what a long week it’s been! i’m so happy that in just a few minutes, i’ll be sitting down with my mushroom pizza, ginger ale, and season two, disc three of grey’s anatomy (yes, it’s my newest addiction).

i’m really looking forward to this weekend. i will be updating the site, getting some research done, and working on some new jewelry ideas. now that’s what i call all about me time.

i’ve been out of the blog loop this entire week; i just found out that joy from oh joy! (one of my FAVORITE blogs) is the guest blogger on design sponge (one of my other FAVORITE blogs) - what an absolutely delightful combination! while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out design sponge’s regular blog (you guessed it, another one of my FAVORITE blogs).

also, did anyone check out the events page of the new bust magazine (with gwen stefani on the cover)? take a look at the bottom right hand corner! Thanks for the tip Juliet!

okay.  so maybe i haven’t posted everyday this new year.  oh well.  i am posting whenever i get a chance and that’s what counts, right?  right.

for all of you out in the diy world, i’m sure you know about indie craft documentary.  did you know that you can support the endeavors of faythe and micaela by shopping at their etsy boutique? all of the goods that you see in the shop are donated by artists in support of the film. (can you spot any imogene appearances?)

i started my morning with the most perfect benedict at miss shirley’s.  poached eggs over sweet corn cakes with roasted red pepper and tomato relish with hollandaise sauce on top.  i was so taken that i completely forgot to whip out my camera for a picture of the beautiful dish.  i suppose you will just have to go there and see for yourself!

i was also so happy to receive an e-mail from a recent customer from france!  she was lucky enough to snatch up a jill bliss calendar before they flew off of the shelves.  you can read all about it (in french) at her beautiful blog.  hello else!

i received a large box of handmade chocolates by jer’s for the holidays.  they are just sooo delicious ( i recommend the double delight - 2 lbs of chocolate!).  to my pleasant surprise, each box comes with an inspirational quote.  here is the one in my box:

“some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns

i am thankful thorns have roses.”

-alphone karr, 1808-1890

currently, the books on my desk include:

albertus seba, cabinet of natural curiosities - always an inspiration

josie iselin, leaves and pods - beautiful images

david foster wallace, the broom of the system - a good introduction to wallace

walter foster, fun with calligraphy - i’ve always wanted to learn calligraphy!

you know all is well when work is fun: today i woke up early to photograph new items for the much-needed imogene update. slowly, but surely, in the upcoming weeks, you will see many changes and additions to the store.

on the way is exciting new jewelry by juliet ames (broken plate pendant company), beth pohlman and melissa noonan. (good piece of trivia-we were all classmates in the good ole’ days).

also, there will be a restock of miss alison vegan wristlets and pouches in old AND new designs.

we do apologize though, we are completely sold out of nikki mcclure’s calendar as well as jill bliss’ farm life calendar and do not expect to have them back.

and lastly, but certainly not least: WE WILL NOW BE SHIPPING INTERNATIONALLY!!! hooray! velkommen, bienvenue, velkomin, irashaimasu, benvenuto, bienvendios, welcome!

beth pohlman, sphere necklace, $94

melissa noonan, bird & branch necklace, $32

imogene, blue bobby pin, $5

i cannot sit still right now- i am so excited!: through camilla engman’s blog i found new jewellery. have i been living under a rock?? new jewellry is a blog maintained by valdemar Llndekrantz. from what i can gather, valdemar is a student of art jewelry. am i wrong? (we will see, as i will be contacting valdemar right after this.) valdemar has done a beautiful job of compiling images of contemporary jewelry- with links galore. it must be true - i’ve been living under a huge heavy boulder. let the browsing begin! yet another blog to add to my daily visiting list!
an excerpt from new jewellry:

Mari Ishikawa

Lisa Walker

saturday, january 5th, 2007. 11:50 a.m. baltimore. 75 degrees?? wow. i’ve opened up all the windows in the house- it’s finally breathing again. joey is rolling around in the dirt, steve is off to play football, and here i am with my cup of coffee. all is well. usually, all is well with me as long as there is a cup of coffee involved.

i did not post yesterday so i will be sure to double post today. oh boy! 2 in one day!

to our blog contest winner (she’s got some geography skills y’all), you will be receiving this in the mail shortly:

thank you again for participating!

and now i leave you with shots from my morning.

i don’t get out much these days, but when i do, one of my favorite places to go in baltimore is the owl bar in the historic belvedere hotel (mt. vernon, baltimore). built in 1902, the bar remained open as a speakeasy during the prohibition. the intricate exposed brick and high ceilings will leave you in awe. i always feel as if i am among great spirits whenever i stop at the owl bar- to think of all the people who have passed through the place! above the brass-railed bar are three beautiful stained glass pieces. they read like so:

“a wise old owl sat in an oak”

“the more he saw the less he spoke”

for now, just a glass of wine at home for me.

the bidding has begun! stop by for a gander. i am sure you will be oohing and ahhing over all the lovely items. 100% of the auction proceeds will go to the The James Kim Memorial Fund. bidding ends on january 7th. remember, you can also make a direct donation to the fund by visiting the james and kati website. can i just say how much i love this utterly absolutely adorable piece?? cute overload, indeed.

good luck!

ah! the obligatory list of 2007 goals (an excerpt):

1. learn how to play the harmonica

2. live and love the studio

3. blog everyday for the next month

and now i leave you with a contest! the first person to guess the location of my holiday getaway from the following clues will receive an imogene goodie bag. please post your guess as a comment.

grazing by the atlantic
“j’ai soif!” says the tiny cactus
a view of the location from a volcano that erupted in 1902

bonne annee!