i use shortcuts while working in adobe illustrator constantly, and find that it’s an incredible time saver! it makes things easier, quicker and more streamlined. however, it can be really hard to learn shortcuts for any new program (just put me working in photoshop and i’m lost!). that’s why i really like these keyboard shortcut guides. you can use them to refer to, or set them as your desktop background to keep them handy at all times.

wrap up: {background} {desktop} {guide} {illustrator} {keyboard} {photoshop} {shortcuts}

happy (cyber) monday, friends! i hope you all had a wonderful thanksgiving (if celebrated) full of love, laughter and family. we celebrated with both mine and david’s families, and it was quite the reunion! my mom even made us a vegan turkey (hehe). i think we’re all trying to realize that we don’t have to go back to california after the holidays, we’re here to stay!

today, i’ve gathered a few cyber monday deals to share with you, but don’t delay- many of them are for today only!

1. 3 acorn ornaments – 10% off $45 with coupon code BFCM12

2. linen christmas ornaments – 15% off $10 with coupon code FRIDAYMONDAY15

3. crystal necklace – 10% off $35 with coupon code HAPPY2012 + free shipping

4. gold bow necklace – 15% off $24 with coupon code HOLIDAY2012

5. mini creamer – 10% off $14 (see store for details)

6. chalkboard tablet – 15% off $22 with coupon code FADEDBLACK

7. strawberry champagne lollipops – 15% off £6.20 with coupon code FREESTUFF

8. just breathe bracelet – on sale for $29.25 (reg price $45) 20% off

9. blue ikat wristlet – 12% off $32 with coupon code HOLIDAY12

10. victoria long sleeve top – 10-30% off  $68.00 CAD (see store for details)

11. mint blue earrings - on sale for $14.40 (reg price $16)

12. gold dipped studs – 15% off $10 with coupon code HOLIDAY15

13. rose gold necklace – on sale for $32.40 (reg price $36)

14. i love you around the world and back again – 20% off $20 with coupon code CYBERMON20

wrap up: {coupon codes} {cyber monday} {deals} {etsy} {gift} {guide} {handmade} {holiday} {specials}

along with designers (see this gift guide), bloggers are another difficult group to buy for. it’s hard to explain what we do, and it’s even harder for people new to the blogosphere to understand! here to help is the blogger gift guide. maybe you could send it along to your loved ones, or accidentally leave it open in your browser for your sweetheart to find! items 1-5 are things that i own and couldn’t live without, and items 6-10 are on my own wishlist this year. :)

have something to add? please share your gift suggestions in the comments section!

1) nikon d5100 – $449.95 | 2) 2012 cavallini daily planner - $32.95 | 3) adobe photoshop cs6 – $699 | 4) verizon mobile hotspot – $59.99 | 5) 1 year membership to the roost tribe (just email me!) – $60 | 6) mugtail fox – € 14,95 | 7) the instax mini – $124 | 8) moonshine camera strap – $120 | 9) custom instagram book (gift certificate) – $24.99 | 10) blog, inc – $11.53

wrap up: {blog} {blogger} {christmas} {computer} {gift} {gifts} {guide} {holiday}

can you believe it’s june already?! i’m celebrating several birthday’s this month (my guy’s is next week!), and always try to get my friends and family thoughtful gifts. this little gift guide revolves around the month of june and it’s activities. hope you enjoy celebrating this month!

birthday card by wit & whistle

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

fun facts of june:

june 17th is father’s day
june 20th is west virginia day
june 21 is go skateboarding day
june birthstone is the pearl
june flower is the honeysuckle
the june bug is often seen around the u.s. in may and june!

then let us, one and all, be contented with our lot; the june is here this morning, and the sun is shining hot; oh! let us fill our hearts up with the glory of the day, and banish ev’ry doubt and care and sorrow far away. – james whitcomb riley

wrap up: {birthday} {celebrate} {gift} {guide} {honeysuckle} {june} {pearls} {presents}

i’m pretty sure my dad is literally the hardest guy on earth to buy for. he pretty much just buys whatever he wants (which is not much) anyways, which leaves us stumped every year. anyways, i hope your dad is easier to buy for, and maybe this little gift guide will help! (love you, daddy!)

pssst. don’t miss tomorrow’s post, on handmade cards for father’s day!

1: vintage polaroid camera – $58
2: personalized money clip – $27
3: custom quote – $16.50
4: dinosaur planter – $20
5: men’s loop scarf – $99
6: men’s messenger bag – $144
7: iphone stand – $17
8: retro tv ipad dock – $60
9: organic soap – $21.95 CAD
10: rustic mug – $32

wrap up: {dad} {father's day} {gifts} {guide} {handmade}

buying organic (and local!) produce is extremely important to me. sometimes though, my wallet just won’t allow for it. knowing which items are most and least important to purchase organic has been a tremendous help to me (and our bank account!), so i thought you might be able to use the info as well. here’s a simple guide to what you should always buy organic, and what other items are naturally low in pesticides (usually due to their thick skins).

THE WORST for pesticides (buy these organic):

spinach, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, kale/collard greens, potatoes, bell peppers, celery and grapes.

always try to buy these organic, as their thinner skins allow for the most amount of pesticides to reside within.

THE BEST (lowest in pesticides):

onions, sweet corn, sweet peas, asparagus, cabbage, eggplant, pineapple, sweet potato, melons and avocado.

when you’re in a money pinch, you can always rest assure that these veggies and fruits have the lowest amount of pesticides.

wrap up: {buy} {guide} {money} {organic gardening} {produce} {veggies}

hi lovelies! just wanted to pop in to say hello!  did you have a happy 4th of july?  we had a picnic up on the roof and watched the fireworks from there.  the weather was perfect, the food was wonderful and our tiny town even had a pretty impressive fireworks show!  i always give my girls our leftover watermelon rind (it’s their most favorite treat).  this is odessa, caught in the act (below).

i also wanted to draw your attention to a new section of the blog, our eat local page! here you’ll find the seasonal veggie guides, all of our seasonal recipes and a resource page on why we should eat local in the first place.  you’ll be able to reference it anytime via the pull down menu in the header up top.   below is the latest summer veggie guide:

see you tomorrow! xo, bonnie

wrap up: {4th of july} {eat local} {guide} {seasonal} {veggies}

this is the last of the gift guides! wow, christmas is coming so fast!  for all of your last minute gift needs- you can print these gifts right at home!  from calendars, recipes cards, stationary and bookmarks- just purchase, print and gift!

row 1 :: printable nature calendar :: overdue book calendar :: silhouette portrait pdfs ::

row 2 :: take a picture printable :: printable wall art :: hello birdies stationary ::

row 3 :: food friends printable recipe :: modern design calendar :: all we need is love cards ::

row 4 :: a baker’s best friend :: pdf woodsy calendar :: mini deer series ::

row 5 :: print ready calendar :: printable recipe cards- pb & j :: ready to print bookmarks ::

wrap up: {calendar} {christmas} {gift} {guide} {holiday} {pdf} {printable}