these are a few of my favorite things

i love nothing more than a really good mess (seems like sarah is with me on this one). couldn't resist posting these little pics i took while in the midst of christmas-wrapping and present-making.

A 90's revival I can handle

I was in middle school when I got my first pair of Doc Martens. They were a wine colored pair and were ridiculed by my classmates as "shit kickers" and "clunkers" up until a year later when everyone was wearing them.  So as much as I love the comeback they are making I've been somewhat stand-offish, that is until I saw the Spring '11 line on Style Bubble. 

Oooooooooooh, I think I'm in love.  Pastel, florals, crocs and tassels......oh my!

Coat of Arms

Don't know what to get the person on your list who seems to have everything? Why not celebrate his or her familial heritage by commissioning a modern crest from artist Happy Menocal (yep, that's her sweet name). To get know your giftee, Menocal asks a multitude of questions–everything from music tastes to one's connectedness to nature.

After her sleuthing, she will impart a uniquely personal shield perfect to brand anything from T-shirts to holiday cards to flesh.

Available by e-mail order (boss@happymenocal.com), $400.




Illustrations: Courtesy of Happy Menocal

Simplicity

I’ve noticed that the vendors at the Union Square Holiday Market keep getting better and better every year.

This year, one jewelry designer that caught my eye is Victoria Bekerman. Her designs are simple, yet interesting enough to be a perfect last minute gift for the Holidays.

ballet russe

little hamsters like jewelry too!

a little hamster

bohemian gift wrap

Loved this tutorial on gift-wrappying by Ralph Lauren creative Daniela Kamiliotis. She has feathers in her studio from angels? Nice!

Via Style Court

heartfelt holidays

for last second gift-giving, don't discount the simple pleasure of giving and receiving a sweet note on a handmade card. i love some of these easy peasy cards made from string, tape, or whatever you have lying around.

string trees from sunset magazine

graphic gift tags

Party Foul!

As stylists we spend so much of our time making sure things look perfect and eventually almost unattainable.  We like to call it something for people to aspire for, ha! Most people never had a chance at trying to recreate the perfectionism of a stylists. Well I think maybe you have a shot with this beautiful photography by Rachel Bee Porter. MAYBE.  Don't be fooled these are very styled. But also gorgeous! It's refreshing and the colors and textures are beautiful.

Get Dirty

Spent some time chatting with Dirty Librarian Chains designer Susan Domelsmith about her line at a Ladies Lotto event (shout out to Ladies Lotto!!!) and her work is truly rad. I died over this triple-threat chain that can be a bracelet, a necklace, or a pocket chain. Take a look at some of her super chic designs...