Words to live by

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
-Lana

(illustration by Unraveled Design on etsy)

San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair

It's that time of year again and Renegade Craft Fair will be back in SF for their Holiday Market.  It is being held on December 15th and 16th this year at the Concourse Exhibition Center.  The fair is a great source of craft inspiration as well as an excellent resource for unique gifts.  I can't wait to go!

-Lana

Method soaps

I make my children wash their hands frequently, but my son tends to use too much soap. Enter - Method soaps.  I like that their foaming wash pumps out just enough soap and washes off cleanly without much trace of a scent.  A while back, I purchased Method's Mickey Mouse soap, which was a cute Mickey Mouse shape and had a light lemonade scent.  There was also a Minnie Mouse soap which had a strawberry smell.  Both are still available at some Target stores and through other online retailers.

Method recently launched limited edition soaps with Orla Kiely. They are available through Method's online shop, but I have also seen them at Target.  They are a nice stylish accent for the bathroom or kitchen. 

-Lana

Target and Neiman Marcus Collaboration

It's no secret that I am a huge fan of Target designer collaborations.  As I was browsing through the Target website looking for information about the upcoming September debut of the Shops at Target  (Patch NYC, The Curiosity Shoppe, Kirna Zabete and Odin), I found several articles about Target's holiday collaboration with Neiman Marcus.  Read about the CFDA designers who are participating in this collaboration (24 in all) here.

You had me at Marchesa and Marc Jacobs.  

-Lana

Seoul Food

I recently came back from a trip to Korea with my family.  Here are a few Instagram'd pictures of the yummy food we had.


My latte to-go at Paris Baguette - Cutest coffee cup ever!

Beef stew with King and Shitake mushrooms

Simple and delicious "panchan" (savory crepes, pancakes and omelette shown here)

Cuttlefish salad with greens (cuttlefish was thinly sliced and greens were placed over it)

Corn porridge and grilled fish (possibly mackerel)

Refreshing green tea ice cream with green tea ice flakes, sweet red beans, and mochi (before and after!)

-Lana

Sightseeing in Korea

Here are a few Instagram'd pictures of Seoul and Busan. I'm still thinking of the sites, the food, the people, and the energy of these cities.

[SEOUL] Changdukkung Palace (the Queen's Palace, a World Heritage Site)

[SEOUL] Insadong District - full of good restaurants, antiques, and inexpensive souvenirs

[SEOUL] Gangnam District - My favorite place to people-watch in Seoul

[BUSAN] Jagalchi Market - Huge fish market where you purchase the seafood on the first floor and can have it brought up to the second floor to be cooked any way you like.  Eating seafood sashimi-style is the most popular since everything is so fresh.

[BUSAN] Haeundae Beach - Empty now, but this is where everyone flocks to in the hot and humid summer months

[BUSAN] Shinsegae - The largest mall in the world according to the 2009 Guinness Book of World Records

[BUSAN] Street vendor selling flowers for Parents' Day

-Lana

Pretty Pastels

I've been seeing some beautiful pastel-colored clothing recently.  Here are a few of my favorites.


Skirt and Top - H&M

Twisted High-Low Dress - Forever 21

Bold Geo Maxi Dress - Forever 21

Drawstring Tee - The Webster for Target

Embellished Ikat Print Shorts - Ann Taylor LOFT

Linen-Blend Skirt w/Belt - Forever 21

Sandals - H&M

-Lana

Pansy Maiden Bags

Recenly I received a Pansy Maiden Diaper Bag Set, and went to the site to get more information on the company.  It is an environmental friendly, vegan bag company that was founded by Laura Collins.  Read her story here.  It speaks to those of us who love DIY, and want to make a difference in the environment.  What shocks me, is her company was born only 3 years ago, and she just announced that she is going to be featured at the Epcot Center (yes, at Disney)!  Read more here.

They have some adorable bag designs - just browse through and see what suits your needs: http://pansymaiden.com/

I absolutely love the pattern of my bag, which I pictured below (which is packed and ready for my little man to make his appearance).  The bag included a changing pad and small pouch (love the owls!) for dirty diapers.  The inside of the bag is lined with wipeable fabric.  Love love love!  Sorry about the last picture - my editing skills are not up to par right now!  =)

Happy Day!
-Katie

Pops of Color

Here are a few things that have caught my eye on Pinterest.  I love these bright colors.


DIY Painted Wooden Necklace (by Laura Parke of A Girl Who Makes) 

Globe-Trotter Suitcase with Wheels at J. Crew

Pantone flowerpots by Serax

Perrette Container by Woonwinkel

-Lana

Colorful Books for Children

I try to read to my kids before bedtime every chance I get.  I'm always on the lookout for books that are visually interesting, have a great storyline (because I will be reading them hundreds of times), and are well-written.  


I've had following books in my Amazon cart for a while now.  They are colorful and have some great design to them.  I can't wait to buy them for my kids.


Pantone Colors 

(images via Design Mom)

Paul Thurby's Alphabet

Around the World with Mouk: A Trail of Adventure by Marc Boutavant

Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett

-Lana

Knitted Baby Gifts

I love giving knitted gifts to my friends who are expecting.  I very recently gave a pair of knitted socks to Katie who is expecting. 

It was a simple Two-Needle sock pattern by Debbie Bliss knitted as one piece and sewn down the back.  I can't remember which of her books it is from since I photocopied it years ago from one of her books loaned from the library.  The yarn is by Tess Designer Yarns which I purchased at a Stitches West conference a few years ago.  It is a superwash merino that is soft and has a nice elasticity to it. Since the pattern is for a 6 month-old baby, it knits up fast.  I think it can be done in a day if you knit quickly.

Now that this project is done, it makes me want to knit more regularly!

-Lana

Confetti

Who doesn't love confetti?  I've been seeing so many great confetti-inspired items on the web.  Here are a few of them.


Funfetti cake on Sweetapolita

Vonny Pie Carrier 

Tokketok Confetti Tags

DIY Confetti Tablecloth from Oh Happy Day

-Lana

Create your Own Fabric

I love the article in a recent Country Living Magazine that highlighted Spoonflower's great service.  If you can upload a photo, you can make your own fabric.  Anything goes - photographs, printed text, sketches, anything!  Think of what a great idea this is for a unique wedding gift, baby gift or other special occasion.  Having trouble finding that perfect fabric to match your home?  Make your own!  There is no minimum order and they use eco-friendly materials.

Below is just one example:

Happy Creating!
-Katie

DIY Valentines 2012

How did Valentine's Day sneak up on us already?  Luckily there are a couple more days left, so here are a few ideas for celebrating.


Little love notes by ARMOMMY
Show the kids how much they mean to you with these little notes.

Bunting by Two Brunettes (via Ruffled)

Assemble your own Valentines bunting with this printable.

Ice Cream Parlour Printable (Eat Drink Chic)

Celebrating with a group is easy if you have this printable!

Also by Eat Drink Chic is a sweet little Origami Heart Love Note.

Click here for a link to my Valentines suggestions from last year.

-Lana

Alexis Bittar

Came across this amazing ring today.  Had to share!  The gold and aquamarine coloring....swoon.

 You can find it here.

-Tina