My grandpa drew this for my grandma in 1948.

Nothing in this world is as cute as my Grandparents were together.

Boys, theres still time to make something for your Valentine.

Noelle

Tiny paper cuts + bleeding coffee

Add little drops of ink and…

I happily start the music, light the candles + drink so much coffee that I’m unaware the house is on fire… then draw!

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For my Sketchbook Project, I tried out certain lyrics, which wonderfully, are always stuck in my head. The brilliant artists are these guys: {Telekinesis, Beirut, Foster the People, The Muppet Show Theme Song, Okkervil River, Bishop Allen, Deer Tick} + some things I think too.

Discover how the coffee disguises itself as part of the artwork.

⊙︿⊙ ~ Joy

Hello. My name is Marcel.

Oh! The only thing more joyful than watching Marcel The Shell With Shoes On is having a copy of his new children’s book. The independent creator~couple Jenny Slate + Dean Fleischer-Camp are my heros.

Jenny is the perfectly cute voice + Dean is the genius filmmaker. Together they make Marcel. Look at him!

The picture book has a very sweet + vibrant style. Their unique idea for using photorealistic oil paintings totally brings Marcel to life. Amazing artwork by Amy Lind!

I finally downloaded the app + was of course, delighted to find these funny, sketchy animations. Then I just pressed play + listened to the best bedtime story ever!

~Joy

Say OUI

I adore these ceramic garlands by OUI, a collection of simple, thoughtful products made by Angela Hodgkinson.

All ceramic products are one-of-a-kind and made by hand.

They would make amazing wedding garlands, lovely home décor or unique Christmas gifts.  She also has a beautiful collection of scented soy candles + ceramic candles.

Show some love for Small Business Saturday :)

Noelle

The Madewell Twins

I love the Madewell Holiday 2011 catalogue.  It just arrived in the mail this week and It’s full of Christmas gift ideas; things I want and things I want to get for all of you.  But my FAVORITE thing about this holiday catalogue is …

THE TWINS.

I was so happy to see Madewell featuring cool twins!  Don’t they look awesome?  As a twin myself, I can already tell all of them apart.  It’s a substantial gift.

Nicki and Cassi are featured in a Madewell Musings video and OH MY GOD they are sitting the exact same way in the still frame.  Joy and I do this all the time.  Ah, twin commiseration.

They talk about their travel-inspired style, peppered with pearls and tattoos.

They are really making me miss living with Joy and sharing everything in our closets.  DOUBLE wardrobe.

Noelle

Anthropologie, darling.

It’s the holiday season! Well, I’ve been shopping more than the U.S. average, according to mint.com. I would say slap me, but you can’t fight crazy with crazy.

Last week I was just browsing. Sort of. I lost my way + wandered over to Anthropologie’s site where I discovered the sweetest stop-motion animation ~ which has officially made it to my all time favorites of this genre, second only to Rudolph, The Island of Misfit Toys.

Little ornaments called “The Branch Bunch” come to life as you hover the mouse over their images. Holiday spirit magic.

{just popping up to say, happy holiday!}

{my igloo is your igloo}

{…gifts rule}

{happy, merry, JOY: pass it on}

{…the eggnog effect}

Oh! This is wonderfully done.

Here’s another stop-motion piece for Anthropologie, designed by Creative Director Simon James Lee.

An artist like Mr. Lee knows better than anyone the priceless look that can only come from the use of real objects + photographs.

These fuzzy feelings make me want to buy cute things.

~Joy

Bye Bye Blackbird

Remembering our grandmother today. She used to love this song.
Up in heaven, she’s teaching all the angels to sing it…

Pack up all my care and woe
Here I go singing low
Bye bye blackbird.
Where somebody waits for me
Sugar’s sweet, so is she
Bye bye Blackbird.

No one here can love or understand me
Oh, what hard luck stories they all hand me.
Make my bed and light the light
I’ll be home late tonight
Blackbird bye bye.

Congratulations Noelle + Patrick!

{image via 100 Layer Cake}

Today is special! One year ago, my sister married her best friend. They planned an unforgettable wedding with the loveliest fall decor + the yummiest food. Those who were in attendance still rave about that cocktail hour. Ooh how I dream of that spiked hot apple cider…

Since then, they’ve been nesting + building happy memories together. I’m very excited to congratulate them on their 1 year anniversary! To Noelle + Patrick,

“May your lives always be filled with JOY!”

xoxo ~ Joy

We Are The Tide

Sigh. Why Blind Pilot?

1. Sad music makes me happy + it’s not that it’s even sad, really just so good my heart hurts.

2. We saw them play a small show in New York a while back. The band hung around at the bar after + we almost said some words to them. They were nice when no sound came out.

3. One of their most beautiful songs is 3 Rounds and a Sound. It’s the song Noelle + Pat danced to on their wedding day.

Blind Pilot played Williamsburg last night. Since Noelle couldn’t be there to hear her favorite song, I thought I’d be amazing at her + record it. Watch this little clip to see how my plan is lovingly destroyed.

If you listen closely towards the end, that’s me saying “I’m going to cry.”

They continued to break my heart, carrying their instruments off stage + standing with the audience, unplugged. The audience then sat down to listen. Sat. Down. First ones to do so on this tour. It was beautiful!!

You’re welcome.

When they finished playing, I snapped this. Sneak attack!

So that’s my memory of a great show by one of my favorite bands. With no recording, it’ll be amazing for as long as I remember it.

~Joy

Dress Up: Fall From Summer

Fall’s officially here. Now cute, short summer dresses are mixed // matched with scarves, grandma sweaters, jackets + boots!

Hanging up in my closet, there’s my inspiration board. Full of perfect outfits like this one. Catching my eye + escaping my budget.

Hi I’m broke.

So this week, I’m playing dress up. I don’t own any of these items from Free People. But this look, anyone can make it happen… more or less.

I did it, I think! It’s a selection of apparel I’ve had lying around for a while, but kind of makes up a nice look for this season. And I didn’t have to go shopping. The weather’s getting colder but {damn it} I’ll still rock the little summer dress.

~Joy