It's Friday!

Happy weekend, everybody. I'm hoping to plant some stuff in the dirt patch by our curb. And paint a dresser. And some art for our walls. Also clean and do laundry and read books and go to church and see friends and try a new restaurant and go for walks. I can do all those things, right? Wishing you a weekend impossibly full of good things, too.

(Awesome typographic desk calendar by Simone Massoni.)

Use a magnifier as a tiny photo frame

We spotted this gizmo in a curiosities shop last weekend. It's a magnifying glass on a stand with two adjustable arms with clips. It's for repairing watches, jewelry, and electronics, but it's even cuter as a tiny picture frame for photo booth shots or old yearbook photos. It magnifies about 4X.


This doodad would make a cool gift for somebody who's into industrial decor, or who just likes weird things. Here's one like ours on Amazon: Helping Hands Soldering Hobby Station, $7.

Peanuts are the new black

Alex lost his heart to a peanut on one of our antique store visits a few months ago. I think it reminds him of his years at Kraft, where Planter's was one of their brands. I'll admit it. This dish is fun. We took it home.


I googled our peanut and found similar F.B. Rogers silver-plated candy dishes on eBay for $15-$30. Some sellers say they're from the 40s, some the 60s.

Yesterday a new CB2 catalog came. Behold!


Peanuts! Maybe they'll become the new owl, or the new antler, or the new mustache.


The best thing about the catalog, though, was the rooms. Look— dark woodwork plus modern furnishings. It is VERY hard to find inspiring examples of Victorian homes that still have dark trim and that aren't full of really traditional furniture. If they have modern furniture, the woodwork has nearly always been painted white.






I'm saving this catalog for inspiration.

P.S. This post was not sponsored by CB2 or Kraft Foods or the American Peanut Shellers Association.

P.P.S. Saying something is "the new black" is the new black, as you've probably noticed. I love it when it doesn't make any sense. Here's an interesting article about this cliché.

An Orla Kiely gift from Japan

My friend Megumi knows of my Orla Kiely adoration and just mailed me these Orla-print shirts from Japan, purchased at Uniqlo. I have no idea what "HeatTech Japan Technology" is, but I could definitely use some heattech in my America house today.


Megumi took a wild guess at what size would fit her 5'11" friend, and she did well with the XL. The sleeves are little bit too short, but if I push them up, nobody will be the wiser. The torso fit is perfect— not snug, but not too roomy, either. I love the patterns!

An orange throw for the living room

I've been hunting for an orange blanket for the living room. Easier said than done, since I wanted something attractive, preferably patterned, AND big-sized. I like to wrap myself up like a burrito, not just daintily cover my lap, you know? It's the best way to watch TV. (Side note: one of the greatest clips from Parks and Rec is a tour of Tom's apartment: it's blankie heaven.)

I found this organic cotton twin-sized blanket at my local Target. It's orange and beige with a geometric pattern, and my feet don't stick out. Perfect.

I couldn't resist

I hate Target. They put cute things in endcap displays so I'm forced to walk past and buy them. Orange mini duct tape? Into my shopping cart. Know what would look cute made from orange duct tape? A no-sew duct tape zipper pouch, tutorial compliments of As The Bunny Hops. Picture this: you get some rolls of patterned duct tape, and some buddies, and some zippers, and some cocktails (order optional) and make coin purse gifts for everyone you know. Yep.

Wooden blocks for type lovers

I've still got boxes to unpack, but I couldn't resist taking a few minutes to play. Wooden toy company Uncle Goose recently offered to send me a complimentary set of their hand-manufactured Big and Tall blocks. Initially I declined since I don't have babies and I don't like pastel colors. They assured me these would be less wooden toy and more "décor couture." And when I heard they were designed in collaboration with type foundry House Industries, I said sign me up.

Look what arrived on my doorstep: Orange. Patterns. Lettering. The craftsmanship and printing on the blocks is flawless. I got strangely addicted to moving these around, stacking and restacking. At least I have one shelf in my yet-to-be-unpacked office that's happy to look at! The blocks are perfect with my Blanca Gomez Typographer print, right?

The 20-block set will be available sometime this month; check the Uncle Goose shop for details.

Edelweiss Post vintage stamp stationery

Want to know what my latest favorite Etsy shop is? Edelweiss Post. It's a store selling notecards and envelopes that come with postage stamps already applied— unused vintage ones, carefully selected and arranged by theme or color. Edelweiss Post is run by Patrick in Minneapolis. His grandpa collected stamps, and Patrick is carrying on the tradition by constantly adding to his own collection, and then making them available to everyone. I think it's brilliant.

Of course I bought an orange set. And sent my dad a manly-themed card and envelope for his birthday. If you're going to buy somebody a card anyhow, why not go for something totally unique with vintage appeal? These look and feel really special.


You can choose sets by color.


Or by theme. Mad Men Manly Mail?


How about guys with beards? The US postal service seems to favor facial hair.

Visit the shop to see more themes. Holidays. Owls. Nurses. Hot air balloons. There's even a Great Gatsby set.


Every pack comes tied with baker's twine and packaged so beautifully you'll hate to tear it open.

If you need a custom-themed set, Patrick will do his best to make it happen. Maybe something for wedding announcements or party invitations? One customer used an orange set to send thank you notes to the people who interviewed him for a job. He got hired. Keep that in mind, friends. You can't go wrong with orange, especially in the form of stamps.

Jonathan Adler tape!

Lifeguard Press just sent over samples of their new printed paper tape by Jonathan Adler. I love it. Jonathan Adler is one of my all-time faves— those mod, geometric designs always float my boat.

The tapes come in a pack of three inside a dispenser. This stuff is not as sticky as washi tape, so it's easy to reposition. I got a little tape-happy around the office.


A boring gray bookend became patterned.


Edges on a bookshelf became patterned.


A desk lamp became patterned.


Tea lights became patterned.

Grab some Jonathan Adler tape right here. I'll post another project tomorrow!

Camera pencil sharpener

I just bought a pencil sharpener that looks like a camera. I keep buying and throwing out cheap little sharpeners that break my pencil leads off, and the one I have that actually grinds nicely requires three hands to operate it. The suction-cup bottom that holds it to the desk won't stick, so I practically need to hire an intern to hold it down so I can turn the crank. Electric models are too big, ugly, and seem like overkill, so don't even suggest them to me.

But THIS little number, in addition to looking pleasing on my office shelf, actually works. It has a clever mechanism for clamping the pencil in place, and then you hold the box down with one hand and turn the crank with the other. A little drawer full of shavings pulls out at the bottom. I adore it. It's made by Kikkerland; you can grab one at Amazon.

Vespa made from recycled packaging

Look what just came in the mail from South Africa: a little Vespa, crafted by hand from recycled tin. I looove it! The seat feels like textured leather, the wheels have tire treads and actually turn, and the kickstand folds up and down.

A few weeks ago, Tyrone Rubin emailed me to introduce a new web shop called Stribal, a site offering handmade things from artisans in Africa. I gave it a couple mentions here and there, and as a surprise, he sent me this Vespa, one of the products from the site!

Find the little tin models right here. You can get Beetles, motorbikes, pickups, Jeeps, and more. Pretty amazing. Maybe you need a really unique gift for someone, or a model for your desk or bookshelf?

Must-have shirts from The Social Dept.

The other day I stumbled upon The Social Dept., a t-shirt company in Akron that's churning out all kinds of screenprinted goodness. If you're a designer, a foodie, a sports fan, or you reside in a U.S. state, they've got a shirt for you.

I was desperate for that screenprinting workhorse tee, so I wheeled and dealed. I whelt and dealt: gimme the horse, and I'll tell everyone I know about your shirts. Score! My t-shirt arrived in the mail, and I get the satisfaction of recommending this sweet little shop.


I asked Andy and Christy for more details about their business, and here's the scoop.

The Social Dept. consists of:
Andy Taray / Owner, Designer/Printer, Cat-Freak
Christy Taray / Owner, Illustrator/Shipper, Cat-Freak

"We are a t-shirt company made up of man, woman, and cats. We specialize in city and state pride with an overall love for good typography, good design, and a touch of sarcasm. We hand print all shirts one-by-one in our litter box sized workshop located in the heart of the Midwest.

Andy is a graphic designer by trade with a passion for printing shirts, cats, basketball, and eating well. Main duties around the workshop include designing, illustrating, the dirty work, and printing. He also runs a small design shop called Ohioboy Art & Design and has worked on projects for folks like Tony Hawk, JFK, Big Bird, KISS and some guy named Elvis, among others.

Christy is a fashion designer by trade with a passion for crafting, shopping, cats, and eating well. Main duties around the workshop include illustrating, shipping, crafting, the dirty work, and child negotiating. Christy has worked for several Taylors in her time... spending a good portion of her career cranking fine design for both Ann Taylor and Lord and Taylor, among others."
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See their handiwork right here!

A tiny, handmade gift

Look at this miniature zippered case my friend Megumi brought when she visited from Japan last weekend. Her mom sewed it for me! It's an inch and half in diameter, and practically the cutest thing ever. Eek!

If you wanted to attempt one, this tutorial looks pretty close.

Apple sweet potato juice

I'm off the rest of the week for Thanksgiving, but first I wanted to show you my new favorite orange thing: apple sweet potato juice. It's been affectionately dubbed "Jess Juice" by Alex, who has been experimenting with his juicer (this model). The fact that this fall drink happens to be my favorite color is just a bonus. The apple is tart and refreshing, and the sweet potato gives it creaminess and mellows it out to something nearly dessert-like. A sprinkle of cinnamon on top makes it perfect. The recipe is just two big apples and two raw sweet potatoes. Adjust the proportions to your liking, of course.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, all!

Orange for my office

How could I possibly resist a box of orange push pins? I bought these pins in an art store this weekend. They're actually map tacks for marking locations, but my bulletin board likes them just fine. See other colors here at Amazon.

Orange accessories

Next up for Orange Week: orange accessories. Glasses, polish, scarf, purse, umbrella, bags, pouch.

Birthday present

I found this hiding in the cupboard, awaiting my morning latte yesterday. It's a gift from Alex and I love it. (I, um, may have sent him a link to this thing last week just in case he needed any suggestions. A girl can't rely on telepathy, you know.) These kitties are available at Abodeon or ModCloth.

Our house's latest orange thing

I spotted a forest of orange lamps at IKEA while Christmas shopping in December. Their tangerine glow was irresistible. I was drawn like a moth to a flame, and after lots of agonizing about where we could put it, we took one home. The linen-like texture makes me very happy, and it looks beautiful when turned on.

My new favorite magazine

Can the Danish magazine BoligLiv be my new favorite magazine, even though I can't read a word of it? Awhile back they contacted me for permission to use a small photo of my DIY bunting birthday card, offering to send over a magazine when the September issue was printed.

Guys, it's so lovely and full of products I'm coveting. Sofas! Bookshelves! Pillows! I want to make all the recipes and live in all the beautifully photographed homes. Apparently in Denmark, everything is spare and modern with a dose of quirkiness to keep it fun.

Google suggests that BoligLiv means "housing life." If that's a weird translation, maybe a Danish reader can help me out. Visit BoligLiv's site right here, translated into English. Be sure to check out the Creative Ideas section. Some project highlights:

A customized roller shade with instructions right here. (Or rather, "A drop down with a personal aside," as Google helpfully informs us.)

A mismatched mosaic tile backsplash, right here. Enjoy browsing!

Something funny for the sewing box

I spotted this silly measuring tape at Yozo Craft and had to get one for my mum. A tiny, goofy thank you for sewing me endless wonderful goodies. And... fine, I'll confess. I got one for myself, too. I can never resist a panda with a removable ear.