Creature Comforts - daily inspiration, style, d.i.y. projects + freebies

My Big News...Drumroll Please

Hello lovelies!  I am pleased to finally be able to announce my big news...

Yes... that's right!...Creature Comforts has MOVED and can now be found at the URL www.creaturecomfortsblog.com  I hope you'll come on over and see what I've been working on for the past months.  Don't forget to change your RSS feed and links over while you're there.

See you soon!  xox Ez

Psst...this old version will remain online for quite some time but will not be updated with any new content.  All the good stuff will be on the new site.  Head on over now.  : )

Today I Love: An Uncommon Commonality

I'm a fan of Neville Trickett over on Flickr (his paper pattern and Japanese illustration scans make my heart swoon), but this weekend was the first time I visited his blog, and subsequently fell in love.

 
 
{image diptychs by Neville}

There is something about the way Neville sees and then translates his inspirations into pairings of images that really captivates me.  I'm particularly smitten with his image collection of clothing hangtags and works by photographer Arther Elgort.  You can see more on his blog, and peruse his flickr collections here.  xo Ez

Video Tutorial: DIY Twistie-tie Pompom Gift Topper

Hello lovelies!  I hope you'll come on over to the Nice Package blog for our very first video tutorial (we hope to make many more in the near future).  The project is super easy, and I love the finished effect!  Hope you like it too.

xox Ez

One Good Thing: New Lisa Congdon Prints

I'm a huge fan of Lisa Congdon's work.  She just added these two new prints to her shop today and I'm in L.O.V.E.!  Stop on by to check them out (the birdhouse print is also available as fabric!), or visit her on her blog and flickr for more goodness.

BTW... Lisa and her partner's dog Wilfredo is the cutest thing ever...I have a little crush on him.  Go check out his flickr set, and you will too!  xox Ez

A Very NICE Announcement

Hello lovelies!
First of all, I'd really like to apologize for being SO out of it lately. I know postings have been rather light around here in the past few weeks so I thank you so much for sticking by me...you guys are the best!

I mentioned to you all a few weeks ago, that I've been juggling several "secret" projects. Well today I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell you about one in particular. As some of you may have noticed, my Etsy shops have been on vacation mode since my big move back in July. I'm happy to announce that I'm relaunching my Nice Package shop next week with a couple of new & exciting changes.

 

The first and most exciting part is that my friend Marichelle and I have decided to partner up and go into business together. You might already know Marichelle from her blog, etsy shop, or the post I wrote about her last month...but if not, then let me just tell you that she is full of creativity and working with her is entirely too much fun (from impromptu dance breaks or mannequin poses in front of her window simply to amuse ourselves, to a million other silly kooky things).  Of course in the midst of all the fun we have also been working our tails off to create a unique line of home decor products and packaging supplies that we hope you guys will really love.

We'll be "soft-launching" the line this Saturday at the Brooklyn Flea - Fort Greene (as long as the weather holds out for us). Deb of Bonbon Oiseau has kindly offered to share her space with us. We hadn't planned on finalizing the collection so quickly and to be completely honest, another 6 months of tweaking would've been ideal, but the opportunity came and we couldn't pass it up. So if you're in the Brooklyn/NYC area this Saturday (October 10th) please stop on by to say "hello." We'd love to meet you!

If you can't make it by the Brooklyn Flea, then be sure to keep a lookout for the launch of our shops (etsy and Big Cartel) next week. We also started a blog where we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes pics, lots of DIY and how-to projects with a few bonus freebies of course. Can't wait to see what we've been up to?...come on over right now for a sneak preview!  xox Ez

Today I Love: Free Desktop Wallpapers from Pushmepullyou

I spotted these amazing free desktop wallpapers over on How About Orange yesterday and just had to share.  Eleanor is such a fantastic artist...her style reminds me of one of my faves: Charley Harper.  Now if I could only make up my mind about which lovely will dress up my desktop first.  Which one will you choose?

See all the free designs here (the page displays as a index of links - click on each one to view).  Also be sure to visit Eleanor's site and blog.  xox Ez

In Good Company: Haus Interior

I received an email about Haus Interior earlier this month, and finally had the chance to visit their online shop over the weekend.  The selection of merchandise that they carry is beautifully curated...with established brands stocked along side some of our favorites from the indie / handcrafted scene.  Prices start at under $10, so there is truly something for everyone.  Get your shop on.  xox Ez

+ The Cultivated Home (blog).

One Good Thing: Polaroid Notecards

I am head-over-heels in love with these new Polaroid Notecards from Chronicle Books.  The selection of 20 Polaroid cards was curated by the incomparable Jenifer Altman, and I can wait to get my hands on a set of these lovelies.  xox Ez

+ Chronicle Books' blog

+ Jenifer Altman's:  blog . portfolio . flickr

Inspired Idea: A DIY Tea Party by Merrilee

While browsing through flickr yesterday, I came across this fabulous Tea Party that blogger Merrilee put together in her backyard (can you believe she was moving out of her home the next day).   I love the cheery color scheme, but my favorite detail has got to be her awesome DIY Party Invites that she created using Japanese masking tape.  Brilliant, right?!

You can see more from Merrilee on her blog Mer Mag, take a gander throug her flickr album, and find prints of her illustrations for sale in her etsy shop.  xox Ez

Free Printable Note Card from SusyJack*

The sweet Susy of SusyJack* created this awesome free printable note card last Friday and has shared it with us all on her fabulous blog HeySusy*.  I get total blog envy every time I'm there (don't worry... that's a good thing)... and if you haven't stopped by for a visit yet, then today's your day.  I know you'll love Susy's pretty little corner of blogland just as much as I do. 

Thanks for the freebie Susy!  xox Ez

D.I.Y Ice Cream Parlour Party by Lucie Summers

If you haven't seen this post yet, you simply must run on over to Eat Drink Chic right now for the most dazzling D.I.Y. Ice Cream Sundae Party inspiration ever (plus a load of free customizable downloads)!  I can't even imagine how much thought and time Amy must have put into this project!  I am in awe!  While you're over on her blog be sure to check out her other incredible D.I.Y. projects and printable freebies.  They're the best!  Thanks for your generosity Amy... you amaze me!   xox Ez

New Blog: Color Me Inspired

Need a little inspirational pick-me-up?  Then head on over to the brand new blog Color Me Inspired and enjoy the first (of what is sure to be many) gorgeous posts by friends Trisha and Becka.

It looks like they also have an etsy shop for printable downloads coming soon (the fans below are available for free on Color Me Inspired), so be sure to keep an eye on these talented ladies.  I can't wait to see where they will take their lovely site(s).  xox Ez {images © Color Me Inspired}

Fancy This: Photos from Marichelle's Yard

Hello lovelies!  As promised I'm back with some of the photos that I took in Marichelle's yard earlier this week.  Taking photos is (almost always) incredibly relaxing and energizing for me, so it was nice to have the chance to pull my camera out again and capture a few little glimpses of the beauty of this area.  New Jersey's plant life is incredible... I guess it isn't called the "The Garden State" for nothing!

This a random vine that is growing across one of Marichelle's fences.  Does anyone recognize it?  I'd love to know what it's called.

A pretty Echinacea flower that Marichelle planted, and some fancy grass that I can't remember the name of.  Clearly I am not a plant expert...just an admirer.

A bright and cherry little rose bush greets you near Marichelle's front door.  Also welcoming you up the front walkway are two beautiful Hydrangea trees.  Gorgeous!

An eggplant!  Can you believe Marichelle grew this herself...and claims to have no prior gardening experience!  As someone who can't even keep a cactus alive, I'm awestruck!

Thanks everyone for letting me share a few of my photos with you today...and thanks again Marichelle for letting me bumble my way around your beautiful yard!  I had so much fun!  xox Ez

Inspired By: Marichelle Burdman

Hello lovelies!  Wednesday's are generally reserved for posts on photographers and stylists, but today I wanted to do something a bit different and share a tad with you about one of my wonderful new neighbors (and sweet friend of mine), Marichelle Burdman (she doesn't know I'm writing this, so I hope she doesn't run me out of town after this).

{all photos - © Marichelle Burdman}

You may already know Marichelle from her blogs Heart Handmade & Lifeflix, or her etsy shop Wunderlust, but what you may not realize is just how incredibly kind and talented she truly is (of course a lot of this is evident through her sites...but read on for a few things that I specifically love about Marichelle).

a. Her incredibly adorable effortless chic style.  Seriously... I need to take lessons from this girl!

b. Her delicious cooking... she whipped this dinner up for us two nights ago with ingredients she grew from her own garden (so fresh and amazing).  Also her blueberry crumble bars are to die for (that is if the perfect packaging doesn't kill you first).

c. She is incredibly talented and crafty...and seems to have a way of creating magic out of ordinary materials like muslin cloth, paper, and twine.  Check out her shop to see what she's up to currently.

d. She and her delightful boyfriend "Hillsy" have transformed their home (they just bought it late last year) into a cozy and welcoming place where everything is beautiful but where you aren't afraid to put your feet up and settle in for a night of tv watching and a cup of "Hillsy's" famous tea.

e. And finally... and impossible for me to show in the photos (but most notable) is just how kind and generous both Marichelle and Hillsy have been to us in our first few weeks here in our new town.  They are some of the loveliest and most down to earth people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing...and I feel luckier still to call them my friends.  xox Ez

P.S.  Coming up in just a bit I will show you a few photos I took in Marichelle's beautiful yard on Monday.  I hope you will like them.  xoxox

Fancy This: Photos from The Cherry Blossom Girl

I simply love the mood of these gorgeous photos by The Cherry Blossom Girl (found in her post titled Apple on a Stick). 

Of course everything that Alix does is magic, but there something especially sweet about these shots and I just can't stop thinking about them.  See more from The Cherry Blossom Girl here.  xox Ez

Inspiration Daily: 08. 18. 09

Untitled by Gracia + Louise  |  flickr  |  shop  |  twitter

Web Help: Photo Styling Tips from Kim Ludy via Mint Blog

{image from Mint}

Have you ever wished for some easy to follow tips for improving your photographs?  Are you an indie shop owner looking to improve the look and feel of your online business (and maybe increase sales)?  If so, then you will not want to miss the super helpful 5 C's of Photo Styling with Kim Ludy (as posted by Ellie over on the awesome Mint blog). 

Do you have any photography or styling tips that you'd like to add?  I'd love for you to share them in the comment section below.  xox Ez

Inspiration Daily: 07. 06. 09

Intuition by Brandi Strickland {flickr} . {paper whistle - SHOP} . {blog}

Freebie - 4th of July Printable from Twig & Thistle

Just in time for your July 4th festivities, Kathleen of Twig & Thistle has created these perfect free 4th of July PDF printables to help you celebrate in style.  Aren't they the sweetest?!  Tip: Kathleen has other great freebies and DIY projects on her site as well...hurray for free things!

xox Ez

Inspiration Daily: 07. 01. 09

Squirrels and Couch by Luc aka Illustrista ~ flickr  .  blog  .  etsy shop {art prints}