Extremely Sad and Incredibly Sad

Have you seen the screen adaptation of the best-selling book, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close? If you haven't, without spoiling anything I urge you to bring tissues. Not just one. A whole box. In fact,  you may even want to bring extras for everyone around you, because if the audience is anything like mine, they'll need them too. It's not to say that the movie was bad — it was actually wonderful.

I knew nothing about the story, except the fact that it had "something to do with September 11th", which is true (hence, tissues).  13-year-old Thomas Horn plays Oskar Schell, an endearingly odd and anxiety-laden kid who becomes obsessed with finding a lock that matches a key — after his father dies (I'll let you guess how) he finds the key and becomes convinced that in finding whatever the key opens, he might be able to hold onto his father a bit longer.

As a bonus, his hunt takes him around the five boroughs of New York City, which I never mind seeing on screen (or in real life).

Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock are wonderful as always, but it's Horn's movie, and he does not disappoint. I could relate to a majority of his eccentricities, and depending on your experience, you may want to yell at him loudly or hug him incredibly close.

Recipe Cards

I just received these incredibly gorgeous recipe cards in the mail that I ordered from Yellow Owl Workshop. They make three varieties, the silver and copper that I got, and a gold version too.

I'm a complete sucker for kitchen illustrations, and the foil stamping really makes them special. The copper is actually too beautiful for words, or even recipes — I'll be framing two of these and now the search begins for recipes that are worthy of the others.

MyPhone Case

I went through a real-wood iPhone case phase, where I had this one for my 3gs and then this one for my 4s. Unfortunately, as I found out the hard way, wood cases aren't nearly as durable or protective as they are pretty, so I'm in the market for a new case.

The options at our local Best Buy were paltry, but I did find this Speck case, which, although not the colors of my choosing, led me to decide that I definitely wanted a plaid case.

That is, until I went on their website and found this sweater-inspired beauty. I don't know if it's because it's 17 degrees and snowing today or what, but I bought it almost without hesitation.

I say almost because I briefly considered one of their great plaids — maybe when it starts to get warm again, I'll have to trade for a more summery pattern.

YeeHaw Meats

These letterpressed cuts of meat posters from YeeHaw are just the right mix of cool and gross. I'm pretty sure I need all three for my kitchen, except I don't have the wall space — buy now, figure out how to make space later, huh? I see zero flaws in this plan.

Peas on Earth

Aside from some vintage Corel Draw fueled attempts, I've never really made my own Christmas cards, which may be odd considering I spend 40+ hours a week designing things for other people — kind of a hair-dressers have the worst hair type of deal?

Anyway, this year I decided to break tradition, and not only design my own, but screen print my own cards. I'm lucky enough to work at a place (427 Design, holla) that has its own screen printing equipment, so it was quite easy and actually even a bit fun.

My drawing ability being what it is (i.e. kindergarten-level), I stuck with simple shapes and a hilarious (to me, at least) pun and my man helped me with the distressing (his specialty) and separations.

I love screen printing light inks on dark paper — I think it's the fact that this technique can't really be replicated any other way that makes me gravitate towards it. I mixed my two inks, and with a lot of help from my genius-of-a man, produced about fifty of these adorable prints.

I hope my family and friends appreciate them, and since we don't know (or rather, like) that many people, I happen to have a few extra prints — if you would would like one just let me know.

Free of charge, of course — all I ask is that you do your part to keep peas on earth.

A Blue (Carrot) Christmas

Today is the last day to save 20% in the shop with the coupon code 'GIMMEEDATDISCOUNT'. Also, every package that ships from today will include a free, screen printed holiday print (designed by moi), just because I like you.

If you would like to request that I send you a print, are too cheap unable to buy something from the shop, and not weird about giving me your address (I won't stalk you, promise), then e-mail me your name/address and I'll send you a delightful surprise. Although I guess if you request it (and I've already shown you what it looks like), it's not really much of a surprise, but still.

You're welcome.

Vogue

If you live anywhere near me and hope to pick up a copy of the January issue of Vogue (featuring a certain Iron Lady), I apologize in advance. I will be buying all of the copies.

Isn't she just perfect?

December Doings

We put up our tree, which lasted about six seconds before this happened...

Look at that face. It's nothing but trouble. And that hint of white in the right of the frame? That's our tree skirt, which apparently is the most irresistible cat toy on this planet, and will therefore never look flat, straightened and pretty ever again.

I got a great, big Blue Carrot stamp to make all of your holiday treasures a wee bit more special. I'm also resisting the urge to stamp EVERY THING.

We went to Pittsburgh for the day, a trip that's never complete without Ikea and Primanti Bros. You'll notice there is no pickle in this picture. It was in my mouth, where all Primanti pickles belong.

I have the horrible job of being in charge of decorating our office for the holidays. And by horrible I mean amazing.

My first order of business three years ago was to ignore the plastic pine Christmas "pole" that we had, and purchase this stainless, aluminum beaut from eBay. Packing peanut snow? Yeah we do that.

If I'm known for one thing, it's my cutout cookies. They are so time consuming, however, that I don't make them very often. I broke out the rolling pin this week though to make a batch for the director of the school of art at the university. I'm hoping nothing says "thank you for giving me a job, and please keep giving me a job, so I can pay for my car" like snowflake cookies.

And, as always, I can't go too long without at least one Mozart picture. Look at that brooding, noir-heroine face. This kid's going places, I tell you.

Blue Carrot Shop Gift Guide: Decorations

Snowflake Glass  |  Santa Tray  |  Santa Mug  |  Tree Tray  |  Season's Greetings Tray

Terra Cotta Elves  |  Manger Babe Book

I love Target Christmas decorations just as much as the next girl, but there's something about vintage holiday items that no amount of shiny and new can replace. If you feel the same way then boy do I have some gems for you — hop on over to the newly redesigned Blue Carrot Shop, and visit the holidays section.

I've updated the shop with tons of new holiday items, including some great graphic serving trays, books, glasses, mugs, knick knacks and more.

And, as an early gift to you, until December 15th if you enter the code "GIMMEEDATDISCOUNT" at checkout, you'll receive a 20% discount — now that's a new holiday tradition I can get behind.

Christmas Wish List No. 6

1. Flying Monkey and 2. Dorothy Vinyl Figures  |  3. Stieg Larson Millennium Trilogy

4. Diana Camera  |  5. Make Your Own Log Pillow Kit

6. Uppercase Magazine  |  7. Victoria Secret Fragrances

Christmas Wish List No. 5

1. Mittens  |  2. Fox Ring  |  3. Fox Keychain  |  4. Dorian Gray Special Edition

5. Cheshire Cat Print  |  6. Husband Chopping Board  |  7. Freudian Slippers

Christmas Wish List No. 4

1. Culinary Tools Pop Lab Chart  |  2. Tea Towel  |  3. Metrocard Baby Rattle

4. Book Book Laptop Case  |  5. Scratch-off Map  |  6. Taxi Booties

7. New York City in a Bag

Christmas Wish List No. 3

1. Balloon Dog Shakers  |  2. Graphic Cutting Boards  |  3. "Antique" Measuring Spoons

4. Houndstooth Apron  |  5. Blinking Ketchup and Mustard Bottles  |  6. Cat-ula!

7. State Dish Towels

Blue Carrot Shop Gift Guide: Dad

1. Airstream Tray  |  2. Mini Anvil  |  3. Moose Napkin Holder  |  4. Pure Oil Ashtray

5. Tire Ashtray  |  6. I-Beam Bookends  |  7. Car Dealership Sign  |  8. Radio Coasters