The Best of Westervin 2011

It turns out Westervin has a had a pretty great year. We’ve done a lot, most notably got hitched, and have had a lot of fun. We’ve put together some of the highlights so that you all can take a look back with us. While we certainly feel that we have accomplished a lot in 2011, we are hoping that we can make 2012 even better. We’re full of ideas and all of that fresh start enthusiasm, so look for this train to keep on rolling.

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Buy Handmade? Take My Survey!

So…. I’m in grad school. I’m working towards a degree in arts management, hoping one day to put some business skills to use in the American crafts industry. I like crafts! Big surprise. Here’s why I’m telling you this: I need to do some market research for an assignment, and I’ve chosen to study consumers of handmade goods. Natch. I want to gain a better understanding of the average crafts consumer, to understand their motivations and interests in the handmade movement. And what better way to do that than to gather data on buyers from, perhaps, the largest and most popular handmade marketplace, Etsy? Answer: there is not better way. So, I wanna hear from you! Let’s talk about how much you love (or don’t love) Etsy’s offerings!

Please take a few minutes to complete my survey , answering 12 questions about your Etsy shopping experiences and, in turn, making my life a little bit better. Thank you!

The Shopping Sherpa: Sharp

Clockwise from top left: { No. 442 Citrine Beaded Bracelet from Dinosaur Toes }  { Triangle Wall Shelf in Deep Teal from Junglai }  { Linen Oblong Pouch from Bookhou at Home }  { BEAM Silk Desert Prism Scarf from Callen Thompson }

“Ya say it’s your birthday! Na-na-nuh Na-na-nuh Nuh-nuh!”

I have yet another year under my belt folks. I am now a quarter of a century old! This past weekend was filled to the bubbly brim with celebratin’ and happy relaxin’, and think I’ve found the perfect recipe for the happiest of birthdays.

{ 1 } No birthday is complete without friends. Friends who come to your pizza party. Friends who visit from out of town. Friends who send you beautiful presents. Friends who help make you look really popular by wishing you a happy B-day on your Facebook wall. And you gotta let those friends you know you appreciate them and wanna stay in touch. So get yourself a set of cutesy notecards for saying, “Hey! I’m glad YOU were born, too.”

{ 2 } Speaking of friends who send beautiful gifts, I got this jazzy zippered bag and it’s keeping me stylish AND hella organized! And I hear I’ve got another bestie gift on the way. OH MUH GUH I CAN’T WAIT GIMME PRESENTZZZZZ! Thanks, Megs & Gracie, for feeding this prezzie monster.

{ 3 } If you can, take a day off for your birthday. Srsly. AND, be sure to get yourself a fiance who’s into mixology so he/she can keep you slightly liquored up for the duration of your four day weekend. Drink at least three fancy cocktails a day, everyday, until you have to go back to work. But you can ONLY drink them in champagne saucers! It’s decadent. Obvs.

{ 4 } I’m over purses. They’re big and heavy and expensive and they’re not great for carrying your lunch to work AND your books/planner AND your normal purse-ities. Now, I’m all about the tote. I realize I haven’t happened upon any great discovery here. I’m not gonna be like, “Hey, have you heard about this crazy new-fangled contrapta-ma-jaction called a TOTE BAG?!?!” No. You know what a tote bag is. And I should hope you also understand its greatness. My tote of choice these days? My free Poetry tote from Brian! And you can rock one, too, if you subscribe to Poetry magazine.

{ 5 } First on the birthday wish-list? A Swatch. I gotta look fresh!

{ 6 } I’ve been wanting one of these printer’s drawer jewelry organizers for a while now. There’s a family member who might have a regular printer’s drawer with my name on it, and I might have to get a little crafty with a few hooks and a little paint. I’ll guess we’ll all just have to wait and see…

{ 7 } I don’t care who you are or where you’re from, but I know one thing about you. Even if you don’t know it yourself. You love brunch. How do I know this? EVERYBODY loves brunch. Everybody loves waking up a little late, throwing on their sunglasses and pulling back their unwashed hair to roll out to their favorite little cafe for a mimosa and some fresh grubbins. I am no exception. After a weekend of birthday bashin’ and fun-having, the festivities were complete with a little crab benedict at Longman & Eagle.

The Shopping Sherpa: Holiday Gift Guide for the Happy Homemakers

Gifts from $11 to $40:

{ Gardening Tools Towel from Girls Can Tell }  { Herbal Tea Kit from Cook Outside the Box }  { Acorn Wine Stop from Brenda Watts Woodwork }  { Heart Shaped Flour Scoop from Beehive Kitchenware Co. }

There’s still some time until Christmas, which means there is still time for more holiday gift guides! Today we have homey treasures for the kind-hearted couple who will invite you to their cozy Kansas cottage for a family style cook-out, offering homemade vegan cupcakes and grilled vegetables fresh from their budding garden. Whether it’s gardening, entertaining, or just watching their favorite movie with a few glasses of wine, the Shopping Sherpa knows how to thank these generous and ingenious pals.

Gifts for $10 or Less:

{ Lotus Bowl from Cats Paw Pottery }  { Cherokee Purple Tomato Seeds from The Bear Foot Shaman }  { Owl Bar Towel from Boy-Girl Tees }  { Wine Waiter from The Canton Box Company }

The Shopping Sherpa: Holiday Gift Guide for the Queen Bee

Gifts from $11 to $40:

{ Always Stay Strong Print from Ashley G }  { Bee Skep Necklace from Mama’s Little Babies }  { Orla in Red Apron from Skinny Laminx }  { Antique Rolling Pin from kizzyrayan123 }

Did you think the Shopping Sherpa was finished with his Holiday Gift Guides? Think again, suckas! He’s back with some doozies for that sass-tastic, strong-minded mama we all know and love. She’ll take care of you whether you need it or not. She’ll train your dog, make you biscuits, and stand up to bullies for you. She knows what’s best, and you better listen, cuz she’s only gonna tell you once. (Plus, she’s pretty funny, so that’s another reason.)

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The Shopping Sherpa: Holiday Gift Guide for the Tough Nut to Crack

Gifts from $11 to $40:

{ a r r o w Necklace from A Little Dot }  { Vanilla & Chocolate Natural Perfume from Roxana Illuminated Perfume }  { Dottie Pins from Allyson Mellberg }  { Paper Collage Tile 6 from Essimar }

She’s classy. She’s secretive. She’s part Swedish. How do you pick a gift for the girl that has impeccable (and often indiscernible) tastes? Her silken blond hair is pulled effortlessly back. Her sleek J. Crew cardie is somehow slouchy and clean-cut at the same time. She seems to know the answers to all the pop culture questions in Trivial Pursuit, and you just can’t keep up with her obscure, but clearly cool, references. The solution? Keep it simple. Add just a touch of flair to a classic color palette. You wouldn’t want to offend her refined sensibilities.

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The Shopping Sherpa: Holiday Gift Guide for the Conscientious Crafter

Gifts from $11 to $40:

{ Darling Young Girl Moleskine Journal from Mary’s Granddaughter }  { Custom Wood Handle Address Stamp from Note Trunk }  { The Finger Puppet Pal from The Small Object }  { Creative Mini Art Feeling from Art Mind }

Today’s gifty guide is inspired by the thoughtful, creative type. She’s delighted by tiny cute things and inspired by nature. She’s always there to take care of you when you’re sick, bringing fresh gingersnap cookies, fancy fair trade tea, and a delicately crafted card.

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The Shopping Sherpa: Holiday Gift Guide for the Badass with a Heart of Gold

Gifts from $11 to $40:

{ Rabbit Portraits Print Set from The Black Apple }  { Goldfish Tights from Gal Stern }  { Icicles Metallic Leather Necklace from Super Duper Things }  { Gold Cloud Mobile from The Butter Flying }

It’s that time of year again, folks. Time to pull out your bathing suit and beach towels for a weekend in the sun. What?! I’m just seeing if you’re paying attention… It’s actually time for holiday shopping ( if you’re a rabid consumer like me) and you know what that means (if you haven’t already deduced from the title): the Shopping Sherpa’s Holiday Gift Guides are back (and better than ever)!

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Giveaway: Candleholders from She Sits By The Seashore

NOTE: This giveaway has ended. Please check for more recent giveaways here!

Well kiddos, Westervin is one year older, and we’re all one week closer to Christmas. We thought this the perfect time to offer another one of our famed (I exaggerate) giveaways! And thanks to the generosity of two long-time readers, Mandy and her son BJ, we can offer you a chance to win the cutesy set of vintage brass deer candleholders (say that thee times fast) that you see before you! Read our interview with Mandy and BJ below, then leave a comment to enter the giveaway.

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