Stamps of Approval

How fun are these abstract expressionist stamps? They are just perfect for adding a visual pop to love letters, birthday cards, and overdue student loan bills. Get yours on March 11th!

(Spotted via Stephmodo)

Letterpress Love

A round-up of some of my favorite letterpress valentines...enjoy!

"Let's Canoodle" by Egg Press

"Sage Heart" by Sweet Harvey

"Pig Love" by Linda & Harriet

"I Would Trade" by Sycamore Street Press

"Love Fest" by Nouveau Designs

"Octo Love" by Pearl Marmalade

"Clams in Love" by Egg Press

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is, without a doubt, one of the best movies ever. I can't even count how many times I have seen it. Though it would be difficult to pick a favorite scene (they're all great!), this just might be it. Happy Groundhog Day!

(P.S. Looks like we're in for a long winter.)

Mimi

If I had an entirely different body type, I would totally get married in J. Crew's "Mimi" gown. So simple and elegant...but definitely meant for a long and lean lady. Sigh.

10 Things That Make Me Happy

10 Things That Make Me Happy, New Year Edition! (Only slightly overdue...)

1. Beautiful thank-you cards - I like to keep some pretty notecards on hand, because you never know when you might need to say "thanks." Rifle Paper Co. has the most beautiful cards featuring hand-painted illustrations by artist Anna Bond, and these "Frances" thank-you cards are definitely at the top of my stationery wish list.

2. My new journal - New year, new journal! It took me a long time to find one that I really liked, but as soon as I saw this one Japanese paper-covered journal, I knew it was the one for me.

3. Emma on PBS - When I was getting ready to watch the first episode this past Sunday, I was positively giddy with excitement. The Kate Beckinsale and Gwyneth Paltrow versions just don't quite do it for me (though, of the two, I prefer the latter). It's about time the BBC came out with a four-hour version! I've already put the DVD on the top of my Amazon wish list so I can watch it over and over again.

4. Light chocolate soy milk - The perfect guilt-free, post-workout treat. Chocolate milk is
ridiculously refreshing and delicious, but it's a little high in calories...chocolate soymilk has about 1/3 fewer calories.

5. Potted flowers - Just the thing to brighten up the indoors until spring arrives.

6. My closet - I'm not sure how long it will be mine (because I am temporarily living at my mom's house), but I certainly will enjoy it as long as it is. A double closet with plenty of space for all of my dresses and floor-to-ceiling shelves for everything else...definitely an improvement over the teeny tiny closet in my old studio apartment.

7. This jacket - This just might be the perfect go-with-anything blazer. I love the slim cut, the slightly puffed sleeves, and the single button.

8. Dinner with friends - Is there anything better to lift your spirits?

9. Penguin classics designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith - These have already been around in the U.S. for a few months, but I still drool over them every time I see them. I recently bought Tess of the D'Ubervilles and Sense and Sensibility, and I can't wait to add more to my bookshelf. (Penguin just came out with a second set of these beauties, which will hopefully be available in the U.S. at some point!)

10. A cozy fire - Being stuck indoors is a bit more bearable when there is a cozy, crackling fire to keep you warm. I especially love when cafés and restaurants have working fireplaces...it makes leaving home and braving the cold that much more worth it.

*****

P.S. If littlebits makes YOU happy and you have a Google or Gmail account, consider following me! Just sign in and click the "Follow" button on the Blogger toolbar at the top of the page.

Sondre Lerche

Some upbeat indie pop by Norwegian-born artist Sondre Lerche to help you make it through the rest of the work week...

(Spotted on Black*Eiffel)

A Wallpapered Nook

I love the idea of livening up a small nook with pretty wallpaper, à la this room by designer Ondine Karady . Here are my top five nook-worthy wallpapers (click on swatches to view information):

*****

Now I just need to make sure that when I buy my first place, it has lots of cozy nooks and corners. I would especially love a wallpapered entryway and a reading nook...

Elephantine

How pretty are these necklaces by Etsy artist Elephantine? I especially love the "Bellissima."

(First spotted on A Cup of Jo)

Leslie Knope is the New Liz Lemon

Yep, that's going to be in my head all day. Happy Tuesday, everybody!

And the Award for Most Improved Goes to...

I didn't actually watch the SAG Awards on Saturday night, but I did breathe a sigh of relief when I saw pictures from the red carpet on Sunday morning. After the Golden Globes, which I thought were one big hot mess, I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily for me, the stars really turned things out this time around...

Diane Kruger: From "hot pink nightmare" to "golden dream." Some fashion insiders may have thought that Diane's Christian Lacroix was one of the best frocks of the evening at the Golden Globes, but these people must have momentarily forgotten just how stunning Ms. Kruger can be. These two looks are night and day to me. The hot pink number was oddly lumpy and made Diane look like a sad bridesmaid. The gold Jason Wu gown, on the other hand, fits like a dream and makes Diane look like the true glamour goddess that she is. I adore her!

Kate Hudson: From "white fright" to "white done right." While some hailed Ms. Hudson's Golden Globes gown as fashion forward, I thought it was overly complicated and aging to the young starlet (even the white platforms sneaking out from under the hem looked weirdly orthopedic). I prefer the sleek silhouette of her SAG Awards dress...it's youthful and sexy but still very modern. The hair, makeup, and jewelry are also a huge improvement. She looks like her fresh-faced self.

Sandra Bullock: From "purple princess" to "simply majestic." I actually thought Sandra Bullock looked very pretty at the Golden Globes, but what she wore to the SAG Awards was much more age-appropriate (not that she is in any way old...just that the purple dress looked very prom-y to me) and befitting a star of her magnitude. Sandra is in great shape, and this dress fits her beautifully. I'm also loving the blue/black color combination and the bit of sparkle. She just looks gorgeous and happy.

Marion Cotillard: From "wrecked" to "ravishing." For the record, I think Marion Cotillard is one of the most gorgeous leading ladies in Hollywood...she would probably look good in a potato sack that still had the potatoes in it. Her Golden Globes dress, however, did not do her justice at all. The criss-crossing on the bodice looked sloppy, and the bit of lace peeking out made me wonder whether she was gearing up to play a pirate wench in her next film. Her SAG Awards ensemble, on the other hand, is fun, flirty, and oh-so-French...just like Marion herself!

Lea Michele: From "much too much" to "just enough." Lea Michele's Golden Globes gown was so poofy that I had to crop half of it out to fit it in the frame. As a fellow petite lady, I feel qualified to say, "Lea, honey...ball gowns are not our friends." The green draped gown that she wore to the SAGs elongates her instead of swallowing her up. The color and loose waves are much more youthful than the dour black and the updo, and the plunging neckline sexes things up without looking vulgar (::cough::Mariah Carey::cough::). Simply divine.

(All images via People.com)

*****

My expectations for the Oscars are high...I hope Kruger, Bullock, and Co. don't let me down!

My Day Would be Just a Little Bit Better...

...if I were wearing these. Of course, that would probably mean that I would have to change out of my sweats. Eh, maybe tomorrow. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

28 Before 28...A Little Progress

I've been putting off writing this post, because honestly I haven't made as much progress on my "28 before 28" in the past few months as I would have liked. With less than six months to go until my birthday (eek), I have accomplished fewer than half of the items on my list. I'd better get crackin'!

1 - buy an old polaroid camera (check, though I still haven't bought any film)

2 - start a blog (check...duh)

4 - finally read The Sot-Weed Factor by John Barth (check...it was not as overwhelming as I thought it would be)

5 - buy a bike (check)

6 - make an inspiration board (check)

13 - sort through the stuff I have in my mom's attic (check)

20 - fill up my journal and get a new one (check, but I have yet to write anything in the new one...something about a completely blank journal makes me feel pressured to write something brilliant)

22 - back up my computer files (check)

24 - spend a whole day with my niece (French fries for breakfast, ice skating, lunch, and chocolate-y treats...check)

28 - do something creative every day (Ummm...yeah. this was kind of a silly goal, so I am officially replacing it with "join the YMCA so I can exercise," which I did last week)