Shinzi Katoh New Arrivals

Memo Pads :

Placemats :





View all the new arrivals here.

Poketo New Arrivals

Canvas Pouches, $6 each

Letter Sets, $8 each

Bonjour Tote bag, $10

Grid Tote bags, $18 each

Book Giveaway : Peace and Plenty : Finding Your Path To Financial Serenity by Sarah Ban Breathnach (1/30/11)

Peace and Plenty : Finding Your Path To Financial Serenity is the latest work from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Sarah Ban Breathnach. Ban Breathnach became famous in the 90s with the publication of Simple Abundance, which to date has sold millions and millions of copies in the US alone. Since the publication of the best selling book, Ban Breathnach has experienced both great financial gains and great financial losses. Peace and Plenty chronicles some of Ban Breathnach's most tragic financial moments and gives tips and advice to readers on how to cope with their own financial down falls (and windfalls as well in a "don't make the same mistakes I did" way). The content of the book is not so much about actual financial advice (though there is some of that) as it is about spiritual and organizational guidance. As a whole, the book is some parts autobiography, spirituality, financial savviness, and seemingly all around cathartic for the author. At times the advice in Peace and Plenty almost feels a little bit too personal and specific to Ban Breathnach herself, so much so that it seems to verge on narcissistic. In once instance the book provides a list of things a "prepared" woman might have in her purse, a list spanning 25+ items, quite distanced from my usual 10 items max (okay okay, maybe 15 on a bad day), but to each their own.

The style and content of the book is very likely to strike a chord with many readers (Simple Abundance does enjoy a 4.6/5.0 rating on Amazon.com after all). Peace and Plenty provides practical advice and comforting words to readers, words that seem to have the potential to boost confidence and give warm fuzzy feelings inside. At 400+ pages, the book also deals with an impressively wide array of topics- at least a few that will apply to any reader: bankruptcy, foreclosure, marriage, divorce, work, spending, shopping, spirituality and oh so much more.

While the book will definitely appeal to many readers in some ways I found this book slightly too dated for my tastes: quotes and excerpts from materials written during the Great Depression (some even earlier than that), tales of binges on Manolo Blahniks (sooo 10 years ago), a writing style reminiscent of the relationship advice section in a fashion mag, and even an I Love Lucy quote thrown in for good measure (though I admit, I do love Lucy). Then again, that is very much the precise aim of the book, to take examples from the past (be they good or bad) and find the silver linings, the heartache, the lessons, the inspiration.

From the Hachette website:

""When money is plentiful, this is a man's world. When money is scarce, it is a woman's world." Unearthed in a 1932 Ladies Home Journal, this quote is the call to arms that begins PEACE AND PLENTY, Sarah Ban Breathnach's answer to the world's-- and her own personal-- financial crisis. As only Ban Breathnach can, she culls together this compendium of advice, deeply personal anecdotes, and excerpts from magazines, books, and newspapers-- particularly those of the Great Depression-- to inspire readers who are mired in today's financial difficulties.

Focusing on her own personal path, Sarah Ban Breathnach will relate never-before revealed details about how she fell from the financial top to the bottom. Readers will immediately see how deeply she understands the plight of those trying to maintain a happy and comfortable home, while at the same time not even knowing if they will be able to make the mortgage to keep that home.

Sarah has proved to be the voice of comfort for years to women who are spiritually bankrupt, and now she will reach to those who are financially strapped, showing them how to pull themselves out of their psychic and fiscal crises while providing deep comfort and reassurance throughout."

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Hachette Book Group is generously offering three lucky readers a hardcover copy of "Peace and Plenty: Finding Your Path To Financial Serenity" by Sarah Ban Breathnach ($24.99 value each).

To Enter: Leave a comment!

Bonus Entry 1: Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect, RSS OR via email (post your email address)
Bonus Entry 2: Follow The Wide World Of on twitter and tweet about the giveaway + leave a link to your tweet (you may tweet once per day for one extra entry each)
NEW Bonus Entry : Stop by our new blog Brixton Street and leave a relevant comment on any post there then let me know where you commented (you may earn one entry per day during each day that you leave a new comment).

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Also make sure to leave your contact info in one of your comments (email address, facebook link, twitter ID, etc.) or have your email address visible in your profile.

This giveaway will end on January 30, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST. Open to US and Canadian readers only. Good luck!

**I was provided with the book mentioned in this post free of charge. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post & was not obligated to give a positive review of the product. All opinions expressed here are mine. **




PLEASE NOTE : We've now moved to a new URL and this giveaway has been moved there. Please visit our new website Brixton Street to enter. If you've already entered here, no worries, your entry is still valid and will be counted. Please leave any new entries or daily tweets on the new blog. Thank you!

Night Owl Paper Goods - New Sale Items

Some great items have been added to the Night Owl Paper Goods sale section where you can save 50-80% off retail prices. Lots of great holiday items are included - an excellent opportunity to stock up for this year! Everything Night Owl is super adorable & the wood cards are sure to make the perfect impression on just about anyone (its totally been working for me)!

fashionable reindeer gift card, $1.25 (was $2.50)


santa owls gift card, $1.25 (was $2.50)

peace dove faux wood cards (set of 25), $9 (was $37.50)

pup warm fuzzy wood card, $3 (was $6)


Click the image below to be taken to the sale:

Books : Cinch! by Cynthia Sass

Read more »

Darling Clementine

Currently loving the gorgeous designs from Norway based design firm Darling Clementine. Everything from the simple (but bright) color palettes to the dainty (but angular) drawings screams perfection. Check out their webstore full of prettiness here: http://darlingclementine.bigcartel.com/






Darling Clementine also has an awesome Tumblr which can be found here: http://dcstudio.tumblr.com/

Moleskine x Pac-Man

In celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Pac-Man, Moleskine has produced some great limited edition Pac-Man Moleskine notebooks. Major want!

Moleskine Pac-Man Pocket Notebook (3.5 x 5.5)
Yellow (plain) and Black (ruled), $14.95 each

Moleskine Pac-Man Large Notebook (5 x 8.25)
Yellow (lined) [not pictured] & Black (ruled), $19.95 each

Be sure to also check out the uber cute stop motion promo video for the collection as well:

Book Review : The Fashion File: Advice Tips and Inspiration from the Costume Designer of Mad Men by Janie Bryant

The Fashion File by Janie Bryant ($26.99) encompasses a wide range topics related to personal wardrobe selection... the fine art of matching your own style preferences to what actually looks best on you. The Fashion File is designed to provide you with fashion inspiration, tips, and other little gems of information. The gorgeously designed 175-page book covers an impressive range of topics- from the standards (choosing pieces to complement body shape, makeup, accessorizing, etc.) to somewhat overlooked topics (menswear, fabric selection, lessons on vintage clothing, etc.)- the book manages to cover an impressive amount of ground.

Bryant, the costume designer for AMC's Mad Men is no stranger to fitting personality with personal style. Her job requires her to match character with clothing and accessories with attitude. But although the book uses the Mad Men series as one of its selling points, you don't actually need to be a fan of the show in order to enjoy the entire book. In fact, Mad Men is used only really used in passing references such as relating certain characters in the series to a particular fashion style or idea. As long as you are familiar with the looks of the characters (the book provides photos), you won't be lost on these references.

No matter what your age, the advice is this book is age appropriate. The book covers universal styles, such as the "little black dress" and basics- things that anyone of any age can wear without looking or feeling ridiculous. The most unique aspect of the book is perhaps that it places such a strong emphasis on options, it provides readers with multiple points of inspiration and allows them to choose among them or to venture elsewhere. For example, the book looks at a number of classic fashion muses (both men and women) from different eras and with very different looks and explains why and how their own unique styles worked for them. Even if you have a strong sense of what you like and what works for you, chances are you will find some advice in the book that you can take to heart.

Giveaway : "The Family Dinner" hardcover book by Laurie David

Laurie David's new book, The Family Dinner is a guide and recipe book meant to strengthen family relationships via, well... the family dinner. The book is full of advice, interesting statistics, interviews, tips and simple recipes meant to please the whole family. Even before reading the book, its hard not to notice the beautiful, colorful layout with pleasing fonts and lovely photographs... all wrapped up in a lovely hardcover volume. The Family Dinner definitely has some of the nicest page layouts I've seen in a book lately, the style keeps the book interesting and fresh & even after having read through the whole thing, upon additional readings you're likely to find a little tidbit of information that you've missed before!

In regard to recipes, David attempts to find an equilibrium between kid friendly dishes and meals that are well balanced and healthy. Everything from breaded meats to salads to cookies are featured in the book- there is even a chapter each dedicated to meatless meals (albeit not very many vegan friendly ones), soups, and dishes that kids can easily put together. In regard to the advice and tips, its widely varied (how to make your meals more green, conversation topics, dealing with divorce + more) and extremely non-preachy.

The book is not pushy or boring, its main goal is to simply help families find a way to spend time together in a way that is both meaningful and fun. While some of the content is a little standard (do I really need another chocolate chip cookie recipe?), you are certain to find something new & useful in The Family Dinner!

From the Hachette website:

"Today's parents have lots to deal with and technology is making their job harder than ever. Research has proven that everything we worry about as parents--from drugs to alcohol, promiscuity, to obesity, academic achievement and just good old nutrition--can all be improved by the simple act of eating and talking together around the table.

Laurie has written a practical, inspirational, fun (and, of course, green) guide to the most important hour in any parent's day. Chock-full chapters include: Over seventy-five kid approved fantastic recipes; tips on teaching green values; conversation starters; games to play to help even the shyest family member become engaged; ways to express gratitude; the family dinner after divorce (hint: keep eating together) and much more. Filled with moving memories and advice from the country's experts and teachers, this book will get everyone away from electronic screens and back to the dinner table."

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Hachette Book Group is generously offering one lucky reader a copy of "The Family Dinner" by Laurie David in hardcover ($29.99 value).

To Enter: Leave a comment!

Bonus Entry 1: Follow this blog via Google Friend Connect, RSS OR via email (post your email address)
Bonus Entry 2: Follow The Wide World Of on twitter and tweet about the giveaway + leave a link to your tweet (you may tweet once per day for one extra entry each)

Please leave a separate comment for each entry. Also make sure to leave your contact info in one of your comments (email address, facebook link, twitter ID, etc.) or have your email address visible in your profile.

This giveaway will end on November 21 , 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. Open to US and Canadian readers only. Good luck!

Giveaway winner: Cathy W

**I was provided with the book mentioned in this post free of charge. I did not receive any monetary compensation for this post & was not obligated to give a positive review of the product. All opinions expressed here are mine. **

Moleskine 2011 Daily Planner Box Set

My bound planner is something I absolutely cannot live without. None of that keeping track of things on my cell phone or embedding dates in my brain, I have to have everything written down. If I could have any planner, I'd want this Moleskine Daily Planner box set - hands down.

From the Moleskine website:

"The 2011 Daily Planner Box set ($39.95) is the perfect combination of a datebook (actually datebooks) that are both functional and practical. Packaged inside a nice protective gift box are 12 individual volant daily planners that are organized by number and color for each month of the year, making them simple to find and also lightweight to carry. Inside each volant is a page per day layout with plenty of room to keep track of your important dates. Also, you will find a year at a glance view and a couple blank pages for extra notes. The box protects, organizes, and preserves with its hard cover and elastic band, while you plan your everyday and look forward to a new color planner each month."

Night Owl Papers Goods : Customizable Holiday Cards for Businesses

Attention business owners: Night Owl Paper Goods has recently released a very lovely selection of customizable holiday cards that are absolutely perfect for businesses- a great way to spread some holiday cheer with your clients!

deer frolic, $3

dove calendar card, $3

cedar stars, $3

Lots more here.

Kate Spade x Jenny Bowers

Paperclip Notes Gift Set (12 foil stamped cards + lined envelopes), $35

Typewriter Notes Gift Set (12 foil stamped cards + lined envelopes), $35


Cherry Blossom Thank You Notes, $25 for a set of 10


Get Organized Spiral Journal, $12


2011 Spiral Desktop Calendar, $20
**all images from katespade.com**

See the rest of the collection here.

Kate Spade Q&A with Jenny here.

Night Owl Paper Goods : Dollar Days Sale : Cards from 35 Cents!

Night Owl Paper Goods' Dollar Days Sale is ON. Beautiful letterpress cards starting at just 35 cents and wood cards from $2 for savings of up to 91%!

Folksy Floral Hearts Card, $3 (was $6)

Party Lion Card, $2 (was $5)

Red Garland "Many Thanks" Card, 50 cents (was $4)

Stone Mantel "Season's Greetings" Card, $5 for 6 (was $14)

Back To School with Marc Jacobs

A few new items from Marc's new Bookmarc store & some Marc by Marc Jacobs special items...

Marc by Marc:

Mini Pencil Set, $8

Branded Sharpies, $1.25 each

Branded mini Sharpies, $2 each

Bookmarc:

Light Bulb Idea Book, $24

Idea Tote, $20

Foureyes Tote, $20