Saints for Sinners

"The Saints are the Sinners who keep on trying."-Robert Louis Stevenson

This is one of those blog posts that has been on my to-do list for ages! But I am glad that I waited because rather than just blog about how awesome Saints for Sinners hand painted medals are, I can show you the wonderful gift that I recieved over Jazz Fest.  Rob Clemenz (the artist behind these medals) is a dear friend of our dear friends and he had a "sneaking suspiction" that I was pregant, so he delivered these three specially picked medals to our place of lodging during the fest.  My three saints are Saint Philomena (Patroness of expectant mothers, newborns and infants), Saint Anne (Patroness of mothers, grandmothers, teachers and grace) and Saint Margaret (Patroness of pregnant women and nurses).  I adore them and have not taken them off since Jazz Fest. They are the perfect mix of my Catholic upbringing, kitsch, and art. Can you tell from the photo how magnificent the colors are?  Rob imports the medals from Italy and then meticulously hand paints each one and updates the Saint's story for modern day. They are the perfect "token of comfort and serenity!"

(Sorry for the iPhone photo but the camera is packed away in the hospital bag.)

It's a Wrap

I have had so much fun wrapping gifts in bingo paper this year. Since I scored all that wonderful tape, I have forgone bows and ribbons preferring to weave and layer tape to my heart's content.

Now I am brainstorming how to wrap my Christmas gifts (gotta be prepared for when I actually start to purchase gifts).   Maybe I take gift wrap too seriously but I think that the experience of receiving the gift in your hands should be as magical as the gift itself.  I never ever use gift bags because I don't like the way they look under the tree, not to mention it is just too easy to sneak a peek. 

Happy Haul-idays!

What an amazing giveaway Chronicle books is hosting!  Simply curate a list of books valued up to $500, then blog about your list and you'll be entered to win your very list.  Plus the generous folks at Chronicle Books are also going to give one of your readers the chance to win your list of books...so be sure to comment!  (Only open to US residents...sorry!) December 10th is the last day to enter.

As I am attempting to make my list and check it twice, I have two totally different rough drafts working here.  I am completely torn between my responsible list which will contribute greatly to my resource library for work, or throwing my whole lot into finally owning Terra Incognita Limited Edition which I guest blogged about over here and have been hoping to add to my coffee table.  What is a girl to do?!? As my computer is most likely to self-implode soon, do I have to be a responsible adult and go with the aids to my profession?  Who would have thought narrowing down to $500 worth of books would be so difficult?  .......So it seems that my good work ethic will not win out on this one...I am going to go whole hog Terra Incognita, with a few other goodies on the side!!!

Terra Incognita Limited Edition Photographs of America's Third Coast, By Richard Sexton

Small Stakes Music Posters, By Jason Munn

Little Book of Letterpress By Charlotte Rivers
Decorate 1,000 Professional Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home, By Holly Becker, and Joanna Copestick
Photographs by Debi Treloar

Polaroid Notes 20 Different Notecards and Envelopes, Curated by Jenifer Altman
Cart Total: $499.85!  Now its your turn....leave a comment and you will be entered to win my list. ...also let me know if you post a list :)  Good Luck!!

Here is my very responsible list which will have to wait:
Narrow Houses, Material Immmaterial, Anna Sui, Design Reseach, Small Scale, The Exquisite Book, The Small Stakes, Kitchen Centric, New Restaurant Design, 1000 Interior Design Details for the Home, Decorate, Paper and Craft.

Midas Touch

I can't stop daydreaming about how glorious this glassware would look on my table.  Contemporary and luxurious, I would love to give these a whirl at my next dinner party.

image via DWR.

Knocked my socks off...

Look at what came in the mail! After much discussion about how great knee socks are for galoshes, my friend Anna scooped up a really cute pair in San Fran and mailed them with some curious packaging. If my knee socks in grammar school would have been this cute, I would have rocked the uniform with pride. Thanks Anna, I love them!

Lucky 30!

August has been such an incredible month! For my 30th, Will suprised me with three beautiful gifts. All I wanted to commemorate the big 3-0 was my Gogo cuff that we picked up at Jazz Fest a few months ago. I was elated to have this as my one and only gift, but, on my big day I was surprised with a gorgeous crab shell necklace. Lastly (I know this is sooo 2 years ago) and what I have been lusting the longest is my Keep Calm print that I came across a few years back here. Will tracked down the original source here so we can proudly display our own propaganda.