You know how you see neat stuff throughout the year and think, "Oh, that would be a great Christmas gift for me!" Well that is what I think when I go to the Even Design website.

Judi Patson makes not-so-traditional sterling silver jewelry. From necklaces with little Lego pieces to refillable rings with glow sticks inside, her jewelry is out of the ordinary.

My favorite is this ruler ring:



I love these bubble level cufflinks, a great gift for the well dressed man in your life:



I like this ring because it reminds me of a bowl Thomas has for various bits and pieces from around the garage:



As with any well made, unique item, it comes at a price. All items shown start at $176.

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Even Design, Inc. found here.

Loveboat Sushi in Oceanside, makes the best sushi I've had on the west coast. Tonight we had wonderful service and fabulous food (as usual). Toro and gold-leafed blue fin tuna to start.



Everything was fantastic. Yellowtail, jumbo live scallop, Spanish mackerel, salmon, all lubricated with sake and Sapporo.

I even got a rose from Kenny.



But the highlight of the evening, of course, was our favorite sushi chef Jerry.

My sister Nancy most definitely has an eye for design. We both love the same sort of clean, white, stylized design but our execution has always been in different media. She has worked in the textile and retail industry for years, I have been on the 2D graphic design side. We know what we like but struggle at the other's specialty. Whenever Nancy would visit my NobleKnits yarn shop in Oceanside she would completely rearrange the store, the displays, merchandise and even furniture. I did an OK job, but she could always make the shop look top notch.

Now the tables are turned. I've been posting so many photographs over the last few months that she is getting envious! She went out and bought a camera like mine, I give her lessons over the phone and now she takes her time and considers the composition of her photos. Her new mantra? What would Heather do?

Nancy was as excited about the MiniCards from Moo.com as I was. She pulled her favorite yarns, took her photos and look at her reward:



Beautiful!

I wish the whole world lived by WWHD. One day they will.

When I woke up yesterday morning, I didn't feel healthy. When I don't feel well I usually try to find something in my cupboards to make me feel better. Yesterday, we had nothing. No healthy food, no milk, no vegetables, no bread.

I decided I needed to change that. I jumped in the shower, threw on some clothes and hopped in the car. I knew where I could find some good eats, the Oceanside Farmers' Market. Every Thursday morning, the city blocks off a section of street next to City Hall.



It's a small but well stocked farmers' market. There's a fish monger, people selling handmade wares and always quite a few vendors with beautiful flowers. The bouquets previewed the season with rich autumnal palettes.



They were pretty and tempting, but I wasn't at the market for flowers. I went searching for color in other places, like this vegetable stand. I bought two bunches of the beets. I can't wait to cook them tonight.



I also picked up some swiss chard that I think I'll wilt with some garlic.



I had my evening menu all planned, but my neighbor stopped by and invited us to the nighttime version of the Farmers' Market. It's more food related than the morning event. There were interestingly exciting booths, like Kebabistan



and Animal Pretzels. (?)



As good as those sounded, we enjoyed some (maybe not the healthiest) lobster bisque while we listened to the band and hung out with our new friends.

I've been checking out these yummy new lotions and bubble baths by Lollia from NobleKnits. If they feel as good as they look, I can't wait until mine arrives!




I love their packaging, simple and beautiful!

Look at this cool journal from Suck UK. It's everything you need, paper, pencil, good design. Just plain rad.





If only the Dollars/Pounds ratio wasn't so horrible!

"When you come into contact with one of our pieces, you know instantly that there is something incredibly special about it."

I agree!

I was first introduced to the wonderful world of Elum Design, a modern letterpress stationery company, at Anthropologie. I kept buying what I thought were cool cards and then one day I realized that they were all designed by Elum.

Check out this self mailer postcard.



I love these modern psychedelic greeting cards.



And of course, I love the journals. These aren't letterpress but fabric. My second favorite thing!

Check out this charm bracelet from So Charmed. I love it.



Not exactly a bargain though. $385! But I thought the skull, guillotine and cake were pretty rad.

She has neat stuff on her Etsy shop too. Go check it out.

Check out these awesome candlesticks I picked up at Anthropologie!



We were given a gift certificate there for our wedding, and I felt too guilty to spend it on clothes so I found some housewares. (Thomas always explains to me that his purchases are for 'us' ...like a new stereo receiver for 'us'). So these candlesticks are for 'us' ...don't you think he'll love them?

Regularly $28, they were marked down to $3.95! (Shows the ridiculous markup, doesn't it?) I'm pleased with 'our' wedding gift!

Yesterday a new quilting, crafting, pottery throwing store opened in Encinitas. A charming location in Leucadia, the shop is set in a house just off the busy freeway. You enter into a little design sanctuary.

A beautiful garden greets you as you pass through the gate.



Kim Rado Kornbluth is the mastermind behind Starry Night Hollow. "A unique quilting, crafting retreat and gift shop." The store is set in a cozy house with multiple shopping rooms, a classroom, kitchen, bathrooms, and a separate building that houses the pottery workshop.



She has beautiful fabric and lots of fun home decorations. Everywhere you turn there is another inspiration waiting to jump out at you.



This little bunny was tucked into a room with soft colors and fabulous baby quilts. All the different rooms host a different color palette. There's an earth-hued room, bright colors as you come through the front door and a room with fun holiday prints.



The shop is set up to welcome long craft sessions where you can bring your sewing machine and work with your friends. Iron and ironing boards are provided in the large class studio.



There is even a special husband retreat... the "Manctuary". How clever is that? It's a cozy room with two leather chairs, black drapes and a big plasma television.

All in all, the shop is lovely and has the atmosphere to become a sanctuary for the San Diego crafting community.

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Starry Night Hollow
895 Saxony Road
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-944-3700