For your buddy

When it comes to Christmas shopping, buying for my friends and sister/sister-in-law is my favourite part... because you can basically just pretend you're shopping for yourself, and buy awesome stuff you'd usually not allow yourself to buy.  Here are a few things I've picked out on etsy to gift to my (self) friends...

Amazing scout-style merit badge from TheScoutProject 

Stacking ring holder bowls from MadgeDishes + Awesome painted pouch from emmyreis

Poppy phone covers from yours truly, of course

Pretty packaged soaps from HelloSoap

Constellation print from BranchandOlive

 Too early mug from Emily Mcdowell Draws + Beautiful scarves from Link collective

... and don't forget, if you've not shopped on etsy before you can use this link to get £5 towards your first purchase!

My other favourite thing to gift at the holidays are books.  Have you setup a Goodreads profile? It's a great way of keeping track of books you've read and books you've been recommended.  You can check my list of books I want to read here.

This year I'm actually trying to rebuild my collection of books I've read and leant out and never gotten back or lost. It's nice to have copies of your faves on the shelf.  Here are a few of my all time favourites that I think would make lovely gifts:

Other failsafe ideas: stripey socks, massive jars of coconut oil, beautiful manuka honey.  Licorice, special salt, coffee. You're welcome and happy holidays!

xo

Dope Dad

It's almost Dad's day. June 15 don't forget to get something in the mail soon!

Here are some ideas in case you've overdone it on socks.

1. A postcard that doubles up as frame-able artwork. For sure!!

2.  You can totally buy cheese on Amazon.  And meat.  And beer. Can't go wrong really?

3.  Grab something handmade and beautiful from etsy.  I've even got £5 of credit for you to spend towards any purchase!  Go ahead and spend it!

Papa's got a brand new bag ▲ Lovely slate coloured plates ▲ Suede shoes for living life 

▲ Say hi everyday with this lovely print ▲

4.  Don't forget a card!

5.  And if all else fails...

Because I'm partial to a stripey sock I can't see anything wrong with renewing last year's gift.  Have had these American Apparel ones before and they're brilliant quality. 

National Mommy Day

Year of the horse mobile + Two Geese Mug

March 30th is Mothers Day in the UK.  Show some love and support to the wonderful mommies in your world.
Here are some gift ideas I love.

Suzie soft doll + Porcelain necklace + Botanica Facial Care Set

Watermelon pillow + lucky piggy + Baby card

DIY cowl knitting pdf + Pink circle print

Love life 2014

IT'S A NEW YEAR right? A chance to start over. We can pickup new hobbies and make plans and fill our planners and kick some bad habits and create some good habits.

I thought I'd pickout a few things that might inspire you while you're in a seizing-the-day kind of mood.

Send some thank you cards for all those nice gifts you got over the holidays.

▲ Wolf moon card ▲Stay Golden card ▲ Lazy Dog card ▲ Fox card ▲ Cat card ▲ Thank you postcards ▲ You're neat card ▲ well done card ▲  80s sweater card ▲

Throw out some of your old coffee mugs and replace them with some new ones:

Gold polka dot mug ▲Copenhagen coffee mug

Call a few people you've not called in a long time and tell them they mean a lot to you.

Heart brooch

Read! With a broken foot there is a distinct lack of running in my life and reading is totally filling that gap.  I'm currently tearing through The Fault in our Stars by John Green.  Have you got a good book recommendation? I'm on Goodreads - join!!  Here are some books I have lined up to read next.

Hopefully you're feeling inspired and excited about the year ahead in a non-going to the gym and doing a crazy detox-sort of way. Cuz staying home with your leg in a cast is wayyy cooler than doing exercise. 

Last minute gifts for pals

Spend under £15 and get a great gift for your buddy. Here are a few ideas:

Supercool Headscarf ▲ French Dogs card set

Charcoal Soap ▲ Square face S&P ▲ Chairs Pillow ▲ Scary Bear print ▲ 

Ok and a few gifts that may be over £15. For really nice friends.

Raw Citrine Gold Necklace ▲ Green clutch 

Happy Holiday Shopping.  x

It's happening, whether you like it or not!!!

Get into the holidays, GET INTO THE HOLIDAYS my friends!!
I've written a list of some ways to help us all just settle right into this festive season.  
Because the inevitable is happening so we might as well just do this together.  
Here it is: 

1.  Wrap up warm/buy some nice things for yourself.  It has to be done!

Grey knit headband ▲ Eyeglass Pouch ▲ Knit slippers ▲ Crochet necklace ▲ Ring dish

2.  And while you're at it, start making a gift list, for yourself. 

Moon scarf  ▲ Organic Whipped Shea Butter 

3.  Get baking.  My pal at Riverside Baking makes a ton of tasty looking stuff and I always ogle at the amazingness that is Ohsheglows.

4.  If you can't bake something, cover something in chocolate and call it handmade.  Bag it up and give it to nice people. Chocolate covered pretzels are a great idea.  I've even designed you some labels to stick on gift bags.  

5.  Be organised and get an order in for a house portrait. They make awesome personalised gifts for a newly married couple, or the couple who has everything.

6.  Go outside and enjoy the crisp, bright air.  Go running or just wrap up and pickup a coffee. It's pretty nice out there.

7.  Still feeling like you don't know where to start? I've got a holiday starter pack for you.  It contains some cards, pocket mirrors, and an ornament - to get you in the mood and up to speed.

How are you feeling now? Still ready to run for the snow-capped hills, screaming 'IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET' ?

Or can I interest you in a little mulled wine tipple to get this party started?

Etsy does run gear

I'm a massive Etsy advocate - mainly because it's where I make my living and how I pay my bills but in all honesty I do most of my shopping on Etsy nowadays.  There is an absolute goldmine of awesome products to be found with amazing, creative people behind the products ready to answer any questions and help make your shopping experience a personal and enjoyable one.  

Because it's pretty much summer and I'm getting excited about my marathon training which starts next week I wanted to point out some of the awesome kit that can be found on etsy.   So much rad stuff, I may have to treat myself to a few new additions to my running wardrobe.  

After all, money spent on health and fitness is spent guilt-free.  Girl's gotta look good when she be sweating.  

 Be The Example Print + Neon yellow tee + Braided Headband

 Don't feel sorry for yourself print + Beast Mode Tee + Celestial Rust Leggings

Fire Tank +  Flowered leggings 

VALENTINE'S DAY is next week.

Here are some gift ideas.  For me. I mean, for your girlfriend.

▲ Anatomi Red Teardrop Geode Ring ▲ Tuesday Bassen Nose Ring Holder  ▲  Noble Beeswax Votive Candle ▲

▲ DEADWEIGHT Stop Worrying print ▲ Kate Madeira MegaBabe Patch ▲ Giulia Sagramola Daschund League purse   ▲ vitrifiedstudio earthy bowl ▲ flatearthstudio Grasp Vase ▲

Fancy a date?

My boyfriend laughed in my face when I told him WhSmith RUNS OUT of diaries within the first week or two of January.  I'm not lying, no? Thanks to the internet though there's a wonderfully wonderful selection of journals and planners and calendars to house your very important coffee dates, to-do lists and 3am ideas.  Here are some of my faves.

Paper wall calendar by Misakomimoko + Mood Diary by EineDerGuten + Sweet as Pie Pocket Notebook 3 Pack by theblackapple 

NYHarbor Ships Birthday Calendar by Bowsprite + Strange Strangers Calendar by matesrubbish + Mt. Hood wall calendar by CathyMcMurray 

 2013 monthly planner by dozi (they also do a nice weekly planner) + 2013 Daily Planner in Peach by juliakostreva 

If all else fails, you can't go wrong with a trusty moleskine (I have ordered the pocket sized weekly planner in red.) 

A catch-up with St. Nick

Dear Santa, here are a few ideas.  Please and thank you. 

1.  Floral facial mask  2. Book bag  3. Black&White Necklace  4. Coin purse  5. Pottery bowl  

6. Lunch plate  7. Tiny hand silver necklace  8. Flax towels

And while we're on the topic, I'm getting my Christmas groove on real good:

MountRoyalMint+EvaRevolver+Sweetbestiary+UpperTiny+mayagencic+Asleepfromday

I've just got to decide on which cards to send and how many pies to eat. 

Peace christmas card by Chloe Bonfield
Every last santa card by Imaginaryanimal
Goosey card by Lucy Eldridge

▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ ▼ ▽▲ △ 

For your eyes

1. Croissant Bear 2. Fuck Off Leopard 3. Everything you do is right sign 4. Uppertiny art 5. Raindrop light pull Because we all need these things in our lives.

Good things

A list of things that are good:

1. I don't even mind if winter hangs around cuz I've got my orange winter coat.

2. Not sure what sort of black magic goes into this stuff, but daaaaamn.

3.  Read these books.

4. Caine's Arcade

5.  Eggs. I need protein and protein needs me!!!

True Love

If you're looking for a non-crazy-psycho youtube video-way of expressing your feelings to the one you love next week (although I'm all for it) here are some ideas: 

1. You make me happy card From letterhappy
2. Coaster set from Arthouse Meath, £8

3. Coffee Mug by YouAreLove Creations, £12.90
4. Mouse patch from Hannah Zakari, £6

5. Black and White needlepoint loafer from By Paige, £128
6. Groundhog pinchpot from Tigerhead designs, £7
7.  Nice Goose print by Tosya, £9
8.  Something nice (pretty much everything is nice) from Santoki Vintage

Please be careful out there, Valentines Day can get pretty hard core... I for one am going to just stay in and watch tv or just go on the internet. (see you sentimental losers laterrr!)