Christmas at the Fowler House 2009.

Jared and I had a quiet Christmas together for our very first Christmas as a married couple. We woke up a little late, let Logan open up his gift first (the biggest rawhide we could find) and then exchanged gifts and stockings full of toothbrushes and deodorant. The big surprise of the year was a sleeping bear bean bag for our living room from Jared that he got from Chic in Design Dot Com! It's super comfortable and so cute in the corner of our living room.

Logan's eyes were so big when he figured out that it was in fact a real rawhide and nomed on it the rest of the morning while we got ready to go to my Grandparent's house for Christmas dinner.


Other etsy gifts this year was:

• I am a Ninja hoodie from Steppie for Jared from me.
  
• Handstitched Leather Wallet by Office of Minor Details for Jared from me.
  
• Snow Owl Print by Sharon Montrose for me from Jared.
• Happy Sloth Necklace by Mary Mary Handmade for me from my sister in law.
• Frames with wedding photos from DA Custom Frames for all our parent's and grandparent.
• Oriel Earrings in Mint by Lost & Fawned for Jared's mom from us.
• Bird Henley by Blonde Peacock for our sister in law's girlfriend from us.

It was a very etsy Christmas around here. :) Hope you all had a lovely holiday!

Holiday Decor - Our Apartment

Jared and I bought our first tree last weekend. Everyone was sold out of lights so we finally got some the other night and decorated. I made some little acorn ornaments from acorn tops outside our apartment. I think they turned out pretty cute. Jared loves them.

Our stockings came out pretty well. I used the left over Skinny Laminx fabric from our telephone table and backed them with linen. I also made some felt garland for the kithen window (see it in the background of the photo below?).

I also finally got around to hanging our letterpress type drawer and start filling it with my little knick knack collection. I need to find the rest. They seem to have gotten misplaced in the move.

I'm pretty happy with our quiet christmas decorations. Our new furniture should be here this week! Then it will really feel like a home. I'm having new danish modern legs made for the sofa in January. I'm really excited about it.

Christmas came early this year.

Jared decided there were a couple gifts I would want to use as we got ready for Christmas this year. He was right! He game me my new limited edition plaid Gingher fabric sheers first. I LOVE them and they are so much better than the crappy ones I've been using forever. I used them to make our new stockings first. I'll have photos of those later.

Next he gave me a large box wrapped in these adorable Zakka Japanese linens. He picked out a bunch of adorable fat quarters I can't wait to use on some little projects for the kitchen and maybe a little coin purse for me.

In the box was a special something I'll post later. It's AMAZING and I never expected I would have one so soon! I'm so excited. I'll give you a clue... it's pistachio green.

Pumpkin Pie by Amber Alexander

One last post before I sign off until Monday! I hope everyone out there has a wonderful Thanksgiving (even those of you outside the US). Relax, eat lots of turkey and spend some time with your loved ones. Remember my sales and free shipping while you start your holiday shopping this weekend.

I love this print by Amber Alexander. It totally reminds me of my husband. Pumpkin pie is his favorite and he gets the same look of quiet contentment when he gets a slice of his mom's pumpkin pie. Find more of her prints in her etsy store.

Holiday Kick-Off Sale Begins!

That's right everyone! Last night I sat in bed and knocked the shipping off all jewelry in my shop and tagged them all. I also added a bunch of items to the Holiday Sale section and will continue to add new pieces in there over the course of the sale.

I'm also still running my free pair of Margaux studs offer throughout the sale for orders over $25! Get your holiday gifts and a little something for yourself!

Things are starting to fly off the virtual shelves so make sure you stop in and order by Monday so you get free shipping! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Holiday Wishes 2009: Chunky Handknit Accessories

Another thing I'm loving this year are really chunky hand knit hats, gloves, arm warmers and scarves, especially in beautiful colors. I've had my eye on this gorgeous yellow hat by iLE AiYE for months! The color is just divine and at only $25 how can you go wrong? Here are some more chunky knits for the looming winter chill...

(Cream Bobbly Arm Warmers with Bow by Dolly Knits.)

(Large Bubble Cowl in Rust by Oh Ashley Love.)

Holiday Wishes 2009: Desk Critters

At the top of my holiday list this year is some little critters to hide behind my supplies on my desk. I've been seeing them all over the place on etsy and elsewhere and love the idea of hiding them around my studio to cheer me up this winter. I can pretend they've come inside to escape the cold. There little squirrels from BROOKLYNrehab are my favorites. Here are a few more that are adorable.

(3 Miniature Forest Animals from k g a b b y.)

(Tiny Hamster Vase from Pretty Random Objects.)

I want everything from Pretty Random Objects! I've been lusting after their bird and bear vases all year. I just want to plop a daisy or wild flower from the yard in the top of the bear's head. I know I would smile every time I looked at it.

Stay tuned for more items and trends off my own holiday wish list.

Lost & Fawned Holiday Gift

As a thank you to all my Lost & Fawned shoppers, I'm offering a gift to you when you do your holiday shopping with me! I'll be giving away a free pair of vintage Margaux Studs with every purchase over $25 from now until December 26th, 2009. That's right! Get your holiday shopping done and get a little something for yourself!

My Margaux studs have been so popular and I personally wear my pair almost every other day (they are truly my "go to" earring when I have nothing to wear) that I just HAVE to share them with all of you!

I'll be stocking my store daily with new goodies (including some GORGEOUS new topaz pieces I can't WAIT to share) so make sure you check back in to see what's new! I've also been lowering prices for the holidays on almost all of my pieces! I do offer gift wrapping options and combined shipping with our home division so make sure you pop in!

I hope you all have a happy and merry holiday season!
Lindsey Lu

Early Winter in Red & Blue - A Treasury/Front Page

Yesterday at 2PM my treasury was featured on the front page. The inspiration came from the two red doors included, but morphed into an interpretation of late fall/early winter in the nontraditional combination of red and blue. I love how it turned out! It's fun and bright but also warm and cozy. I've been lusting over that rug for ages now. *Sigh*

Featured:
1. Yeoldestuff 2. Thelittlereddoor 3. Highstreetmarket 4. Sweetlovevintage 5. Mickieandbetty 6. Crankheartpony 7. Kittynel 8. Snowfish 9. Snappyfishvintage 10. sushpie 11. Roxycreations 12. ThatSomething

Stockings by Plum Cushion

I just saw one of Plum Cushion's beautiful stockings on the front page of etsy just now. Upon further investigation I had to share her beautiful shop. He fabric choices and combination are so creative, tasteful and classy. I'm so into non-traditional colors and patterns for the holidays. I'm so inspired by her beautiful shop I think it's time I get back behind my sewing machine.

Here are some of my favorites! Any of these would be so fun to mix and match though! Now only to find where to hang some stockings this year since we have no fireplace!

Star Garland by Paloma's Nest

I just discovered Paloma's Nest's new Star of Wonder Garland for the holidays this year! I can't even tell you how much love it! The the naked wood is perfectly subtle. It's not over the top or too "christmasy".

Check our their shop for more beautiful Christmas ornaments, gift bags, gift tags and other holiday goodies. I know we'll be hanging our beautiful ring bowl from the wedding on our first Christmas tree. Much love to everyone at Paloma's Nest for making more beautiful things for me to lust after this holiday!

Trick-or-Treat Alternatives

(Tops and photo by Goose Grease)

Halloween is fast approaching and we'll soon be gearing up to hand out treats to the neighborhood kids. Tired of giving candy? There are some great candy alternatives out there to consider.

• I love these handmade tops from Goose Grease! They are so reminiscent of vintage toys and will certainly stand out in the neighborhood! At $20 for 20, they are pretty competitive with premium candy bar pricing!
• Back in the day my grandparents used to open their garage, put some decorations up and serve warm cider and cake donuts to the kids. They also had hot coffee for the parents and often times parents would stay warm in the garage while their kids hit a couple houses near by. It was a great way to get to know the neighbors and throw a mini halloween party.
• Host a halloween craft in the front yard! Set up a picnic table with all the materials to make halloween colored friendship bracelets, masks, treat bags, something that doesn't take too long to put together. Put on a costume and help the kids make something themselves!

Any other ideas? Post them here and help some other people out! Have a happy and safe halloween!

Happy October - Pumpkins by Sea Pinks

Happy October Everyone!

I love October. It means to me that autumn is really here. We woke up to frost warnings today and I'm making a huge pot of chili to celebrate. Logan is love thing cooler weather because he gets to spend more time in my office with me. The leaves are changing and pumpkins are outside the grocery store. Also, by the end of the day we should have a new niece! How exciting!

This year I'm decorating with a couple of my new Sea Pinks pumpkins. I think they are so cute and I love that they don't rot after halloween is over. I ordered an extra to give to my Aunt as a hostess gift when we go up to visit in a few weeks. They come in so many gorgeous colors and patterns. Check out her etsy shop for the full collection.

Holiday Decor: An Open Book

Looking for recession friendly holiday decor this year? One of my favorite cheap and easy ways to decorate for halloween, thanksgiving, christmas or the seasons is with vintage books. Open or closed vintage books are inexpensive and a subtle way to show some holiday spirit. For halloween I love this copy of Eight Treasured Stories opened to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This book also does double duty for Christmas too since it also has gorgeous illustrations for A Christmas Carol in it. For halloween you can also try and over sized anatomy book opened to diagrams of skulls on your coffee table. When the holidays are over, tuck it onto a shelf until next year and it still looks chic.

Find your own in thrift stores or garage sales OR skip the digging and head on over to the vintage book section of etsy.

Happy Election Day

No matter what your stance is, I hope you make it to the voting booth today. This election is so important, not only for this generation but for our future children. Get out there and vote!

On a wedding note, how adorable would a set of these donkeys be as a cake topper for the uber-liberal? Thanks to Bunny With a Tool Belt for sending me this cutie!