This is a Must See!-Dwell Design Leader Videos

Dwell magazine has an amazing video series, highlighting some the most innovative people in design today. My favorite video highlights Michelle Kaufman. She designs and builds environmentally friendly, pre-fab homes. If you are dreaming of owning a modern home, you will be inspired her infectious passion. Click here to see the remaining videos.
(Via Imedagoze and Another Shade of Grey)

Handmade Christmas Gifts

Here is a great idea for all the handmade items, lovers. I like the idea that they are handmade gifts, made for your hands...except for the scarf of course. Check them out at Etsy store, Gaye Abandon.

It's Begining to Smell a lot like Christmas

Its Christmas time again, and every year I deal with the same dilemma. What is a minimalist girl to do with so many fussy decorations? As a child , I remember Christmas being a very stressful time for me, and only now do I realize that it was all the muss and fuss that drove me crazy. As an adult, I have often rebelled against the whole decorating thing. (I am not protesting Christmas...just the decorations). But this year my son is old enough to be aware of his environment and started asking, " Where is my Christmas tree?", so I decided to put one up for him.
All this got me thinking, "What is it that I love about Christmas?". I realized what I love is the wonderful aromas. Pine, rosemary, cinnamon, hot chocolate, fire places; these are definitely the things that say Christmas to me. So I've come up with a new form of holiday decorating, "Fragrance Decorating", (I'm still working on the name).

So first, I ran out and looked for a wonderful Christmas candle. My favorite place to look for candles is Kuhl-Linscomb. Anytime someone travels to Houston, Kuhl-Linscomb is a must see. After testing many candles, I chose "Frasier Fir", from Thymes. Very lovely, I also like the fir tree graphic on the container.

Second, I went on a hunt for fresh plants. I drove to River Oaks Plant House. This place is a real treat for the senses. Fresh pine trees, natural garlands, and beautiful flowers, will really put you in the Christmas mood.

So, I can finally say that I have found a form of holiday decorating that makes me happy. My hope is that anyone else who struggles with the same aversion to crazy Christmas decorating, will find something that appeals to their senses.

A Time to Give

Today is December 11 and my 8th wedding anniversary. Over the weekend we took a trip to San Antonio, as is a tradition of ours to celebrate.

While we were gone, I didn't really watch any television, so I didn't get too much information about the tragic church shootings in Colorado. Only today did I find out that one of the church's is led by Pastor Brady Boyd. Pastor Boyd is the pastor who performed my wedding ceremony in Amarillo, TX. 8yrs ago. I can't quite describe the shock I feel. When my husband and I first met, we attended the same church, and Brady Boyd was our Sunday school teacher. Later, he was promoted as a Pastor in another church, but because he had meant so much to us we asked him to perform our wedding.
Several years later, when my son was born, we traveled to Dallas to have Pastor Boyd perform a dedication ceremony for my son.
My heart is so heavy because of what has happened in Colorado. Several people were killed,including two teenage sisters, Stephanie and Rachel Works; at New Life church. I am attaching a link to a memorial fund for the Works family (Here), if you would like to help in any way.
Christmas time is a time to give to others and surround yourself with the ones you love. Sadly, several families and church congregations will be missing some of their loved ones this year.
At I time like this, I am reminded of how important our families and friends truly are.

Where is Your Dog Sleeping Tonight?Here is the best dog bed I have ever seen. Anna at DoorSixteen posted these photos of her pooch in his new bed. I love it. I live in a small house, so I always feel that my dog's bed is in the way, I don't like looking at it all the time. But, with such a stylish option, who wouldn't keep the dog bed in plain view.

Maybe all those dogs who will only sleep in their owners' beds would think twice too.

Give your kids a stylish Christmas gift this year. I don't normally write about clothing, but I love this attire from Twig. I really wish some of these pieces came in grown-up sizes.

I love pottery ! Almost any type, but especially handmade organic pottery and vintage kitsch. I found a very interesting article on Crafty Synergy blog (click here to read). It is an interview with artist Chloe Le Pichon. She makes some very beautiful pottery that can be found on her Etsy shop, Chloe Le Pichon Ceramics. What really caught my eye about the interview is Chloe's desire for people to understand the difference of buying one of a kind handmade pieces and buying mass produced knock-offs. As a designer, I have become very frustrated with so many large retailers making cheap reproductions of furnishings and accessories. I think it bothers me because, eventually, nothing feels special and unique anymore. What's special about lamps or mirrors, sold by the thousands at Wal-Mart.

Its important to realize that artists and artisans, put their heart and soul into items they make. Even seemingly simple objects require time and technique. This past fall, I decided to take an oil painting class. Being such a lover of art I couldn't wait to paint my own abstract masterpieces. Much to my surprise, even abstract art requires experience and know-how. I was horrified at my total clumsiness with a brush and my lack of understanding of how to even mix colors properly. After taking that class, I have a new found respect for artists and their abilities.