Hey Little Birdie!

Have you heard of Homako? Designer, Yoko Minemura, creates the most unique, unbelievably gorgeous necklaces I have seen in ages. It boggles the mind how someone can be this talented. From wood to fabric to felt to metal,I love them all.

There are many more beautiful pieces to discover in the shop.

I spotted this image of a gorgeous picnic on Pinterest and it got me all dreamy.

Apologizes to those of you who are buried in snow, but here in Phoenix we are enjoying highs in the 60s-70s this time of year. It makes up for our hellish 8 months of summer (kind of). The trees are full of citrus, there is sun but with a cool breeze- it is a wonderful time to be outdoors in the Valley. And what fun would it be to create a picnic in the groves like this inspirational scene?

1. Sandwich Cake! 2. Doilies and string lights 3. Cute Flats for picnicking 4. Lemon bars 5. Vintage covered dishes

Have you ever wondered why Sprite tastes so good when you are sick, but when you are well, you can easily take it or leave it, with an emphasis on leaving it? Well, trust me, it’s true. This week I have been sick ALL week. Sick like my daily count of awake hours could never quite make it to double digits. Sick like my greasy hair could be sculpted and my pile of kleenex was taller than my three year old. I actually count it a feat that I am a upright at all today. But upright I am. And seeing as this is the first time I’ve sat down at my computer, please bear with me. Wit and wisdom may be in short supply.

Enter simple elegance. Being that it is completely the opposite of how I feel right now, I think it may be the perfect thing to perk me up again. This beautiful necklace from Upper Metal Class on Etsy is pretty much lifting me from my utter doldrums. And basically, I thought you all should know… and potentially share in my devotion for it.

What do you think?

One more Jina sick fact, my voice wasn’t even Phoebe Buffat sick cool. It was worse. Like toddlers (or one toddler and her dad) would scoff at me. Oh my wounded soul.

It’s the day after the biggest day of the year. And I don’t know about you but I am spent. In a good way, but exhausted none the less. My little family had the grandest two days. Filled with family, parties, delicious food, and merry making all around. And we got to do it all-which is the biggest Christmas miracle for a family with special needs. I really couldn’t ask for more. But now that it is behind us, I am in full on relax mode. That means lounging around in my sweats, snacking on holiday treats, and watching the tube. The only thing wrong with this picture is the constant view I have of my tattered, hole-y slippers. They look (and probably smell) atrocious. So from my perch on the sectional, I’m ordering one of the pretty pairs from Loft. They are all 50% off today, which means only $12.50. A super sweet deal for slippers so cute that you could get away with wearing them on a grocery run. My task now is to pick which pair!

1. Striped flower 2. Grey Chiffon Flower 3. Camel Chiffon Flower 4. Leopard Print

I am not a huge watch person. Besides cell phones seem to do watches’  job just fine. However, lately I have found my self drawn to huge chunky watches. I spied a couple from La Mer, and have fallen for basically their entire line of wrap watches; narrowing it down to six here was a huge feat. They have basic no frills wraps, studded wraps and wraps adorned with chains. If you should find yourself loving the look of say number two but really wish that it had the chain from number six, you can have your cake and eat it too. You can customize your watch to your exact wishes in their customize section.

1. Mocha Silver Bali Stud Wrap 2. Yellow Patent Gold Glam Chain 3. Deep Aqua Odyssey Wrap 4. White Patent Single Chain Gold 5. Magenta Snake Gold Triple Wrap 6. Turquoise Crystal Slate Gray with Gold Case Wrap

PS Today is the last day to enter the fort kit giveaway! Hurry hurry and enter!

This post might seem a little self-serving, but honestly, as I’ve been searching for the perfect gifts for all of my family members, I’ve also found myself enamored with an entire host of things perfectly suited for me. It’s kind of like that game – one for you, two for me. Is anyone else there with me? Or are all of you completely altruistic? You are, aren’t you? Color me impressed.

So anyway, here lies a few of the things that have been catching my eye lately. I will admit, to date I have purchased none of these things. So that should count for something, right?

(Image Credits: 1- milloo, Almathea Clutch; 2- Fail Jewelry, Crescent Earrings; 3- Oh So Retro Vintage, A; 4- Efrat Deutsch, Mint Butterfly Necklace; 5- Sugar Fresh, Twinkle Star Print; 6- West Elm, Favorite Throw Striped)

It’s our favorite time of the month… Giveaway Time! (Insert your personal cheer and riotous applause here). And this month we couldn’t be any more excited about what’s up for grabs – a beautiful handcrafted necklace from 31 Bits. If you don’t know about this company, it is my pleasure to share their story.

Several years ago on a trip to Uganda, a woman noticed various women creating paper beads. She was transfixed by their skills, their stories and also the lack of opportunity they had to market their goods. So upon returning to the US, she started to put a plan in to place – she studied, she researched, she implored her friends in collaboration, and finally they developed a wonderful company called 31 Bits.

Their goal is to provide these Ugandan women a monthly commission for their work, in conjunction with numerous programs such as finance and vocational training, health education, community groups and English lessons. So each time you purchase one of their necklaces or bracelets you are also helping to empower these women to combat poverty in their midst. If you want to read some of their stories, go here.

I love this company so much that I couldn’t be more thrilled to give one of their beautiful necklaces to you – the Meadowsweet in the color of your choice.

Here’s how you can enter…

1. Leave a comment below to enter

BUT you can do even better than that by earning extra entries via the following

2. Sharing this giveaway on Facebook:

and/or

3. Tweet about it on Twitter

If you do any of the extra credit entries, let us know in the comments, so we count them!

Remember: You can comment and thus enter the contest each day from here until next Tuesday night (11/8). If you tweet and facebook it too, that’s multiple entries on multiple days…I can already envision that necklace around your neck.

The winner will be announced next Wednesday!

I know I have posted about luggage before, but dang it I love it! I feel that because the holidays are officially upon us it is relevant once again. So incase you are one of the many people that will be traveling here and there to visit loved ones for the season, do I have a suggestion for you! I happened upon these bad boys on “o.co” (rambling side note: how obnoxious is that rebranding, I think we can handle recalling “overstock.com” and even typing it ALL out.) For about fifty bucks they have a bunch of vintage inspired carry on luggage two piece sets. I may have ordered a set…I don’t know if I would have had they not so kindly warned me that there were only 2 left.  Although I am not doing any traveling this year, I was in serious need of a small suitcase, and the one I got felt oh so Kate Spade-y with red and pink paired together, and you know I can’t resist anything Kate Spade-y.

1. La Vida Pink $53.99 2. La Vida Cream $48.99 3. La Vida Plaid Vintage $53.99  4. La Vida Tan $51.99

Today I want you to me someone who is very special to me… and to my other birdies. (Side note: How come when I use the term “birdies” I always feel like I am in the 70s with a special intercom hardwired to a guy named Charlie who always gives us top secret assignments? Hmmm…) The person of much love and praise today is our friend Sara.

Sara is one of those people who never loses perspective when her life gets really messy, but she’s down to earth enough to not necessarily expect that from you. She’s a giver – the first person to always offer to take your kids, help you fix a Halloween costume that is too big, or just spend the afternoon with you if you need to get out of the house. She’s laid back but bold… strong yet gentle… and overall just an amazing friend.

But today I am sharing all of this about Sara, because we are all so very proud of her newest endeavor. Sara has taken her love of sewing and creating things to open a brand new Etsy shop, Ann and Avery. Named after her two adorable kids (middle names, folks), Sara has created an assortment of products from cute t-shirts for boys and girls, as well as headbands and diaper clutches. And I have it on pretty good authority that Sara is already thinking of new products to add to the mix. So please, check your Christmas shopping list, and then go peruse her shop. Soon, you will love Sara as much as we do… it’s inevitable.

There is so much going on in my head today. I know, there are too many jokes that could follow that sentence. But before we get too punchy with poor little Jina, I thought I would use this opportunity to give you a smorgasbord of links to all kinds of internet goodness from the past several weeks. Oh, and this was a great chance to use the word smorgasbord; I really think my grandma would have been pleased. Anyway, consider this a recap of all the best from my Reader to yours. Here we go…

• I am kind of in love with this Land’s End throw blanket. You guys know how I love my throws, right? If not, remind me to do an endorsement on all things throw blankets soon. (Image above)
• My obsession for this Zig Zag bag is reaching new heights… bold pattern, black and white, big enough to hold my stuff as well as Lyla’s and occassionally Mike’s.
• After being in NYC and trying to carry my purse as well as a camera and often a coffee, I realized how much I will need a cute, stylish camera strap, if I really do want to take more pictures. So, I am dreaming of the dreamer… the Tokyo Dreamer.
• The lace jewelry at the Etsy store Branch Bound would make some perfect Christmas gifts for several on my list.
• My dogs need new bling… or even more my style, some new striped collars from Cath Kidston.
• I am counting down the days until I can legitimately listen to cool new Christmas music. She & Him are a great source. Zooey’s voice is perfect for old Christmas standards.