Let's Pretend Gift Guide: Part 2

Once again, we bring you another installment of the Let's Pretend Gift Guide!

If we gave each other Christmas gifts, here is how it would go: 

Happy Christmas, Alissa Lively! 

Because of your appreciation of the great Josef Albers, I found this Orbit Wall Clock made by ObjectifyHomeware. I thought it would compliment your cozy home, help keep you on schedule during your busy days, and inspire your love of color all in one fell swoop. 

Hope you like it! 

- Cathleen 

Birthday Books!

This week we have two big birthdays to celebrate! Both of my blog cohorts—that's right, Grace AND Alissa—are turning one year older on Thursday and Friday respectively, so I thought I'd do a literary version of my birthday post from last year for the two of them. So without further ado, here are the books I would gift to you guys if we actually gave gifts to each other!

For Grace: 

With everything you juggle, from raising two awesome kids to teaching art to going for your masters while selling things that you find/make online all while pursuing your own unique interests, you prove again and again that moms can do it all. 

Because of your entrepreneurial spirit (I am always amazed at your successful money making schemes) and boundless creativity, I thought you might enjoy Mom Inc. by Meg Mateo Ilasco and Cat Seto. It's a practical guide to doing what you love while working from home. 

For Alissa: 

Though I haven't known you as long as I've known Grace, I do know that you're ultra creative and passionate about slowing down and appreciating the beauty in life —something I have always admired about you. 

Because I know you love to cook (you made some seriously delicious Rice Krispie treats when I saw you last) and spend quality time with your sweet family, I thought you might like Dinner: A Love Story. This cookbook was written by Jenny Rosenstrach

and along with featuring delicious recipes, the book emphasizes the importance of coming together to share a meal and strengthen those all-important family bonds.

Happy birthday, you guys!! I'm really happy to have friends like you in my life!

Love, Cathleen

[glitter birthday banner via Confetti Design Shop on Etsy]

TED Talk + The Art of Asking

This past weekend I tuned in for my first ever TED talk, of all the ones I listened to I found this one to be the most relevant to the art community. 

Enjoy!

-Grace

PS- Birthleen will be back next week, ready to take back Mondays and Wednesdays. And we would also like to officially annouce that Alissa Lively will be our new permanent Friday blogger. Hooray!!

His and Hers Christmas Wish List Part 2

28 days until Christmas and here are this week's picks for His and Hers gift ideas. I've even added a hostess gift option 'cause lots of us are traveling this year and it is just so tacky to show up empty-handed.

Hers Pick #2: Hepcat Shades by Madewell.

My awesome friend Alissa showed me these sunglasses and I think they are just. the. best.  

They are currently on sale for just $39! Now that's a price even I can afford. 

His Pick #2: Ditty Bag by Best Made Company.

My husband has a thing for unstructured bags---it puts a real strain on our marriage---and this bag would hit the spot. 

Priced at $118, the man in your life can stuff all of his crap in it without folding a thing, and be ready to go. I especially love the oversized lobster claw clip on the end. 

Hostess Gift Pick #1: Swedish Dream Sea Salt Soap.

Great packaging and priced at only $6 through CB2, this gift is chic, thoughtful, and inexpensive enough that you can buy one for yourself. 

See you here Thursday for my musings in art, and check back here on Tuesday for my next Christmas List Picks---I've got some great ones in store. 

- Grace