mustache envy

just in case your new years eve celebration needs a little something extra.

 go here to print and "assume your new identity".

olive & a : the files

so i decided to start a Tumblr. one where i can put all the pretty inspiring pictures i come across that make my heart beat a little bit faster. it's my digital version of an inspiration file folder, except there are no scissors or magazines involved. i'd love for you to take a look here.

'ello! how was your holiday week{end}? did you get what you'd wished for? we had a simple Christmas but it was perfect. i'm always sad to see the holiday season go away. january sometimes seems like a slight let down after all the hustle and bustle. anyone else feel this way? 

did you hit up the after Christmas sales this weekend? i was able to pick up a pair of jeans at old navy but that's about it, i had hoped to do more.

i was browsing the anthropologie sale online and i came across this adorable pompom plaid tam. this cap would look so cute on my little Livie's head. wonder if i could make one...

winter wonderland

wishing you a very merry christmas!

enjoy your holiday. i'll see you back here next week.

{photo trio via digitalgopher}

wrap it up : handmade

hello hello! did you have a great weekend? it was a good one for me... i was able to spend some quality time with my mom and sister, which was much needed. i also was able to finish some projects that i have been working on. hurray!

so...are you ready for Christmas? since this is the last Monday before Christmas i thought i'd do a variation of wrap it up. there are a lot of great tutorials around so i thought i'd share a few i've come across in case you are feeling crafty and want to gift something personal and handmade.

for your best friend : pretty gemstone frames @ ruffles and stuff

for your sister : ruffle necklace @ creature comforts

for your niece : bon-bon necklace @ a pocket full of posies

for the typography loving person on your list : print and frame the initials found @ daily drop cap

for your parents : 2010 photo calendar @ shutter sisters

for the new baby on your list : baby posters @ ohbrooke

i'm sorry to say i couldn't find much for the boys but maybe it's best we leave the crafty presents for those who tend to appreciate them the most, the ladies. if you make or do any of these projects, i'd love to hear about it! i'm loving that ruffle necklace and plan to make it sometime soon when things aren't so crazy around my house. have a lovely Christmas week!

holiday roundup - downloads

here is a roundup of great holiday downloads from around the blogosphere.

the long thread : easy printable joy snowflake cones

color me inspired : make your holiday shopping a bit easier with this holiday gift list

A Field Journal : this silhouettes in the snow garland is so sweet and pretty

Paper Crave :  i love this mitten postcard

Living Locurto : these cardinal bag toppers are cute for last minute neighbor treats

have a wonderful weekend!

{photo}

natural elements

i was flipping through my mom's family circle the other day and came across an article about warming up the home by using different natural elements. all of their ideas are really easy to replicate so i thought i'd share a few.

 here they spruced up a vase of flowers by using a strip of birch bark. birch bark is something you can buy from a florist shop. it makes a garden-variety bouquet florist-worthy.

 a strip of bark hot glued around a candle. simple.

a pinecone wreath hung over a mirror.

finding inspiration

even though i'm married and not planning a wedding, one of my favorite types of blogs to read are all things wedding. you name a blog and it's probably in my google reader. i love reading them not only because i'm a bit of a romantic but they are chock full of inspiration. ideas for parties, decor and gorgeous photos, etc.

 a while back i came across the inspired bride and basically fell in love with it's loveliness. one of my favorite segments they do is their color palettes where they take an inspirational image and pull colors from the photo to create a color palette. i came across two color cards with palettes i thought would be great to use as inspiration to design a room around for my little girl.

granted i'm not even close to an interior designer so these boards were for fun although i'd like to use some of these ideas in the near future. i based both rooms off of the color cards as well as the crib that we own. i was going for a slightly non-traditional baby/kid room with lots of color and texture. i'm not sure which one i like most but had a lot of fun making these.

room #1

Chandelier and Butterflies print

Moravian Star Ceiling Light

Benjamin Moore Copper Patina

Zigzag Rug

Owl Bookends

Lucy Upholstered Chair-Hot Pink

Butterfly Words Pillow

Sarah Bird Lamp

room #2

Suitcase Set
Pendant lamp
Andrea Rug
Clybourn Loft Chair-Oatmeal
Floral Pillow
Rust Ruffles Pillow
ABC's Print
Betta Fish
Stick Lamp-Pink Denim

pieces that are in both rooms:

Organic Giant Dot Nursery Bedding

Mercer Crib (this is the crib we own and love!)

Modo Dresser

printer's letter stand

{room 1 photo, room 2 photo}

wrap it up : oh joy!

shop : blog

i think these notes books and cards from oh joy! are so pretty. they would be perfect last minute gifts for all those lovely ladies on your list.  

we have a winner!

according to random.org, the lovely winner of the Mitchell Avenue Designs custom header is...

hooray...congrats Elaine! i'll be in touch shortly. i can't wait to see what you and Holly come up with!

thanks to those of you who entered my little giveaway. i appreciate it! you rock!  : )  also! please remember to see Holly for any of your design needs, she's pretty much awesome!

dear santa...

i'm pretty sure i've been a good girl this year.

i'd love to find this coat wrapped up under the christmas tree.

thanks!

love heather

here is another wreath i can get behind.  this one can be made out of any ol' paper (read: printer paper) you have lying around. i love the styling of this photo. pretty! go here for instructions and other loveliness.

{via}

winter green

i love the idea of bringing green into the home during the winter, especially with wreaths or potted grasses. mine will have to be fake though because my thumb isn't green, it's more of a blackish color. case in point, my $1.99 Ikea bamboo plant is barely hanging on.  I didn't think it was possible to kill bamboo but leave it to me. :)

{via}

decor swap

among all the things i have on my plate right now, i must've been crazy to add party planning to the list; but i did and survived!  i came across this post a while back and have kept the swap idea in the back of my mind. until now!

i was able to convince my cute n' crafty friend Sarah to co-host the swap with me.  we had a good time planning and figuring out all the little details. i was able to satisfy my craving for a party by turning the swap into a bit more of a social gathering, by adding some decor and good treats.

somehow i spaced taking a picture of all of goods that we swapped so you will have to imagine a pile of stuff.  i believe every one had a great time and were able to get something "new" that they loved. after the swap there was talk on ideas for the next swap; purses, clothes, book, etc. i'm definately going to do this again.

no party is complete without bunting

Sarah & I

how about a giveaway!

hello friends! did you enjoy your weekend? mine consisted of studying, studying, studying.  luckily I take my last final tonight and then i'll be able to enjoy the holiday season. first up, my mother in law's annual christmas party. there will be good food to be had for sure!

website : blog

i'm excited to introduce Mitchell Avenue Designs, the graphic design shop of the talented Holly Mitchell. you might have noticed her button over there → . have you checked out her site yet? Holly was kind enough to work with me over the summer to create a header for olive & a. she listened patiently as i tried to describe what i wanted and somehow through all the rambling she was able to design just what i had in mind!

Mitchell Avenue Designs offers a wide range of custom design services; wedding announcements, Christmas cards, baby announcements, business cards, etc. basically if you need it, Holly will design and print it.

here are a few headers from Holly's portfolio...

jonesing for a new blog header?  well...Holly has been generous enough to offer up a free custom blog header and button to one lucky winner.

: how to enter :

:  leave any comment here, or state how you'd design your blog header if you're the winner. if your comment doesn't link back to a way of contacting you, please leave your e-mail address, otherwise your comment will not count.

:  want another chance to win? you may enter one other time by tweeting/blogging/facebooking about it with a link back here.

:  this giveaway ends on friday, december 11th at midnight and the winner will be announced on monday, December 14th.

silver and gold

{via}

the reveal

i mentioned a while back that my husband and i were refinishing a dining table and chairs.  well it's done and since i think most people appreciate a good before and after i thought i'd share (plus i'm tired of studying).

we'd been wanting to purchase a table and chairs for quite sometime so after much stalking of craigslist and local ads we finally came upon this table.  i'll admit it isn't quite my style, i prefer a more modern look, but this one was solid wood and a great price. sold! the table top needed a bit of help so i had the choice of keeping it light oak (not a fan) or staining it another color. i went with a dark walnut stain and i'm loving the results. i have to give all of the credit to my husband. i think i sanded a couple chairs and gave too much a lot of input.

the before:

and the after: