Thinking Outside The Box (of Chocolates)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgok57SL5-eEd5VFMW07Em6XdnYPAfE5fk64FJAYg6P9ipis_1O62jsaDRuCwgq83NAv4-3y1fwJKllnNmn9VQOE1aF0-zZO-VW6RMuGtKxqqPg4R41uHyFSDXOf2FtOwAHeyvhX2MExM1/s1600/Picture+352.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgok57SL5-eEd5VFMW07Em6XdnYPAfE5fk64FJAYg6P9ipis_1O62jsaDRuCwgq83NAv4-3y1fwJKllnNmn9VQOE1aF0-zZO-VW6RMuGtKxqqPg4R41uHyFSDXOf2FtOwAHeyvhX2MExM1/s1600/Picture+352.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Don't get me wrong...I love getting chocolates on Valentine's Day!  However, this year, I thought I'd mix it up a little.  For my twelve year old daughter, the cutest temporary tattoos by <a href="http://www.tattly.com/" target="_blank">Tattly</a>.  Still fun and girlie, but not overly sentimental, I know she'll get a kick out of sharing them with her classmates. And, when it came time to find some creative ideas for my other two children, I didn't have to look any further than <a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. These fun, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/BraveMoonman?ref=seller_info" target="_blank">bright pencils</a> and this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/88579333/valentines-collection-jack-russell-totem?ref=sc_4&sref=sr_57eb2954afb63fa6d56b1f0906cc02c6bf57235a69185bc0ec1cce5868eab96f_1327965157_14196770_jack_russell" target="_blank">sweet little Jack Russel</a>, both caught my eye recently.  And of course, there's always that iconic box of chocolates! (<a href="http://www.godiva.com/product/mini-message-hearts-set-of-four/id/2545.gdv?SE_Section=Shop&SE_Category=118&lastCat=118" target="_blank">I couldn't resist this bargain</a>) What do you have planned for Valentine's Day?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykhWkPxY8x663UhgpfQvHyfeIajUY_CZdlIwS5ETRaocvknDhuhROxNQLvkaP0e5u8dkJGQF6PBC1bg41mti8R9bN-6Id-VLyji4kDNjqRwwGejGr9dHq03YDgYsj46I_gcgla22RJpO0/s1600/il_570xN.279980892-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjykhWkPxY8x663UhgpfQvHyfeIajUY_CZdlIwS5ETRaocvknDhuhROxNQLvkaP0e5u8dkJGQF6PBC1bg41mti8R9bN-6Id-VLyji4kDNjqRwwGejGr9dHq03YDgYsj46I_gcgla22RJpO0/s1600/il_570xN.279980892-1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o74QkTXMCsz8wUaoQSwdTfHPWNvdLME8BHif-vGP7TawMEdHh-CEnaI5ecW2L35_O3Ifwia0M5IEIWdZwhCVk_KYFmkz7nytgqCB3RbxEzn9ddrcW6gKDNGHwvqh9DvYcTxjNr1VjgS6/s1600/il_570xN.304721598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-o74QkTXMCsz8wUaoQSwdTfHPWNvdLME8BHif-vGP7TawMEdHh-CEnaI5ecW2L35_O3Ifwia0M5IEIWdZwhCVk_KYFmkz7nytgqCB3RbxEzn9ddrcW6gKDNGHwvqh9DvYcTxjNr1VjgS6/s1600/il_570xN.304721598.jpg" /></a></div><br /></div>

Thinking Outside The Box (of Chocolates)

Don't get me wrong...I love getting chocolates on Valentine's Day!  However, this year, I thought I'd mix it up a little.  For m...

Read more »

Jan Eleni's Smart Art Collages

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyLY7a5-70jn8CeIruiDJ7idO24JCcPyp7Z4_26AYO9H7nAI758H9_XSq3SiSOsnU3aMzrlkBjkd1qWtMRy-wBHsE_OIZ382-ftsZIQ2OV5ncVrYhA55nNEa7iY1of4MuGqkX-pIFTXE/s1600/Picture+206.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyLY7a5-70jn8CeIruiDJ7idO24JCcPyp7Z4_26AYO9H7nAI758H9_XSq3SiSOsnU3aMzrlkBjkd1qWtMRy-wBHsE_OIZ382-ftsZIQ2OV5ncVrYhA55nNEa7iY1of4MuGqkX-pIFTXE/s1600/Picture+206.png" /></a></div>I just caught up with all my recorded episodes of <i>Home by Novogratz</i>.  I'm a big fan of Cortney and Robert 's work.  Their spaces always manage to be so warm and fun, yet also so chic and artistic...not an easy feat.  In one episode, Cortney worked with New York City designer, <a href="http://www.janeleni.com/?curSection=about">Jan Eleni</a>, who creates these amazing collages out of children's artwork (image above).  I remember reading about this several years ago in the now defunct <i>Cookie</i> magazine, and thinking it was brilliant at the time.  With school starting in a few weeks, it won't be long before the backpacks come home bursting with precious masterpieces, none of which I can part with.  But with only so much wall space, I'll be contacting <a href="http://www.janeleni.com/?curSection=about">Jan Eleni</a> to commission at least one of these smart collages.  <a href="http://www.janeleni.com/?curSection=about">Ms. Eleni</a> is also a fantastic designer, with some of the most darling and creative children's rooms I've ever seen.  Have a look!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7DrxmtFJXtMzimPqyGZdqE8Z7LzI214wFcfhu-8E-pfWolWJuvjndHSFQjoiRGMixPLGnnngM0W1-XxgDvorPHuCSQ3f54snJrmX3B2AygbMFzf-JZURlrv2XUFWbPefVANyJI5tVgo/s1600/Picture+210.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EGqc4aJETuETqE-bZtKPpfuAWDfTA0svpiyqH7s1dZmWEZ2lsKSYNcmPe-UWZmrAuJMTc4BRpGrSErSVnYmva2o6vtRcCTJy9v5WApqcQqV4dxPGHQQeEESwvMJWehj-tQm5kymjkrU/s1600/Picture+216.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPdmUu_gqp7tmlqx6q4w_GTqOLvz7vb2KHQKJifH05KB-isf1C8SSYRHXSlpz3WdurN8DOJh4SgMN5zMhmAG0v_S4jI3IVuJGqktNLIoD1C84MvbSbWIMAjduhME-rEhEnwTwMZUxQco/s1600/Picture+213.png" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuz5sAiCoxhLkzRnBWkQVodV3gn0nCvwC1jqZwqVWOXpjPcP43J7QTxWQ39qeRev3epvrNchyphenhyphen2jEN5vwkLx-nMdwoKLGjkSWGprBBSbNhqhtr8hiQqlXqlpr4Krs2dKHJ7xlHzNlfIc8/s1600/Picture+215.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuz5sAiCoxhLkzRnBWkQVodV3gn0nCvwC1jqZwqVWOXpjPcP43J7QTxWQ39qeRev3epvrNchyphenhyphen2jEN5vwkLx-nMdwoKLGjkSWGprBBSbNhqhtr8hiQqlXqlpr4Krs2dKHJ7xlHzNlfIc8/s1600/Picture+215.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>P.S. ~ Don't forget to check out my <a href="http://www.jossandmain.com/store/myinvite/invite/index/url/cZo/">Joss and Main</a> sale today at 3pm!</b></div></div>

Jan Eleni's Smart Art Collages

I just caught up with all my recorded episodes of Home by Novogratz .  I'm a big fan of Cortney and Robert 's work.  Their spaces al...

Read more »

Brace Yourself!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLupSMcfEWp3xaq7xqpwYNNKzGp75ILPuCZWKJxdVL8dihUroSWcDpbvQDMSjjYppnDk_pDDKfzsXmJ1_fT1EXmmaFk-i52f7fc3FKMquZkHzg13-HQekgUdh5T5byRWFvc32RDsdhR1k/s1600/Picture+161.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLupSMcfEWp3xaq7xqpwYNNKzGp75ILPuCZWKJxdVL8dihUroSWcDpbvQDMSjjYppnDk_pDDKfzsXmJ1_fT1EXmmaFk-i52f7fc3FKMquZkHzg13-HQekgUdh5T5byRWFvc32RDsdhR1k/s640/Picture+161.png" width="426" /></a></div>First it was those silly bandz and then along came Jac Vanek, but now it seems this summer's run away trend for young girls and their bracelets is, Braced-lets!  Yes, made from actual little dental braces and heading to a child's wrist near you...has this quirky trend hit your town yet?<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2oKhDVz0GM1NXoYNIdwTOVXl4kW6Wd3Or5HZMdZQpF2FlTJJJgwNQz9VboxAZW0CYgNhqayNfOpw50Rc1Qw1taj1-lVG1wk4ev7EU1ryW4twV-lzkP0iwNzvzI0laa455wCkaCanjN7f/s1600/silly_bands_basic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2oKhDVz0GM1NXoYNIdwTOVXl4kW6Wd3Or5HZMdZQpF2FlTJJJgwNQz9VboxAZW0CYgNhqayNfOpw50Rc1Qw1taj1-lVG1wk4ev7EU1ryW4twV-lzkP0iwNzvzI0laa455wCkaCanjN7f/s1600/silly_bands_basic.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">silly bandz</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiBLTQzBHPzFCqp8gdXU_08QW3qNL4hgn4uO3_HnOGi2RUPs9UFzGisIeblp6uItFPqS8XLD8-DPlJHiHizqQTWog_TY0hvOFtW4oJ2y4QCYPZ5sJS6yWfbUNjJSGPPJ091Fp51qAhBH6/s1600/jacvanek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiBLTQzBHPzFCqp8gdXU_08QW3qNL4hgn4uO3_HnOGi2RUPs9UFzGisIeblp6uItFPqS8XLD8-DPlJHiHizqQTWog_TY0hvOFtW4oJ2y4QCYPZ5sJS6yWfbUNjJSGPPJ091Fp51qAhBH6/s1600/jacvanek.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jac Vanek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div>

Brace Yourself!

First it was those silly bandz and then along came Jac Vanek, but now it seems this summer's run away trend for young girls and their br...

Read more »