Colorful blocks

Spotted both of these wooden block sets over on the Babble blog and fell in LOVE -- the colors are so soft and gorgeous! Who says kiddie toys have to be ugly?





The top is available from Paxton Gate for $55 and the bottom set is at Fine Wooden Toys for $56.

Thanksgiving Recap

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! There were only four us, which is very different from what I'm used to (closer to 15-25 relatives!), but we had fun nonetheless. Here's the table I put together:















Did you all have a good Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving!

So much for which to be thankful, as always and ever...

Photo c/o Jessica Zais

Sycamore Street Press Announcement

Love love LOVE this baby announcement, designed by Jamie Tallerico and printed by Sycamore Street Press. The handwritten type is so classic and sophisticated but still fun, and the bowtie is a dapper little touch. Bravo!

Recent project

Thought I'd share one of the projects I've been working on for Tara, an Etsy customer who's getting married next April. They're based on a craft from one of my favorite weddings, that of Max and Margaux, designed by the inimitable Ashley Meaders. The little felt hearts are tres cute, no?







If you're interested in working together on a custom project, I'm all ears! Take a look at my Etsy store or just shoot me an email at peachandpearl at ymail dot com.

Board No. 79: Jewel Tone Thanksgiving

{Click to enlarge!}

Thanksgiving is this Thursday!! So many things to be excited about: seeing family, a short work week, delicious food, a chance to make a pretty table setting, and an opportunity to stop and give thanks. This board encapsulates most of that for me, with a color palette inspired by lovely Eddie Ross centerpieces!

The Details
First row, left to right: centerpiece from Woman's Day by Eddie Ross, turkey with sausage pecan stuffing from Martha Stewart, pomegranate dessert photo by mimmo+naz via Style Me Pretty

Second row: radish photo by Andreas Photo via SMP, holiday outfit from Real Simple

Third row: chocolate ganache tart from Martha Stewart, pecan pie from Martha Stewart, centerpiece from Woman's Day by Eddie Ross

Christmas CD Swap!

As a preface, I must admit I am embarrassingly excited about this announcement, so bear with me!

There are a lot of swaps in the blogosphere at Christmas time, and, having participated in quite a few, I can vouch for the fact that they're quite fun! I've participated in both Southern Weddings' ornament swap and Brooklyn Bride's card swap in the past.

What I haven't seen is a Christmas CD swap! And, as an intense lover of Christmas music (though never before Thanksgiving, for sure), I felt compelled to organize my own. Want to participate? Please say yes!

If you'd like to join in, send an email to peachandpearl at ymail dot com with "Christmas CD Swap" in the subject line by Friday, November 26 (the day after Thanksgiving). Include your name, address, email address, and website/blog address, if you have one. Feel free to spread the Christmas music joy to friends and family -- I want as many people to participate as possible!

By Wednesday, December 1, I will have emailed you the names and addresses of up to 4 people to swap custom mixes with. Traditional, indie, peppy, or pop selections -- the choice is up to you! I'm sure I don't have to say this to all you sweet and lovely readers, but let's keep the lyrics clean!

All CDs should be mailed out by Wednesday, December 8, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy their holiday tunes before the new year.

A final note: please don't sign up if you don't intend to follow through! That would make me and your swap partners very sad.

Any questions? Leave them below or shoot me an email! Eeeeeee I'm so excited!!!

Toms shoes

Took me long enough, but I'm ready to get on the Toms bandwagon. Granted, it's a pretty good bandwagon to get on: for every pair of shoes purchased, Toms will donate a pair of new shoes to a child in need. The only decision left? Which color to buy.

Should I go glam, with either the gold herringbone or gold glitter?





Or should I go more basic, with either the navy or ash?




Thoughts? Do you have a pair of Toms? Do you like them?

Four weddings...

...no funerals :) Just four of my recent favorite images to start your Tuesday...

Top to bottom, c/o Max Wanger, Brooke Schwab, A Bryan Photo, and Megan W

P.S. I bought the fabric. Eeee!

Possible Curtain Fabric

Readers, I need your help! I am almost ready to pull the trigger on fabric for curtains for our dining area, but wanted to ask your opinion first. Just to refresh your memory, here's my inspiration for our living room/dining room, which is really just one large, open room:


{Click to enlarge!}

And here's the fabric I'm considering:



Here it is in the iPhone pic I took at the store:


It's Khandar Indigo by Robert Allen. The usual price is $34.99 per yard, but it's 50% off until Saturday, which puts it under my self-imposed limit of $20 per yard. BUT since the sale is only until Saturday, I must make a decision soon! So tell me: should I go for it?

Shutterfly Holiday Cards

After the response to my Minted post, I feel more comfortable talking about all things holiday cards since I know a few of you are thinking about them, as well! My family used Shutterfly for our holiday photo cards last year, and we were very pleased! Quick turnaround, pretty designs to choose from, and excellent customer service. The best part? Since we're lucky enough to now have gorgeous family photos from Jenna Cole and & Unlimited, our send-outs are going to look good no matter which design we pick!

Here are a few of my favorites:


Starlight Joy, from $1.91. I generally prefer the flat v. folded designs, but this one was too simple + pretty to pass up.


Holiday Window, from $1.75


Pretty Package, from $1.75


Christmas 2010, from $1.75


Swirl Greetings, from $1.75

I even doctored a few to see how they might look with our chosen photo...


Peace and Joy, from $1.75


Partridge Pear Tree, from $1.75


Swirls and Dots, from $1.75

What do you think? Which is your favorite?

Ed note: Shutterfly is providing me with 50 free cards as compensation for this post, but the sentiment is all my own. As I said, my family used Shutterfly for our holiday cards last year, and are thrilled to do so again! Bloggers, if you're interested in hashing out a similar deal, click here.

Thanksgiving table inspiration

Have we discussed yet how I'm hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? No, I don't think so. Though I should probably be more worried about getting a large bird*, multiple side dishes, and three different kinds of pie (J's request) into stomachs, I am somehow more interested in thinking about the table decor. Here are a few ideas I've gathered!


Jose Villa (See more here!)


Unknown


Pottery Barn


via Timeless Paper


Sunday Suppers


via JolieJolie


Martha Stewart Weddings


Martha Stewart Weddings


Sunday Suppers


Sunday Suppers


Sunday Suppers


Sunday Suppers


Good Housekeeping


Martha Stewart Living


Jordan Ferney for Project Wedding

The underlying theme seems to be neutrals, golden accents, and nuts... let's see what I come up with! I will, of course, be sharing the finished design -- that is, if I don't burn down my kitchen first. Here's hoping!

*My mother's stated goal in life (one of them, anyway) is to never cook a turkey. Somehow she's escaped thus far, so I don't think she'll be much help! Then again, she always knows what to do. Love you, Mom!