perfect gift for a gardener

Carolyne Roehm, master gardener and lifestyle author's newest book is titled Flowers. It is filled with over 300 photographs she took of the flowers in her own gardens. She talks about the book, her home and gardens here...

Purchase Flowers here.

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etsy stocking idea 5....pate de fruit

Macarons are always special but how about these delicious little pate de fruit sweets like those seen in Paris candy shops? Made by California candy maker Nicole Lee Fine Chocolates, they are chewy and bursting with real fruit flavor. Who wouldn't want to find these yummies in their stocking Christmas morning?

Nicole Lee also makes macarons and truffles. Shop here.

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etsy stocking idea 4...mens grooming

Etsy is a great source of handmade shaving products for men. My husband and our sons tend to be traditionalists in the grooming department, they use shaving brushes with shaving soap. I purchased several Basil Lime Shaving Soaps made with olive oil from Smith Family Soapworks for stockings this year. They also make a Sandalwood scented soap.

A handmade shaving brush would be perfect to include with the soap. California woodworker Pat Camara makes these beautiful shaving brushes in your choice of 20 varieties of wood and many types of badger hair.

Smith Family Soapworks creates shaving soaps for ladies too. Love this Lavender Shaving Soap and their Olive Butter in my favorite fresh Lemon Verbena scent would be nice to try.

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etsy stocking idea 3...Ohio made Nordic ornaments

I love the precious Scandinavian styled ornaments made by Ohio needlework artist Cherie Wheeler. Crafted of red embroidery thread cross stitched onto linen, they would be a perfect addition to an old fashioned ornament collection. Aren't they charming?

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etsy stocking idea 2...linen apron

For a favorite cook, love this perfect linen apron made by Studio Patro in San Francisco. Why not roll it together with a beautiful maple wooden spoon handmade by Chicago woodworker Tim Pursell?

Just for fun, add in this fun Studio Patro dish towel too!

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etsy stocking idea 1...custom stationery

Who loves personalized products? Everyone! Etsy paper sellers make ordering personalized stationery easy. The turnaround is usually within a week! That includes approving a proof. I have bought so many beautiful paper products on Etsy, all unique and customized. This Christmas, I am including them in stockings and giving them to some neighbor friends. 

Sarah Brown of Brown Paper Goods makes these simply designed sturdy cards that are perfect for men and business correspondence. Ordered sets for our boys.



Janet of Fancy Shmancy Notes makes these cards in attractive colors and lots of fonts and a choice of square or rounded edges. This one is for my brother with grey font and envelope, squared edge.

Time to get shopping people! More Etsy ideas to come. We are only doing stockings at Christmas now that there are no more little people in the house. Etsy is the perfect source for almost all of my Christmas shopping. 

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little gifts

This morning I prepared some small gifts to give. As I was doing that, I received some small gifts too. I am giving wristlet key chains in cute patterns made by Abby Frey to ten of my soccer lady friends that I have been sitting with all these years as we watched our sons play. Pairing them with pretty sticky notes made by Michelle Brusegaard. The boys are seniors, their final season has just ended. Sad.

As I was wrapping the presents, I spotted a splash of pink in the border out the kitchen window. Needed to put my boots on and check it out. A brave pink clematis, clinging to its tuteur, decided to put on a show right before its bedtime. It stands out among the leaf covered bed. 

Green Jewel Echinacea at the other end of the bed is still hanging on too, despite a week of temperatures in the 40's, ten inches of rain and several days of high winds from Hurricane Sandy. We leave a blanket of leaves on all the beds to protect and enrich the plants over the winter. Most years we are covered in snow most of the winter, with the exception of last year when we experienced several melts. We will see what this year brings. The perennials and ground covers pop though in the spring, the leaf cover decomposes, enriching the soil.

As I am writing this, another little gift just appeared! Can you tell what it is?

Sunlight! 

Something we have not seen in 8 days! Have a warm cozy weekend everyone! Hope you see some sun! 

stylish serendipity photos

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little flags

 Love the simple bunting design of these cute paper products by Rainy Day Colors. Perfect for kids birthdays.

Shop etsy seller Rainy Day Colors here.

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Anthro gifts

Stumped for a special gift? Just head to Anthropologie! You can always find something special there. How about...

an adorable set of greeting note cards  paired with a beautiful pen?

a  unique tumbler for a friend's bath or bedside paired with a bottle of sparkling water?

an all natural bar of soap (purchase also supports charities) paired with a bamboo soap dish?

a pretty opalescent bracelet wrapped in a handmade drawstring bag?

 or  paired with a pretty plate to place jewelry on a bedside table

or a brass topped chemist's jar filled with a favorite candy?

or  a sweet apron for a little girl, paired with a cake or cookie mix and silicone spatula?

or a funky cheese knife, paired with a favorite block of cheese and a few Honeycrisp apples?

or some fun sticky notes paired with a set of thin tipped markers?

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this week on etsy...elegant monograms

Look at these pretty monogrammed guest towels I found on etsy, a set of two is priced under $20, a perfect gift idea!

Sincerely Yours, Lauren also offers a set of four monogrammed cocktail napkins for under $20.

Lots of fabric and thread choices are available.

Shop Sincerely Yours, Lauren here.

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Felix Dolittle

 I love the charming work of Felix Foo and his company Felix Dolittle.

He paints little watercolors that are used for letterpress stationary, announcements, stickers, wedding invitations, notecards, labels of all kinds, paperweights, you name it. I have purchased the return address labels, they are printed on quality paper, packaged beautifully and make a  great housewarming present. There are so many choices....

He also has a cute line of kids cards, labels and announcements.

Click below to visit both.

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