Lily Jane

Calendar No. 4

I never get tired of looking at letterpress.  I'm not sure if it's possible.  A few weeks ago a friend received a letterpressed wedding invitation while I was at her home - I kept picking it up, staring at it, running my fingers over it's soft, textured surface.  She probably thought I was crazy.  But it's just so beautiful!

Sarah Parrot's 2010 calendar is no exception.  Printed by hand in candy-colored inks, each page of this wall calendar is absolutely lovely to look at. 

 

My favorite Month is February, with the little pink love birds sitting on their twig.  They're adorable.  I have a feeling February would be a tad less bleek with two fluffy pink birds hanging on the wall.  You can find this calendar and lots of other holidays goodies in Sarah's shop. 

{images via Parrot Design Studio}

Happy Wednesday: Calendar No. 3 + Giveaway

So many big, beautiful calendars this week!  I'm quite obviously obsessed with things that can double as wall art.  But there's always room for little calendars, as well.  These are the ones that can fit into the nooks and crannies of any space.  It's true that small things can make a big difference.

Today I have a desk calendar for you.  My Lily Jane desk calendar, actually.  And it's going to be given away to somebody who is feeling lucky.  Are you feeling lucky?

 

The calendar focuses on typography, with an ornate font heading at the top of each month.  Each month is a slightly different color, as well, progressing throughout the year from a taupe January to a scarlet December.  Holidays are displayed in a scripty font that coordinates in color to the month heading.

The giveaway is being featured on Jamie's blog, My Life Imagined.  Leave a comment here and a comment on her blog and you'll have 2 entries in her random drawing!  Most importantly, be sure you comment on her blog - or she won't know you entered.  You have until this Friday, the thirteenth, to enter.  Best of luck!

 

 

Calendar No. 2

If you haven't been exposed to the breathtaking work of Hello Handmade, please allow me to introduce you.  Betsy Dunlap and Shanna Murray have combined forces to create gorgeous wares for your home and your mailbox.  Their 2010 calendar is big, beautiful and printed on a soft, white tea towel.

The dates are printed in linear form in Betsy's delicious calligraphy, which I'd describe as unique and modern while somehow maintaining all of the old-fashioned charm.  A laurel wreath encircles the year.  A crisp black and white color palette makes it suitable for almost anywhere.  I think it would be particularly lovely hanging in an all-white kitchen or above an old-fashioned writing desk.  When the year is through, use the calendar as a tea towel around the house.  How's that for eco-friendly?

Hello Handmade will be rolling out more holiday goods at the end of the month.  Keep an eye on their shop for a downloadable advent calendar and much more.

{images via poppytalk}
 

Calendar No. 1

I have to be honest - I've never really been a big fan of wall calendars.  I think I was fooled into believing the kiosks at the mall and Barnes & Noble were the only options that were out there.  This year, however, my blindness has thankfully vanished and I've seen a whole world of absolutely lovely calendars available.  I had simply been looking in all the wrong places.

One nice thing about pretty calendars is that they make wonderful gifts - they're one size fits all and everyone needs one.  They're perfect for Secret Santas, hostess gifts and the person that has everything. I love the versatility.  This week I'll be sharing some of my favorites with you. 

Up first: Little Brown Pen's Perpetual Paris Calendar.

 

Nichole of Little Brown Pen used her own beautiful photographs which she took in Paris to create this riveting wall calendar.  Each square is it's own separate photo, held together in a giant collage by clear clips.  All you have to do is unclip them, rearrange, and reassemble at the beginning of each month.  Besides it's functionality, it's also a creative, bright piece of wall art.  

I'm so happy she's made it available to the public!  If you're feeling ambitious yourself, you can also do this as a DIY project with your very own photos.  Wouldn't that make a wonderful, personal holiday gift?

{images via Little Brown Pen}

Mimi Lane Vintage

The more I see of vintage decor, the more I love.  What's not to love?  There are some things that just get better with time.  Jamie, of Mimi Lane Vintage, must feel this even more than I do because she's made a fabulous business out of it.  Her whole shop is full of beautiful things.  Maybe you'll even get lucky and find something like the gorgeous hand-knit blanket she sent me!

I opened the box and it was love at first sight.  It's the perfect size - not too small - and, just to top it off, it smells fresh and lovely.  If anyone else in my house gets a chance to use it, it'll be because I'm not at home. 

 

She also sent it with a box of delicious cookie sticks.  My husband and son have been begging to dig into them for days.  Here's one of my plans for the weekend: send husband and son on a "boy party", wrap up in blue vintage blanket, hot cider in one hand and an addicting book in the other.  Wow - I'm getting excited just thinking about it! 

I hope you're weekend is just as delightful.  Something to do: pop on over to Mimi Lane Vintage and find something old and wonderful to call your very own.  Like this farmhouse pitcher...if you can get there before me!  Jamie's offering 10% off to Just Lovely readers: just type "lilyjane" in the message to seller during checkout and she'll refund you via PayPal.  Happy shopping!

Plum Daisy Giveaway

Congratulations, Andrea!  Kelly will be contacting you soon to get your mailing information so you can put that adorable beanie on your sweet little girl.  Thanks to everyone who participated.  Keep your eyes on Just Lovely in the future - this was just the first of many giveaways to come.

And don't forget, Plum Daisy is still offering free shipping and a 10% donation to March of Dimes on every purchase throughout November.  Just type "Just Lovely" in the message to seller box during checkout.

Building My Own Space

After months of having to dig out art supplies from here and there - all over the house - in order to create something, I finally have my own space.  The small room in the back of our house now has a makeshift desk, plastic drawers for storage, and a collection of art books.  It may not be the prettiest thing in the world but it's way more functional than it used to be.

I plan on sharing photos - a before and after - once there's an after to mention.  Meanwhile, I'm soaking up all the inspiration I can from these beautiful work spaces.

 

{via coco & kelley}

{via coco cozy}

{via Homebug}

Happy Wednesday: Phone Decor

Monday was shopping day.  But not for me.  This time it was for my hubby, who celebrated his birthday this November 2nd.  My gift to him: a shiny new phone.  I let him pick out which one.  One short trip to the Verizon store later he's got a brand new toy in his pocket.  And I'm having almost as much fun with it as he is.  How appropriate that I found these lovely phone backgrounds just yesterday. 

{via Jonathan Adler}
{via From Me to You}

I don't know that any of them are quite his style, but I love them!  As is the case here every Wednesday, they're absolutely free.  Just visit the websites listed below the image, download and enjoy a prettier/more handsome phone.  Now if only I could figure a way to get a new phone for myself...

3D Invitations

These save the dates are so entertaining in and of themselves.  3D.  And they come with the classic red and blue lens-ed glasses.  Genius, right?

{via parcel post}

A Little Give: Plum Daisy + a giveaway!

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend.  I spent some time trick-or-treating with my son, making a Mummy Meatloaf and doing a little laundry.  It was loads of fun (except maybe the laundry), but I'm really excited to start the new week.  Because today is the debut of a new feature on Just Lovely!  It's called A Little Give.  A Little Give is a monthly feature of an artist who makes a point to give back to the community.  Whether as a personal goal or in honor of someone who's inspired them, these artists are finding a way to make a difference and making beautiful things in the process.   PLUS: at the end of this post is our first giveaway!  Hurray!

I'm thrilled about our first artist, Kelly, who is the designer behind Plum Daisy, an accessory line for stylish little girls.  She started making headbands, hats and bows for her daughter, Ava, who was completely bald for her first year of life.  The colors are bright and cheerful; perfect for the little darlings who are destined to wear them. 

{Summer Carnival Heaband, top; Turquoise & Tangerine Felt Clip, bottom}

 Among Plum Daisy's wide line of accessories you'll find Bows for Babies; Kelly donates 100% of the cost of these bows to March of Dimes.  I created my "Bows for Babies" line to help spread awareness and raise important funds for this amazing cause. The items started out as a pair of hairbows but has grown to include a variety of different accessories.  All of the Bows for Babies include a combination of pink and blue, in keeping with the March of Dimes' colors.

Kelly has chosen to donate to March of Dimes because it’s an organization that’s very close to her heart.  The March of Dimes has played a major role in mine and my daughter’s lives. My daughter very unexpectedly entered the world 5 weeks too soon and was delivered via emergency caesarian. As a result of both she suffered from Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) and Apnea along with a page long list of other complications common in preemies. After a 12-day stay in the NICU she came home with an Apnea/Heart monitor that she needed for 6 months as she frequently stopped breathing in her sleep. It took a lot of TLC to nurse her back into good health but by her 1st birthday she overcame her biggest obstacles. Without important research funded by the March of Dimes and the emotional support system they provide to NICU families, Ava's fight would have been much harder. Sadly, a version of Ava's story happens to one out of every eight babies born. The March of Dimes is fighting for all babies and I strongly support their mission to ensure that all babies are born healthy. 

{Ava’s first photo}  

Today, Ava is a healthy three year old.  And I do believe she’s the lovely model wearing the prize for our very first giveaway!    

Isn’t this Cotton Candy Beanie delightful?  To win this beautiful beanie (in toddler or infant size) just leave a comment below telling me about your favorite Plum Daisy accessory and why you love it.  Don’t forget to tell all your friends who have little girls…or little girls on their Christmas lists!  The winner will be chosen at random and announced Thursday morning. 

And here’s another sweet thing: Kelly is offering free shipping to Just Lovely readers throughout the month of November!  Simply type “Just Lovely” in the Notes to Seller portion of your invoice and checkout.  She’ll then refund the amount of shipping paid via PayPal.  Wonderful, isn’t it?  

One more note before you rush off to her site: November is Prematurity Awareness Month.  In honor of it, Plum Daisy will be donating 10% of sales from their entire shop to March of Dimes.  If you’re interested in learning more about March of Dimes you can visit their website by following the link at the top of this page.  Now…go enter the giveaway!  Good luck!