The Power of Silly

There are times when kids just make everything better - more fun, funnier, and simply playful. Christmas being the most obvious of times. I spent this weekend with my family - and my four nieces and nephews. Here we have Colby & Luke. Taking a picture these days is one or two shots with big smiles and the promise of a third with silly faces. I love it. I can smile just thinking about this snapshot.

I'm designing new stuff for fall/winter/holiday and I'm feeling the need to push the silly factor. (Updates on new designs to come this week.)

My Swedish Roots

Side note: I probably shouldn't say my Swedish roots - but my husband's at least. John's mother was born in Sweden. Her 3 sisters and their families still live there. And John and his 4 siblings and all of their children (12 total) speak Swedish.

While visiting John's parents last weekend in Lake Placid, NY, we visited this cute shop, Village Comforts, that carries all of these beautiful Swedish woven pieces by Ekeland - which claims to be the oldest family-run textile business in the world.

I picked up a table-runner for a mere $31. And since my camera is MIA, I will have to post images from their site instead. I love the way the Swedes (in these photos and my mother-in-law) decorate - so simple and elegant:

I also happen to love all Swedish holiday decorations. And their holiday selection does not disappoint. Here's just one example:


To see more, visit Ekelund. And order in the US from Village Comforts, who can order directly if they don't carry what you're looking for.

Yay {frolic!}

Thanks to Chelsea at frolic! for posting about us today!

Paper People Heart Paper Source

I love Paper Source. I love their storefronts (shown above). I love their website. I love their envelope colors. I love how every part of my interaction with them has not only been positive, but so very friendly - from their web order confirmation emails ending in "love, paper source" to their answering machine messages telling me to have a nice day. They have been nothing but wonderful to me as a customer.

I think they really show their passion for all things paper too - which makes me especially proud and excited that Frank, Summer Strawberries and Cows Waiting in Line now have a new (and very good) home in the Paper Source stores!

Check out their list of locations and go find yourself some Linda & Harriett goodies! ...among all of their other yummy stuff.

Fall is Here! At Dakota Martin.

The Coulson Blazer makes me want fall to arrive even earlier this year. I love the fall, and I love fall clothes. So I am flattered to have this blazer by my dear friends at Dakota Martin name their newest blazer after my family's name (my maiden name), Coulson. I think I'll be ordering it in Navy. I love the plaid it's paired with too:

Well done girls!

Andie Elwell

John and I picked up this great rooftop painting by Andie Elwell at an arts & crafts fair in Long Beach Island, NJ a few weekends ago. We paired it with another one of her rooftop pieces and are now enjoying them in our kitchen in Brooklyn. See some more works of Andie's here.

Sunny Bloom is here

Our Sunny Bloom has arrived - and just in time for the sunny days of summer.