it's time.

whoa time flies - mini goals clockboard :: mary kate mcdevitt

whoa is right! time does fly. i have enjoyed a wonderful extended holiday, and now the time has come to reopen my little shop to the world.

i had some pretty grand plans for my month 'off'. i had several new product designs in mind, web design, new blog. but when it came down to it, what i found i needed the most was some true time off. i did some sewing -- for myself and my kids! that felt pretty good. i played with these jokers, i took loads of photos, and even snuck in a whole lot of relaxing. i did think about the shop a lot, and i've tucked away some good ideas for the next while. but i decided that they could wait, until spring, until i'd had my rest.

open/closed sign :: mary kate mcdevitt

and so tomorrow, smidgebox designs will be open again. stay tuned for a couple new products this week, and more to come over the next short while. i hope you'll pop in and say hello!

ps - isn't mary kate mcdevitt's shop amazing? i adore her mini goals chalkboards.

so awesome.

and my heart grew three sizes that day.

seriously, i just about melted.

in case you couldn't tell, that is a heart. he has just decided it's cool to draw hearts. and those symbols between the names? "those are my own kind of ampersands, mommy. i designed them myself." i die.

spring dreams :: emersonmade

nothing gets me more excited about a change of season than the clothes.

i love that fresh feeling, rolling out new fashion, new looks, old classics. is there anything better?

i know these lovelies have made their way around the web, but the gorgeous offerings from emersonmade this spring are too good not to share. that seersucker blouse, that scalloped skirt! that dress! the flowers!

i'd like to have them all. oh, and some warmth and sunshine, i'm ready for that too.

images via emersonmade

hat collection

it's no secret that i'm a bit crazy for hats. i have quite a collection at home, and i like to add to it often. my fave hat that i own, by far, is the hat my husband had made for me a couple years ago for christmas [yup, i know. he's really good that way]. it is by local designer claudia shultz, who's hats are beautifully unique and impeccably made. i love the helmet-like shape of many of her hats. aren't they great? i don't have a pink hat, yet. hmmm.

images via claudiashultz.com

bottom image credited to photographer trevor brady.

where i've been...

i hadn't really meant to take such an extended break from this space! i know i've popped in here and there, but this week i am looking forward to getting back to regular posting and sharing more faves, more inspiration, more design, more of my work, and a few personal bits + pieces tucked in along the way.

where have i been? well, mostly hanging out with these little jokers.

it has been a blast.

winter colours

jan at poppytalk is hosting another winter colours week starting on monday. i am always so inspired by the photography that emerges during these seasonal flickr pools, and it got me thinking about the colours i've been seeing in nature recently. since starting my 365 project, i've been snapping a lot of flora, it is just something that draws my eye. these are just a few that i've taken this past couple of weeks.

let there be light

gorgeous, light-filled, minimal living. while it is doubtful i could live in a space like this [i have two kids, and a lot of stuff], i sure do love looking at it. this london apartment is a recent addition to the locations being showcased on shootfactory, a uk site for film + tv rentals. loads of eye-candy there, it's one of my fave places to browse when i find myself with a spare moment.

and those stunning greystone eames chairs? a very very close runner up in colour to these beauties, which we just recently received, and love very very much.

yes, another chair.

images via inoda + sveje.

it is a thing of beauty. the delicate curves, sleek shape. seriously gorgeous.

this is the dc09, by milan-based design duo inoda + sveje. clearly, they have got impeccable style.

found here via the cool hunter, which is another fun site to lose yourself in for hours...

friday afternoon, tea party.

don't you think a friday afternoon is just perfect for a tea party? especially if you have sweet ceramics to serve your friends their cupcakes + tea.

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom

spirograph and dots teapot :: ninaivorm

poppy mug with turqouise blue :: dahlhaus

teaspoon plate :: bailey doesn't bark

ceramic bird cupcake stand in robin egg blue :: whitney smith

just like riding a bike.

i've got bicycles on the brain right now. it seems i am going to be in the market for a new one this spring. not by choice, mind, but rather by necessity. our two bmx's were nicked from our garage this week, and as bike riding is this little family's fave year-round activity, they'll need to be replaced quite quickly.

i had fun pouring through etsy for cute bike pics. while i'll likely end up with a mountain bike this time around, they don't exactly make for a great photograph. vintage bikes + cruisers, on the other hand, are simply adorable. especially in such an awesome range of colours.

images via shops as listed below, top to bottom.

polaroid photograph - beside the little red house - alicia bock :: bloom grow love

bike in the fall :: the flying jib

tour de france parisian bike - 12x12 photograph on canvas :: rebecca plotnick

la bicyclette - paris fine art photograph :: retrospect photo

vintage pink bike (8x10 fine art photography print) :: gabrielle kai

in focus.

i have decided it is time to start improving my photography skills. i finally read the manual after two years, even learned a few new settings i'd like to try! anyhow, i thought i'd follow the pack and dive into a 365 project. the first of the year seemed like a good place to start, so i snapped this pic of my wee one and her dad. he is simply smitten.

i've started a tumblr blog to track my photos. i'll share a few here if it feels relevant, but i hope you'll head over there to visit sometimes!