Holiday Gift Idea /// Upper Metal Class

I realize that almost all of my gift ideas are directed at, well, myself, and people like me. I promise I'll try to switch it up! But for now, I had to share this shop, Upper Metal Class, that I stumbled upon on Etsy. How perfect are those little diamond earrings? And the skulls?! YES!



So far I'm happy to say that I've done about 90% of my holiday shopping on Etsy! I know a lot of people are shopping on there now too, but I think some people forget or don't realize that you can buy really high quality beautiful pieces like this too. Such a great shop!

You can take a look at more holiday gift ideas and Etsy finds too for more shops!

Images via Upper Metal Class

Dear Santa

I've been moderately well behaved this year, so please please bring me this amazing new Fine Little Day Cecilia Pettersson Forest Poster. Pretty please?



Seriously, that shop can do no wrong. I heart you Fine Little Day!

Image via Fine Little Day

ADOP - One year later + branding stuff + news

I have a few updates that I wanted to post so I decided to to one monster post. That way if you're totally uninterested it's very easy to just ignore this and move on with your day. See, I'm always thinking of you.

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Part One - A year later



A little while ago I passed my one year anniversary with ADOP. Woah. Years go by way too fast when you're counting them, I can't stand it. But, a year it has been, and there have been some pretty awesome little milestones for me during this time. To name a few:

• Officially opened ADOP on October 5th, 2011
• Made my first sale within just hours of opening
• Sold three pieces to a production company back in November of 2011 to be seen in this movie. (No, I haven't mentioned that yet because it was so long ago and I didn't want to jump the gun, but it happened...I can't WAIT to see it!)
• Launched my kids line of paintings which has now officially been more successful than my abstract line 
• Opened a Society6 shop for prints, iphone cases, etc.
• Had my first (and second) art show at The Grey Room
• Had three shops contact me to have ADOP carried in their stores (a little more on this later).
• Was mentioned in Hamilton Magazine, Style at Home, House & Home, and a ton of other really amazing design/kids/lifestyle blogs (thanks everyone!)
• Sold two pieces to a production company to appear somewhere in Season 6 of Mad Men (still in shock over this one)
• And lastly, as of yesterday, I sold my 100th painting between direct Etsy sales and private commissions. Yep, 100. Ok, so maybe it's not that good, but I remember vividly thinking I would never sell a single piece, so to have sold 100 in my first year is way beyond what I thought I could do and I am very very proud :)

It hasn't been all sunshine and daisies. One of my paintings was destroyed in transit (it was just a fluke, everyone was reimbursed and I made a new one for the client, but it sucked). Also, a local gallery scammed me - they sold a painting of mine and refused to pay me for it (currently working on my claim), and THAT sucked. But, it's been almost all great things for ADOP, and I love my little shop :)

Ok, enough about that. Sorry if this sort of thing comes across as self-indulgent, I mean for this blog to be like a living history of bits of our lives, and this is a big part of it now, so I can't help it!

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Part Two - Branding Package

This is a bit of my current branding/marketing bits, and a few people have asked about where I get things so I thought I would share it here. I'm a Marketing graduate so this kind of thing is my fav.

My logo design is all done by me...it could not be more simple so I whipped it up pretty easily. I recently redesigned my Dad's logo too, I guess it's just like a weird nerdy hobby of mine.

My business cards and thank you cards are printed through Vistaprint. I LOVE that place, they always have crazy sales and the prices are great. Now this is not good if you want the letterpress neon sided cards, this is your average business card that may not be Alt-approved, but if you get the thickest stock they offer it's pretty good. With my simple design it works just fine, and I just bought 1000 for $20, free shipping. Love that. 

The tags and shipping labels are just printed at home using cardstock and labels. So simple. 

I order my twine from The Baker's Twine. They used to be on Etsy and it's been so long since I've ordered this stuff I just realized that they aren't anymore. But, still, great stuff, great price.

My custom pencils are something that I include with every purchased painting, and I order them from Ebay. I really love them and have had great customer feedback about them!

As for the stickers, I won't disclose this because I'm actually quite unhappy with them. I ordered them from an Etsy shop and the colour smudges right off. Not good. So, I'm on the hunt for a new sticker supplier. If anyone knows of one, please share!

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Part Three - Some news




Lastly, I wanted to share that ADOP has custom paintings available on By April and May! I loooove the April and May blog, and when Jantine approached me about creating some paintings just for her shop I was over the moon. Be sure to visit her shop and buy something!

NOTE: Yes, I realize that I come across as times as a little sales-y at times, and I would like to state for the record that I have NEVER been paid or asked to write about anything I write about. I'm just that girl who gets all excited about her stuff and wants everyone else to go buy one. I don't know why. But, this is a 100% ad/sponsor free blog, so don't be mad at me.

Ok guys, that's enough out of me. Thanks for reading for those of you who stuck it out (Mom).

Nionio - A very cool new shop

I follow Nia on Instagram and through that I stumbled upon her blog, and now, her amazing shop. She just launched it, and I'm in love with her modern, graphic cutting boards. I want them ALL.







Amazing, right? It's tough to work pattern and decorative elements into our kitchen, so one of these is going to be perfect. After much debate, I decided on the Lined design. It's my fav!

Images via Nionio

A & B Love

Happy Friday friends! What a great week it's been...I LOVE being home with my little guy. It's gone quickly, as it always does....but I'm happy the weekend is here! Also, we're now one week closer to seeing Radiohead.....OMG.

Ok, let's get on with it, shall we? My weekly list of loves around the web.

• I really, really, really want these geometric magnets.
• Lauren has made us a summer music mix! Love it!
• The perfect vegetarian barbeque menu.
• Super cute DIY ombre neon dress.
• I think I need this nesting set of rainbow mixing bowls/measuring spoons. Genius.
• Kind of obsessed with this hairstyle since I found it. 
• Have you read the June issue of Matchbook Mag yet? It's filled with Father's Day gift ideas, picnic inspiration, and other summer goodies.
• Gwyneth's London home reno is simply AMAZING.
• Looking for a band to fall in love with? How about Young Empires? This song is my fav...

Image via Snug

My newest blog crushes

This week has been BUSY. Busy planning, making lists, getting things ready for some projects I am working on (I know, so cryptic, I'll share soon!).

I've also been really busy getting into the blogs of the people I met at Blog Podium. I have to say, even if I hadn't learned SO much from BP, I came away with new friends, and new blog obsessions. These blogs are ah-mazing.



Lauren, oh how I love you. Lauren's blog, The Wee Lass, is the epitome of cool. She writes about style, food, and I LOVE her playlists. She also had on the cutest outfit at BP, so I instantly adored her. And shares my love for Stefon. LOVE HER.



So Brian might be the cutest thing in the world. His blog, The Duke of Design, covers fashion, interior design, and my personal fav, his section called 'DIY-with-Bri'. Oh, and he's HILARIOUS. I don't know about you, but I love it when I'm reading a blog and I can hear the person talking to me. You know what I mean? That's how Brian writes. LOVE IT. I hope he writes The Duke of Design forever and ever. And I hope he gets a book deal. And a reality show.



Meagan is a total interior design blogger inspiration. You may remember her from my most recent A & B Love list, but if not, check her out. Not only is her blog fab, but she won the Para Paint Blog Crew contest! She's part of a blog CREW you guys. I mean, she's the coolest.



And, of course, my love, Rachel, of Paper Hearts. For those of you who don't know, Rach is not my blogger friend...she's my real life friend. She was my Maid of Honour at my wedding, and I love her to bits. She's probably the best cook in the world, so be sure to check out her insanely delish recipes (try the no-bake oreo cheesecake, I may or may not have gained five pounds from eating the leftovers of this from Ben's birthday).

That's all for now kids! Add these guys to your blog list. Follow them in twitter/facebook/instagram. They're about to take the blog world by STORM.

(P.S. Hey, did you enter the ADOP custom painting contest yet? I know, you're sick of hearing about it. It could be worse, I could be tweeting this every five seconds. I feel like I'm being pretty subtle. No?)

Vote for Daniel of Manhattan Nest!

 


Do you read Manhattan Nest? Daniel is a HILARIOUS blogger who has a seriously rad apartment in NY. He inspired me to build our upholstered bed, and the fact that he swears all over his blog makes him the coolest as far as I'm concerned. I have a soft spot for swearing.


Please vote for Daniel in the Small Cool Apartment Therapy contest. He deserves it.


Image via Apartment Therapy

The One of a Kind Show 2012 - My favourites

Has anyone gone to the Spring 2012 OOAKS yet? I usually go every year to the one at Christmas, but this year we decided to check out the spring show. Between my Mom and I, we lugged Benjamin all over the place. Lucky for us, he was into it, so that helped the day go smoothly!





Now back to the show. It was good. Like, spent too much money good. Like I might go a second time good. I got to chat with some really lovely artisans who shared their wisdom with me too, which was really amazing. I was taking notes ladies! I'm dreaming of having a booth here one day to sell my paintings and some other goods that I'm thinking about adding to the shop. We'll see...


Anyway, I thought I would share a few pictures and notes on what shops I thought were the very best...so if you happen to get there, make sure you check out these people!

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First and foremost, my absolute fav, Bookhou. Arounna, the shop owner, is one of the nicest people I've met in the handmade business. She's so kind, not to mention incredibly talented! It's so great to chat with other mom/shop owners. She's such a great example of what I hope to become!





If you're going to check out her shop, be sure to take a look at the triangle loop scarf and the wood alphabet. Her stuff is amazing, I plan on buying more things ASAP. Today I walked away with the triangle day bag and the rain tote. Love them SO MUCH. 

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For the Mom's, have you heard of Moxy + Toots? Such adorable kids toys, we had to get one for Ben. The shop owner, Adrienne, was so great, and her prices are really reasonable! Loved this little booth.

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I wanted to bring a little surprise home for Billy, but that's never easy at a show like this (when you're husband is into things like Sons of Anarchy and hockey). I picked up a really great t-shirt with a print of records on it from Whiteout Workshop, a silk screening art and apparel shop. This booth had really great clothes...which I found to be pretty unique at the OOAKS (I'm never a big fan of the clothing booths) and her prints are amazing! This tree really had me, I think I will order it online now that I'm home and STILL thinking about it...

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One of the things on my shopping list was a cute card for a shower that I'm going to next month, and Flakes Paperie was perfect! They have really lovely cards, stationary sets, as well as prints and calendars. 

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Lastly, I was really taken with the items created by designer Jenna Rose. Her textiles are beyond cool. I'm completely in love with the ship print. Pretty great, right? I think I need the Ships Hamper. It would be SO perfect for piling toys in. 





Well, that's my big round up! I hope you all get a chance to check out these talented artists/designers! And if you find anything equally cool at the OOAKS, do tell!

Thank you to Sara of Saige Wisdom!

Some of you who've read of this blog for years now, AKA Mom, (I actually started this almost FIVE years ago, but only recently started being more public with it) know that I'm not always the best blogger. I get really distracted with things (these days obviously with Ben and ADOP), and I forget all about it. Not to mention actualy READING blogs. I so rarely have time for it. I used to wake up every day and read my favs over tea and bagels. Those days are long gone.

Well, lesson learned. Today I discovered that the lovely Sara of Saige Wisdom mentioned me on her blog! It was a while ago, and I feel like an idiot (sorry Sara!!) but I just wanted to extend a big thank you to her!! So sweet of you! Also, welcome to the world of the iPhone (it's the best, right?)


For those of you looking for a new cute bog to read, check out Saige Wisdom! And while I'm at it, have you seen Ana's new blog design? So pretty!

Adriane Duckworth Original Paintings on Bluebird Kisses

My shop has been featured today on ultimate baby blog Bluebird Kisses! A huge thank you to Ana for mentioning me!!





It wasn't too long ago that Ana and I 'met', and I have to say it's been so lovely getting to know her! She has a beautiful blog, and family...it's so nice to have made a friend in this giant blog world of ours!

Interior Love - Ikea Family Live

Ikea Family Live is one of my favourite websites to go to for home inspiration, and this is the perfect example of why. I love a good all-white-wall home. Yum.














Why oh why did I waste time when we moved here picking the perfect shades of grey, when I could have just bought two cans of white paint? Sigh...hindsight.


All images via Ikea Family Live