Inspired By: London Olympics 2012

I don't about you guys, but I am a huge Olympics fan.  I'm so excited to watch the Opening Ceremony on TV this Friday evening! I love the spirit of the games- the idea of bringing countries from all over the world together for a shared love of sports. I also love to watch the Opening Ceremony and observe the variety of uniforms that are worn by team members of each country.  Although I have ties to a few different countries, I'll always be rooting for the USA. Check out my picks below to see a few things you can wear to represent your red, white, and blue pride for the kickoff of the games!

Red: Large Red Camelia Pin, Garnet Cocoon Earrings, Three-Gemstone Necklace

White: White Topaz Silver Ring, Sailor Hat, White Textured Adjustable Ring 

Blue: Blue Suede Pumps, Blue Sky Star Necklace, Sapphire Blue Freshwater Pearl Earrings

Tell me: Do you like to watch the Olympics? If so, what's your favorite sport?

By Nnenna of star-crossed smile

Inspired By: Weddings

Summer is the season of weddings and I thought it would be fun to share some of my picks inspired by this theme. Our team members are so talented and there was plenty of wedding inspiration to be found in their shops!

• Etsy is a great place to find stationery for your wedding, including these wedding invitations from Wishbone Letterpress or stationery set personalized with your initials from HYC Creative.
• If you're the bride, don't forget your something blue, like this pretty pin from Edward Owl or this aquamarine teardrop necklace from Sweet Olive Jewelry.
• The wedding band is also important to remember, wouldn't you say?  I love this sleek brushed white gold band from Porter Gulch.
• Pearls are a wedding classic.  I adore both this multi-strand version from Mulry Jewels or this more simple necklace from L'atelier des bijoux.
• If you're a guest, bring a little present for the new couple, like these sweet pillowcases from Hook and Matter or this quirky cute tea towel from May Luk.

Tell me: Who's attending a wedding this summer? Anyone getting married? :)

By Nnenna of star-crossed smile

Inspired By: The Sand and the Sea

Top L to R: Double Spiral Ring, Ahoy There Nautical Card, Braid Bracelet

Middle L to R: Silver Anchor Necklace, Palm Tree Photograph, Gold Starfish Necklace

Bottom L to R: Recycled Cotton Braid Cuff, Gold Seahorse Necklace, Sea Shells Collage Card

Over Memorial Day weekend, I took a day trip with some friends to Long Beach.  We spent the day soaking in the sun, getting up the nerve to dip our toes in the frigid water, starting our summer reading, and just generally having a good time!  Since our little journey I've been dreaming of a proper beach getaway- nothing but the sand and sea for days and days.  There's just something so relaxing about laying on the beach with the sand between your toes, listening to sound of the waves rushing back and forth.

Tell me: Are you planning to take a trip to the beach this summer?

By Nnenna of star-crossed smile

Decorating Gift Boxes with Vintage Holiday Seals and Beautiful Paper

I am a collector of many things. I always have been. Oddly however, I have these fantasies of living in a minimalist home or at least an impeccably neat one. To make matters worse, for the longest time I was also a hoarder. I would hold on to all of these little odds and ends because I liked them. Fortunately, with my new Etsy shop, The Craftarium, I am finally thinning out at least two of my collections - vintage holiday seals and pretty paper.

During the Thanksgiving weekend, I wanted to offer a holiday promotion, so I offered free shipping and unique gift packaging. I decided to collage each box with decorative papers, cut-outs, and shop labels. As I sorted through my collection of "collage-able items" (one of many collections) I found a babyfood jar filled vintage holiday seals that I picked up in 1998. Jackpot! The seals date from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.



With a glue stick and scissors I got to work and whipped out a bunch of boxes pretty quickly. My customers on Etsy and at my trunk show really seem to like being able to give their handmade gifts in a unique, hand-decorated gift boxes.

Although I picked up my seals a decade ago, you can find vintage holiday seals on Etsy, by searching under "Vintage: tags and titles" for "christmas seals."

If you do not have stacks of pretty paper lying about, check your recycling bin, your junk mail, old books (not valuable ones!), wrapping paper stash, piano bench, or really anyplace you keep paper that you are willing to cut up. All of those Christmas catalogs that spill out of your mailbox lately are filled with seasonal images - all yours ripe for the slicing.

Then pull out your scissors and gluestick and go to town. When finished you will have festive gift boxes as unique as you and your gifts are.

Although my holiday promotion is over, I am extending it for fans of The {NewNew} blog. If you order from my Etsy shop, The Craftarium, between Tuesday, December 9 and Friday, December 12 I will waive shipping fees and include a gift box for each item ordered (while supplies last.) Just add "newnewblog" in the message to seller during checkout.

Happy Holidays!