Some Favorites for You

This wallpaper would make a room sing. I am falling in love with the large scale animals. Seen on Stella and Henry.

Colleen took this photo for her "close up #janphotoaday" and I love it. At first glance, I see glitter, the second look makes me hungry. Craving new york bagels. ps. Colleen, if you are reading, my preference is sesame too!

Behr likes to build. The fun we would have with this Block City is unimaginable. Seen on Paul & Paula.

Now that we have a new cabinet upon which to perch our TV, I've gotten a hankering for a new sofa. Yeah, typically a "hankering" involves food for me, but this sofa is also delicious. The beauty is in the chaise, which would separate our television area from our toy area, but the open side keeps it feeling like one room. I am smitten.

And if you give a mouse a cookie... Clearly, I would need some new pillows if I got a new sofa. Thankfully Lauren of With Two Cats was one step ahead of me. She also wrote a pretty nifty piece on the anatomy of her posts. Bonus, a free printable is included.

Speaking of free printables. The ever inspiring Jess of IROCKSOWHAT is offering these ikat frames.

So there you have it.

A round up of the pretty pictures that I have been eyeing this week.

This weekend we are off to PA to celebrate Behr's birthday with family and friends. And then I get to stay and continuing visiting! What does your weekend have in store?

A December to Remember

1. Evenings Out

 Friends of our sponsored a table at the IJM benefit dinner.

We dressed up and had a fancy party supporting an incredible cause.

Tracey and David, on the right, are just a few of the fabulous people we were able to spend our evening with.

Click here to learn more about the International Justice Mission.

2. We went to the zoo! At night!

As our first experience with zoo lights, it was pretty magical.

Bonus: on the night we went it snowed AND there was a santa pub crawl.

do you see the bad santa in a chimney behind us?

3. Blate

Nikki, from Cupcakes for Breakfast, and I met for coffee in DuPont at Dolcezza. 

coffee, conversation, atmosphere,

all ah-mazing!

I cannot wait to go back in the Spring for their gelato.

4. I love my etsy shop.

Is that weird to say? I am having a blast making stationery. Fulfilling custom orders. And meeting new customers. I love it so much, I am giving you a gift. Each comment on this post that mentions my etsy shop will be entered to win either 

one of the holiday card sets (gift tag, snowflake, candy cane) 

or a custom baby onesie monogram set. 

All you have to do is leave me a comment saying which card set you would like. And if you want the baby onesie, tell me blue or pink plus the initial monogram to stamp.

Bonus entry if you favorite my etsy shop. Be sure to leave a separate comment.

Double Bonus: 25% off all hand-stamped sets this weekend with coupon: BLOGLOVE25

5. Talented Friends

Mark and I met up with some friends from high school at Baggataway's Tavern in Conshohocken when we were in PA for Christmas.  Mark and I were reminded that Brian is one of the coolest guys we know.  He makes great conversation, is a blast to drink with, and is living his dream. Brian is one half of the creative genius behind the band The Carpet Squares. They are making music without a production company and loving each step of the journey.

6. SPA

Christmas Eve, the ladies in my family were treated to a surprise spa day at Joseph Anthony.

Foot baths in the relaxation room, steam in the alpine room, relaxation in the brine room, massages, and a spa lunch. We returned home floating. It was a fabulous morning.

 7. Behr has a new love. Stairs.

That's all.

8. Red Stamp

Have you all seen Red Stamp? I loved the online papery and was sad when they closed to focus on their mobile platform. But now I love their mobile platform even more. Here are two of the cards that have been sent to our family recently, from my phone.

Here is a bit of the history and a review/how to.

Seriously, go download it from iTunes. You won't regret this.

9. New Years Eve Sparkle

These are a few of the nye images that are inspiring me. You can see the sources of these images and more inspiration on my pinterest boards holidays and party.

And with all of this inspiration, we have no party plans. I think we might snuggle and watch movies until 11:30. And then flick on the TV for perfunctory ball drop watching. And you know, something so simple will still be perfect. Perfect for us.

What are your new years eve plans? Are you going to be out on the town or cozy at home?

Oh, hi. You want a number 10? 

Well here is a silly video.

This is what happens when you give stupid people (aka me) an iPhone.

This is completely uneditted.

For the record, Mark was not holding his phone. I don't know why I said that.

The coolest part of this video? 

It reminds me of how we used to commentate our road trips when we were first dating. Still got it. Love.

 

And because I did this December review, basically over shared, and Behr's birthday is in a few weeks, I will be skipping a year in review, for now.

So there you have it. I am linking up with Elizabeth:

Friday Favorites: Warming the Soul

Christmas time is here.  More than any other time of year, this season is one for the senses.  The smell of pine trees and sweet sugary baking, the texture of pine needles and gift wrap, ribbons and bows, the sight of twinkeling lights and the soft glow of candles in windows.  And how can I forget the tastes like this scrumptious hot chocolate above?  Ah, it warms the soul.  Here are my ten favorite finds richly welcoming the season. Feast your eyes.



1. Gingerbread yoga men, for all of the health nuts in your life!  How cheekey are these?

2. Simple and understated diy christmas trees for your table decor. 

3. Simple red and whtie packaging.



4. Free printable 2012 calendar, as a little gift to you.

5. These diy clay lollipops look delicious enough to eat! 

6. A simple "joy to the world" over the map.  I am toying with this idea for our own map, as our decorations are lacking this year.

7. Festive cookies decorated in metalics.

8. Old fashioned candy canes seen here available here.  p.s. I was shocked when I saw where these were sold! 

9. This white donut tower could be the perfect low-cost/low-effort centerpiece for a holiday soiree.

10. This homemade granola would make the perfect gift for all of the aunts and uncles and cousins on my list.

hmmm...

this list ended up being a bit heavy on the edibles.  imagine that.

'tis the season, right?

I am linking up to E Tells Tales, woot woot!

A few of my favorite things...

found on pinterest, but I cannot find the original source

As I have spent time this past week reflecting on what I am thankful for

it seems as though I have been channeling Julie Andrews

or should I say Maria?

This song has been running through my head, especially as I have been commuting in the rain. I have been screaming it at the top of my heart, because I don't actually sing in public, that would be offensive. And now that I am officially rambling, here it is, so you can listen along with me.

my husband and son

and sisters and brothers

my parents

and my extended family too!

new music, great play lists, and someone else to make them for me.

the smell of comfort food cooking, and knowing that my family will be well fed.

time to giggle.

the girls in my life who often know me better than I even know myself,

who have encouraged me every step of the way,

and will be there when I fail, because eventually, I will take a leap too large.

fabulous packages {here is where Maria had it right} brown paper packages tied up with strings, bakers twine, crisp tissue paper, thick wrapping paper, untraditional box filler, and all other good things that come with packages, it makes me smile

for you, the fabulous blogging community.  

I love learning about you and seeing your children grown and homes come together and blogs boom.  

please keep writing.

white flowers. tulips, and peonies, and ranunculus.

getting crafty. working with my hands. creating art that will change someone's week or wedding, from calligraphy to stationery to a simple hand written note for a person I love.

and farm fresh produce overflowing in my kitchen.



{source}



what are your favorite things?

Birthday Giveaways!

Well...

...my birthday is next week.  

It is true.

I am getting older by the second.

In honor of my birthday, I will be hosting a week of giveaways.

AN ENTIRE WEEK.

Chock Full of Goodness

 {i am a total gift person, so I love giveaways} 

Each of the giveaways will feature one of my favorite brands, companies, or product lines, including my own small business!

Here are the stars of this lineup:

Get excited!

It is going to be awesome.

if you have a product that you would like promoted and included in this giveaway, 

please leave a comment or contact me via email: 

shannon {dot} angelos {at} gmail {dot} com  

it is never too late to add more fun to a giveaway