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May 14 2013

Floral Things I Refrained From Purchasing on eBay

You buy them.


Silk Poppy Moon Scarf
Gorgeous as a wall hanging.


Spider Mum Maxi Skirt
Great with a bateau-necked leotard and a low chignon.


Yellow Chiffon Scarf
This and a pair of sunglasses, and you can leave the house with wet hair and roots down to your ears.

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May 7 2013

Mother’s Day Gifts for Grandma

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Apr 25 2013

Homemade Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

“Mama? How come you don’t wear my macaroni necklace to your meeting?”

Because, baby. Because I am a monster.

Parents treasure handmade gifts, but there are only so many times you can hide the macaroni necklace in the glove compartment before you forget to put it back on when you get home. And then the inevitable reckoning. Where is the necklace? I… got hungry.

Mom and Grandma would love handmade gifts for Mother’s Day, but maybe not another pinto-bean brooch. As long as you’re helping your kid make something, here are some sentimental homemade and/or custom options that she doesn’t have to wear in front of the board.

BALLOON SURPRISE

Do a slight twist on this birthday surprise, by attaching an individual photo of each kid for every year of his or her life.

Ask your kids to number them and on the back of the photo. Or have them write a happy memory of their mom or grandma. Also works as a cool display option for handmade favor coupons.

SILHOUETTES

Silhouettes are classic, inexpensive, and relatively easy to make. Here’s a DIY tutorial on how to make a silhouette. If you’re not feeling especially artistic, you and the kids can take a photo and send it to this service, which sends you a custom silhouette either mounted or ready for framing.

SHARPIE MUGS

Sharpie mugs are ludicrously easy, aside from the “trusting your toddler with a Sharpie” element. Ask your kid to draw a picture of mommy or the family on the mug, or write a sweet message or quote if they’re older, and then bake it until the ink sets. A genius addition to the breakfast-in-bed tray.

FAMILY RECIPE DISHTOWELS

Transfer handwritten family recipes to a dish towel or apron. Grandma’s gonna cry.

A MIXTAPE, C’MON!

Listen, you are entrusted with your child’s cultural education. They may already know how to make a playlist on Spotify, but do they know how to craft a serviceable mix tape? Narrative arc. The crucial starter. The meaningful closer — sentimental, not overwrought. “‘You are my Sunshine’ or ‘Call Me, Maybe?’” Tough call, kid. Help them shape their skills on a woman who will love them no matter what.

THUMBPRINT ORNAMENT

The site has this listed as a thumbprint pendant, but I think it makes a nicer ornament. Sweet to hang on the wall above a light switch or doorbell.

PHOTO ALBUM

How long has it been since your family printed real, paper photos? If she’s an Instagram fan, Printstagram for giving her an IRL photo experience. I like this album from Paper Source.

A MONTH OF SWEET NOTES FROM THE KIDS

This is technically an advent calendar, but I love the idea of writing mom a bunch of sweet notes to open over the month. You can order one if you happen to speak German, or just drill a series of holes in a block of wood with a large bit and have the kids write their notes up.

FAMILY CROSS STITCH

Here’s a tutorial for making your own little cross-stitch family. Awesome idea for grandma.

KID DRAWING BOOKPLATE

Add her name to a favorite kid’s drawing, and Bike Like the Fox will make it into a custom bookplate.

There. Every gift comes with my personal guarantee that you’ll never find it in the glove compartment.

If you liked this, you might also like:

Mother’s Day Card Roundup
Mother’s Day Pinterest Board

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Apr 15 2013

Mother’s Day Card Roundup

Why is Mother’s Day stuff so fugly? It’s all purple cursive eye smack, and floral bunny soul crush. Here are a few Mother’s Day card options that won’t embarrass you, or make your mother worry that she didn’t do enough to shape your taste level.

Mom, You Rock letterpress card by A Favorite Design

You’re Awesome card by Sugar Paper

I Love You card from Moontree Press

Mom Tattoo card from Hawk Gerber

Funny card Good moms let you lick the beaters, great moms turn them off first. by The Little Illustrator

To the Moon and Back by Quill and Fox

You’re Pretty by Lindsay Letters

Happy Mother’s Day by Smock

If you didn’t find the perfect thing, check out this funny Mother’s Day Cards roundup from Cool Mom Picks. Those ladies always do Mother’s Day up right.

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Mar 27 2013

Apartheid at the SF MoMA

Billy Monk makes me want to get a Tuesday night job at the local local and learn to use my flash.

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Jan 15 2013

I Love You, Nerd Valentine: Top 10 Valentines for Geeks

You threw an awkward glance his way because his glasses were cute. He thinks your neck smells like you might be a compatible genetic match. You enjoy Mythbusters, he enjoys Mythbusters. And while Valentine’s Day is ultimately a commercial construct, you’re not above engaging ironically if it means getting laid later.


1. Dr. Who Valentine


2. Space Invader Valentine


3. Pride and Prejudice Valentine


4. Princess Leia Valentine


5. Legend of Zelda Valentine


6. Periodic Table Valentine


7. Eye Chart Valentine


8. Genetic Predisposition Drosophilia Valentine


9. Buckminster Fuller Valentine


10. I Love You With All My Brain Valentine

Also check out:
More Nerd Valentines on my Pinterest Board
Nerds in Love: Ten More Valentines for Geeks

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Jan 9 2013

You’re Out of this World, Valentine

Don’t you wish someone would make this heart-shaped crater on Mars into a letterpress Valentine, so you could send it to all your nerd friends? I know.

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