Bargain Huntress Tells All

Original image from WSJ.com

This article from Saturday's WSJ is a must read for all you fellow nesters and bargain hunters out there. Ah, if only to be in NYC where flea markets seem to be everywhere. Thankfully, there are some great online resources for filling your home for less. If you haven't yet discovered online sample sales, you are out of the loop. You can find some of the greatest deals on Joss & Main, One Kings Lane and The Foundary to name a few (I'm actually surprised they were not mentioned).

Did you find a great piece of furniture online but curious if there is one out there like it for less? My all-time favorite: Copy Cat Chic will find you a deal!

Happy Hunting!

In the Lane, Snow is Glistening

Well, not really. It's actually pretty stinking hot outside. The thought of even going outside makes me sweat. But for stationery designers around the world it's pretty much Christmas! After a year long hiatus I have entered Minted's holiday challenge. If you can, please vote for Push Papers. You can vote here and here. Happy Holidays!

Custom Letterpress

Letterpress is not something I have given much promotional time to. It's not on the site to purchase yet, but I'm working on it! With the ease of the internet and relatively reasonable prices of offset and digital printing in the downturn of the economy, it's no surprise that birth announcements and now even wedding invitations are purchased through large online stationery providers that have great design and sufficient printing methods. I doubt this beautiful form of printing will go the way of the Dodo, but it might just be in hibernation for a while. Contact me if you're interested and I'm happy to get you a quote for a custom piece!

We're Hunting Rabbits!

After posting the invitations I did for my two-year-old's farm party, requests for that design or something similar came out of the woodwork. Who knew there were so many farm parties out there! Here is one I did recently for a four-year-old's awesome safari party. Enjoy!

Never Surrender

One of the things I hated about babysitting was the general state of a house with more than one kid. There was usually jelly or some other indistinguishable sticky substance covering all the wrong places; children's artwork scattered, smothered and covered all over the fridge and walls; plastic toys galore; and a general sense of total disorganization.

I swore several things after leaving their homes.

1. I would never allow construction paper artwork to take over my home.
2. I would never buy plastic toys.
3. My children would never watch Barney.

And then I had kids. And I realized that:

1. I loved to hang up their art because I am proud of it, and so are they.
2. They actually like plastic toys with tons of buttons that light up and drive you crazy. Wooden toys rarely get used.
3. Barney is crack for toddlers.

I still believe that your kids (and all their stuff!) do not need to take over your home. I took Martha's advice and now roll B's artwork in tubes and store them once they've had plenty of fridge time. And I have found great ways to store toys and art supplies so that the risk of breaking a limb while crossing the living room is minimal.

For a little inspiration, check out these kid's rooms featured on Lonny. They are simply fabulous. I do wonder how they get books off that top shelf though?

Bello

Some more fantastic prints from Etsy's shop blancucha. Beautiful prints by Blanca Gómez, illustrator and designer living and working in Madrid. It's no surprise it is mostly sold out. I'll find a blank wall somewhere to put these when more become available.

Lost & Found

If you remember my massive search for the antique airplane prints, I have news. I found them! At PB Kids of all places! That was unexpected.