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Holiday Gift Guide: Posh Peacock Paper Goods

Posted in Organization, Shop It on December 13, 2009| 4 Comments »

As a risk-averse working mom who has many creative interests outside my day job, I am inspired when I hear about women who have left a career track to start a cottage business. I’m even more inspired when that leap has been taken by a close friend. But the absolute best is when that close friend has started her own biz creating ridiculously pretty and simple paper goods that you want to fill your desk and the desks of everyone you know.

Such is the story of Christine Koh, one of my oldest and closest friends, and the self-taught designer behind Posh Peacock. Deciding she would rather “perish than publish,” Christine left the academic world (she is a former music and brain scientist) to pursue her creative interests…and we are all the luckier for it.

I started buying Posh designs before the business really launched in 2006, and have been a customer ever since. Christine’s design work ranges from custom paper goods to web design to small business and non-profit identity, and it’s all beautiful.

Some of my favorite picks? Semi-custom stationery, calling cards and the limited edition bird cards (I’m such a sucker for birds). And because Christine operates at light speed, there’s still plenty of time to order for gift-giving.

Image credits: Posh Peacock

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Holiday Gift Guide: All-Weather Boots and Bag

Posted in Inside the Mudroom, Shop It on December 10, 2009| Leave a Comment »

It’s winter.

The weather in Boston on Wednesday was horrific, and although I would love to say it’s really early for the snow/slush/ice/rain situation that’s happening, I know as a New Englander that just isn’t so. Instead, I’m accepting our reality, and offering up two gift ideas to combat the nasty weather in style.

After years of buying inexpensive rain boots and being annoyed and soaked every time a seam ripped (which was pretty often), I finally coughed up the dough for the original — Hunter Wellies. Get them with removable fleece inserts and you’ve got a rain boot and a cozy snow boot, all for a little over $100. Best thing is you can get these for everyone on your list — men, women and kiddos.

When it comes to handbags, I never go pleather. Something about the stiff, squeaky material that reeks of plastic just isn’t my thing. But after a recent trip to Old Navy (yes, the same visit when I found the sparkly piggy), I’ve decided to let go of my outdated fabric stereotyping, and embrace the pleather of today. This bag is just as cute cross-body as it is a top handle or shoulder bag. Kind of like the Foley + Corinna that I lust after, but with a much smaller price tag. Get it for your sister, girlfriend or any chic and practical woman in your life…my Aunt Liz loved my teal version.

Image credits: Hunter High Gloss Wellies, $115, Nordstrom; Faux-Leather Crossbody Tote Bag, $32.50, Old Navy

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Holiday Gift Guide: Piggy Banks

Posted in Art, Décor, Organization, Shop It on December 9, 2009| 3 Comments »

One of my favorite gifts to give is a piggy bank. Not only are piggy banks classic, but fabulously functional, inspiring a trait I wish I had. If 2009 has taught us anything, it’s that you can never go wrong saving your pennies. So here are my three favorite piggies, at least one of which some luckies on my list will be receiving this year.

Sort of creepy and very cool, check out Harry Allen’s Bank in the Form of a Pig, made from the cast of an actual pig (no piggies were hurt in the cast-making process). Available at AREAWARE for $95 in pink; also available in white, chrome, gold, copper, hot pink, mint green and black to fit into nearly any color scheme.

For a piggy that will blend in anywhere, go for Roost’s Glass Piggy Bank, available at Velocity starting at $18. Also, check out similar ones available locally at Hudson.

For the perfect amount of sparkle, and the perfect price tag, hit your local Old Navy for their bling-y piggy. My shop only had them in gold, but I hear they’re available in a disco rainbow. At a mere $5, you can get this one for folks on your list and yourself. Y’know…if you needed a bit of inspiration to become budget-minded in 2010. Not that I know anyone like that.

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Holiday Gift Guide: Boston Baby Photos

Posted in Art, Shop It, Walls on December 8, 2009| 3 Comments »

For parents, all photos of their children are exquisite, even when taken with a crappy camera phone. But when your kid’s picture is taken by a professional photographer, the result can make you feel like a stranger has witnessed the soul of your child and captured it for eternity. At least that’s how I feel about Jessica McDaniel of Boston Baby Photos.

I met Jessica for the first time when Weston was nine months old. Jess had been in the baby photography business for a couple of years and was shooting in a traveling studio at a local children’s clothing store. The session prices were fairly inexpensive, so I signed up, hoping for a better result than what I might get from a cheesy department store set-up. Not only was Jess completely accommodating (the store had double-booked me with another mom, but Jess hadled the mishap like a total pro when the teenage sales associate didn’t know what to do), but she made me feel at ease during the shoot, gently directing us, watching and capturing natural moments. A couple of weeks later I headed back to the store to see the proofs (this was in the early days of digital photography), hoping that there would be one decent photo that I could use to get the free 8×10 that came with the shoot.

I bought every dang picture.

A few years later when Levi arrived, I contacted Jess and arranged an in-home shoot — her specialty. This time, Jess casually and near silently followed Levi as he crawled around the house, onto a wooden wagon, up the stairs, and ultimately into a giant L.L. Bean bag. About a week later when I saw the result (this time on the web), I bought every shot. Again.

Not only is Jess an uber-talented photographer, but she happens to be a wonderfully nice person…the kind of person you want to stay in touch with even after your shoot is over, and the kind of photographer that you will want to shoot your kids and family every couple of years. At least that’s how I feel about her.

So this holiday season, consider putting a Boston Baby Photos gift certificate on your wish list. Or if you happen to be a grandparent, aunt, uncle or other generous soul, consider springing for your local loved one (Jess will travel within 20 miles of Milton, MA for free, or beyond for a travel charge).

To see Jess’ portfolio, visit her here.

For gift certificates, contact Jess at jess@bostonbabyphotos.com

Image credits: Weston at 9 months and Levi at 10 months, Jessica McDaniel, Boston Baby Photos

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Five Ideas: Holiday Tabletops

Posted in Décor, Make It, Reinvent It, Shop It, Tabletop on November 24, 2009| Leave a Comment »

When hosting a party, I enjoy cooking (sort of), but my favorite part is creating fun, interesting and unexpected tabletops (elegant is great too, but they’ve gone the way of the Dodo since kids…too much pressure). If you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year, click over to Boston Mamas for some last-minute easy ideas to make your tabletop shine. (Yep, it’s true…two Boston Mamas columns in two weeks!)

What easy tabletop ideas do you have? Share them here!

Image credit: Randy Weiner, Flickr (cool pic, don’t you think?)

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Inspiration by IdeaPaint

Posted in Décor, Inside the Mudroom, Organization, Reinvent It, Shop It, Walls on November 23, 2009| 3 Comments »

I’ve made it a personal mission to ensure that my kids don’t grow up creatively stunted (like their mama who didn’t find her inner creative streak until age 35). So when I was given an opportunity to test IdeaPaint, I was stoked (as were my kids). Check out the full review in my latest column at Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

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Color Palette Web Tool

Posted in Décor, Make It, Reinvent It on November 12, 2009| 4 Comments »

When choosing paint and fabric for my home, I’m often inspired by fashion — the way textures and colors play off of each other in a terrific outfit. Using an ivory cashmere cowl neck, skinny camel wool pants, chocolate suede boots and gold bangles as a starting point will result in a room very different from, say, a classic Lilly cotton shift and lime green Jack Rogers.

The next time you start a decorating project, snap a picture of your inspiration (whether it’s a Michael Kors ad or a Vermont farm) and check out the Color Palette Generator from BigHugeLabs — a freakin’ fabulous (and free) web tool that converts photos into color palettes.

An ensemble created by Mrs. O (one of my MOST favorite blogs) at Closet Couture…

…turns into this palette!

Mrs. O palette

Cool, huh?

So tell me, when it come to decorating, are you most inspired by nature, fashion, homes or something else completely?

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Paper Plates = Art

Posted in Art, Décor, Make It, Reinvent It, Walls on November 4, 2009| 2 Comments »

Is anyone else totally inspired by the interiors of Anthropologie stores? I’ve always favored their clothes and housewares, but even just walking into their retail locations is an experience. I love that every store is different — each location has its own interior stylist/visual artist, going way beyond the “merchandising” at regular retail that follows a prescribed map of where and how items should be laid out. Without fail, I gather inspiration from the walls, ceiling, music, floors, etc. each time I visit Anthro. Just check out the latest installation at the store in my ‘hood…

Anthro clouds 2

Cloud sculpture made out of paper plates…amazing! Reminded me instantly of the brilliant paper plate chandelier that Nathan Thomas created for the dining room in his winning townhouse on Bravo’s Top Design…

Both of these are definitely going on my Flattery Board (or Inspiration for Imitation Board)…

Image credits: Paige Lewin’s Blackberry, Elle Decor

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DIY Side Table

Posted in Décor, Furniture, Make It, Reinvent It on November 3, 2009| 3 Comments »

We’ve been needing a side table next our living room couch for a ridiculously long time, but it seems that every one I find that I love, is just a little too big, a little too shmancy, or a little out of our price range. I was getting desperate, and in a creative fury went whipping around the house to find the makings of a side table that would hold our cocktails and appys (I mean, sippy cups and goldfish) until we were ready to commit the cash to something really fabulous. Turns out, I like my DIY version better than most I’ve seen.

Wood tray from Target and a vintage plant stand…

plus a little Liquid Nails (love that stuff!)….

equals fabulous, architecturally-inspired side table! I thought about painting it, but I’m kind of digging the two-tone wood look.

So tell me…have you ever taken something from your home and reinvented it?

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Owl Switchplate

Posted in Décor, Shop It, Walls on October 30, 2009| 1 Comment »

I love owls, but my youngest may love owls even more than I do. This little switchplate from Anthropologie may need to find its way into his room redesign.