There are a few non-blog sites I check regularly just to see what they have on offer - near the top of the list is Jack and Lulu and I have to say that I am in love with their new stuff. The designs and fonts are perfect … they make me think of The Great Gatsby, Paris When it Sizzles, trips by steam ship … the best are the wall art and calling cards (calling cards! for sure Daisy Buchanan would have the green and white striped ones).

[all images Jack and Lulu]

Ever despaired at the thought of yet another afternoon spent wandering department store aisles, printed registry in hand, trying to cobble together an acceptable gift (potato ricer, anyone)? unless someone like you is an etsy shop full of amazing ideas (whether the occasion is an upcoming wedding or a new baby), including gifts you can guarantee will not be duplicated (and will provide a much greater thrill than a set of towels or the aforementioned potato ricer!). All the work at unless someone like you is custom: you send a photo, she creates a one of a kind piece. There are wedding invitation posters (an item that briefly made me want to go back in time and do my own wedding invitations over!), save the date postcards, and custom favor boxes, all done in a really lovely illustration style.

My favourite idea is the wedding portrait (see example below - all images courtesy of unless someone like you) - how cool would it be to get a custom portrait of the bride and groom made as a wedding or shower gift? (I am actually thinking of saving up for one as an anniversary present … now to find the perfect candid photo …)

wedding portrait

poster invitation

custom favor box

My moo cards arrived this week … and yes that means a Stockton & Co. shop is in the works, stay tuned! 

This week, three excellent tutorials, one delicious-looking recipe (Lemon Cupcakes With Bitters, Sorrel, And Toasted Meringue!).

Paper Flower + Vase tutorial at two straight lines, via not martha

Bunting How-To at Whip Up

Mini-candy boxes at Zakka Life, via  Craft zine

Lemon Cupcakes at cupcake bakeshop 

Inspired by this book on Vivienne Westwood, I have put together a little post-punk (?) shower theme.1) Silver skull and bones notes from pressure letterpress… you could use these either as invitations or thank you notes for the shower-ee to send. (Photo: pressure letterpress)2) Audrey Tandem Coasters from Russell + Hazel - room for both caffeine and a drink. Or two drinks! (Photo: Russell & Hazel)3) For game prizes: bubble bath and soap from Agent Provocateur (co-founded by Joseph Corré, Westwood’s son with Malcolm McLaren). (Photos: Agent Provocateur)4) Queens Crowns Journaling Spots from Digital Paperie. At my shower my sister had everyone write down their best piece of advice for a happy marriage, and you could use these for this or any q&a type of shower game. (Photo: Digital Paperie)

I got these beautiful notecards from Byvik Ink for myself and my husband (okay, mostly for me) as kind of a New Year’s present.  We went to Japan last year (where we saw  lots of bamboo) for our fifth anniversary, and the font she uses is the same as the one we used for all of our wedding stuff, so they are perfect! I love the idea of giving these as a wedding shower gift - if the bride-to-be likes the style she can make this “her stationary” for her married life (or get variations on it - one style for her, one for them as a couple) … I think this is something people used to do a lot in the ‘olden days’ and with places like Byvik Ink and other Etsy shops I think it’s easier (and more affordable) to get something really specific and personal like this than it may have been in the past.

I’ve been taking some pictures, trying to learn how to use my new(-ish) camera … as you can see, more practice required! But I thought that these egg cups with flowers would make nice decorations for a baby shower or even a wedding shower that centered around brunch. You could also use them as favours, getting some inexpensive white ones and filling them with candy.

Little Birds

More Egg Cups …

It’s a snowy day here, so here’s a snowy playlist for just such an occasion:

All The Way - Ladytron

Alaska - Camera Obscura

Fallen Snow - Au Revoir Simone

Avalanche - The Chalets

The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson

Tell Me What to Do - Jim Noir

Strawberries - Asobi Seksu

Through the Backyards - Au Revoir Simone