It's happened. We've had our first official - more than a dusting - snowfall. Which means bring on the twinkle lights and pine candles! (Rentals are overall pretty strict about the artificial verses real tree debate... so you do what you gotta do.)

When it comes to holiday decor, I'm pretty traditional - I favor white lights, evergreen trim and lots of rustic touches. What I love about the selections below is that none of them scream Christmas, instead they all have an understated holiday feel. 

Also, in the spirit of artisan support - I challenge you to peruse Etsy for your holiday decor, cards and gift giving. The selection is amazing (to the point of overwhelming) and truly unique. If you're in Milwaukee this weekend, don't forget to hit up Art vs. Craft at the Harley-Davidson Museum. As a veteran attendee, I recommend getting there early, like doors open early, to avoid a wicked line and a space that's a bit too packed for perusing. Start drafting your holiday shopping list from the link above or check out more decor ideas at: a festive holiday treasury.

1. DesignAtelierArticle  |  Tin House Candle Holder  |  $40.28

2. RobinCottage  |  Cowhide Christmas Stocking  |  $32.00

3. RussTickNaturalWoods  |  Miniature Trees, Extra Tall (3)  |  $25.00

4. UrbanPlusForest  |  Natural White Birch Wood Candles (3)  |  $28.00

5. mellsva  |  Christmas Felt Ball Garland  |  $15.00

6. WhitlockandCo  |  Modern Plaid Pillow Cover - Emerald Green  |  $38.00

7. WhitlockandCo  |  Modern Plaid Pillow Cover - Red Black  |  $44.00

8. littlebyrdvintage  |  Vintage Brass Deer  |  $40.00 sold!

9. HRUSKAA  |  Large Brass Himmeli Wreath  |  $185.00

Coming off of a wedding weekend in Washington DC with old friends, some quality time spent with family, and feeling inspired, refreshed, excited. Sometimes you just find yourself in a bit of a rut, you know? Dealing with what has to get done day-to-day and not making time for the little things that push you out of your comfort zone.

I've long loved a Jim Rohn quote that reads: "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with." And while I don't think it's quite that cut and dry - I definitely believe you start to become the culmination of your experiences, relationships and surroundings; from the books you read, the images you digest, the outings you take, the new things you try, and yes, the inspirational people you surround yourself with.

So while this weekend was a reminder of the amazing people I have in my life, doing some pretty amazing things. It was also nice to get out to a new city, get away from my work - Museum life from 9 to 5, and behind the sewing machine / drawing board from 5 to (ugh) 11 - as a reminder not to live solely in the microcosms which surround us.

In the spirit of this, hey-do-something-you-don't-do-every-single-day, Tre and I threw caution to the wind, stayed up way past our Tuesday night bedtime and saw Amos Lee at the Riverside Theater last night. Talk about inspired. It's almost electric seeing someone do what the love to do, and do it well. The energy was infectious - brought the house down and we both left tired, but revived.

Now back to that drawing board.

"Nobody tells this to people who are beginners. I wish someone had told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it's just not that good. It's trying to be good, it has potential, but it's not. 

But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase; they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn't have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know that it's normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that ever week you finish one piece. 

It's only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I've ever met. It's gonna take a while. It's normal to take a while. You just gotta fight your way through."

- Ira Glass, 2004

Last week I spent a totally relaxing seven (seven!) days recharging with the fam at a lake cottage in Northern Michigan. (Also know as, truly the most beautiful place on earth. Fo sho.) Growing up in suburban Detroit, summers "up north" were a right of passage and are responsible for some of my most favorite childhood memories: days spent with (lots and lots of) family and food; afternoons at the beach, hunting for Petoskey stones; put-put games, outside ice cream eating, exploring the local towns (presumably for more ice cream), and many, many games of Euchre.

Since moving to the other side of the lake, these Northern escapes have happened much less frequently. Grandparents have passed, family has scattered... and the drive from Wisconsin includes an infuriating 7+ hour trip arrrround the lake. Maddening.

I was, however, pleasantly surprised to find that very little has changed. Still lots of family and food. Lazy, sunburned, hours on the beach, maybe a little more wine and a few less ice cream cones (to be expected). But otherwise, I was able to unplug and derail from life's scheduled plans and make time for things I enjoy doing. Like sewing, sketching and eating cherry pie. (Admittedly some of those things are more relevant to this post then others.) 

Anyways, because of this little breather I was able to catch up on pending projects, do a little brand building and will be posting goods here, on the website, and on etsy. I'll also be unveiling processes, products and snippets on the blog throughout July.

So yay. Here we go.