mini gift guide: top 5 valentine's day gifts for her

 1. Eskimo Kiss Print, $80; 2. Heart Pendant Watch Necklace, $25; 3.Terrarium Necklace, $27, 4. Red Rounded Wayfarer, $135; 5. Floral Doc Martin Boots, $130.

While every girl likes flowers (they do, they are lying to you if they tell you they don't), you could ditch the bouquet for these floral print Doc Martin boots. She won't have to toss them out in a week, plus they cost the same as a dozen long stem roses anyway. It's called value, people! Speaking of value, some guys tend to shy away from jewelry because in their minds, jewelry=expensive. Jewelry is classic and us ladies always appreciate it; the price tag really doesn't matter. The heart pendant and terrarium necklace above are both under $30! I also LOVE these red wayfarer sunglasses by Ray-Ban because let's face it, they're rad. Plus, another adorable print by Donna Wilson! Eskimos kissing!? Come on, it's like I'm handing this to you.
Valentine's day is growing nearer! Get moving! And while you're out shopping for your lovely lady, keep in mind, the classics are classic for a reason. Pick up some flowers (no need to spend $130, simple farmers market flowers are sweeter anyways) and a card on your way home. Trust me, we really do like that kind of stuff! (this is not computer sarcasm, promise) ♥xoxo, whit.

mini gift guide: top 5 valentine's day gifts for him

 1. You Are So Handsome Screen Print, $60; 2. Magno Wooden Radio, $150; 3. Green Rucksack #8, $220; 4. La Sardina Lomography Camera, $70; 5. We Are So Good Together Print, $60.

Valentine's Day may not be every guy's favorite holiday. Dare I say, most guys hate February 14th? While this may be true, they still deserve a little somethin' somethin'! Yes, guys are notoriously very hard to shop for on a holiday that is, let's be honest here, obviously manufactured for the ladies. Luckily, most men aren't interested in cheesy teddy bears and heart shaped boxes of chocolates. Personally, I think a framed screen print is always a simple yet thoughtful gift that goes a long way. This Donna Wilson, "You Are So Handsome" print is adorable. She is so creative! I also have yet to meet a guy that does not love a cool backpack, and this teal green rucksack from Archival Clothing is the perfect mix of cool yet functional. Plus I would totally "borrow" it and use it myself. And of course, when all else fails, gadgets. Dudes love gadgets. While I love this La Sardina camera because of the super cute pattern, I've also heard it takes really cool pictures.♥-Day is only a few days away, so I hope this helps! Good luck! xoxo,whit.

weekend snapshots: a day at the aquarium

Weekend snapshots just got real cute. Last weekend Miles took me to the Seattle Aquarium to visit the new baby sea otter! As you can see it is a tiny, two week old, adorable ball of fluff. So, needless to say, the place was packed! We had to wait in a line out the door and push our way through the crowds to get a look at the pup, but it was totally worth it. Plus, let's be honest, nothing was getting in the way of me seeing that little thing. The mom's name is Aniak, and the baby girl has to rest on her belly all day long until it is old enough to swim. The aquarium volunteers told us it wont be able to dive until it is about six weeks old because it is too fluffy and buoyant, it would just shoot right back up to the surface! Not surprising, that thing is so furry you can't tell which end is which! Once we broke free of the crowds surrounding the sea otters, we visited the equally adorable river otters and, one of my aquarium favorites, seahorses! After the crowded aquarium visit, a delicious burrito/beer combo was exactly what I needed. What a wonderful Seattle Saturday.

weekend snapshots: a visit to pdx + seattle snow!

This past weekend was awesome for many reasons. Reason number one: Portland. I LOVE PORTLAND. So when Miles asked if I could take Friday off work to head down to see his band, the Torn ACLs, play at the Big Ass Boombox Pop Festival, my answer was a simple yet effective "duh." I had so much fun at their show, they sounded great and I danced my butt off (not true, it's still there)! Besides the show, the highlight of my trip was seeing my wonderful and supper funny friend Megan and romping around the Alberta neighborhood, my favorite place in all of Portland. Here are some photos I took of my favorite places to shop on Alberta Street, plus a few shots of me and Megan just for fun.

Billy Goat Vintage is my favorite vintage spot in PDX. They have beautiful clothes for reasonable prices plus super cute decorations! I tend to work up an appetite when I shop so Miles and I always have to stop at Alberta Co-Op Grocery Store for fresh local produce, baked goods and yummy local coffee. Lastly, Miles' favorite spot (and one of mine!) on Alberta is definitely Ampersand. They have a beautiful, open, design-y type store with vintage and modern books, photographs, prints and local art. Not to mention a ton of vintage post cards, my personal weakness. I had to have this postcard with hungry little Kodiak Bear Cubs on it! Anyways, reason number two this weekend was awesome: Seattle Snow!

I was born and raised in the sunny, dry Central Valley of California. So, any time there is snow I FREAK OUT. I love the snow! Not in a "hey brah, heard there's some fresh pow pow let's hit the slopes" sort of way, but in a "want to grab some hot cocoa, spike it with booze, and then walk around in our cute hats and mittens?!" sort of way. I was so excited we got back from our Portland adventure early enough to enjoy a lazy, snowy Sunday in Seattle. It doesn't snow a lot here, so when it does Seattlelites relish in it and take full advantage of a blanket white cityscape. Makeshift cardboard sleds, ironic hipster snowmen in the park, an excuse to drink warm alcoholic beverages in the middle of the day. These are just a few reasons I love Seattle snow days. All in all, it was a great weekend.

happy new year!

What up 2012!? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! Although New Years Eve is not my favorite holiday, as it is historically not that tight, I always look forward to a new year and fresh start. I make resolutions every year, ever since I was a kid and old enough to understand the concept. One year I resolved to convince my parents to get me and my brother bunk beds. Success. Another year my resolution was to visit my grandma once every day; she lived right across the street so again, success. Um, needless to say... I am pretty good and this resolution stuff. Here are a few of my New Years Resolutions for 2012! Happy New Year!

get organized.

 

 1. Moleskin Classic Mini Ruled Notebook 2. Moleskin 2012 Color-A-Month Box Set, 3.Moleskin 2012 Mini Daily Planner

Typically, I am pretty good at organizing my schedule but lately I have been getting a little off track. I love Moleskin planners and notebooks because they come in so many great colors and a perfect sizes for organizing and scheduling when you're on the go. Also for organizing my life, below are two calendars I just need for for 2012. You know, to circle important dates and stuff.

 1-2. 2012 Botanical Garden Calendar, 3. 2012 Die Cut Animal Calendar

 

keep in touch.

1. New Year Card, 2. "Hello" Cards, 3.Yellow Owl Workshop Thank You Card Set, 4. DIY Cross Stitch Case for iPhone 4/4S

I have made this resolution before, and I will make it again. In 2012, I resolve to be better at staying in touch with my friends and family. You heard it here first. So don't be surprised if and when you see one of these adorable cards showing up in your mail box! On a similar note, I think, I mean I know that if I upgraded to an iPhone 4S I would just be so much better at the whole corresponding with my loved ones thing. And if I got one, I would totally make myself one of these super cute iPhone DIY cases! Good luck with all of your resolutions and as promised, you'll be hearing from me soon! 

bookin it: design sponge at home

While I do consider myself a somewhat avid reader, I in no way consider myself a book reviewer. I do, however, love recommending books that I have read and enjoyed to my friends. The new Design Sponge at Home book by Design Sponge's Grace Bonney is an easy book to recommend. It is full of creativity, lovely images and great DIY tips. Another thing I love about this book is that it features two of my favorite series from their blog, sneak peeks and before & after. I am such a huge fan of her blog, when I heard Grace was going to be at the Downtown Seattle Anthropologie for her book tour I had to be there! Here are some photos from the book signing party this last September. It was so much fun, and Grace Bonney was so nice and super adorable, it made me love D*Sponge even more!

image via designsponge.com

 photo credit: tomika davis

 photo credit: tomika davis
 

You can see more photos from the Seattle book signing party on Facebook and check out photos from the whole West Coast book tour here! Below are some photos from the event I snapped with my iPhone. The line was so long, but it was worth the wait! The fancy champagne and Theo Chocolates definitely helped. 

 

Meeting Grace Bonney at the Anthropologie D*Sponge book signing event!

mini holiday gift guide: $50 and under

I have to be honest here you guys. I found some really awesome gifts for $50 and under. I know Christmas is days away, but there is still time! Take a look at these great (albeit a little late) gift ideas and get moving! Enjoy, xoxo.

1.Control Audio Headphones, $40; 2. 11"X14" Reindeer Print, $50; 3.Mountain Peak Mittens, $45; 4.Heart Pillow Case and Cushion, $40-$50; 5.Color Wheel Pendant, $44.

1.Matchstick Case, $38; 2.Walnut Alarm Clock, $50; 3.Tip Top Knit Hat, $50; 4.Heritage Backpack, $49; 5.Wood Camera iPhone Case, $42.