Ideal anniversary gifts.

My husband and I try to stick to the traditional anniversary gifts each year. I love that this has become a little tradition of our own. On our first anniversary, he presented me with a collection of his own illustrations of important events that year. On our fifth, I gave him a wood-framed print that perfectly reflected a reading from our wedding ceremony.

Now, as our 7th approaches, I'm looking at the list and kind of baffled. Wool and copper? Wool is so inappropriate in July. Copper? Well, I think I'm going to have to get a bit creative with his gift this year.

So, what makes a good gift for a woman with an impending anniversary? Here are some fun ideas for a random smattering of milestone years. Enjoy!

1st Anniversary
Paper
Personalized Letterpress Stationery


4th Anniversary
Silk
A silk dress (perfect for a special night out)


8th Anniversary
Bronze
Paired Hexagons Necklace


8th Anniversary
Salt
Fauchon Caramels with Fleur de Sel

Current Etsy loves.

I love making a list of my current Etsy loves. Here are some goodies I've been eyeballing as of late. Enjoy!


arrow necklace


i like to rock print


wanderlust necklace (which makes me want to travel!)


big bow tote


block printed notecards

Etsy find: letterpress necklaces + more.

When I was recently given a letterpress H necklace, it brought tears to my eyes. What an appropriate and lovely gift! What I really like about it is that when it's hanging, a casual observer doesn't really know what it is. So, wearing the necklace is kind of like wearing a fun little secret.

In addition to these necklaces, Gwen Delicious offers jewelry made out of typewriter keys and many other goodies. Wouldn't cuff links with your first initials be a great gift to a groom on your wedding day?

Etsy find: Monograms by Mon Cadeau.

What bridesmaid wouldn't love one of these sweet petite monogram necklaces by Mon Cadeau? You'd never guess they're only $10, would you? Initial rings are also available for a mere $15. Love, love, love them!

Urban Craft Uprising picks.

I spent a good portion of the weekend exploring the handmade shows happening around Seattle. The Urban Craft Uprising is, by far, my favorite. This year's show was incredible, too. There were so many good vendors! I picked up a raccoon print by one of my favorite illustrators, Ryan Berkley. His work simply makes me smile. There were many fantastic pieces of jewelry I would have been happy to take home, as well. Here are a few of my discoveries:


Alisha Louise Designs
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Elisa Shere Jewelry
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The Sprinkle Factory
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Material & Movement
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Ever delicious J.Crew.

Dear J.Crew, you never do wrong by me. Now, if I could get a sample pair of each of these shoes sent to Maida Vale HQ, that would be great! For the record, I would totally throw on any of your bridesmaid dresses over skinny jeans to get more wear out of them post-wedding, as well.






Happy weekend, everyone!

Etsy find: Fabric roses by Brydferth.

I adore these fabric roses by Hailey Rose of Brydferth. Her color choices are fresh and modern and the designs are feminine and fun. I especially love the orange ring shown below. So pretty! Be sure to visit her shop to see the entire collection.

Etsy find: Jewelry by Alona Freeman.

It seems like ages since I've posted a good Etsy jewelry find. But, lucky you, I've stumbled across a great one! Alona Freeman creates beautiful, modern pieces from vintage finds. The resulting looks are colorful and charming statement pieces that look like they've walked off the pages of an Anthropologie catalog. I'm naturally drawn to the aqua colored pieces. Which are your faves?

Etsy jewelry find: chain chain chained.

I absolutely adore chain chain chained's Etsy shop. Each item has been so thoughtfully put together, and the result is both delightful and quirky. Wouldn't the BFF necklace be a great gift for a maid of honor? Enjoy!

Joomi NYC hair goodies.

Judging by these Joomi NYC hair accessories, I can't wait to see their spring 2010 collection! Especially loving the top headband for an art deco-themed affair...

Vintage hair accessories.

I'm absolutely loving Jennifer Behr's Spring 2010 collection! I'm especially digging the vintage-inspired design of this piece, and the rock-n-roll vibe of this one. For brides not planning on wearing a veil, any of these are a great alternative. Enjoy!



via What Junebug Loves

Enter to win a Swarovski Crystal Braille necklace!

I'm excited to offer a great giveaway today! The lovely seja b. has generously offered one of her unique sterling silver Swarovski Crystal Braille necklaces to one lucky reader of this blog. The crystals on this particular pendant spell out "love" (how perfect for the upcoming holiday), but she also creates custom pieces based on a word of your choosing. Be sure to check out her Etsy shop for these pendants and many more swoon-worthy pieces.

To enter: Leave your name and email address in the comments below by Wednesday February 10 @ 9:00 AM PST (or feel free to email me). At that time, a name will be chosen at random and the winner will be contacted. Please note that this contest is only open to residents of the US and Canada at this time.

Otherwise, I'm heading out for a long weekend in celebration of my Mom's 60th birthday. =) I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back on Wednesday to announce the winner. Good luck!

The perfect wedding shoe?

The At Tiffany's shoe from Hey Lady might be the most perfect wedding shoe I've ever clapped eyes on. Sweet, scalloped and blue? I'm in love.



Hope you all have a great week?

Etsy find: Sashes from icing101.

I love these pretty sashes from icing101! They would add such a lovely pop of color to a simple gown, and could easily be worn time and time again after the wedding. I can easily picture adding one of these to J.Crew's elegant and minimal dresses, for instance. Enjoy!

Etsy find: Preppy boutonnieres by Peppermint Cloud.

I'm absolutely loving these preppy boutonnieres by Etsy seller Peppermint Cloud. Aren't they darling? Better yet, she gives a 10% discount for orders of five or more. =)