I've been trying really hard to purchase handmade goods. Lots of people on my Christmas list are getting some beautiful things from amazing Etsy sellers and I'll be sure to show them off once the goodies are opened!

In the meantime, I wanted to share these two recent purchases I've made for birthday cards. First up are these gorgeous letterpressed bird cards from paperedtogether. Although I haven't yet received them, I know if they're anything like her beautiful calendar then I'm going to be pleased!

Next, are the circle cards by story by mia. I love the playfulness of this design and appreciate that they are appropriate for a male or female. story by mia ships really quickly and the quality is spectacular.

If you haven't yet purchased handmade cards I definitely recommend doing so. These cards are simply lovely and definitely less expensive than a generic store bought one. {images via Story by mia and paperedtogether}

Today I am thankful for:
- Good health
- A roof over my head
- A husband who loves me for who I want to be but even more so for who I am
- A family I could call anytime day or night
- Never going to bed hungry
- Friends who understand me
- The right to vote
- Being aware of how very blessed I am

What are you giving thanks for today? Happy Thanksgiving friends. {image via lisaluvz}

I was in Pottery Barn last night and saw this great Ikat pillow. It's a lovely blue-silver in a nice silk blend. It's beautiful. {Sorry can't find a link online yet!}

I already bought wrapping paper for this year during the after holiday sale last year. But next year, I'm planning on wrapping everything in craft paper with red and white twine and these labels. {images via Simplesong Designs}

This year, I'm having a really difficult time getting into the holiday spirit. You see, this is my favorite holiday. I love finding the perfect gifts, wrapping them, decorating, holiday music, apple cider, egg nog, really everything associated with Christmas. I'm not sure if it's that I've had so much going on with the new condo or that I have so much non-holiday related stuff going on around the same time but I just can't seem to get excited. So tell me, what do you do to get and stay in the mood? {image via flickr}

We are going to be getting a rug for our living room very shortly. Which rug is your favorite?

Update: To answer a question: We are starting with a clean slate. The walls are a pale gray {Benjamin Moore Calm} with Super White base boards and crown molding, ivory linen drapes, we will have these chairs upholstered in a off-white linen and this is a credenza we purchased which I would like to paint in a color TBD. Thoughts? {images via Madeline Weinrib}

I'm pretty sure these are the words you should follow in your day to day life. {via Design for Mankind}

If you have a Gmail account you've got to check out this awesome new service where you can apply different themes to your account! Above is a sampling of the awesome ones to choose from. When you sign-in click settings and then click the themes tab. Have fun and let me know what you think!

Lately my reading has consisted of catching up on October and November issues of Domino, Marie Claire, Real Simple and Good Housekeeping. But, I quite like a good novel and even belong to a book club {where I sometimes get around to reading the selection}. Now that it has cooled down and the outside isn't tempting me, I want to curl up and read. This month our club selected Astrid & Veronika. I think it sounds wonderful and cannot wait to pick it up from the library! {image via Amazon}

Have you heard of kirtsy? If you haven't you're missing out. I pretty much visit every day to check out what's the latest, greatest and most talked about things on the web. And yesterday it got even better.

How you ask? Well, now kirtsy is going to start gatherings in cities around the nation to show you new, easy thing to take up online. Each session will be hosted and led by kirtsy editors, kirtsy founders and kirtsy friends who will get together to show new, cool online things to make life better.

Six sessions have already been announced in New York, Houston (2), Colorado, DC and Austin. If you're lucky enough to live in one of these cities you better register quickly as I'm sure spots are limited and will go quickly. One of the founders of kirtsy lives in Charlotte so I'm hoping a session will pop up here soon! Enjoy! {image via kirtsy}

I'm not very artistic so when artistic minds collaborate I get pretty excited! Especially when that collaboration doesn't cost me a penny! Kindred is a project thought up by the super talented Holly at Decor8 and Ez of Creature Comforts that brings you free desktop wallpapers by artists and photographers. The themed wallpapers are curated on a quarterly basis with the first being "Winter: Dreams." I really love how they've added a fun winter vibe to my computer both at home and in the office. These are my three favorite but really, all of them are quite lovely! {images via Kindred}

A few weeks ago I blogged about abby try again but somehow missed this gorgeous image. For me, it evokes feelings of fall, warmth, coziness and glamorous holiday parties. {image via abby try again}

If you're like me and love letterpress then you need to check out simplesong's awesome new I Heart Letterpress subscription. Available in three-month or six-month subscriptions, these are sure to bring major letterpress goodness to your front door each month. {image via simplesong}

What are hedges?
What's the credit swap market?
These terms have been thrown around left and right over the last month and it left me feeling like an idiot when I tried to understand the credit meltdown, the housing market collapse and the federal government bailout. So when Jordan introduced me to these AMAZING segments on This American Life-that put it all in layman's terms-I listened carefully. If you really want to understand what's going on with the bailout listen to this one. If you really want to learn what's going on with the housing market listen to this one. I recommend both. {image via briemarie}

I've been searching for a less expensive facial cleanser to replace the Origins and Aveda I've used over the last couple of years. Mostly because I think money is better spent on other things but also because if they have the same ingredients then in my head they must do the same thing. This weekend I tried Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser and really loved it. It didn't leave my skin dry, it sudsed nicely and had a nice, fresh frangrance. Yeah for less expensive beauty products that work! {image via Drugstore.com}

So many people have this print in their homes and I've always admired it from afar and thought I didn't really have a place for it. Now that we're in our new condo, I'm about to join the group and hang it over our desk. It will be a constant reminder of a great mantra. {image via sfgirlbybay}

Lovely work from Dutch Door Press. The cards have such a simple vintage feel.

I love Madeline Weinrib's Zig Zag Rug so imagine how I squealed with delight when I saw the design on these much more affordable paper products from Linda & Harriett!

I've been searching for inspiration as to how to style my bar cart when I found a great photo gallery on Domino's website. It looks like I've found a winner, especially since mine looks so similar to this lovely one above!

Guess who got her iPhone?!! {image via apple}

Dear Frye- I love these Dorado boots but I must confess the price is preventing me from purchasing. I know good leather boots usually cost a pretty penny but they shouldn't be nearly this much. Heck, I could buy everyones Christmas gift for that amount. So, I'll admire you from afar and wait to see if you go on sale. {image via Piperlime}

This past weekend we were mentioning needing a cute pad to have in the kitchen. In my head I was lamenting about them because they always feature lame designs. Then yesterday I stumbled upon these fun letterpressed ones over at Design is Mine. Perfect timing!{image via Charles Fradin Home}

Have you been to J.Crew lately? At the location near me they had a super sale this weekend- an additional 50% off everything already on sale! I picked up this Emerson blouse for $25 and three pairs of the Watson pant in black, stone and khaki for $85. I hate paying full price for things I'll probably only wear to work {like these pants} so getting three for the price of one was like winning the clothing lottery! {images via J.Crew}

My friend Tiffany mentioned putting a wall mounted table in a little niche in our hallway and then today I stumbled upon this gem thanks to Leah. {image via Factory 20}

Hello and a happy Monday to you! How was your weekend? Mine was filled with chores and projects around the house. It's coming along, albeit very slowly. Today, I'm adoring this perfect work to play little black dress. Love it! {image via Target}

One of my favorite printers finally released her 2009 calendar! I love the whimsical, nature inspired motifs. {I promise this will be the last calendar I post- I have been waiting for this one to come out!} {image via Things are Better with a Parrot}

I really like Michelle Obama. I thought this London Times article did a great job of painting a picture of the woman she epitomizes. {image via London Times}

Whoo Hoo!!! I'm finally a winner of a blog giveaway! Joanna randomly selected me to receive a copy of Extreme Entertaining and I couldn't be more thrilled! Now that we're in our condo, I'd love to have people over more often and I could definitely use the help on figuring out what makes a successful dinner party. Thanks Joanna! {image via Amazon}

And one final calendar to show you. Check out all that awesome type. Now, it's decision time! {Unless of course I stumble upon another great one on Etsy!} {image via Orange Beautiful}

I know I'm a few days late on this but I just stumbled upon these last night and really wanted to share. Wish I could have showed them you on Monday but better late than never, right?!

I'm still on the hunt for my 2009 desk calendar. Here's a few more that have caught my attention.
Hand screen printed, this one features hand drawn type of cultural and iconic celebrities in their birthday month.
With lovely giclee prints, the bold colors are speaking to me.
Printed on 100% recycled paper, I love the muted colors and the wood block stand.