My Pear-y Christmas

 

This Christmas my family surprised me with some of my gifts. It seems I have an affinity for all things pear right now, and my family picked right up on it. Check out these sweets treats they bestowed upon me!

This fabulous clock from Etsy seller, KitchenTableVintage.

Now my challenge is to find a place to hang it!

Three of these precious ornaments from Etsy seller, Defabricate.

I can't wait to hang these on my tree next Christmas!

This amazing timer from ModCloth.

Technically, this was an early birthday* present.

I can't wait to add to my pear collection now, and the color works perfectly with my dream kitchen color scheme!

(*10 days away)

My Graduation Gift Wish List

(I know I've been talking about this a lot lately, but really, it's all I've got going on right now, so just deal. Okay? I promise, when something else more fun and exciting happens in my life, I will blah blah blah about that instead. Until then, well, here...)

Did you know I'm graduating? From grad school? With my Masters? I am! Did you know I'm graduating TODAY!? Totally am. For your convenience, I have compiled this handy-dandy Graduation Gift Wish List, organized by type of gift giver (that would be you). You can email me for my mailing address.

From the unemployed/independent artist/stay-at-home mommy/cheap bastard (< $25)

1. Gnome 6x6 print 2. Mustache Rocks Glass 3. Robot Love Necklace 4. Blossoms from Bullets Scoop Neck 5. Secret Garden Flower Abstract Art Customizable Laptop Skin 6. Light Blue with Mottled Brown Beaded Earrings

From the part-time employed/housemate/teacher/liquor store clerk/best friend (< $50)

1. Set in Stone, Moss Ring 2. Cotton Wrap with White Birds Print 3. Bare Branch Blues and Rose Bud 4. Roots - Leather Journal 5. Dala Horse Tee 6. oooOo
UPDATE: #1, #4 and #5 have since sold, but the shops have many other really cool items, so be sure to check them out!

From the full-time employed/the secret admirer/the rich great-aunt (< $150)

1. UPCYCLED Blue VINTAGE Train Case 2. Pie Shop, 8x8 Metallic Print 3. Square Ivory Wood 4. Garden Gate Locket - Pearl, Flower, Bird 5. Asymmetrical Hoodie 6. Original Painting Bound
UPDATE: #5 has since sold, but the shop has many other really cool items, so be sure to check it out!  

From the independently wealthy/the sugar daddy/my stalkers (> $150)

1. no. 2 (tales) 2. Orchid Necklace 3. Tomalinson chairs 4. Signature Couture Halter Dress

So, there you have it. My Graduation Gift Wish List. If you're torn on what to get me, now would probably be an appropriate time to mention that you neglected to get me a birthday present... I didn't want to say anything, but since we're on the topic, I thought I should.

(Don't worry, I don't actually expect anything. I'm not even walking. I'm probably going to be spending the day by myself too. I am such a loser right now.)

Fall in love...

     

... with wrapping paper!

I'm not a fan of wrapping paper. In fact, I probably haven't purchased any in about five years. (and for more about over-priced crap, click here) It just so happens, I have in my possession, a never-ending roll of white craft paper. I've had this paper for, not-coincidentally, about five years. It's super versatile, and I can decorate it any way I choose, depending on the occasion. I also like to use innovative gift wrapping ideas, for example, putting a gift card into a mason jar full of candy. 

However, while perusing a blog tonight, I happened to stumble upon this website, Paper Source. I instantly fell in love with some of their wrapping papers, which led me to conduct a search for other cool paper.

Check it out..

Flora & Fauna Marine Fish & Irish Algae Wrapping Paper 
a throw-back to 18th-century etchings, these fabulous fish are part of the PS Green choices line and are printed on "Eco-White, 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste, paper." You can find it here.

 

Butterfly Migration Wrapping Paper

These colorful butterflies originally started life on a calender but are now offered as wrapping paper. Also from the PS Green choices line, these beauties flutter on printed "Eco-White, 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste, paper." You can find them here.

Robots Wrapping Paper

How cool are these guys? What little boy wouldn't love getting a gift wrapped in these? Also part of the PS Green choices line, these robots are printed on "Eco-White, 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste, paper." You can find them here.

Goldfish Wrapping Paper 
These goldfish remind me of Japanese art with the swirling blue background. They'd be a perfect way to brighten anyone's day! This paper is part of the PS Green choices line and is printed on "Eco-White, 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste, paper." You can find it here.

 

Halloween Witches Curry Wrapping Paper 
Typically, I don't like anything "holiday themed" but this paper is so bewitching (sorry, I couldn't help it). This paper is part of the PS Green choices line and is printed on "Eco-White, 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste, paper." You can find it here.

Salsify & Wasp Paper 
For some reason, this wrapping paper reminds me of my Great-Aunt Glady, who lived in Florida for many years. Something about the garishness of this paper is kind of attractive. You can find it here.

Paisley Chartreuse Paper 
I'm so in love with this print and would enjoy seeing it as window treatments. The detailing and the colors are just exquisite. You can find it here.

 

Oh My Deer
Now this is holiday paper! This cheerful wrapping would look good under anyone's tree. This gift wrap is 100% recycled. You can find it here.

Birdy Birdy

These chicks are crazy cute! What a great way to welcome a brand new baby girl to the world or brighten up your grandmother's birthday! This gift wrap is 100% recycled. You can find it here.

UPDATE: Upon further consideration of this topic, I've decided that I totally want to design wrapping paper! When I grow up, of course.

I ♥ Etsy! The Anti-Valentine Edition (part 2)

  

(Well, as promised, here's part 2 of my I ♥ Etsy! The Anti-Valentine Edition. You can find part 1 here. Enjoy!)

Tiny Spiny Pincushion Necklace

by twigsandheather 

I really like the uniqueness of this. With

all the heart pendents out there, this one
is pretty while still expressing the pain and
heartache that comes with love.

Twigs and Heather are twins! I love that.
They've been working with metal for almost
ten years. You must read their
Shop Announcement. They're green!

 

Broken, signed edition

by nicholasbartle

I really enjoy the plain, whiteness of this photo.

It's simple, but the message is quite clear.

Nicholas Bartle's profile provides very little

information, but if you check out his website,

you'll discover a collection of very

intriguing images.

You don't die of a broken heart...

by stevenbrisson

I really like the heart suggestion here, and I'm a sucker
for a black and white photograph. Of course, the
wood element takes me back to my roots.

Steven Brisson is another shop whose profile
explains very little, but if you take a moment to
check out his website, you'll find a collection of
some of the most touching photos I've ever seen.

Broken Heart Wall Art
by lucky7steel

I'm so in love with this piece. I would love
to hang this on a blue, or maybe a brick wall.

Lucky 7 Steel makes some great pieces out of
"mild and recycled steel."

Tiny Brown Owl with Broken Heart
by theupstairsroom

Seriously, how cute is this little guy?
And to top it off, he's brown and blue,
my favorite colors!

The Upstairs Room (I adore that title)
creates the cutest little "oddities." She's
also a new blogger, and you can find
her blog here.

I ♥ Etsy! The Anti-Valentine Edition (part 1)

(Sit tight, folks. This is a long one! I'm dividing it up into two posts for those with a short attention span, namely, me.)
         

Admittedly, this post is a tad delayed. But I've been super busy, and these I ♥ Etsy! posts take a while to create. As I have previously mentioned, I've never been a fan of Valentine's Day. In honor of my dislike and in opposition to all the lovey-dovey, pinky posts out there that gushed about V-day, I present to you this broken hearted edition of I ♥ Etsy!. 

 

Broken Heart Necklace 

by ANORIGINALJEWELRY 

I love the delicateness of this necklace. It's precious

enough for the sweet side of me, but dark enough

for the twisted side of me (gee, I sound like a  

Frosted Mini-Wheat®). 

A.N. Original Jewelry is located in Saratoga Springs, NY,

where I rested my nomadic soul for a year (and LOVED

it!). She also has a great blog you can follow (just scroll

down to the link on the right under Pretty & Creative Blogs).

Sutured Heart Necklace 

by idlehandsdesigns 

There are very few items from this seller that I don't ♥, but

in the interest of fairness and the conservation of space, I

selected this piece to feature. You definitely need to check

out the backside of this heart as well. Very unique and 

interesting!

Idle Hands Designs also has a blog, which I just

discovered. (I will post a link to it as soon as I get 

a free moment).

What Becomes of the Broken Hearted 

by Squeakypeach4

 There's just something about a broken down, rusted out

old vehicle that tugs at my heart strings. Maybe it's because 

as true North Country people (read: mountain hicks), we always 

had decrepit hunks of junk rotting away in our back yard. 

Whatever the reason, this just makes me so sad.

And if you notice, Squeakypeach4 is also a teacher and a
graduate student, just like me! (although I hope she's at least an
employed teacher, unlike myself.) Hurray for the grad student!

 

Heartache and Poetry

by BestArtStudios2 

The sadness, the colors, the nostalgia of a swing...
The loneliness, the heartbreak, the heart-shaped
moon... Sigh. I want it.

BestArtStudios2 is my favorite type of artist, 
a self-taught one. (and did you notice?
Everything is currently 25% off, although I'm 
not sure for how long).