I'm really crazy right now with 2nd annual "sorry tree" progressive dinner party which I am participating in on Saturday night. We are the salad and given the fact that I chose to spend the first 10 days of December lazing on the beach in Mexico I am now in frantic party mode. But I did want to share these new minis by favorite artist Flora Bowley. So lovely and so xmasy. love these, k
I am in the gift giving mode right now running around buying a few last minute gifts for special friends and family. And so I want to tell you about this first time novel by Diane Setterfield which is by far one of the best books I have read in years and I have read a lot. This book is so good, so beautifully written and so creative that two very large publishers got in a bidding war to have the opportunity to publish it. It is so good that the creators and producers of the Harry Potter films have bought the rights to the book. And it is so good that I am recommending it here on Kstyle as my pic for the perfect gift this year. It's not often that I feel at one with a story, or the words that make up a story or that my breath is completely taken away by the purity of talent that shows itself on every page of the story. So hope that someone gives you this book this xmas or even better treat yourself. And be sure to have a bit of time, and a good cup supply of hot cocoa and a good comfortable chair because you won't be moving for a couple of days. enjoy, k
I was looking for something sweet and cute for my darling nieces and ooh I really wish I had found these cupcake lampwork bead pendants sooner. So adorable and would have been so so perfect. Maybe next year and who knows maybe I'll even sit down at my torch and make them myself. k
Check it out guys. I downloaded this amazing FREE program called memorex and it lets you create CD labels from your own photos or designs. It literally turns all of your pics into 3d circles and then prints them onto the pre fab "memeorex" CD label sheet that you buy at staples or the like. So here is my choice for this year's K's music pics 2007. Now I just need to create the Text Graphics which the program lets you do as well, print and voila I have my own personal CD's to give as little gifts to my friends and family this year. love this idea and endless possibilities, k
I'm trying really hard to get into the xmas mode which is a pretty big leap from the beach mode but I think I have finally decided on the CD gift idea for my friends and family this year. I love to collect music throughout the year and then create K's Music mix 2007 CD. But the really fun part is finding the cute CD label and or cover to "package" it in. I love these two sets from See Jane Work and Etsy shop In Craft We Shop. If I hadn't been so busy beaching it I could have designed my own covers. maybe next year, k
Just a quick note to say adios mi amigos. I'm off to the sunny tropics of Manzanillo and I am leaving my computer at home. We are on our way to visit my oldest son who is the boogie boarder in the first pic. And that's "waterboy" in the second pic taken by brother "the photographer" of course. These pics were taken a few years ago. Waterboy just got behind the wheel of a car for the first time yesterday so you can imagine he's a tad bit bigger now. So I will see you in about 10 days. We will be back on the 10th ready to get back into the xmas and party spirit. Take care friends and see you next week. k
Check out this gorgeous bead I found on Ebay. Somehow lost the link but you could just do a search on Ebay for lampwork and find it again. Am really short on time right now as we try to get ready for our big trip to Mexico. Hope you're all a bit more organized than I am right now. I'm thinking we really should do the Mexico trip the week before Thanksgiving when things are a little less crazy and we won't miss so much. Waterboy has three swim meets while we are gone. The photographer will be here with him but well that's NOT a total solution. k
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We drove through the snow covered mountains to Bend, Oregon and it truly felt like we were driving through a postcard. I just can't get over the fact that next week we will be sitting on the beach in Manzanillo with our toes in the warm sand. So I am going to try post a few fun xmasy items this week like these darling cards by San Francisco company Emma Rose Papery. I love the simple yet playful look, and of course I love the animal theme. k
I'd like to wish all you loyal Kstylers a Happy Thanksgiving. My family and I are off to beautiful Bend, Oregon for a visit with my brother, some great food, a lot of ping pong and some serious fishing. No, I don't plan to put one foot near the frozen river (boys only thank god) but I will be joining the masses in another kind of pursuit. So back on Monday for another week of blogging and then a little vacation for K as we head for sunny Mexico. take care and talk soon. k
I love these beach bungalow ornaments and house sculptures by artist Toby Atticus Fraley although I have to admit I am just a little bit influenced right now by the fact that I'm going to Mexico soon. Yep, R and I will be heading across the border on December 1st for a visit with our oldest son who lives in Manzanillo with his family and we are so looking forward to some beach bungalow time of our own. But first a quick trip over the mountain into beautiful Bend, Oregon for a Thanksgiving visit with my brother and family. First the snow and then the sun. can't wait, k 
If I were at all talented in the sewing realm I would absolutely love this concept. Take your old or just dated sweaters and redesign them into fabulous baby couture. I've blogged about recycling sweaters before but wouldn't it be fun to do this for the baby or grandbaby in your life. Still time before xmas to pull this off. if only I had the sewing gene, k
My son the photographer celebrates his birthday today and so I'd like to share with you these shots he took last weekend because they so speak to his talent and his love of the outdoors. The river you see depicted is The Metolius River found here in central Oregon and I believe it to be one of the most beautiful pristine rivers in the world. The silhouetted flyfisherman you see in both photos is my husband R and the photos themselves are part of a final project for one of my son's classes entitled "The Essence of Flyfishing in 10 Photos". The beautiful soft quality of the raging water was achieved via a long exposure. Otherwise there was no manipulation in these gorgeous photos. Happy birthday, J, mom, k
I have been searching for something fun and original in the way of cupcake wrappers for a long time so I was ecstatic to come across these on favorite blog black white bliss. And these are just a few of all sorts of designs and motifs you can find at Paper Orchid. I'm thinking of how I might use this idea in my holiday entertaining this year. Will keep you posted. k
Yes I know it's not a softie and it's not a cuddly teddy bear but I still love this Scandinavian interpretation by artist Kaj Bojesen. Would be so cute perched on a window sil or shelf and there is just something so clean elegant about this guy. I love it even if I'm not sure a child would be equally enthusiastic. k
Just a short post tonight as just got back from the water polo award banquet. Its been a fantastic season and we are so proud but also very ready for just a tiny bit of down time. Swim season is just around the corner but less intense as meets are mostly held here in Ashland. Anyway came across these to die for metal clocks by artist Karen Krieger today and just couldn't wait to get them on my blog. You can find them at The Artful Home along with quite a few other pieces from her collection. i really want one of these, k
I really love the paper art trend that we are seeing take off and these three dimensional pieces by Etsy artist SanFran are really stunning. I love the layered, graphic look and of course the nature inspired theme. I would love to own one of these pieces. There are lots more to see on the site and some are in vivid colors but I like the muted tones the best. fabulous, k
We're back from our final water polo tournament of the season, YAY. Both our team and waterboy did great and we are so proud. But we are more than ready to finally put our suitcases away and stay home for awhile. Spent just a bit of time today browsing Etsy and found these gorgeous silver rings with leaf motif from Silver Garden. Love the simplicity and "fossil" sort of look. gorgeous, k
Here are a few pics from J's camera. The middle one made the paper but I love the last one with the birds nest on the women's head. The lighting is just spectacular. 