Ransacked Goods

The Little Things

Here are a few things that are making my busy Fall days a little brighter around here. What gives you a little pick-me-up?

Almond & Seasalt Chocolate from Chocolove. Seriously it's the BEST salty sweet fix in one.

 

Posie Tint from Benefit is like not wearing any make up at all. The bonus is it lasts all day long, no need to freshen up.

My new iPhone. Call me a yuppie, I can take it.

 
Hearty, organic food from my local Community Supported Kitchen (CSK) Three Stone Hearth takes the edge off cooking for a few evenings a month.

A perfect latte from Blue Bottle to sip sloooooowly.

Chinook Book Fundraiser

Hi Folks! I just organized a holiday sale of the Chinook Book to benifit my daughter's preschool. If any of you want to buy one (or more) for the following locations ($20 each) let me know and I'll deliver them to you ASAP. It benifits a great organization with many worthy kids and you get 300 valuable coupons for savings up to $3000 at local, sustainable businesses that promote healthy living in your community. They make great gifts for the holidays - I know I've been given one before and appreciated it.

Bay Area: East Bay

Bay Area: Silicaon Valley/Santa Cruz

Seattle/Puget Sound

Portland, OR

Denver/Boulder

Minneapolis/St. Paul

The Horse Boy

Have you seen The Horse Boy? One of the most touching and inspiring documentaries I've seen in a long time. Firstly, these parents are amazing and secondly I've always been facinated with Mongolia but I see it completely differently after watching this family's journey. Check it out.

Skirt Transformed

Sadly, maternity leave is coming to a close. I head back to work next week with mixed feelings. I'll miss being home every day with my little darlings, reading in bed, making soup, taking leisurely walks in the neighborhood chatting with friends. But I'll be gaining my sense of independence again, some quiet time to read on the bus and the confidence that I am providing for my family in a different way.

That said, I purged the closet hard, slash and burn. After 2 pregnancies let's just say I'm not headed back to the size 6 I was when we were married 7 years ago. And that's fine. I'm more forgiving and grateful of my body now that I used to be. It's good to be gentle with your self image, I'm feeling older and wiser these days. But there were a few pieces I didn't want to part with, I'm a pack rat at times. So I turned a few skirts and dresses into these drawstring bags. Sew them below the darts at the waist, trim off the waist excess, open the hem and pull a ribbon through, voila a nice bag for storing stuff (dress up clothes, travel laundry, toys...)

Knit Sign Cozy

Okay, this knit sign cozy in my neighborhood is the first of 3 that I have spotted this week around town. I had no idea "guerrilla knitting" was so big or so rad. Check out this post with some amazing examples. My hands are just aching thinking about it.

Letterpress Class with Jordan Ferney

Today I spent the day in San Francisco taking a letterpress class from the kind and welcoming Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day (sister to Design Mom). You have to love the simplicity and beauty of letterpress, the cotton paper, the crisp lines and soft ink pressed into the paper. It's so different than the printing I work with in publishing - terms like long-run-web and computer to plate aren't as charming. Jordan filled us in on the history, tecniques and resources of letterpress and we all made business cards using her vintage press in her beautiful studio. I had no idea how coveted these old presses are!

While I don't see myself running out to buy a press I am always happy to be learning a new craft. Each bit of knowledge is a building block to the next project that awaits me.

The finished cards are beautiful, lucky me! Now I have to decide on my next class becuase I'm inspired.

Yarn Wreath by ItzFitz

via www.etsy.com

I'm brainstorming about holiday crafts. What's easy, what's practical, what's been done before and what's simply lovely. This wreath is a great twist, a non-traditional interpretation that would give me a smile as I came home.

Christmas Napkins

I'm starting to get the Holidays on the brain now. I pulled out some Christmas fabric I've had stashed for awhile when I saw it on sale off season. I love the not so traditional color tones. Below are some beautiful napkins from the Purl Bee that are made with a really easy technique and linen is always a classy addition to any patterned print. I'm hoping if I start early I can make a set for the festivities this year.