etsy finds

Sometimes a thoughtful little gift means so much more than some big ol' thing. Here are some very sweet little gifts that just might make someone's day. (And with the recession and all, the prices might feel just right too). Several of these items give a portion of the profit to charity which is an even better way to shop.


Bird Silhouette Bracelet by Missbluebirdandoscar $14


Poultry Paper Stationary Set by kdmade $10



Modern Art Everyday Calendar by modernarteveryday $19


Wood Bird Decals by holly $6 (set of 3)


Sika Hot Shorts by pantyline $10


Sewing Kit be WoodElements $38


2009 Calendar by greenchairpress $20


Porcelain Snowflake Ornament by shoshonasnow $18


Citrus Fern Sachets by lottahelleberg $20


MIU Gift Card by kalenastudio $6



Lavender Sachet by bonspielcreations $11.70
2009 Happify Calendar by happify $12


Yellow Pincushion by kdmade $18

looky-cookies

Allison invited her friend Spencer over for cookie decorating today. They had a super time, but between you and me, I think I liked it best.

Notice Spencer showing the back side of his cookie.


I call this the drizzle method.


Red angel of death?


Spencer was rather liberal with his icing.


They taste the same no matter how you decorate them.






I had promised the recipe for Ultimate Ginger Cookies, so here it is. We ate them with Ginger Ice Cream, Caramel Sauce and sliced Bosc pear, but they are delicious on their own, or with tea.

Ultimate Ginger Cookie
by Ina Garten

2 1/4 c flour
1 t baking soda
2 t cinnamon
1 1/2 t ground clove
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/2 t ground ginger
1/4 t salt
1 c dark brown sugar
1/4 c vegetable oil
1/3 c unsulfured molasses
1 extra large egg, room temperature
1 1/4 c chopped crystallized ginger (6 oz)
granulated sugar for rolling

Preheat oven at 350, line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper

Sift together flour, baking soda, salt and dry spices. In the bowl of your mixer, beat the brown sugar, oil and molasses on medium for 5 min. Turn mixer to low, add egg, and beat for 1 min. Scrape the bowl and mix for 1 more min. On low, slowly add the dry ingredients. Turn to medium and mix for 2 minutes. Add the ginger and mix until combined. Roll dough into 1 3/4" balls, then flatten them lightly with your fingers. Press both sides into sugar and place on sheet pan. Bake for exactly 13 minutes! Allow to cool on the pan for a minute, then transfer to racks.

etsy finds

At last, the long awaited Foodie Gift Guide Part 2. Thanks for your patience, it's been a hectic bunch of days.


Teacher's Pet Apple Box by MissNatalie $28


Kitchen Items Placemats by tlane $14 (set of 2)


Crocus Vase by kimwestad $150



Honeybee Cup by CircaCeramics $30


Modern Tray by Dansk sold by bluebellbazaar $48


Box Elder Bowl by CTAWoodart $45


Wood Grain Plate by soule $20


Splat Green Bamboo Clock by pilotdesign $45


Butternut Serving Bowl by KarinLorenc $24


Blackboard Coasters by avrilloreti $14 (set of 4)


Fluted Bottle in Gunmetal by marymeestudio $28


Creamer and Sugar Set by whitneysmith $88

Tandem Bikes are Twice as Rad Coasters by girlscantell $9.50

it's never an easy project

I mentioned weeks ago that I'm thinking to paint the hall and kitchen. My list of things to accomplish over the weekend was already insanely long, so why not include the always simple project of painting half the house. I'd picked the colors, and decided to use Natura, a line of no VOC paints which can be re-painted in 1 hour. Too bad I hated the gray color once it was up on the walls. Also too bad the store isn't open on Sundays when I ran out of white. Needless to say, the kitchen is only half painted and I have to live with it until next weekend when I have more time. The good news is that almost everything else on the list was checked off: super clean the house-check, trip to the grocery store-check, drop off donation bag-check, pull out the christmas decorations-check. I even managed to bake a batch of ginger molasses cookies of which I will post the recipe tomorrow. They're amazing, and so easy.

etsy finds

It's really satisfying to find the exact right gift for someone. When you're excited to give the gift, you know you've done it. And that is just how it should be. When you take someone's personality or interests into consideration, you can really end up with something unique. And I guess that is how I would describe this list. Most of these might not suit everyone on your list, but if you find a fantastic gift for just one of those people, than this collection will make sense.


Transparent Lucite Bracelet with Real Beetles by KolosStudio $30


Vintage Camera by TimothyAdamDesigns $37


Dumbmachine 003 Tunic by themachinestops $55
Set in Stone, Moss Ring by AdornJewelry $35


Slip-on Short Boots by fiab65 $60


Book Mobile by theshophouse $48


Beer Run Tote by BlueThimble $30


Yellow by ErinTyner $28


Doors Poster by PataPri $20




Tree Wall Plaque by Samskiart $30



Personalized Tulip Stationary by WhiskerGraphics $20 (set of 10)


Handlebar Mustache Man Tee by spittingimage $20


The Shunning T-shirt by clothmothclothing $22


Cityscape Skyline Decal by BadassCustomDecals $50

etsy finds

Did you hear the report on NPR this morning? One-third of 1500 toys tested were found to have high levels of toxic chemicals in them! Shocking that companies would knowingly put toxic materials in their products, and even worse that parents buy them. Do yourself and your children a favor, buy something from the list below. A gigantic (6 part!) baby/kid gift guide can also be found here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Monstropolis by CreativeNeesh $40


Wood Stacking Toy by littlesaplingtoys $26


Wool Crown by dreamchildstudio $18


Father and Son Ties by toybreaker $57


Stuart Sweater Vest by Soil $30


Flip 'n Match by petitflaneur $35


Days of the Week Box Set by handmadejig $70


Custom Doll by ImogensGarden$42


Wool Felt Baby Shoes by elefent $26


Fleece Jacket by hannaandviolet $48


Abbie Doll by madebymaisie $45


Mocha Striped Pinafore and Pet by freerangebaby $38


Little Nina Hat by studiowonjun $42