threading paper.

Oh no.  I haven't been without the delightful this summer, I've almost just had so much of it that my head is spinning: four weeks of swim lessons, camping on the coast, a birthday, school shopping, furniture deliveries and a big family reunion coming at us quickly.  (And I can't help but take any spare time to Pinterest instead.)

But this- threading paper on a string- stands simple but colorful and clever.  That's what I'm attracted to most this month.

my next housewarming / dinner party / hostess gift

seen: superior servers by Ladies & Gentlemen, $35 each

Because they're practical and pretty and colorful.  Choose from Buttermilk, Dijon mustard, Vintage Aqua and Blood orange and try not to suddenly crave a gourmet salad.  

[Seen in Real Simple Magazine]

DIY liberty baby bibs

seen: Liberty of London baby bib kits, $35

Today is the day I finished my very first sewing project!  I grabbed one of these baby bib kits a couple of months ago with the intention to learn how to sew.  I finally found the time and now understand why they sold out the very first day they were introduced.  Sewing is made easy with a breeze of a pattern (even on my very first time sewing anything) and the combo of organic Michael Miller cotton terry and like silk Liberty of London's Tana Lawn is amazing.  Available in 7 color-ways (I chose the gray... & now want bright blue, red and yellow.)  

Now someone I really like just needs to have a baby.  I think it will complete the perfect gift.  

sending sunshine.

We were getting our fair share of sunshine last week and it felt wrong to keep it all to myself.  So, I spent a couple of days boxing it up and sending it off to a couple of friends.  It really was great fun!

*I used boxes I had on hand.  So although I started with the same tidbits for each package, I ended up changing up the contents to fit.  I liked the variation.

(Now, we have enough rain and hail to go around.  Any takers?)

a new kind of gift packaging & office supplies

There are always a lot of people trying to do the same thing, especially with paper goods and gift packaging lately.  (Although maybe that's not a bad thing.  I'm not sure I can get enough..).  Why do I love Olive Manna, then?  Because not only do they have 15 pages of products I would buy in a second, but they have this too.  Something new & different:

I'm especially loving the stained wood.  

sexy beast card.

seen: sexy beast card by The Art File

(scanned image by me)

Today I walked into a local stationary store and found this cheeky line of cards from the UK, who I vote has the best sense of humor.  I left with the above card.  My scanning does it an injustice, but it's large, thick, recycled, and very man-appropriate.  For only $3.50.  That's hard to find.  

Other favorites:

Keep an eye out or order in their online shop.  

inspired: gift wrap

seen: water colored gift wrap

hex bugs

seen: Hex Bug Nano, $7.99-$9.99

Even if they're mostly a bit creepy among adults, it seems like bugs are intrinsically cool to most kids.  How to work around that (when, let's say.. your 4 your old wants pet ants; they even made it to the Christmas wish list..)?  Hex Bugs are super great + futuristic robotic creatures that behave like real bugs.  One of these "test tubes" will make it into each boy's stocking this year and I may be really excited.

[I've spotted them at Target & Peek Aren't You Curious.]

DIY stamped christmas cards version 2010:

 my inspiration:

seen: Greetings from San Francisco cards by Hello Lucky!

my DIY:

seen: Winterscape and San Francisco stamp sets by Yellow Owl Workshop 

+

seen: stamp pads from paper source

+

plain cards and envelopes in superfine soft white from paper source

+

one favorite family photograph by Justin Hackworth

I love sending & receiving Christmas cards and am excited that twenty-ten will bring back a Burgoyne family greeting.  This year, coming from The Bay area.  

minted: photo calendars

seen: Minted photo calendars, $29-39

I've made & gifted photo calendars before and believe that they can make such a thoughtful gift (sometimes tricky to avoid the tacky).  But these? Easily my favorite I've ever seen and definitely on my to give & to get list this year.

[originally seen on stephmodo]

go car

seen: kid-o go car, green, $10

I've talked about my favorite Kid-O before, and we found another little gem yesterday.  For $10, a sleek, smooth riding car with a built in handle in the prettiest grass green.  Maybe my new go-to one year old gift; or a perfect bribe teaching tool for a little boy who is supposed to use words to get what he wants.  (He can only play with the new & exciting go car by saying something resembling "car."  Language = results. It's working. :) 

And for fun, we're dying to try the real go cars in San Francisco.  They have a 2 hour "locals tour" that looks like a great (but nail-biting) time.  Have you go-cared?  

roundup: hooded towels

Bath time is my very favorite time of the day.  It always calms my boys, it's a good end to any kind of day and they obviously get clean.  I love clean.  But most of all, I love wrapping them in cozy hooded towels.  

Hooded towels.  Are you a fan too?  We're still using them with our four year old and because they're practical for so many years, I think they make the perfect baby gifts.  

My favorites:

1. 3 Sprouts Hooded Animal Towels, $36.  Organic.*

2. Kate Quinn Organics luxury hooded towel, $32.  Organic & in so many color options.

3. Olli & Lime Egg hooded towel, $25*

4. Speesees Prance hooded towel, $30.  Organic.

Others not pictured:

5. Giggle Basics hooded bath towel- orange trim, $36.  Organic.

6. Aden & Anais Bubble Hooded Towel & washcloth set, $30.

7. Baby Star patterned hooded towels, $32

8. Dwell Studio hooded towel, $44. 

9. Monster hooded towel, $45. [other versions: yikestwins, ugly monster hooded towel]

[*= brands I haven't tried yet.]

how does your garden grow?

seen: how does your garden grow kit

jme kids:  have you had a chance to browse the Jamie Oliver shop recently?  Suddenly (?) so many great little kits for our mini cooks and gardeners.  

milk and cookies printables

seen: milk and cookies printables

[more details here]

paper crave: searching for a last day of school snack/ thank you/ parting gift idea?  Go and happily use your red ink!  

personalized family tree

seen: personalized family tree by Sarah Jane Studios

I hope you know Sarah.  I've been lucky enough to call her a roommate many years ago and have great memories jumping on a cheap twin bed, reciting e.e. cummings.  She's that kind of person.  And lucky for all of us, (several years, a family and a career later..) it translates into her art and her business.  I ordered this customized family tree for my mom's mother's day gift and Sarah was so agreeable to add this or change that and even surprise me with extra little gifts- all within a tighter deadline.  I know she'd do the same for you too.  It makes for happy giving.

babysparewear

seen: babysparewear fashion fix cordura chic- sky blue

For whatever reason, baby gear is always an exciting search for me and babysparewear is at the very top of my favorites!  Their concept is perfect (ultra compact & wearable light-weight baby jersey cotton).. but Finn's sparewear outfit was on regular everyday rotation when he was teeny tiny- enough to never act as a "spare" outfit.  (Still, that travel case was a constant diaper bag essential..)

Take note: their basic (mini makeover) kits would make the perfect baby gift!  

tooth fairy bunnies

seen: homemade tooth fairy bunnies via inchmark

photo by brooke (inchmark)

Hand sewn, customized boy/girl bunnies is such a sweet twist on the traditional tooth pillow.  I really love the idea of making more magic for this already anticipated milestone.  (My elementary best friend and I swore to be tooth fairies when we grew up.  You?)

Have you tried Hand Stitched Felt?  If it can help me create the likes of this, I'm ready to add it to the cart.  

book-marks

seen: booklet of bookmarks, $8

briones + co.: Do you collect books too?  And read with a pencil in hand to circle and underline and write your poetry in the margin?  Then, read on: bookmarks that "keep track of the books you want to read, the books you’ve read, and what you thought of them. note the words that you’d like to look up later and never forget your favorite quotes."  I'm dying.  

Now to start reading (really reading) again...

floral sculpted nesting bowls

seen: floral sculpting nesting bowls.  $32 for set of 4

the spoon sisters: I never have enough mixing bowls and would love a set in full bloom.  Especially in orange.  

diy spring napkins

seen: diy spring napkins by the purl bee

I'm still searching for the perfect Mother's Day gift ideas, but I'll throw this out there for you sewers.  I think I would get weak-kneed opening a box of these!  Amazing.