Wishes

Inspired by ABC's Christmas Tree Wishes, I (Mindy) decorated my tree with streamers of dupioni silk (in white, silver, and gold), metallic silver and gold ornaments, and our family's holiday wishes. 

Jillian and I thought this would be a great way to ring in the new year here at The Pink Chalkboard! We are wishing for inspiration, ribbons, sunshine, health & happiness, design goodness, pretty snowfalls (with no shoveling!), and more sparkle. 

Hope your wishes come true! Happy new year. 

XOXO,

Jillian & Mindy

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Free Printable Gift Tags

In my day job, I am an account director at Kelsh Wilson Design, a strategic communications firm. Each year, we like to design fun holiday cards that allow us to do something unique and explore our fun personalities. This year, we created these sweet gift tags and loved them so much that we made a downloadable version and I wanted to share them with you here. 

So, if you need some last minute embellishments, click here to download your own set of gift tags! Inspired by vintage wallpaper patterns and using whimsical fonts and colors, these tags are great for gifts all year round. Happy gift giving!

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photos by Lia Calhoun

gift tags by Kelsh Wilson Design

Favorites Around the Web

I spend a good deal of time on Pinterest and Houzz and recently found three genius ideas that I just had to share.

1. Part bookcase, part secret passage.

2. Storage under the stairs.

And that reminded me of this image I found a while back.

3. And finally there is this – it's not nearly as fancy as the other photos here but the concept is stellar and so easy. When hanging a picture frame, put a dab of toothpaste on the frame where you need the nails to be. Then simply press against the wall to leave marks (which can later be wiped) as guides for hammering in. (via Somewhat Simple)

What have you found around the web lately? Any great images or clever ideas to share?

Geometric Wallpaper

Remember the posts I've done before about my mom's ahead of her time decorating style with a Marimekko bedroom and yellow houndstooth?

As for the wallpaper in my parents' kitchen, I knew the day would come when I found something like it.

Today's the day! While flipping through the Holiday 2013 Domino (a recent gift from my still stylish mom) I saw this.

Graphic and geometric, I'm loving this space – especially the way that different shapes are worked in like the round circle art on a white square field, the clean-lined and angular bar cart and pair of obelisks. A pink peony and bowl of roundish lemons balance out the area adding a pop or color and even more interest to this fabulous space.

And the fact that the wallpaper reminds me of my childhood home? That's the best part.

ABC's Christmas Tree Wishes

While in New York City last weekend, I decided to pop into ABC Carpet & Home, and spotted this lovely Christmas tree at the entrance. What makes it so special is that wishes are handwritten on strips of fabric which are then tied to the tree. The effect is so incredibly sweet!

I like to decorate my tree differently each year and I think this is what I want to do this Christmas! I love that it's so wonderfully personal.

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Chalkboard Classes at Belovely

A few months ago, my friend Danielle told me about Belovely, a floral and event design company with a pretty little boutique in Ambler, PA. I wanted to check out the shop and found out that Belovely offers chalk art classes! I have always wanted to learn how to do this, so I signed up and on Wednesday night I visited the store and spent the evening learning how to make chalkboard art.

Here are a few photos of my work in progress:

and my final creation :) You can see everyone's work here!

Belovely's store is absolutely lovely, too! I couldn't complete this post without including a few snapshots of the boutique and their beautiful items for sale. I was so tempted to buy everything for myself!

You can order custom chalkboard art from Belovely (photos featured here) or try it for yourself at one of their classes. Find more information (and see more chalk art) here.

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

A Different Kind of Stocking Stuffer

While flipping through a Design Within Reach catalog lately, I came across this image.

Who needs stockings when you have wellies? Such a cute way to hold little presents!

Snow Day

Tuesday was a very snowy day for us here.

It was one of those days when you go outside and everything is bright white and smells crisp and clean.  Talk about finding beauty – it was all around.

Maybe I should be bringing my pillows inside but I thought they looked even prettier with a dusting of snow.

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Vintage Inspired Flash Cards

I am still in love with the idea of decorating with flash cards (see my posts here and here) and I just found the sweetest vintage-inspired flash card designs while shopping on Etsy last night.

From Gaddie + Tood, these flash cards feature the prettiest little illustrations. I love them the most in this gray color palette. And a touch of glitter is even an option!

Wouldn't these cards be so beautiful displayed in a nursery? They would make a great gift, too! Shop for them here. 

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Alphabet Vintage Flash Cards from Gaddie + Tood via Etsy

Spruce Design + Decor

While in Rhinebeck, NY a few weeks ago, I came across Spruce Design + Decor, a beautifully curated shop filled with an eclectic mix of home decor items.

Such great items in this store. The kind of place where you want to the buy the bookcase…and everything that's styled and arranged in it – it just looks that good.

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photos by The Pink Chalkboard

Finding Beauty

Finding beauty in a distressed old barn outside of Cooperstown, NY. My fiance and I explored the area one weekend in early November and discovered this striking scene.

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photo by The Pink Chalkboard

Delightful Dollar Deals

When I shop at Target, I always peruse the One Spot (Target's dollar section) before checking out because you never know what treasures you may find! On a recent trip, I totally scored with these adorable paper goods. 

Silver Glitter Tape

Chalkboard Gift Tags (too bad they didn't offer these in pink!)

My favorite: Silver Chipboard Letters (I had to buy multiple packs of these!)

Kraft Stickers and Silver Foil Labels

Gold Ribbon

Wood Push Pins

and a spool of Teal Baker's Twine.

For under $10, I was able to add so much design-goodness to my stationery drawer. I can't wait to start wrapping gifts!

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images by The Pink Chalkboard