Today's giveaway is from Old Soul, New Heart. They're offering one lucky winner this fabulous Meow necklace, made from a vintage brass chain laced with soft ribbon and an embroidered leopard bow. Wouldn't you love to wear it to holiday parties?
For a chance to win, visit Old Soul, New Heart and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck! xo
A perfectly engineered umbrella to withstand crazy winds, $40.
Grey sea-salt from France, since sea salt makes everything delicious, $11.
Dishtowel necktie, $44.55.
Whiskey cologne made in Maine, $68. "It is not a scent for every man," the shop warns. "This is a powerfully masculine scent." Noted.
Buttermilk pancake mix with chunks of Mo's Bacon Bar, which combines applewood smoked bacon and Alder sea salt with deep milk chocolate. (Yowza.) $12.
F U, Penguin, a book based on the hilarious blog that puts cute animals in their place, $10.20.
Blow-Up movie poster for his apartment, $16.
Shark fin salt-and-pepper shakers, $38.
Cheeky coasters to give your mom a heart attack, $9.99.
The Icelandic bearded cap from last year, since it's becoming a tradition. $77.57.
How beautiful are these Brooklyn-made nature bulbs with dried leaves and twigs? They make me wish we could squeeze a Christmas tree into our teeny apartment! At $10 each, they'd also make great hostess gifts. xo
Pinecone wreath, $118.
Taxi mittens for when she visits you in New York, $65.
Paperwhites, made by you.
Honeycomb necklace, $34.
A sleep mask for traveling, $20.
Return-address labels, $35.
Mown grass candle, $22.
Botanical mosses hoop to hang in her house, $12.
A flower-arranging class in Brooklyn or San Francisco, $165 to $250.
Emerson Made flower pin, $68.
A fortune teller, since you made a million of these as little girls! $8.
Crikey, how gorgeous is Natalie Portman in this Lanvin dress? These photos almost make me want to draw a mole on my cheek in eyeliner.
(Via Coco & Kelley)
The cards from Sycamore Street Press make me smile.
P.S. They also have a fortune teller!
A cookbook with simple, yummy recipes (including cauliflower mac n' cheese and the perfect English cottage pie), $26.
Whiskey stones, which ingeniously keep cocktails cold without melting, $20.
A cashmere cap for winter walks, $98.
Great Gatsby boat tour, $25/person.
Boilerplate, an alternate-history graphic novel, $24.50.
Custom notecards and calling cards, complete with his beard and glasses.
Massage candle, where the warm wax (awesomely) doubles as massage oil, $28 to $100.
A good old-fashioned love letter. 
A rhodesian ridgeback puppy, since he recently spent an hour googling them and cooing, "Oh, you're just a dog. You're just a sweet dog, aren't you?"
My sweet readers, what are you up to this weekend? We have a funny story: Alex and I had been planning to take a little trip this weekend, so we rented out our apartment. But then we decided not to leave town, after all...but since our apartment was already rented, what were we to do? Suddenly we had a funny idea: We could rent a different apartment in the city for ourselves! We went on homeaway and found a cozy apartment in a Brooklyn brownstone. Now we'll be taking a little getaway after all...fifteen minutes from home. It all feels hilariously Seinfeldian. Have a wonderful weekend, my darlings, and in the meantime, here are a few great posts from around the web...
Baby Alex crawls!
Portland has rad scratch-off tickets.
Fifteen holiday party dresses.
Yum.
Splish, splash, what a cute bath.
What I wore.
A funny twist on a terrarium...
...And twist on antlers. (Via Swissmiss)
Wanna get kissed? Wear your own mistletoe.
Loving this shirtdress.
Flowers in December.
Plus, many more gift guide posts coming up next week! Thank you! xoxo
(Photo by Aya Brackett)
Wild mushroom apron, $36.
Baaah, a sheep's milk soap, $12.
Lavender sachets to make even socks smell sweet, $39.
Paris decoupage plate for her desk, $48.
Chunk honey, made in Maryland by cutting a piece of raw honeycomb off the hive, $24.
Victorian cameo ring from the 1800's, $190. (Can you imagine all the lovely ladies who have worn this ring? It's probably played the piano, ridden in horse-drawn carriages and held lots of babies.)
Perfume that smells like snow! $12 to $60.
Born Round, the hilarious memoir of a former New York Times food critic, $12.97.
Veggie candles, $50. Made in England, but they feel so French!
Foot massage gift certificate, $75. 'Cause it's good to feel kneaded.
My darlings, are you excited for the holidays? (Can you believe how quickly this fall flew by?) Without further ado, I'm thrilled to kick off the 2009 Holiday Gift Guide. I've tried to find gifts to fit every budget and personality, and very much hope you enjoy this little guide.
Ok, here we go! (I'll post one or two every day...)
P.S. Find the 2008 gift guide and 2007 gift guide here.
(Photo by Petra Warrass)
Oh my goodness, thank you so much for all your amazing comments yesterday, during my terrible horrible no good very bad day. They helped so much, and I feel much better! I want to reach through the screen and hug you all. xoxo
P.S. Thanks to J. Elizabeth for recommending this hilarious video.
My darlings, I have to admit, I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and out of sorts today. Do you ever find yourself in a funk? What cheers you up? I would love to hear... xoxo
(Photo by Lisa Steinbruek)
Today's giveaway is from Lille, a lovely lingerie boutique in Portland. They're offering Eberjey's Prima Ballerina PJ set, a feminine take on men's pajamas. Wouldn't they be adorable on cozy winter nights?
For a chance to win, visit Lille Boutique and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!
Update: Amy is our lucky winner. Thanks for playing. xo
This adorable flickr photo was taken of little dudes when the babysitter was about to arrive. Look at those anxious fingers! I remember that feeling, don't you?
(Photo by Janusfinder)
