(in case you’re curious: dress • cardigan • bracelet • shoes)

If I’m going out with my big camera in tow, I’m not going to carry a camera bag and a separate purse. With my other bags, I have to pare down a bit, but the Chelsea fits everything I usually carry, plus my camera with a small lens attached and two additional large lenses. I also like the classic, feminine shape and gold hardware.

Would you like a Chelsea camera bag (in either cognac or black) of your own? ONA will give one away to a lucky Making it Lovely reader. Just leave a comment on this post to enter. Good luck!

One entry per person, open to U.S. and international entrants. The giveaway ends next Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at midnight CST, and a winner will be selected randomly.

p.s. You can keep up with ONA by liking their Facebook page.

* Congratulations to the winner, Molly!

© 2013, published by Making it Lovely as ONA Chelsea Camera Bag (Giveaway) | 1797 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

I’m working with Fab again, this time to share my favorite quirky finds from their Valentine’s Day gift shop. As usual, I spotted some of my favorite independent designers among the offerings.

1. Son Of A Sailor Durango Pink Necklace
   Pink and brass? Thank you for combining my two favorites into something I can wear around my neck.

2. Rococco-LA Flowering Heart Print
   Such a good print.

3. AMINIMAL Central Park Earrings
   This would be a sweet token to remember a New York romance by. Or for architecture nerds and urban planners – whatevs.

4. Core Bamboo Heart Cutting Board
   Is there symbolism in taking a knife to a heart-shaped cutting board? Maybe, but it’s just so cute.

5. The Social Dept Baby Tee
   I carried a watermelon.

6. M.G. BAKER Bow Tie
   I love this. Brandon wore a pink tie to our wedding, but bow ties are having their moment now.

7. ASHKAHN a.bird, b. booty Print
   Hey professor, what’s another word for pirate treasure?

8. 1965 Playboy Pair
   Dirty magazines seem kitschy and campy when they’re vintage.

9. chain chain chained Necklace
   Brandon gave me this necklace for Christmas. It’s really sweet, and I’ve been wearing mine a lot.

10. RIFLE + RADFORD Rafferty Ring
    Aquamarine plays nicely with just about everything.

© 2013, published by Making it Lovely as Fab Valentine’s Day Gift Guide | 17 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

1. Forget Me Knot Ring in Neon Green
   Because we can all probably use a neon green reminder every now and then.

2. Luckies Video Notebook Lined
   Things are not always as they seem…

3. (of)matter Arrow Necklace
   Simple, but cool.

4. The Heads Of State Gatsby Print
   So fantastic! Imagined business cards from the guests at Jay Gatsby’s spring party.

5. Areaware Roller Stop Green
   Perfect for derby ladies.

6. Twig Terrarium Zombiarium
   Care instructions: water. And brains, probably.

7. Tattly Illustration Set
   I want to get the Tattly set for the kids, and steal a few for myself.

8. Farrah Sit Porcelain Containers
   I’ve been looking for hanging plant containers and having a hard time finding ones that I like. These, I like.

9. DPCTED Cuddle You Tee Green
   I actually bought one of these in red for Brandon a while back. it makes me giggle.

10. Native Union POP Phone in Orange
    Ahoy-hoy.

© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as Fab Holiday Gift Guide | 8 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

• Brothers

  Emily said: “I always struggle with new gift ideas for my brothers in their mid-late twenties. I always go with t-shirts or something boring like undies or socks.” And Valerie said: “I’m trying to figure out what to get my brothers (18 and 19) that isn’t in the video game/dvd/gift card oeuvre. But I’m pretty broke this year, so I have a $40 limit for both of them. Everything I’ve looked at so far that I thought would be good goes way over that!”
  There were a lot of requests for brotherly gifts! This Cards Against Humanity game (4) looks awesome, and you can’t go wrong with a Jon Ronson book (Brandon and I both like him). Lost at Sea (5) is Ronson’s newest. You can pay for these with points through Amazon’s checkout.

• Sisters

Ashley said: “I’m having a really hard time coming up with something for my 18 year old sister. She has so many interests its hard to narrow down a meaningful gift.”
I think sisters would enjoy the brotherly gifts above too, but if you’re looking for something a little more girly, perhaps a bracelet with meaning (2)? The one shown represents strength, motivation, and knowledge, but it would also just look cute as part of an arm party. If she’s a maker, use a gift card to west elm to buy beautiful heirloom scissors (3).

• Parents (Yours or Hers/His)

  Marie said: “I could use gift ideas for my boyfriend’s parents!! We’ve been dating for 1.5 years and although I’m not very close with them (distance makes it tough), I’d like to give something thoughtful.”
  Give tickets to a show. I cashed in a bunch of my Amex points recently to get tickets to The Book of Mormon (1) (Brandon and I will be going on our anniversary in May). You can pay with points through TicketMaster, so there are tons of options for shows and concerts that they’ll like.

• For Those Who Don’t Need Another Thing

  Hillary said: “Would love advice about what to get my dad and stepmom. They are retired, don’t really need any “stuff” and are just plain hard to shop for. I usually default to restaurant gift cards but would like to give something more thoughtful. Help!”
  Give to charity. Donate your points to Hurricane Sandy Relief (6), or to another charity on behalf of your gift recipient.

• The Wild Card

  Sarah said: “I’m having a tough time coming up with something for a family gift exchange. It could go to anyone in my family from my 12 year old niece to my 50+ uncles. I seem to only be able to come up with girly or adult ideas.”
  My best bet for one-gift-fits-all is How Music Works by David Byrne (7) (pay with points on Amazon). It will appeal to book-lovers, music-lovers (young and old — doesn’t everyone agree that David Byrne is awesome?), and it has a technology/science bent.

I was selected by American Express to help educate consumers about how to use Membership Rewards points. As such I was paid for my services as an ambassador, but all gift choices selected and opinions about the gifts and American Express are my own.

© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as Gifts for the Hard to Buy For | 21 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

1. KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer

2. Alphabet Needlepoint Pillow (via gift card)

3. Torpedo Sconce (via gift card)

4. Newgate Bubble Wall Clock (via gift card)

5. Squirrel Cookie Jar (via gift card)

6. Dooney and Bourke Florentine Domed Buckle Satchel

7. Michael Kors Acrylic Tortoiseshell Watch

I’ll be sharing more gift ideas next week too. Are you having trouble coming up with ideas for someone in your life? Let me know in the comments and I’ll help out with some ideas. Glorious ideas.

I was selected by American Express to help educate consumers about how to use Membership Rewards points. As such I was paid for my services as an ambassador, but all gift choices selected and opinions about the gifts and American Express are my own.

© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as Points for Presents | 29 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

Sky Umbrella

Tibor Kalman’s Sky Umbrella is 20 years old. I remember seeing it in the MoMA catalog for the first time when I was 15. I was so taken by it that I begged my mother to buy it for me.

To my mom’s credit, she did come through with a sky umbrella, but it was not the Sky Umbrella. The shape was slightly different, the clouds not as beautiful, and the handle plastic instead of wood, but that was not its biggest affront. It was blue on the outside. Did she not know the how the umbrella’s symbolism struck me? Aye, the morose teenager with the dark, brooding exterior, braving the storm and cloaked in black — she contained an optimistic (though clandestine) scene beneath! An argument could have been made that I was “blue”, I suppose, or perhaps that I just had my head in the clouds but OH, THE HUMANITY!

What? I was 15. (Sorry, mom.)

So, yes, when MoMA asked if they could send me an umbrella to help spread the word, I happily accepted. You can enter SKY20 to save 20% on all versions of the Sky Umbrella, now through April 30. All proceeds support MoMA programs and exhibitions.

This is not a sponsored post. I agreed to accept an umbrella and write about it because I’m a fan of MoMA and their mission of educating the public about modern art and good design.. I had one of my most moving museum experiences there a few years ago, in Olafur Eliasson’s Take Your Time exhibit.

© 2012, published by Making it Lovely as Sky Umbrella | 27 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

This is something that you’re going to ask about six months from now when you see it in a random photo of mine, but by then it won’t be available anymore. So here it is; take note! It’s from J.Crew, and it comes in several colors.

p.s. Here’s that dress I was wearing in yesterday’s photo (but it’s not available anymore).

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Resin and Crystal Link Necklace | 9 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

These would be pretty in one’s hair. (In pink or brown.)

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Skinny Scarves | 3 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

The straps are adjustable. Genius! There are lots of other colors and options too, but I’m really liking this red and white striped one.

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Fabric & Handle Bags | 3 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts

Neigh? I say yay.

(via Daily Candy)

© 2011, published by Making it Lovely as Polished Bangle Watch With Horse Print | 8 comments | affiliate links may be used in posts