Inspiration Daily: 9 .25 .08

Ayumi*10 by e*airfuly

Crushing On This

I just wanted to end the day with this adorable animated cartoon by Julia Pott (via Pikaland).  Doesn't it just take you back to your childhood and those heart-thumping first-crush moments?!

You can also find Julia's work: {ETSY} . {BLOG} . {PORTFOLIO}

Getting a Head Start

Is it too soon to be talking about the Holidays???  I'd generally be inclined to answer "yes," but then again I've never actually been that organized when it comes to Holiday shopping and tend to save it all for one mad shopping spree (taxing the limits of my bank account and my sanity).  But this year is going to be different... I think I've got things figured out.  *If you're a family member or friend you may want to stop reading now gift spoilers are coming.

First of all, after this post last January I purchased a set of Baggu bags for myself and have been in love with them ever since.  These things are amazing!  They can hold about 4 times more than a regular grocery bag, including cans, milk jugs, etc and they just seem to hold it all so effortlessly (no danger of ripping or tearing)... and they come in the best colors too!  I've used mine for shopping, the gym, the beach, as a library bag, etc.  I'm sure their uses are endless.  So this year everyone on my list is getting at least one Baggu bag.  The fun part will be filling each one with unique gifties hand-picked for each of my friends and family.  That's where the next items come into play.

I'm planning on making most (if not all) of my purchases for the Holidays through my favorite indie artists and designers... or making things myself.  One of the things I love to do is to add a special personal touch to something that I've purchased, such as re-wrapping a loved ones' favorite soap in pretty decorative paper, a ribbon, and a customized label (like my tutorial here), or maybe to create a box of individually wrapped chocolates like the ones seen in this tutorial.  I guess my theme this year is to give small but meaningful gifts.  After all those are the kind I like to receive most myself.

Do you have any special Holiday gift giving plans.  Share your favorite indie shop links with us below!

{GIFTS} Baggu Bags, Everything is Going to Be Ok by Jen Renninger, Three Item Gift Set by Red Leaf, Handknit Mittens by See Also.

Real Decor

{IMAGE ONE} White Paper Doilies & Orange Thumbtacks photographed - by citypix

The most important thing about home decor is that first word: "home."  My feeling is that your space should reflect who you are, what inspires and moves you... not just whatever trend is the latest and greatest (according to various monthly publications - not that there isn't much inspiration to be found with their pages... but you catch my drift). 

{IMAGE TWO} First Row: Inspirations displayed on clip boards by O!Rachew!, Polaroid-Heart - by Daydream Lily Second Row: Twine and Antlers become sculptural - by Knitalatte11, this Empty Frame against the wall brings unexpected drama to the room -  by Amy Nieto

All this being said, I know that decorating isn't easy, especially on a limited budget.  So today I've found a few brilliant ideas from Flickrites to hopefully inspire you to create something fabulous and personal in your home (be it an all out makeover or a simple hour long project).

{IMAGE THREE} Posies in a Glass Jar will always brighten any space - by Yvette Inufio

Inspiration Daily: 9 .24 .08

Claire 7 by Lloyd Hughes