planning ahead

I don't know about you, but every new year I am determined to get myself organized. While I don't always meet my resolution with complete success, I've found that having a day planner keeps me in line. And in a world of ever-increasing technology, a pretty little planner to slip in my purse seems like an indulgence. Not only that, but the prettier the planner, the more I seem to use it. Here are a few pretty little planners I stumbled upon on Etsy. {click the number below for a link to each planner's etsy shop}

one two three four five

inspired: Kate Spade

One of my favorite designers is Kate Spade. I love the bold and whimsical creations. Plus, my first designer handbag was a Kate Spade... and a girl never forgets her first designer handbag. Recently I came across a preview of the new (not-yet-for-sale) book Things We Love by Kate Spade. It's a collection of inspiring images {based on the things we love section of the Kate Spade website}. It makes me want to start my own tangible "things I love" notebook (besides the millions of images saved on my desktop). Nothing like a collection of beautiful images to get your creativity flowing. See for yourself . . .  

I especially love this photo of a typewriter because I purchased my very own red typewriter down in Laguna Beach a few years ago.

I wish I looked this stylish on road trips!

images via felt&wire

And the winner is ...

Heather Lee who said her favorite tradition is exchanging Christmas pajamas. Congratulations! 

I hope you all had a fun Black Friday :) 

Happy Thanksgiving!

*I may or may not have traced my handprint on my computer screen. Nothing like a little update on an old school art project.

I hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know I am. I also know I may have eaten my weight in turkey :)

Don't forget to enter the giveaway in the post below -- the winner will be announced tomorrow!

Today is your lucky day...

Because it's the official launch of

Still need to order your Christmas cards? Just click on the store link to the right to take a peek at more adorable cards just like this one:

And as part of the grand opening, I am featuring special prices until December 5th (just enough time for you to get your holiday cards ordered).

So hurry and get your holiday orders in!

And what would a launch be without a little giveaway? Do you want to win a one-of-a-kind holiday design by yours truly? Here's how...

Giveaway details:
Prize: Free custom holiday design courtesy of moi
To enter: Complete at least one of the following (one entry per item completed):
1. Leave a comment below with your favorite holiday tradition.
2. Become a follower of this blog (see sidebar).
3. Link to this blog or store in a post on your own blog.
4. Add this blog to the blog roll on your own blog.
*Leave a comment below with the number of entries you have completed.
Giveaway closes: Friday, November 26 @ 5 pm MST
Number of winners: 1
[I will be choosing the winner using a random number generator ... and by random number generator I am not referring to my husband.]

The chance to score a great deal on Black Friday without having to deal with the crowds? Yes please!