Looking Back On New Friends and Fun Times

Here are some pictures from last month, a month I had to step away from Kate and Oli to renew my relationships with people important to me. Like me. :)

{the red sweater crew in my kitchen at my housewarming party

kyle, jen, katie, anthony, derrick, shaun, erica}

{that's Katie on the left and Katie on the right

i'm on the right

Katie is one of my newest best girl friends

we're at the Kings game on 12/23}

{the spread at our Christmas Eve brunch}

{december dusk in manhattan beach, california}

{kyle and lindsay - 

i am their wedding planner!

on new year's eve 2010}

{amy, me, dawn, lindsay, jen

on new year's eve}

{lindsay, katie, me, jen

out for amy's 27th birthday in hermosa beach}

Road Trip Teaser

Whew! Back from the road trip - where there was no reliable internet, so sorry! Later, I will post a recap of all that we saw and did, but for now, here's one of my favorite pictures from the trip.

{this is Katie, Jen, Dawn, Myself, Carol, Amy, Lindsay and Kristine.

Carol was the docent who told us all about the elephant seals when we stopped in Piedras Blancas.}

More later!

On The Road Again

Today, my lovely girls and I are heading out. This morning, we are headed 400 miles due north to San Francisco! I hope to update with pictures and recaps along the way, but I guarantee nothing because I hope my days are packed with wine, cheese, Jacuzzis, adventures and laughter! 

{via}

Enjoy your holiday weekends, my lovelies and don't forget to enter the Orange Willow giveaway!

Love Is In The Air

{see the heart on the pole?

taken 12/28 by moi.}

Focus On... Orange Willow! {and a giveaway!}

{{closed}}

Orange Willow is an etsy shop I found months ago and have been saving for the right time to share with you. Well, now is the time! I love the modern use of color and line in Wendy's work. Her animal/human hybrid pieces are amazing - you will just sit and stare at them for minutes. I love that they almost make me uncomfortable; art should move or challenge you. Wendy, being the super nice human that she is, has offered to give away a print of her favorite work, Sushi. Read on for her interview and details on how to enter the giveaway!

{polly - my fave}

Tell me some basic info about yourself.

I am wife to an amazing man who believed in me enough to take my hand and without hesitation support my leap into self employment years ago. I am mother to three children, all age 5 or under, who provide me with endless inspiration and make me always curious how a simple woman like myself got so lucky. In addition to an incredible family I get to do what I love every day and actually make a living at it.

{best friends forever}

What kind of mediums do you use and why?
I am always trying new things and exploring new mediums but if I had to choose what I use the most it would be My .05 Prismacolor black indian ink permanent pen. I love the amount of detail I can get with it and the long lasting quality. I still like to mix things up with an acrylic or oil painting and even occasionally a water color piece. If I am creating I am happy.

{the equestrian}

What made you decide to sell on etsy?

In 2006 my husband read a blog post about this great new tool for artists called etsy. I had been working for years in the mortgage industry and since the birth of my first child struggled with how to spend more time away from work and with her. I had been a fine arts major in college and was still frequently drawing and painting but it wasn't until I discovered this great tool and what it had done for other artists that I really began focusing on creating art for the purpose of selling. 

{happy family}


Where do you get your inspiration?

My family loves animals. We live our lives accordingly as vegetarians and make all our dairy choices with animal care in mind. With that being said in much of my work you can see the respect I have for animals and the joy they bring to our lives. With afternoons spent at the zoo or playing with our dogs its easy to pull inspiration from them.

{je t'adore}

What is your favorite music to craft by?

Its hard to choose just one. I suppose if you looked up a playlist it would include Kate Nash, Jack Johnson, Madeleine Peyroux, Natalie Merchant, The XX, Tori Amos, or Ben Folds.

{koalas}

When it's cold outside... 

I am cuddled up in front of the fireplace with my oversized PJs on and a warm cup of cocoa in my hands.

{hedgehog}

When I'm hungry... 

its usually for baked goods. Mmmmm...

{magnolia dreams}

When I need a boost... 

I reread my etsy shop feedback.

{zebra}

I wish I was/were...

a writer, fashion designer, photographer, interior designer, and so many other things depending on the day. I thrive on always dreaming of new goals to conquer.

{i am not a rat}

If I could give one gift to everyone I know, it would be... 

if they would open their home I would give everyone I know the love of a shelter dog. With their loyalty and affection I can't imagine a better gift.

{it's all about finding a balance}

If I could have coffee with anyone, it would be... 

Mary Tyler Moore. I would love to hear what it was like starring in a show that depicted a strong independent and successful woman in a time where it was a tough pill to swallow for many.

{are you ever alone in the forest with the trees?}

If you were an animal, what would you be? 

A bird, they have a view on the world I would love to check out.

{english bulldog}

What's your favorite piece of your own? 

Sushi, its just fun.

{sushi}

What are your favorite blogs/websites right now? 

design sponge, ikea hacker, coochicoos, angry chicken, and wee wonderfuls.

You can find Orange Willow

on etsy - print shop, 

on etsy - painting shop, 

on facebook, 

and on the Orange Willow blog.

Orange Willow has a number of awesome specials going on right now:
FREE SHIPPING on everything in her print shop!
Enter coupon code HAPPY2011 for 11% off anything in her print shop! {good for a limited time}
Buy 1 painting, get FREE SHIPPING on your 2nd painting in her painting shop!

If you'd like to win a 8.5 x 11 print of Sushi, read on for the details!

- To be eligible for entry, you must be a follower of my blog through google friend connect or through your preferred RSS reader. -

- Make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win. -

- Please leave separate comments for each entry. - 

First entry (mandatory):

- Visit Orange Willow, select your favorite item and tell me about it.

Extra entries (optional):

- Give a suggestion for an animal you'd like to see in Orange Willow's shop.

- Like Orange Willow Art on Facebook.

- Sign up for Orange Willow Art's newsletter.

- Sign up for the Kate and Oli mailing list.

- Follow me on Twitter, tweet about this giveaway and leave me the link.

- Add my button to your blog.

- Like Kate and Oli on Facebook.

- Blog about this giveaway and leave me the link. 

Fine print: Giveaway begins when it is posted and ends at 11:59pm pacific standard time January 20, 2010. A winner will be selected by a random number generator on January 21, 2010 and will be emailed promptly.

Dream Wedding: Favors

No, I'm not planning my own wedding, but I'm always filing aside ideas... :) Here are my favorite favor ideas!

{wrapped vegan soap - 25 for $42}

{embossed birdhouses - 25 for $72.50}

{porcelain egg candles - 12 for $48.95}

{custom little houses - 25 for $200}

{woodgrain graham crackers - 48 for $35}

{wool felted acorn ornaments - 12 for $26}

{west coast seed bombs - 1 for $7}

Keep an eye out for Dream Wedding: Guest Books!

Alabama, Arkansas, I Do Love My Ma And Pa

My lovely BFF Amy always postsz the cutest videos on Facebook and she did not disappoint this time. If you've heard the original version of this song, of course you love it, but this one will make your heart melt.