Oh, Hello Friend

On a trip to Los Angeles a few weeks ago I had the chance to stop by the new storefront for Oh, Hello Friend. I have been a huge fan of her blog for a few years now, and her online store is one of my go-to spots, so as soon as I heard she was opening a retail location I knew I had to check it out. As it turns out, the shop was only ten minutes away from where I was staying! An opportunity that couldn't be passed up.

As expected, the shop is everything charming and inviting. Beautiful vignettes line the shelves featuring beautiful pieces from her own line as well as a selection of curated items from other artists and craftsmen. Gorgeous. The difficult part was narrowing it down!

As I look back at my purchases, I see a theme emerging. Office supplies! I'm trying to make my cubicle feel more like home so I've been working on collecting more natural materials to contrast the metal/plastic I've currently got going on. This translated nicely to pretty wooden magnets and a charming cat tape dispenser (that I've actually been eyeing online for ages). I am kind of smitten with that pencil too.

One thing I don't think I could have left the store without was some new washi tape. The shop boasts a whimsical collection of prints and a deal for purchasing three. You know I couldn't resist those polka dots.

In the Los Angeles/Fullerton area? Check it out! From housewares to stationary to a beautiful selection of jewelry, Oh, Hello Friend has something for everyone. An aptly named shop, you couldn't ask for a friendlier atmosphere. Danni and her husband have created a wonderful space, definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

I'm not much of a Thanksgiving person. Secretly, I love the Christmas decorations that started going up as soon as Halloween was over. I started actively listening to holiday music back in September. I've already purchased my wrapping paper for the year. I'm ready. And this year, like I'm sure I say every year, I'm determined to make the most of this holiday season.

Things are a little different this year. Last year around this time I was working two jobs that just about covered my bills. I was exhausted pretty much all of the time. I wasn't even home long enough to help decorate the family tree. In a stark contrast, this year my job energizes me instead of wiping me out. I have time to spend with friends and family. I can afford to go Christmas shopping. So I'm making lists. I'm shopping early. And I'm determined to make the most of the season this year.

So, imagine my pleasant surprise when my venture to The District at Green Valley Ranch turned into a holiday treat. The streets were lined with bauble filled trees and the garlands were going up as I strolled from shop to shop. Coupled with a successful shopping trip, Anthropologie is a gold mine of awesomeness right now (I finally found some curtains that I'm smitten with!), and lunch at the Elephant Bar it was pretty much the perfect afternoon.

Are you getting in the Christmas spirit or do you prefer to wait until after Thanksgiving?

Trick-or-Treat

Have you been “BOOed”? I’ve seen the trend going around in year’s past, but finding some coffee cake and a printable on my desk marks this as my first year participating. To “BOO” someone you leave a treat on their desk (or at their door if you’re doing this in the neighborhood) along with a copy of the instructions (which can be printed out here). That person then makes a copy of the instructions and leaves them, along with a treat, on two more desks/doors. The goal is for the holiday cheer to spread around to everyone by Halloween.

The treats themselves are a fun way to get creative. Since you’re choosing who the recipient is you really have a chance to get personal and leave them something you know they would enjoy. For me the choice was easy. If you know me, you know I’m hooked on The Market LV at Tivoli Village. Upstairs, Cupkates by Kate occupies a charming cupcake-themed space filled to the brim with everything from the sweets themselves to some adorable charm jewelry. They recently started carrying some holiday-themed cake pops that are as cute as they are delicious. Moist vanilla cake mixed with frosting and enrobed with either white chocolate or colored jimmies depending on the style. Yum. When I saw these I knew I couldn’t resist.

Some other fun ideas? Split a batch of homemade pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. Grab a muffin from a favorite local bakery to greet your coworkers when they get there in the morning. Hit up a thrift store for some Halloween-themed mugs and pair them with a packet of hot cocoa or apple cider. Put together a mini-bag with a few pieces of their favorite bite sized candies.

What Halloween treat would you most like to find on your desk come Monday morning?