I always thought my hands were too shaky to ever do my own nails, but then before the holidays I decided I was tired of spending money and time on manicures. This is the top of the mountain of First World Problems, I know. But, I’m a lifelong nail biter. Having my nails done stops the biting habit.

Other posts on this quilt: Rainbow Strip Quilt Pt. 1, Rainbow Strip Quilt Pt. 2, Rainbow Strip Quilt Pt. 3.
I never posted about this! Man, I am so behind. This has been sitting in my drafts since May. It was the first thing I put in my shop, and then somehow I never got this actual post up.
Read more on Double Rainbow Quilt Is Finished…and in My Etsy Shop!…

Lots of things are happening around here. To start, these adorable mug rugs (featuring Laurie Wisbrun’s Perfectly Perched) are now available in my Etsy shop.
In writing news, I’m also a new contributor with Felicity Huffman’s mommy site What The Flicka?! My first piece went up a few days ago, it’s very exciting stuff.
And then my last announcement is kind of a big one.
I am so in love with this. I bought this from Life Geekery a while back, and I’ve had it for about a month now. They’re made to order, so you do have to be patient for a few weeks until it ships. But they have some other amazing character interpretations (Dr. Who, Star Wars), not just Harry Potter. And you can order for a Kindle, iPad, Mini, etc. You do have to get used to carrying Harry upside down, the opening is at the bottom. Small price to pay for greatness.
I finally picked an invitation design for H’s first birthday last weekend, and I’m really happy with it. After narrowing down the choices, I went with this design from Eclectic Note Cards. It was amazingly affordable ($8!), Adam liked it, and it came with an entire suite of very cute options for thank you notes, labels, and signs. I also found this Cricut cartridge at a great price the other day, so I can add to the decor with some more die cut goodies.
I can’t believe it, but in less than 2 months The Sprout will be one! And, actually, I have already been planning and brainstorming her first birthday party for weeks, but it’s actually time to start DOING something about it.
Read more on It’s Time to Start Planning HFR’s First Birthday Party!…
Maggie is a homespun MO girl living in Brooklyn, so when I saw AHeirloom’s Plyboo state cutting boards, I knew I wanted to get her one for Christmas. With the heart placed on her hometown. I’m in love with these boards, they’re made from rapidly renewable bamboo, AND the company is based in Brooklyn. It had Maggie written all over it!
I don’t make duck very often at home, but it’s one of my favorite things to order out. When I saw this recipe on Etsy during the summer (I made this weeks ago), and raspberries were looking so good at the store, I decided to make it. It was pretty delicious, but I didn’t render the fat enough on the duck. Despite that, the raspberry sauce was seriously amazing. I halved this recipe for 2 people.
This is the happiest box I’ve ever received in the mail. Little Brown Pen posted a couple of weeks ago about Galipette, a French Pastry Lab that makes amazing salted caramels. They looked so good that I immediately ordered a box. At $12 a box (plus shipping), this is the best money I’ve ever spent.