happy thanksgiving.

Now that my brother lives in a different state and we only see him a few times a year, having our immediate family together has become a bigger occasion. So for the first time, we're having Thanksgiving dinner right at home, just us kids and my parents, and I'm looking forward to cooking the entire meal with my mom.

I've bookmarked some new recipes to try, along with a few my mom always makes (like fruit salad with apples, mandarin oranges, & mini marshmallows). And before heading over to spend the second half of the weekend with Q's family, we're doing my favorite part - picking out a Christmas tree! (oh yeah). Enjoy giving thanks with those you love this weekend.

introducing...

The shop... it's finally here! I hope you'll get a chance to head over & take a look - it might sound cliché, but this project really has been a huge labor of love for me, and I'm so excited to finally share it with you all.

(To celebrate the launch & black Friday/cyber Monday, everything in the store will be shipping for just $3 through Monday (or $1 for individual cards). Yay!)

monday inspiration...

Adam Young // Owl City in concert.

We saw & loved his show Friday night in downtown Grand Rapids - his music and positive approach to life are both completely awe-inspiring.

(PS. this is unrelated, but the stationery shop will be opening tomorrow! I hope you'll come back here for an update & the link to check it out..)

friday favorites...

Four things online that inspired me this week:
Squirrel tape dispenser - a fun & quirky gift idea. (via)
This home in Lonny - makes me excited to decorate for the holidays.
Handmade paper flowers - from Rachel of Heart of Light's wedding.
The coolest modern cat quilt - I want to give this a try! (via)

Have a wonderful weekend!

bon journey bags.

So thrilled to see Nerissa's newest line of bags for the The New Domestic... they are fantastic! (She has them crafted in California before hand-painting each one herself, resulting in a sweetly colorful, utilitarian look.)

snapshots in birmingham.

I've always loved capturing everyday moments with my phone, so when it was time to upgrade ours I decided to finally get the iPhone (partially just for their photo apps) and I've never been this excited about a phone. (Above are from Saturday in downtown Birmingham, visiting our brand new Paper Source - so good - & other local shops, and getting some of these desserts.)

monday inspiration...

Folk rock band Mumford & Sons // album Sigh No More.

Q and I have been listening to their album on repeat lately, it's that kind of really good, soulful music that can both relax and move & motivate you.

(image 1: hooray, 2 & 3: here)

friday favorites...

Another room in this house that looks so inviting.
Anastasia's incredible new hand-cut cards.
Making challah french toast.
Ohh, the cutest glittery phone case.

Thank you so much for the nicest words yesterday about the new stationery line (an update is coming soon!). Have a great weekend - we plan to eat our way through ours, starting with dinner out for Veteran's Day, and hopefully some of that delicious French toast.

a little sneak peek...

It's hard to believe that sometime next week I will be letting this very special-to-me project go out into the world. Yep, I am launching my first line of illustrated cards & stationery! Growing up, I spent hours drawing everything from house plans to little cartoon characters with pencil and paper. When I moved away to college, my room at home had binders full of those loose sheets of paper containing all of my beloved creations. Since then I've had this desire to create something entirely of my own - a little illustrated world - but it wasn't until this summer that a side project sparked all of this to finally start coming to life.

Being the perfectionist that I am, I made sure this whole process took forever, and these words on creativity by Ira Glass were sometimes the biggest thing that kept me going forward with it, but I'm so glad I did. If you're looking for some encouragement or facing challenges (big or small), maybe his words will help inspire you too. In the meantime, I am excited for this new opportunity to share little bits of my imagination with others, and to hopefully help them in sharing their own stories & thoughts with loved ones through personal cards & packages. Above is just a little peek at what's to come...

handmade faves: studio of hearts

This map is incredible. Made entirely of carefully drawn lines, from the Ann Arbor based Studio of Hearts.

monday inspiration...

Scottish actor James McAvoy.

He's come a long way since Mr. Tumnus! We recently rented some of his latest films - this and this (he knows how to rock a movie role).

(images from: gq, atonement, & becoming jane)

friday favorites...

A little late, but happy Friday! I'll be visiting my parents and besides an afternoon trip planned with my Mom, staying warm inside with hot drinks & baking sounds perfect right now. A few favorites with that in mind...

I love the patterns on this quilt. (via)
Yesterday's mugs got me thinking of DIY-ing some, like these from Wit & Whistle.
A relaxing kitchen (and home). (via)
A year later, I still want to make this cake.

happy mugs.

I think I've gone back to look at these creature mugs at least 3 different times this week (they make me smile and would be a good pick-me-up during the long winter months). Mmm, hot cocoa.