The Shiny Squirrel

Daily Gift Guide: Jess Smart Smiley

Jess is truly one of the nicest people I have never met before. He is not only super talented but so gracious and generous through e-mails - also I have gotten some awesome packages from him! 

 Drawing is Thinking by Milton Glaser

This is supposed be about Milton's Glaser's view that drawing is a way of seeing and understanding---my kind of book!

Gheybin Comish's "Rainbow Pandas."

It's only $15!!!! I mean, have you seen this picture? $15!!!

 Blackbird Camera

35mm at its finest!

 A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) package! Sure, its pricey, but its the best food money can buy around here!

 Overcome my fears.

A letter from the World's Smallest Post Office.

Jess Smart Smiley's Work

 

 

Daily Gift Guide: Sycamore Street Letterpress

Sycamore Street Letterpress is everywhere! I can't open a magazine without finding one of their prints or gift tags gracing the glossy pages. I am so thrilled that they are having such tremendous success, but frankly I am not surprised. 

The new Kings of Convenience album (on vinyl)

 

 

The Printmaking Bible from Chronicle Books 

The Minnie Bow and Ex-Boyfriend Scarf by Yokoo 

 

 

The Canon 50 mm f/2.5 compact lens 

The Manfrotto 3-section carbon fiber tripod 

 

 

Work:

 

 

 

Daily Gift Guide: Eat Make Reads' Kelly Carambula

I have had the really good fortune recently of personally getting to know Kelly and I am so grateful to have done so. I can't wait to receive her latest endeavor called Remedy.

Anything from the beautifully crafted herriott grace. if the products don't make you mely, the story behind herriott grace will.

 

super cute polka dot thermos from kate spade. i didn't know i needed a thermos until i saw this one.

 

i know how to cook, the illustrations are absolutely amazing.

 

a lovely necklace from for me, for you. i love, love, love the friendship bracelet concept, plus kate is a cool cat.

 

beautiful vintage cookware, like this awesome yellow pot from ladies and gentlemen. 

 

a versatile dress like this one from anthropologie, $128. you can dress it up, dress it down, and always look cute (and pockets make me happy).

 

Daily Gift Guide: Erie Basins' Russell Whitmore

I always found Red Hook to be in an interesting place with great little shops that can't really be found anywhere else. One of these destinations is definitely Erie Basin. It is stunning inside and definitely extremely well curated. 

 

Opening Ceremony Where the Wild Things Are Fur Tote Bag

A faux fur and plaid tote bag, that is vaguely related to my favorite childhood book.  

APC Toubac Candle

I'm picky about scents, and I think this is absolutely the best smelling candle.  It's what we burn in the store.  It smells like what I think a 19th century tobacco plantation would smell like. 

Conroy & Wilcox Tahitian Pearl and Rose Cut Diamond Earrings

Black pearls and diamonds feel very wintery and romantic.  These would make an awfully special present.  

1922 Plaster Bust of the Father of American Socialism, Eugene Debs

What better year to give a vintage plaster bust of the father of American socialism?  From my favorite 1stdibs dealer.

Settlers of Catan 

Some friends recently introduced us to this.  Apparently it's considered the world's best board game, and I can't imagine anyone not liking it.  

Ammonite Fossil, Ebay

I think rocks make excellent presents.  Really interesting crystals and fossils can be had on ebay for less than $10.  

Erie Basins' work: 

 

 

Daily Gift Guide: Rachel Bone

Rachel Bones'  work is not only beautiful but also emotional bringing up ideas and feelings that you don't normally think about it. 

Painted Tray from Jawaddel

State Bird Letterpress Print by Dutch Door Press

Hand Stitched Monster by Cotton Monster

 

Crocheted Flowers by Alman

Hand Woven Scarf by Pidge Pidge

Vintage Tea Kettle from Vintage on the Make

Slippers by Hydra Heart

 

Alphabet print by KWVH

Clock by Chromalab

Ceramic "Bears in Love" by K Grandey

Veneer Bow by Christine Tillman

 

 

Rachel Bone's Work

 

  

Daily Gift Guide Simply Photos' Jennifer Causey

It is pretty hard to be a blogger and not know who Jennifer Causey is or about her blog Simply Photo. It is stunningly beautiful and simple so I was delighted when she agreed to tell us what she wanted for the holidays.

Brooklyn Chinoiserie Anything Goes Bowl

from MayLuk

Bodum Glass Kettle

 

Georgia 14K Gold necklace from Maya Brenner Designs

 

steel pipe side tablefrom muji

 

juliana arm chairfrom dwr

 

 

 

Simply Photo's work - She has a pop up store now, check out the link below!!

 simply photo pop up shop

 

 

 

Daily Gift Guide: Montmartres' Sketchbook

I have been following Montmartres' Sketchbook for years so I was pleased when Renee agreed to be involved with the Daily Gift Guides. 

no. 6 clog sandals

or a vintage pair of t-strap clogs.

my job requires me to stand quite a bit so i tend to wear clogs most of the time, but these look a little fancier.

a detacher hat

i like hats with furry ears!

a pair of hansel from basel tights

i love wearing warm woolly tights during the winter.

a class at flower school with sarah and nicolette.

they both have a very beautiful aesthetic.

a photo book by eriko tsubakinoto

for more ideas on floral arrangements.

my favorite gift, though, is one that is given from the heart and is hand-made.

Daily Gift Guide: Ink and Wits' Tara Hogan

With each passing year I think I fall more and more in love with what Ink and Wit has to offer. 

Herman Miller Chair 

 

Granit Teapot 

 

a trip to the Blue Lagoon with my husband (already been there with a great friend but want to go back so bad)

 

Tank 

 

Room and Board

 

Heath Ceramics 

Ink and Wit's Work

 

 

  

Daily Gift Guide: Molly Schafer

Molly Schafer's work is incredible especially the print I showed below 

 Polar Obsession the just-released book by National Geographic photographer Paul Nicklen. I really want this AND think it would make a great gift. These photos are amazing and so are the stories behind them. 

Nicklen dives in freezing water to get these shots. Not to mention, this is an area of the word already impacted by climate change and sadly some of the animals he captures are loosing their place in the world.

 

 

 Jenny Kendler's Terrarium sculpture "Nature Shall Provide."  A wee, hand sculpted feral girl happily reclines among live plants and glow in the dark mushrooms.

 

 

White Mouse Mug

from Laura Walls Taylor on Etsy. One of my favorite holiday past times is cuddling up with a good book and some Christmas cookies. I imagine the mouse running down the handle to nibble cookies. Fun!

 

 

 Who could resist my wishes in these "Hypnotic Peacock Feather Earrings" by Wild Spirits. Mesmerizing and insane.   

 

 

I just remembered, I don't have a chandelier!

 

 

And while I'm at it I wouldn't mind my very own tree sphere home

on Vancouver Island, BC to put my chandelier in.

 

Scents from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab

. BPAL's poetic descriptions are as lovely as their fragrances. 

 

Antique sterling silver and 18k gold cuff bracelet. I love cuff bracelets and this one simultaneously reminds me of Pacific Northwest Coast tribal, Victorian, and Celtic designs.

 

 

Molly Schafer's Work 

 

 

Daily Gift Guide: Design Crushing

Kelly and I did a nice little wish list exchange this year. 

Modern Dinnerware… as a clean-lined alternative to my Fiestaware.

  

Lace Pedestal… for my numerous sparkly baubles.

 
 

Picardie glass tumblers… so I can go on a mini-vacation to Paris each time I take a sip.

 

 

Serious Drawings book… for my belly laughs and my coffee table.

  

Les Cuilleres print… for my moss green kitchen walls.

 

Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar calendar… an ego boost for my cats and my studio wall.

 
 

Pet ID tag… for my con-artist pooch, Piper.

  

State necklace…  as a reminder of my home state of Pennsylvania.

 

Corzo tequila… because I love the design… and tequila.

  

faux fur muff… because I need a reason to wear this!