parcel mint: shop update!

Get your yule logs ready, it's holiday time! And in the spirit of winter and all its wonder I bring you 4 new goodies from my etsy shop Parcel Mint. First, the moon phases postcard set in all its cosmic and lunar glory. This is perfect for the non-traditional giftee on your list, or for those of us who appreciate holiday-neutral presents.  And speaking of non-traditional, how about a carrier pigeon to take the place of that boring holiday card you were about to send? These little birdies are the perfect addition to a gift or package and are guaranteed not to join the pile of cards and yearly updates in the recycling bin come January. Enjoy!

Thankfulness

Some traditions are symbolic and meaningful to me, and others are... well... just not. If I stop and think about how many people eat the same animal on one day and how the manufacturers of that meat must scramble to produce enough to feed that many people I start to get really grossed out (sorry turkey eaters!). I do, however, support togetherness and thankfulness! This Thanksgiving I will not be eating turkey, but I will be concentrating on gratitude and harmony. My family is giant, so for as long as I can remember we have eaten these celebratory feasts off of paper plates piled buffet-style. We never eat all at the same time, and we cluster into little groups of eaters. Some at a table, some on the porch, some inside the kitchen, some in front of the tv. I love it and I don't love it. Wouldn't it be so magical and amazing to all eat around a festively decorated table (or a bunch of tables)? This one looks extra special to me, so eclectic and cozy. It's still random and hodge-podgey enough to fit a large and unique family and doesn't feel stuffy or overdone. Thanksgiving 2013 perhaps?

here

Bits & Pieces

Here are a few looks at the day to day these days... Mostly I make things or buy things and Joey makes his motorcycle look and act better. 

I picked up an extra hand at the Encinitas street fair this weekend with my dad. 

Some fun clay things are coming to the Etsy shop very soon, and this little guy came out of the extra clay. 

I helped Joey visualize how his bike will look being ridden with its new improvements.  

This is probably as close as I will ever get to actually riding on it.

He's very handy and very cute. 

Harness the galaxy in your mailbox or someone else's! These spacey postcards are going into the Etsy shop this week! 

See. Wear. Treat.

All I want on this cloudy, cozy Thursday is to wander a new city (or a not so new city like my Spanish love Granada or the always dreamy San Francisco), dressed like an urban fall fairy in these wedges. And is there anything better than being slightly lost in a new place and then stumbling upon delicious coffee and treats? Doubt it. 

So if you are so lucky as to be new to your city, please enjoy it and know that I am so jealous. Maybe the rest of us should try to see our little old towns with fresh eyes? 

San Francisco. Granada. 

Rachel Comey Elva wedges here. 

Found here.

Journal Writing

For the past few years (more like five!) I have been keeping a journal. Sometimes I write frequently and other times my poor journal sits neglected for weeks at a time. But usually it takes me about a year to fill one with writing, drawings, pictures, paintings, pressed flowers, special things, scraps of paper. I love to look through them now, each with a very distinct character that reflects a specific time in my life. They are so precious to me in fact that when I moved out of my parents' house and left my finished journals behind I told both of them that if there was a fire and they had to scramble to save certain things that they should please grab those first. 

To me, journal time is calming and grounding. It means pens and tape and coffee. 

A favorite pinner of mine, Rowena Murillo, has an entire pin board dedicated to art journals that is easily one of my most loved corners of the internet. The colors and textures are so rich and it is impossible to leave without finding some inspiration. I found these journals there. Go have a look!

While I am very attached to my journaling habits, I do love the idea of an alternative journal. How beautiful is the night sky journal entry?! I love the idea of cataloging a daily observation about something like the sky, a tree, or the ocean. Perhaps without words, like the blue illustration. Or what about that stack of receipts? That would be a really unique way to remember something like a home renovation and could double as funky decor when the house is complete. The crafty folks at Design Sponge came up with the little basket of index cards and I love that it can be made using recycled materials and then kept on the kitchen counter to be written by an entire household or family as a collaboration. 

Sometimes all it takes to inspire a journaling frenzy are a few new supplies to spice things up. Watercolor paints and these washi tapes from TheSewingPost on Etsy are my go-to for holding little pictures, papers, and plants. And while it might not look like much, the Pilot G2 pen is hands down my favorite writing utensil. It's inky and smooth and is inexpensive enough for me to be ok with losing it all the time. And as for the journal itself, it might not be very original or exciting but I always use a Moleskine. They are well-made and convenient, and the simple black cover will never go out of style. 

Tiny Doors

Brace yourself because this might be the most adorable idea ever... 

Every house needs a teeny tiny door! The brilliant folks over at Design Sponge featured this little DIY and I can add it to my list of reasons why kiddies are awesome. This is the perfect time of year to fuel the imagination of any little in your life with a mini door for fairies, mice, elves and the like to come and go as they please. I love that it is so realistic and subtle. It's even sort of arty and stylish in its simplicity. And what a brilliant solution to the Santa problem for a chimney-less house! I know I would have LOVED this when I was small, and I am pretty sure I would still get just as much enjoyment out of it now. The possibilities for making this magical with rotating props and surprises are endless...tiny mail, a daily paper (The Gnome Chronicle? Elves Daily? Tooth Fairy Times?), muddy footprints, a welcome mat, seasonal decor, glitter trails... I'm in love. 

Emily Moldy Music

Kindergarten was a big year for me as far as making friends goes. That is when I met the majority of the girls that I would grow up with and still keep as soulsisters. There were a few important additions to the kindergarten bunch along the way and now I can truly say that I am one of the lucky ones when it comes to friends.

One of my tribe members is the beautiful and talented Emily Moldy. Her voice will tickle your ears and your heart and her music will move the corners of your mouth and your feet. And now the world is getting a taste of her magic in the latest Nature Valley Granola Thins commercial! Enjoy the full song below and be sure to keep an eye out for the commercial. The song is called "My Own One" and it is worth a listen (or 3 or 4)! 

Find Emily on Facebook, Youtube, and on her blog here. 

And lucky for you, this beautiful song is available for $1 to download here!