the week's best :: 12.12.14

It's 2 weeks into December and I've done no gift shopping and barely have the tree up. Things are looking dire, so this weekend better be productive! I'm helping plan my daughter's 3rd grade classroom winter party, so I've been spending a healthy amount of time researching holiday party ideas and have stumbled upon some great sites (& possible fantastic gift ideas!). I'm thinking that's serious multitasking, and here's some of the best of what I've found ....

1. Ok, yes if you insist, I'll have another helping of your boozy eggnog....
2. Art, especially original works, makes for a wonderfully unique gift. Suitable for men and women of all ages! Design Sponge lists 19 giftable works of art. My favorite is this Elizabeth Grubaugh print because it reminds me of something that would have fit in perfectly at my grandparent's Miami home (circa 1960)  - and that always brings back happy memories of spending childhood Christmases in Florida with family 
3. Do you have the energy and motivation to get crafty with your holiday decor? I think these pom pom garlands are in my future, but if you're feeling the pull to go to the next level like say creating whimsical tablescapes or painting your own gift bags, check out this post on poppytalk.
4. This weekend around Portland there's a ton of holiday markets big and small. Local blogger Honey Kennedy always has her finger on the pulse of what is happening, check out this exhaustive list of events - there's something for everyone! My favorites are the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Holiday Sale and The Makery Winter Market, two events with hundreds of talented crafters showing their wares - it's hard to not end up getting an early gift for yourself!   
5. Keeping yourself grounded during the holiday season is the antidote to the anxiety of stress or too much boozy eggnog, so take some time to relax and take these tips to heart.

the week's best :: 11.7.14

I'm heading up to Tacoma today, excited to take the train and see the beautiful fall colors. The autumn colors here in Portland are ah-may-zing! I swear everyday I see some coppery, reddish- yellowy stunner, plus it's sweater weather - bring it on! Here's some links to dive into this weekend ....

1. Get some advice about integrating some Orla Kiely prints into your home, you really can't go wrong with her fabulous patterns. 
2. Speaking of patterns, tons of Marimekko items to drool over at modern furniture purveyor, EQ3
3. Considering your own space to expand your creative business, or at least get it off your dining room table? Shauna, from Nubby Twiglet, breaks down the anatomy of an office in this first of an ongoing series. 
4. Enjoy Tiffany Han's Raise your hand, Say yes! podcasts, celebrating strong creative women.
5. Be inspired by Michelle Ward at When I Grow Up Coaching, helping adults search for the passion they had when they were just figuring things out.

the week's best.

This week was a good week, the weather stayed amazing and made our annual pumpkin patch visit a lot less muddy than usual, I met my weekly workout goals (sadly this is rare) and the best thing - the ArtHouse project received recognition in the annual Portland AIA Design Awards with a Citation Award. With that, I give you my top five links of the week for you to give the once over while you sip your TGIF cocktail....

1. Speaking of the 2013 Portland AIA Design Awards, check out these spectacular projects for yourself.

2. Want to see some more winning projects? The only US project to win an award in the 2013 World Architecture Festival is this Los Angeles project by Koning Eizenberg Architecture based in a historic YMCA. The 28th Street Apartments is a project for a local not-for-profit organization that provides housing to the homeless, individuals transitioning from foster care and adults with mental illness. A wonderful example of a building creating social transformation.

3. Speaking of social, we turn our eye towards social media. Via Design*Sponge, this article about what Pinterest and your pins say about you is very thought provoking...

4. I'm joining other design bloggers in spreading the word about large companies stealing independent artists' work for profit, here's Lisa Congdon's story.

5. Finally, do you need some fun stuff to do this weekend as you enjoy this stellar fall weather? I have two full days of leaves in my yard, I mean a full 48 hours of raking - my biceps will be huge!! So, these ideas are for you, dear readers - have fun crafting it up as you sip your spiked maple apple cider! Save some for me....

This week has been absolutely gorgeous, thanks to some quintessential fall weather and stunning leaf colors. Leaf peepers assemble!! (Sorry, I'm super stoked about Anchorman 2 hitting theatres soon.....)

For a bit, it looked like the winter rain had started and autumn had been skipped, but that was just a little miscommunication - it's all good! So, the sweaters, the tights, the boots - there all in full force here in Portland. Might as well get cozy and enjoy this week's best links...

1. This amazing oil painting is courtesy of artist Emma Cowney. She employs a technique termed "refractionism", which animates the color hit by light by separating the components into color blocks. It's similar in concept to stained glass, where colors are separated by a thick line of solder. I love how these trees just glow, just like they have been this week! Check out her other paintings, they are just as fabulous. 

2. Wondering wether I can pull these temporary Halloween tattoos off as office casual? I mean, it's got to be better than meeting with clients sporting a 2 foot tall pink beehive wig?

3. When you're tired of trolling for your gently used mid-century furniture on Craigslist, check out Fleapop. An online flea market where people buy and sell furniture through their virtual boutiques. All styles of decor seem to be represented & the prices are reasonable. 

4. Enjoy reading how designer Patricia Urquiola came up with the design for the new Hosu seat for Coalesce, I can't deny that I think it would make this online task a little more comfortable! 

5. Looking to stay inspired by taking this list seriously, courtesy of GOOD. Ha! I just realized something on that list goes against my "if this desk is a wreck, there's some creativity going on here" approach I spoke about in this post...