----------------------------------------------------------------------

Do you make a list every year, whether it is physical or mental? I know I am not alone in this. {that comment was meant to make you laugh by the way} I have overheard and within-heard of people and friends talking about they lists they want to make this year or the opposite and not wanting to make a list at all because they just fail in the end. : / I would be lying if I said it didn't make me sad when I heard the latter.  Lists are good [in my opinion] and fun to keep. I have kept many of my "to-do/change/want/need" lists from years past, and they really crack me up.... Plus, they are hard copies of what I held as priorities. So they become a blueprint as to what my mind was focusing on at the time. Some of the things I am not totally proud of [not like, bad horrible things that would send me to jail but just those tangible wants] but others I find really precious. I hope to make more precious lists as the years go by and as I grow older and learn more and more about what is most important in life.  My list above is simple [on purpose] and there is a formula within that I will share with you. It goes like this: If I {roxy} wants lots of things all the time, then two things come to mind. 1. Am filling some kind of inner void by wanting this? Is it a personal gratification thing or an outsider gratification. Meaning, do I want it just so others can see it and compliment it? and 2. When wanting things all the time, this means I have to set aside time to either search for it online or go to a store. Let's be honest here, most shopping is never in and out in a jiffy...you see other things, NEW things that you want, and then you get sidetracked....yep, still talking about me, but you in general. So this wanting and shopping takes time. It takes time away from me creating and making. It takes time away from Jesse, friends, and family. This is my formula for keeping me from wanting less and shopping less...no matter the income. We all have people we look up to...some of my "hero's" are those that live very minimal lifestyles but at the same time maintain the cozy within. One of my favorite sources of "cozy/minimal" inspiration comes from Nordic Flavor. I live vicariously through these home owner's spaces. Here are some of my favorite images that exudes the kind of feeling and lifestyle that both Jesse and I really love and strive for within our home. I can't wait till we move into a house someday just so I can see what our place will really look like with our items spread out and actually put away. Due to our lack of closet space, many of our "put away" items line our apt. walls, for instance our shop vac and my four poster twin bed frame are just hanging out in our bedroom...it could make some people's skin crawl....but it's actually pretty funny. :)  

Lastly:

Thank you to those who read my blog whether you are anonymous or not. I do feel a little shy and awkward about saying thank you...because it feels almost self-centered. But I have made some really special friends through blogging since 2005...and look forward to making some more. xo 

Jesse and I get to carpool to work everyday.  I love it.  I love it because he is my husband, and so funny...but I really love it because I don't have to drive! I am not a big fan of driving, it's exhausting and makes me so terribly sleepy.  Annnyways, on our way to work today, Jesse said that he can't wait for summer to come. I am excited as well, but I love fall and winter the mostest. However, after seeing this video from Tiger in a Jar, made exclusively for Kinfolk....I am now getting a slight summer itch....and an itch to make our own honey!

honey harvest from tiger in a jar on Vimeo.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas... and got some relaxing in.  I read a lot of books [children's books. please, I am not a fast reader] over the weekend at my mom & stepdad's, and came across a new favorite : "Leif The Lucky" from one of my very favorite children's book illustrators Ingri & Edgar Parin d'Aulaire.

The illustrations are so imaginative and you will stay on each page forever studying all the detail. The Parin d'Aulaire's are a huge inspiration of mine when drawing my own little children's books...especially because each illustration was a lithograph.

You can find a copy HERE. 

I just ordered mine, and can't wait to share more images with you on my children's book blog.

Other than reading over the weekend, and spending time with family...we had a very nice holiday. 

<>

Here is our Christmas card that we sent out... Jesse did some painting on top of it in photoshop. 

It first started out with me asking Jesse to take some photos of me with my faux crows...and then afterwards when he was playing around my photos...I thought that we should make a card out of it...and include him. I love his expression.  This card is a pretty good description of our relationship. :-[) hehehe lol

The mini photo-shoot was inspired by this image below.

 I apologize for not having a link to it, I can't recall where I found it.... 

<><><>

Lastly, I just came across this cute shop: Wolf Art & Glass.... these necklaces are so fun.

I love the holidays - specifically Christmas. Not because of the gifts I receive but the gifts I get to give. I am actually a walking contradiction though when it comes to gifts, because as much as I love giving them...it is the getting that I have a hard time with. Receiving gifts brings out anxiety in me...and I have all these thoughts going through my head, such as: Will I get a "How to Paint Like Bob Ross" book again [that gift from my mother was not as a joke... :/] or something on the same lines, how do I react to such a gift that makes my response believable? What if they made this gift, and it's not my style but yet...do I have to keep it in my home? :/ All these stresses come out...but about a month ago I decided this: SO WHAT! So what if it isn't something that I wouldn't buy myself, or that you may not want to decorate with or bake with. Overall, I realized that the art of receiving a gift is to gracefully say "Thank you so much" AND love that person for having even having you in mind...well ME for my situations.  If you want to go further with adding..."I love it so much or how did you know?" That is totally fine. but really, a simple and genuine THANK YOU SO MUCH is all one needs to do...

So, with that said. Two weeks ago we had our little art dept. Christmas Party. We went to the Spaghetti Factory in Trolley Square for lunch [I LOVE the decor in that place, especially the ceiling and light fixtures] and we all exchanged gifts. Our theme was to give everyone something that you love that was within a 5$ budget.  Here is what I received from my coworkers. I loved every gift. :) My coworker Sarah was the one who made the animals w/ plants. See her blog HERE.

This is what I gave my co-workers :)

some hand painted mugs and a new zine of mine with some of my new characters.

Sarah was also super sweet in giving me another gift just the other day. A scarf she found for me at the thrift store. This girl has record scores of finding such pretty things. I love the scarf, but my true favorite was  how everything was put together. The visible thought that was there that said to me: I love using my hands, and find pleasure in the tiny delicates.  :-[) The tiny delicates are some of the cutest things in the world! 

And then yesterday I received a Merry Christmas package from my dear friend Vivi!

She seriously is a master at the tiny delicates and has this special Swiss finger touch that is consistent with everything she makes. I love all things Vivi! :) 

With all those gifts mentioned...I don't want it to seem like a brag fest of : "Oh look what IIII got" type of deal. No, it's not that at all. I was actually meaning to have this post up last week but was so busy with work. I wanted to do this post because of all the consistent Christmas Present posts we have all seen in the blogosphere of what to get your loved ones. With me and Jesse's budget being very limited, 90% of the items people are talking about are just not affordable right now for family and friends. That's why homemade gifts are always nice...or thrifted ones! All the gifts above are affordable  and very low maintenance to make. i.e. Vivi's favorite recipes that she wrote down for me! I LOVE this...or even buying a nice sheet of paper and writing one's favorite poem or song on there and then getting a 50 cent frame at the thrift store to go in it... these  gifts are sure to make your loved ones smile and melt. :) 

<><><><><><>

Lastly, another new character "Billar" has entered our little home. I can't wait for the day when we finally move into a house because it is getting cramped with me, Jesse, and all 200+ Roxy Marj characters...Plus they are always sooooo hungry! Jesse and I are probably going to have to get second jobs here soon to maintain feeding them... if you have any inexspensive, yet healthy ideas on how to feed my little friends...PLEASE DO SHARE! :-[)

Billar : Oh my gosh, this little guy is too sweet for words... he is extremely observant, and finds happiness in the tiniest of things... I love him so much. :)

whoopsies :  Okay a double lastly.

As mentioned a month ago, I was supposed to have a little pop-up shop last weekend. It did not happen. So, to those of you who had mentioned you wanted to come [thank you by the way] rest assured...nothing went down, and that it got bumped to February, right before Valentines day. This happened because of my work load, holiday parties, my intern Tilly dealing with finals etc. It was too crazy and not worth us pulling all nighters for and getting stressed.... I apologize in the lateness of this message.  

I hope you have a wonderful weekend, and enjoy all the tiny delicates that Christmas & New Years has to offer! Love to you all.... Roxy Marj :-[)

Hope you all had a fun weekend...I am still hoping for snow. : /  I had this thought the other day while wishing for snow: what would our world be like if people had control over the weather? I want to see a movie with this being the main theme...sounds interesting, no? ha! or perhaps you're thinking "that is the lamest thing I have ever heard" lol okay okay...you just calm down now...

But really, this weekend was fun and chill and inspiring... a couple highlights:

Jesse landed a really cool job with an outdoor wholesale company working with their marketing team. I am so excited about this because he works just 3 blocks from me...this is extra special considering that my work is out in the industrial area of Salt Lake...and even more super special because we only have 1 car...we really got blessed! Booya for blessings! :-[)  Annnnyways, so because getting a job [especially a happy one] is such a big deal, I thought it only appropriate to find something for Jesse for congratulating him. In my search for something memorable, I came across the artist Jon Knox and instantly fell in love with this drawing of what looks like in my mind, a cartoon version of Jesse! :-[) lol He loved it and was happily surprised. I found the frame at one of my favorite home goods shops here in Salt Lake: Emilie Jayne. 

<><><>

Due to our kitchen being tiny and our counter space being about as big as a cutting board, I rarely bake these days. It is sad actually...because I do like to bake, but I like counter space more. : / Well, we had some pie dough leftover from Thanksgiving along with some Granny Smiths, so I made a lattice apple pie. I have always done deep dish apple pie, but wanted to try out this recipe that I saw awhile ago, and let me just say....that pie turned out fantastic! The trick is to pour the mixture over the entire pie instead of mixing it in with the apples... a new favorite. And then last night I made some peppermint cheesecake squares for the 3 o'clock snack that I am in charge of at work today...we have been doing a snack every day so far for December. I have only tasted a snippet..but so far so good.

Apple Lattice Recipe HERE

Peppermint Cheesecake Recipe HERE

<><><>

Lastly, the most inspiring thing I experienced this weekend was watching "Buck" with Jesse. He had watched it a couple days ago and said it was one of the best movies he had ever seen. This is absolutely hands down my favorite movie! I cried like a baby through most of it, and was devastated when it ended. I want to meet this man so bad...we also want horses now too. I recommend just buying this movie though instead of renting it...it also would make a great Christmas present...I have a list building of who is getting this and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger... 

Here is an article about the movie appropriately titled "Buck: the movie that is making grown men cry"

Just your typical day at Uppercase Living.... I love my coworkers! :-[)

Have a great weekend friends!

both images of Etta James and duck from Corbis

As an early Christmas present, Jesse got me a laptop last weekend. I have been on the search for the perfect laptop cover... You could easily make one similar to these styles for next to nothing. Just buy a 100% wool sweater at a thrift store, felt it, cut it, sew it.  Would make a great Christmas gift! <- No that was not a plug for myself. :[)

Shuky - $109.00 13" & 15"

Byrd & Belle - $76.00 - $83.00  13", 15", 17"

Timberline Treasures - $50.00 13" & 15" covers

The Love Stitch - $55 - 15" cover

Twelve South BookBook - $79.99 15"

P.A.P. Sweden -  55 Euro - 99 Euro

I mentioned a couple weeks ago about my husband Jesse, his brother kyller and Jesse's best friend Adam, all working on a "secret" project for a window display here in downtown Salt Lake. Black Friday was the unveiling of it and was a huge success! After they unveiled their display to the public, I had people asking me if their cookie machine was really making the cookies. I will never tell! ha! Also, seeing all the kids just stare at it in awe and then receive free cookies from the machine brought some vintage Christmas nostalgia to me that reminded me of everyone's favorite classic Christmas movies like Miracle on 34th st. or The Christmas Story.... If you are in the Salt Lake City vicinity, I recommend gathering up some kids and going to see their "Mechanics of Christmas" window display at Deseret Book. It will be up till the beginning of January.

Jesse, Kyller, & Adam in shop working on the display - sorry for the blurry photo...

Here is the "making of" video..... it gets me choked up every time I watch it. :] I am so proud of my husband and how hard he worked on this. But I am more proud of how the three of these guys worked so well together for the last 3 months, and even during stressful situations were always calm and having fun. I admire that so much. :) 

This video was made by M4 Creative Agency for Deseret Book

Didn't get a whole lot done last week due to being under the weather... 

I did however get to build a gingerbread house with Jesse at our friends place over the weekend. That was a lot of fun, trying not to eat the candy while making it was hard. Avoiding sugar [especially ice cream] when I am sick feels like a workout sometimes. On a happier note...at least 2 of my succulents are doing well...the others, I am just praying they will hold out till we move to another place with more sunlight. 

<><><>

I love Thanksgiving because of it's message: Be Thankful. It's not hard for us to think of things we are grateful for...this was the list that kept going round and round in my head.... What were some of the things you were thinking of? Yes, I REALLY want to know! :)

donkey image via corbis

I just saw this video on  sfgirlbybay [a blog I read daily] and at first I thought "me posting this wouldn't help much" but then realized if I was in this similar situation and other people had that same thought...then yeah, nothing would probably happen. Please watch this video you guys and spread it as soon as possible...I can't imagine if this was me. :(

* with that said... I have been under the weather this past week... but lots more posts on the way.