Paper Goods

If you’ve always wanted to keep a diary but are daunted by a blank page, Taschen’s Keel’s Simple Diary, Volume II is for you. Like a helpful  psychotherapist, Keel’s Simple Diary prompts you with easy, but unusual questions, to get to the heart of how you felt about your day. Except your therapist probably hasn’t ever asked you questions like, “Your day was 1. a schnitzel 2. baloney 3. catastrophe. Explain why.” The questions are quirky, but purposeful, designed to help you open up about your day because Phillip Keel (writer, artist) knows the three universal truths about trying to keep a journal:

1. Not every day is very eventful.
2. It actually takes a lot of discipline to write.
3. In retrospect, many find what they have written embarrassing.

The playful questions make the diary fun, without being intimidating to maintain,and help with the recording of life’s little moments. As Taschen says, “Simple Diary™ is Keel’s response to having too much information and not enough meaning, and needing to remember what made him smile. Three volumes and many pastrami sandwiches later, Keel finally had the answers to his own questions. Simple Diary™ is the culmination of his quest to gain insight into who we are, and why we do what we do.” The newest version of the diary is Volume Two (called The Ladybug edition), following the bestseller success of Volume one (the Cloverleaf Edition).  Aesthetically,  the diary also is a fine work of paper (an odd thing to say, but as someone who appreciate good paper stock, this is true) with lightly gold embossed pages and a glossy, leather hardware cover with 12 different color options. I chose vintage yellow, since I love its energizing color, but the robin’s egg blue and olive green are equally beautiful. The book retails at a list price of $15.

Bonnie Marcus brings us stylish holiday cheer with a wide variety of greeting, thank you and invite cards for every occasion. Whether you’re hosting a festive fete or just want to drop someone a jolly holiday note – the Candy Cane Girl cards are playful and always in good taste with a portion going towards The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Get 25 5×7 cards and matching white envelopes, printed on recycled stock for $37.50 – perfect for sending out all your holiday greetings to your loved ones!

Back to school cool! Our favorite time of the year; who doesn’t love the smell of fresh new binders and pens?  Revamp your desk, home office or study with a few key pieces that we just can’t live without. (more…)

Just about every woman feels the need to keep meticulously organized while remaining eco-friendly! LobotoME.com strives to provide the utmost earth loving organizational tools made locally to minimize shipping and transporting related emissions. Of course they are also made from recycled materials and soy based inks and are aptly described as being as good for your sanity as they are for the earth.  The Helping Moms Stay Sane! Kit includes; the MomME Planner which plans your life out one week at a time in a perfectly compact format as well as the HelpME, CheckME, FeedMe and SitME Note Pads.

$45.95 at www.lobotome.com, 20% off and free shipping for a limited time only.

Need a little help for Valentine’s Day? Here are our suggestions for this year!

Annie Band – We fell in love with Annie Band’s Vintage Coral Glass Cabochon Ring at first sight. What makes it even more desirable? This made to order ring has “live” inscribed inside the band, custom inscriptions also available to ensure a personal touch. This comfortable fit ring gives off subtle glamour with its intricate vintage details and femininity. Available online at www.annieband.com for $368.

Olia – Everyone should have a personal mantra close to their heart! Olia’s Make Love Necklace, is an affordable and adorable keepsake. Simple yet statement making, this necklace is perfect for your former flower child mother whose heart will melt when she unwraps and discovers this special token on Valentine’s Day.  Have a new mother to shop for or a friend expecting? The Make Babies Necklace will make them smile. Each hand stamped charm necklace is $47, available in gold and sterling silver.

Knock Knock – Knock Knock has plenty of playful and witty giftables under $5 this Valentine’s Day that are guaranteed to please. Already committed? Spice things up with their Sweet Nothing notepad ($3.75) and let your loved one know exactly what you’re thinking in one concise sticky note! Looking for love? The Paper Pick Up pad ($4.50) keeps things simple – the paper version of speed dating that allows you to show interest while saving face.   (more…)

One of my favorite daily clicks has been Color Me Katie, a blog by Katie Sokoler, freelance photographer and Brooklyn street artist, with the most fun, exuberant sense of color. Her site always brings a smile to my face with her cheery use of rainbow color that spans the spectrum of the Crayola crayon box.  She uses her awesome color sense to construct playful, vibrantly hued, public installation street art and homemade crafts, such as hand drawn bird and balloon window etchings and these joyful, hand-drawn edible marshmallow figurines.  With a small paintbrush, food coloring, and neon icing, Katie transformed each bland marshmallow into a unique personality, by hand-drawing a cartoonish mug and adding a rakish icing hairstyle, ranging from pompadours to mohawks.  As she recommends, how fun would it be to have a bowl of these at a party?  If you have young kids or nieces and nephews to dote over, I think this would be an awesome at-home project for a rainy day. Be sure to check out the rest of Katie’s blog, including a really cute series of public Pac-man pictures that will warm the heart of any old-school arcade lover.  I look forward to seeing some more of Katie’s work live, brightening up dreary street corners and walls!

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