Winner: calendar give-away

Congratulations, Gina! This lovely calendar from Print Smitten is on its way to you.

Thank you to everyone who entered! While it may be too late to enter to win, it’s definitely not too late to get one of your own.

Four 2014 calendars with style

This small square calendar from PrintSmitten packs a colorful punch. It comes with a cute metal clip for hanging. Bonus points: each month is double-sided for endless re-use possibilities. This will be gracing my office this year.

I look forward to the new Snow & Graham calendar each year. Buying one over the holidays and hanging it up in my kitchen on New Year’s Day has become an annual tradition. It’s good-sized at 12″x18″ and the design never disappoints.

I fell hard for this HUGE calendar from 1canoe2 with its endearing (but not twee) retro prints. At 20″x32″, it makes quite a statement. And the included wooden hanger only adds to the charm.

And last but not least…

This list wouldn’t be complete without a letterpress option. These pretty printed pages from Stationery Boutique double as postcards when the month is done. UPDATE: You can get a free printable version of this calendar from Oh the Lovely Things (minus the letterpress and postcard parts of course, but still awesome).

Happy 2014!

20+ thoughtful gift ideas

Can you believe we’re under the two-week mark? I put together some of my favorite gift ideas and made them customizable, so you can choose your own gifting adventure.

Who doesn’t love jam? Especially really good jam. Package up a couple of the following for a sweet gift:

• Vintage jam spoons from your local antique/vintage shop, etsy or ebay
• A jam cookbook, if they cook (or would like to)
• Homemade jam, if you cook
• Great jam jars, perhaps with a recipe tucked inside
• Artisan jam from the store or farmer’s market, like Ayers Creek here in Oregon (so good!)
• Fresh-baked bread or scones

For those who like to entertain, mix and match items to spice up their next soirée:

• A modern punch bowl (or vintage, if that’s more their style)
• Cocktail napkins like these, these, and these, or look on etsy (here and here, for example)
• Clean-lined glass mugs, Scandinavian modern tumblers in a rainbow of colors, French cafe classic Duralex tumblers, or glasses with a bit of bling
• Cocktail forks and spoons

For new homeowners, choose a selection of heirloom-worthy ornaments like these from Schoolhouse Electric to help start their collection.

For those who appreciate creature comforts, help them get cozy with one or more of the following:

• Something cashmere like this affordable yet luxe cashmere tunic
• A cheerful and cozy blanket
• A rustic mug for their favorite warm beverage (coffee beans or hot chocolate mix, optional)
• Plush slippers that are as cute as they are warm

Jewelry is always a great option. Pair a stylish jewelry box with something sparkly. Or if you’re feeling unsure, tuck in a gift card for a local boutique or etsy. (Necklace, earrings and ring shown above.)

Know someone who’s serious about teatime? Any combination of the following would be perfect:

• A good loose leaf tea from a local shop, Townshend’s and Foxfire are my favorites in Portland
• A teapot with an easy to remove loose leaf strainer or a display-worthy tea kettle
• Tea cups or mugs
• The “perfect measuring spoon” for scooping out just the right amount of tea
• An electric kettle that quickly brings water to the just right temperature

Happy shopping!

My fall knit list

Can you believe it’s almost September? Besides hunting for a few perfect finds to add to my closet for fall, I’ve also been sorting through a heap of knitting ideas– looking for projects that are unique, stylish and simple-to-make. These four rose to the top because they check all three boxes.