How fantastic is the packaging on this line of body products by Villainess Soaps! It evokes a sort of spooky Victorian England vibe in its graphic design and of course with names like “Gloop” and “Grundy” I’m more than intrigued.  The good news is that the products smell better than their names would suggest. With ingredients like marshmallow, jasmine and lily of the valley you can pretty much guarantee that you’ll smell like a sexy villainess without the wretched part.  You can find everything you need from affordable perfume oils to mud masks on their website.

(via Notcot)

These comfy fashions from UK based Howies are right up my alley. I especially like the tunics. I have become so lazy in my dressing lately and have found that throwing on a tunic or a long sweater over a pair of leggings or skinny jeans just makes life easier. Shop here.

It’s officially the new year because I’ve hung my 2009 Dolphin Studios calendar! Every month of this silk screened calendar is a surprise. Each month is designed by a different member of the Ffrench family with bold colors and crisp graphics. I don’t want to spoil it for you since half the fun is discovering the months yourself and of course your birthday month but here are a couple samples from the 2009 calendar so that you can see what I’m talking about. They are available for purchase here for $50.

I’m off to shop for Christmas dinner, I’m thinking crab legs and pot roast this year. Before I go I wanted to wish you all a spectacular Holiday whatever you celebrate! These gorgeous ornaments are from my new favorite gallery craft2eu. Peace Out! 

What a fabulous idea this is! Artist Jennifer Hill has created a series of drawings called “Places I’ve Never Been” based on her imaginary vacations. Each piece has a pattern influenced by the what she imagines the culture and natural setting of each location to be like.  At the bottom of every print she has included information about the place, like the language and how many miles one would travel from the East coast to that location.  Ever since watching the Darjeeling Limited and now seeing Slumdog Millionaire I’ve been daydreaming about a trip to India, but for now I’ll have to settle for the idea of India through these prints.  Available through her Etsy shop J Hill Design or her Supermarket shop for $40.

I can’t believe Christmas is already this week! This Fall has flown by and sometimes I find it hard to keep up with everything I feel I should be doing.  Miraculously I did manage to finish my Christmas shopping and get everything out in the mail on time.  But if I hadn’t, I’d be glad to know that it’s not too late to order one of Kim Westad’s gorgeous porcelain pieces by the 23rd.  I obviously have a thing for dainty patterns on ceramics lately and these cups and bowls are no exception. Hand painted in bright colors with pretty pebble designs I’d love to have a cupboard full of these designs! You can find them on Kim’s Etsy page for $32 each.

I’ve been meaning to write about art, especially affordable art for awhile. Well there is no time like the present. I’m not normally drawn to abstract art but in the case of Robert Atwell I’ll make an exception.  The beauty of abstract is that you can use your imagination to decide what the artist was trying to create. In this case these collages remind me of mobile homes, in Florida. His works on paper range from $750-900 at Kathryn Markel Fine Arts.

Be still my beating heart, I’m in love with these pretty ceramics from Barbara Hast. I’m not sure if it’s their eggshell like delicacy or the dainty patterns that I can’t resist. Excuse my gushing but I tend to go a bit overboard when I see something this yummy. Barbara lives and works in northern Germany and her work can be seen at Craft2eu Gallery in Hamburg, Germany.  Take a look at their website for more beautiful pieces by Barbara and a host of other talented artists.

 (via dear ada)

I can’t believe I haven’t written about this sooner! For twelve days Jeanine Payer, my favorite jewelry designer of all time, is offering a magnificent piece at 35% off! Each day she lists an item and includes a little story behind the piece, like this doozie about the Palmer bracelet above: “I will never forget one Christmas season Barneys New York featured the Palmer in their holiday catalog and we were here into the wee hours engraving what felt like hundreds of them. I engraved 7 in a row before realizing I’d left a word out on every one! In the recycling bin they went!”

She is already on day 7 of her 12 Days of Christmas so hurry! Go to her blog Glimpse to see all of the pieces available.

Marian’s illustration

Chopard’s pendant

One of my favorite illustrators Marian Bantjes was commissioned by Saks Fifth Avenue to draw 25 snowflakes for their Christmas 2008 season. Marian’s snowflakes are now adorning everything from gift cards to ski hats for Saks.   Saks then commissioned some of the top jewelry designers in the world to interpret these snowflakes into pendants or earrings.  Here is my favorite interpretation from Chopard for $77,200! Check out Marian’s website for more pictures of the collection.

Ooooh ahhhh, I love these patterns from UK textile designer Charlene Mullen.  Inspired by everything from Victorian christening gowns to prison tattoos, Charlene draws on these ideas to create her intricate line drawings on cushions, blankets and clothing. Learn more about her here.

These designs from Lollipop Pottery make me happy. Lollipop Pottery is a husband and wife pottery duo from Ohio who work together like peanut butter and jelly. Tyson throws all the pottery on a wheel and wife Jessica paints each piece using her homemade glazes and decals.  I like the modern designs and the brightly colored interior glazes. They have several styles and designs but I can’t help but favor the caged-bird motif. Buy a set here.

I wanted to share some of my favorite ornaments called Christmas Krinkles by the artist Patience Brewster. Every year my Dad buys each of us one of the annual Tiffany crystal ornament and one of the Krinkles 12 Days of Christmas. We are up to Six Geesalayin and I’m anxiously awaiting Seven Swans a Swimmin. Here are some pictures I took of mine. If you want to start collecting them too, you can find most of the ornaments through Department 56.

Haley wins the best sister award again this year, sorry Britt and Quinn. For my birthday this year she gave me the prettiest earrings from Etsy seller Made By Stella. I love how versatile the earrings are. I can wear them to a fancy party or everyday and Haley knows me well enough to know I don’t go to many fancy parties. Under $50 here.

Since moving to Salt Lake in October I find myself sizing up every hill I see on whether it has sledding potential.  Lucky for me there are some perfect hills within walking distance of our house with my name written all over them.  Now all I need is this handmade Mountain-Boggan from Mountain Boy Sledworks and I’ll be the coolest sledder this town has ever seen.

Made from sustainble hardwoods like willow and birch with stainless steel parts these sleds are built to last.   For an extra $29 you can have them custom engrave your sled which would make it an extra special family Christmas present. Starting at $149 here.

I love these colorful yarn bracelets made of cotton, merino wool or silk from Etsy seller EasternSky. In these tough times this is a lovely and affordable gift for someone and you can feel extra good because you are supporting a handmade artisan. For a limited time designer Lana is running a special on the bracelet sets: 3 for $30, 4 for $38 and 5 for $45 here.

The recipe for the most delicious Cranberry Apple Spice Chutney

2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 cups white sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 cinnamon sticks
*boil, then simmer for 30 minutes

Add:
4 Granny Smith apples, diced (with skin)
2 12-oz bags fresh cranberries
1/2 cup orange juice
*bring to boil, then simmer 30 minutes

Add:
1 or 2 cups Golden raisins

*simmer 15 minutes until thick (remove cinnamon sticks)

Makes enough for a big Thanksgiving feast with enough leftovers to can for later or give as gifts.

It’s almost here, Christmas card season! Check out this cheery collection of cards from Made By Girl.  I’m not much of a sender of X-mas cards but I love being a receiver of them. I even have a drawer full of my favorite cards from the past few years, especially the photo cards. I love going back each year and seeing how everyone changes from year to year and watching our friends families grow. Also, check out MBG’s adorable Love posters and her blog.

I really love these black and white linocut prints by Eric Rewitzer for 3 Fish Studios. I’m especially drawn to the 49 mile Drive print. All around San Francisco you see these iconic “49 Mile Scenic Drive” signs which reference different landmarks and historic spots like the Presidio, Golden Park and the Ferry Building.  I would love one of these to remind me of our years exploring San Francisco. The other two prints are of the famous Doggie Diner out by Ocean Beach and Sutro Tower.  $25 buckaroos here.

My handbag hunt never seems to end. I’ve been using my brown Matt & Nat almost everyday for the past year and I’m thinking it might be time for a second bag. Some of the bags I’ve been eyeing as a replacement lately are these beauties by ValhallaBrooklyn and Neiko Designs below.

ValhallaBrooklyn is a one woman shop designing, cutting and sewing each bag using vintage and recycled materials out of Boston. One of the things I love about my Matt & Nat is how worn in it is. These bags already have that aged soft look I love. The collection includes wallets and clutches as well as a big weekender bag. Prices range from $40-$425.

Neiko Designs are also handmade creations using primarily leathers from Italy. I really like the androgynous nature of these bags. The designs look simple but they have a timeless quality to them that makes me think my grandchildren might uncover one in an old trunk someday and easily put it back to use and it would still look current. Prices range from $265-$355.

Speaking of birthdays, how sweet are these cake stands from Let Them Eat Cake? Made from mismatched vintage china these cake stands are too pretty to stash away in your cupboard until the next celebration. Some clever alternatives to keep them out of hiding are using them keep your jewelry organized, filling the tea cup with flowers or toothpicks and the ever practical keys and cell phone stand. Of course nothing would look better than a pile of cupcakes displayed for your viewing and eating pleasure. The price range is from $60-$100 depending on the size.

One of my favorite San Francisco boutiques, Eden and Eden recently launched their online shop just in time for someone’s birthday hint, hint. They have lots of goodies for your home or to wear but I’m focused on their unique jewelry collection. I love the laser cut collar necklace, the colorful baubles made of acrylic by UK designer Tatty Devine and the gunmetal bird designs from Alice Eden. If I wasn’t sure what to get me for my birthday I would start here.

I can hardly wait for Christmas this year! Living in Utah now I think pretty much guarantees we’ll have a white Christmas and I can’t wait to start decorating. I’ve noticed this new concept of using a basket for a Christmas tree stand on the cover of Cottage Living and on the Les Indiennes website and I think it’s a great idea.

A quick search online found a few affordable options to pull off this look:

Clockwise from top left: Ten Thousand Villages Kaisa Planter ($18), Pier 1 Water Hyacinth Basket ($18), Coco Company (upon request), Crate & Barrel Nest Basket ($44.95)

I love these bright fabric swatches from Free Spirit. Free Spirit is an online fabric gallery that takes a modern approach to quilting by offering unexpected and bold fabric designs to help you create a quilt unlike anything your mother used to make. No longer relegated to the older generations women of all ages are taking up quilting and even going away to Quilt Camps!

Hmm this is making me think joining a local quilting bee might be a good way to meet people in my new town. I can finally crack open that quilting book Haley gave me for Christmas years ago! Thanks to Molly for sending this link my way.

It’s coming! The Bazaar Bizarre will be back in San Francisco on Sunday November 30th from 10:00am-5:00pm at the San Francisco County Fair building in Golden Gate Park. Both Haley and I completed all of our Christmas shopping at the BB last year, sadly I’ll miss it this year but you shouldn’t! Check out some of these fine vendors who will be showcasing their wears at this years show. Thanks Shamila for the heads up! Follow the links below to purchase online if you aren’t a local either.

Honeylux, Shamila, Cara Lyndon, Rock Scissor Paper, 3 Fish Studios, Ezme Designs