Going to Germany!

Surprised my hubs with a trip to Germany for Christmas.  He's always wanted to go, and I've always been "why don't we go to Disney World or Japan instead?"  A good marriage requires give and take, however, so I thought I'd finally let him see his motherland.

Bad sign: googling "Germany cute" comes up with nothing besides a translation of "cute" in German.

Even worse sign: googling "Germany for girls" brings up 50 Hottest German women, and pr0n.

Worst sign: My friend Steve confirmed today that German food kind of sucks.

At least we'll have polka...

Christmas gift

Poetry by Chelsey Minnis and Sylvia Plath from my favorite brother.

Panda Rice Balls

 Not Christmas themed, but still fracking cute.

Shinzi Katoh Design

I came across this designer at the Mitsukoshi Department Store at Epcot.  (Full disclosure: I spent and excessively long time in that store!)

 

Katoh is a well known illustrator and designer in Japan.  I can see how his work would be popular with children; several of his images reminded me of illustrations I saw in various books as a kid.

According to his bio, Katoh is a Zakka designer in Japan.  Zakka refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance.  These are often kitschy household objects, which I seemingly can't get enough of.

We bought this collection of four Katoh postcards (all fairy tale themed) and framed them in a floating picture frame.  It was about $20 for the art and the frame all together.

Christmas Elves

"It's just nice to meet another human that shares my affinity for elf culture" -Buddy the Elf 

A Twee Elf: 

Love the movie ELF!  So many great quotes:
Buddy:  "I thought maybe we could make ginger bread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and maybe even hold hands."



Un-Twee Elf:

Kind of creepy.  An all-knowing, tattle-tale elf that is sold en masse to threaten kids into being good this holiday season?  Bah Humbug, indeed!

"Owl" I want for Christmas

"A wise old owl sat on oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?"

"Owl Clean" shower curtain rings from $14.99 for 12 at Modcloth.  Yes, I would accept shower curtain rings as a Christmas gift if they were this darn cute.

"If you can't stop the hoot" apron $36.99 also from Modcloth.  This apron might even encourage me to cook more often. 

 Owl earrings with a touch of class.  The face almost looks like Hello Kitty.  $78 at Coach