a Christmas wishlist. I'm not sure how much my family pays attention to it, but it's always fun wondering if something off your wishlist will make it under the tree. Here's a peek at what I've been seeing and tagging as wishlist material.

My naked little iPhone needs a sleeve and the ones at the Apple store are not that exciting. The Squirellicious shop has a variety of fun leather and vegan stitched iPhone cases. This one is a favorite. And I loathe the headsets that come with iPods (the earbuds pinch my ears.) These plaid headphones look so cute and comfy.

 

Some artists, like Jenifer Altman, are so perpetually on my wishlist, I might as well loop my list directly to their shops. I fell for her La Dolce Luce collection of photographs. Now she's woven photos, recipes and stories from her trip into an Italy book that looks amazing. 

Seeing that a dictionary is on my list (even if it is a pictorial dictionary of curiosities) will only confirm to Dan that yes, indeed, he married a nerd. It's still staying high on the list, though. {discovered via unruly things} 

 

The quilt on our bed is looking a bit worn. I love the stitching detail on these coverlets by John Robshaw.

 

Maybe I could practice my handwriting in this pretty notebook spotted in the Etsy shop, Present & Correct.

 

We may be headed for winter, but the upstairs part of our loft gets quite stuffy. I would put money on any vintage metal fan lasting longer than the new plastic fans (that always break on me!). This white metal fan has been refurbished and looks so lovely. 

And Anarchy in a Jar — batches of sweet jams from fruits that are hand-picked with love. I want to try them all with my morning English muffin: Sugar Plum Fairy Preserves, Fig-alicious, and Midnight Morello. {discovered via edible brooklyn}

wood puzzle

I spotted this unique wooden puzzle on Rosie Hippo, an online mecca of handcrafted finds for kids. I love the turquoise colors and pattern of this puzzle — reminds me of Moroccan tiles. Tots play with building color patterns with the blocks. Bring out the Julia Rothman pattern designer in your little one!

lemon ball

Spotted: one under $50 gift perfect for the guy in your life (if you, too, are subjected to endless hours of baseball on the T.V. come spring.) Victoria of sfgirlbybay (and the Keep Calm and Carry On print) found this fantastic new online shop called the Daytrip Society. And besides the treasure trove of unique gifts, I love that a group of native Mainers are behind this boutique (my husband grew up in Maine, we were married in Maine, and I should pretty much wear a button on my jacket professing my love of the state.) So back to the Lemon Ball: this vintage style hand-stitched baseball is based on the balls used back in the early 19th century. What a cool baseball for a game of catch — and the leather will only get softer with use. Maybe it will inspire Dan to get outside and play baseball rather than watch his beloved Red Sox play from our recliner. We'll see.
p.s. Check out the Daytrip Society's blog, too.

camera bag

Dear Gift Fairy,

This is the camera bag that I'd like for toting my camera around the city, when I'm taking photos for the blog. It's just right. No need to gift wrap, but rush delivery would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Jen