1. I just completed reading the most wonderful book! If you are a woman who has dreams of being an entrepreneur or have other big career goals, I highly recommend the book "Basic Black" by Cathie Black, the president of Hearst Magazines. It is extremely well written, you almost feel as though you are sitting down to have a one-on-one conversation with Cathie over a cup of tea. For each point she makes, she shares a personal story that reflects why the point is valid and how it can be executed in your own career. I loved every minute of it. My mother gave me my copy for Christmas this year, and it was such a wonderful gift. It would be fabulous to give to any motivated female graduate too!
2. I just discovered the most adorable children’s clothing catalog. It’s called Mini Boden and they are located in the UK. There is a flat shipping rate for US customers. Everything is made of high quality cottons & other fabrics that wash beautifully and last forever. The little girls selection is especially fabulous and practically irresistible!!! I am in love with all of the unique patterns & color combinations they offer. Super trendy, but a little classic retro at the same time. Hannah created her wish list and it is over a page long. Decisions, decisions! Oh, and don’t even get me started on the accessories! (Yup, that’s right! Sneakers, flip flops, headbands and more!!!)
3. David and I found the most incredible restaurant in Nashville! I know there are quite a few readers who are near that area and I just had to spread the word! Flyte restaurant is a perfect haven for foodies who love to experiment with unique flavor combinations! We felt like we were at the judge’s table on Top Chef! The presentation was impeccable and the taste of each and every bite was unforgettable. There wasn’t a crumb left on any plate after each course! They also have an extensive wine selection with a wait staff that is fabulous at suggesting pairings. The ambiance is perfect for a little romantic date with your significant other. We are anxious to have the opportunity to go back again soon!
4. I have heard so many interesting guesses regarding the sneak peek image I shared the other day! I thought I would offer up another one today! This image is from the same set as the last one. I am very curious to hear what you might think it could be!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
5. My dear friend Mish made THE most adorable baby gift using one of our egg boxes the other day. I just LOVE what she did! You have to check it out and bookmark it for future reference, especially if you have a baby shower to attend anytime soon!!!
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
6. I was going through all of my projects the other day, trying to reorganize my studio a bit, and I came across this one from November. I think this is one of my favorite projects ever! I’ve always loved simple black & white designs, not only in paper crafting, but in my wardrobe too! Have you tried your hand at creating a black & white project yet? Go through your stash and pull out everything black or white and start playing! It is really fun to look at your stamps in a different way and create black & white patterns! If you take me up on this little challenge, be sure to post a link to your project in the comments section so I can check it out!
Hey Nichole, Great post… I sent you an email about Boden.
Take care,
emily
Hmmmm, I wonder what the stamps could be !! *wink*
So glad you discovered Boden. I fell in LOVE with them a couple of years ago when they had these pink and green jeweled kitten heels. I tried several times to order them, but they were always sold out. I really miss not having those shoes. 🙁
How are your kids? I miss seeing pictures of them.
Today’s sneak peek is a Mariner’s Compass.
yesterday was a funky tree and today a compass…hmmm, i wonder what the new release could be?
Oh boy, I have no clue what those peeks could be . . . can’t wait to see though!! Thanks for sharing the list of favs with us!! 🙂
I too see a compass and would have guessed a nautical theme. But ~ yesterday’s sneak peek looked like a tree?
Oh, it looks like maybe one of the sets (if these both come from the same set) will be all graphic images. Definitely different and I can’t wait to see what else there is!!
The hint is part of a compass rose, so now I think the first clue looks like waves – since it’s getting to be summer (it’s almost here YEAH!) I’m now guessing a ocean – nautical theme
Definitely seems like a compass, I wonder if we are getting thrown off because you are changing the scale of the images? Could it be a travel theme…and Indian Elephant?
Oh, Oh…what about the first image be water spraying out of a whale’s spout??!!
I also love Mini Boden but the sell out really quickly order as soon as you see something you like!
I can tell April is going to be a great month!!!
Victoria
I definitely looks “nautically” the sneak peek yesterday (now that I saw the nautical star) could be Poseidon blowing the wind??? It’s a stretch!
I’m gonna go w/ the whale and the compass…a nautical theme like someone else said??? Love Mini Boden…have ordered from them actually online somewhere… Thanks for sharing some of your faves w/ us…I do the same on my website and blog from time to time and ppl seem to like it. Very cool! Can’t wait til the countdown begins!!
I think travel too – nautical with the circles, and a compass. Very interesting… Im watching closely.
I was thinking it might have something to do with world travelling, vacation or along those lines.
It is funny you mention black and white. We have a thread going on the forum for black and white cards (while the cat’s away) and we posted quite a few pictures and links there.
Here is my simple card I made for my hubby
http://homemadegreetings.blogspot.com/2008/03/while-cats-away.html
I think today’s is a compass ans yesterday was a tree…..
At my first look, I thought perhaps part of a stained glass window art…but with the summer season coming, I think the nautical and compass are terrific possibilities. What a fun read this post has been. Thanks!
Nichole, if you haven’t already, be sure and see the While the Cat’s Away thread on the forum. Lol, we were playing with black & white while you were gone! With the compass, I’m going to sit and think how I can get that ‘tree’ to look like something Patriotic, or nautical!! Of course, the compass shows up in lots of country decorating, too- Love the hints!
My guess is a travel themed set.
This looks like a compass to me, too.
Compass rose and tree–masculine, Father’s Day coming up–I think it is a set geared towards masculine cards! Amy
I love this post! It’s so great sharing those things we love and are excited about at this moment in our lives. I’ll have to check out Mini Boden.
The set you’ve given us peaks at looks very very interesting, bold and a little masculine. I have no idea what it could be. I’m stumped! I can’t wait to see it.
I’m so excited about the sneak peeks! It is so much fun. Thank you for the black and white challenge. I made a black & white card over the weekend and this lead me to build on it. http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=7761
I thought it looked like a bike wheel…a compass would be too easy to guess. Guess I’ll soon find out.
Hey Nichole!
Everyone is going crazy trying to figure out what these sneak peeks are! I’m with them too! LOL!
Here is my simple b&w card!
http://kelseyforester.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html#8750239852311473706
I thought today was a compass, and yesterday was an elephant snarfing out water from his trunk… so I’m thinking a safari … Africa… travel map… zoo theme!!!
I’m definitely seeing a nautical compass in today’s sneak peak.
Yesterdays I saw an elephant’s snout with spiral balls coming out of his trunk???
You have me curious as ever!
Hugs,
Renee
I originally thought yesterday’s sneak peek was a funky tree, but with today’s compass, I looked again and thought maybe a whale (or an elephant???) spraying water. We’ve still got a week before the real sneak peeks — this is going to KILL me!!!
oooohh, your sneak peeks are so interesting. I love the bold look of them…much different looking than most of your other sets!!!!!!!!!! I can’t wait to see it all!!
It looks like a nautical set to me. I thought the first one was a stylized fish/whale and water…
Beautiful box and bracelet! ..and thank you so much for sharing! I love finding new things! I am going to be looking for this book. I also love mini Boden and I get the grownup version as well….Boden. The clothes are fab! Everything is so well made. You will love everything you order! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful day! 🙂
Looks like travel…definitely a mariner’s compass. Definitely good for masculine cards…I know we all will LOVE it!
I thought yesterday’s image was a tree but now that I see a compass rose I’m thinking it could be a crashing wave or a westerly wind blowing and I’m just wondering if a mermaid will soon show up on your blog!
I was jsut introduced to Boden too! I got my lil cousins a bunch of goodies and the shipping was free and 10@ of the order woohoo!
Wow I have no idea what these peaks all add up to. All of the ideas on the forum sure are fun. Cant wait to really see what it is on the 15th. I made a few simple B&W cards and posted them on my blog.~Erica
http://1creativelife.blogspot.com/
I’m thinking maybe a travel stamp set??? or something about other lands??
I think it is a nautical compass. So I am thinking a boat/ocean/summer at the beach themed set.
Thank you for posting the sneak peaks!
I would definitely guess that the peak is for a travel related set. This peak looks like a compass of some sort.
Today’s peak looks like a nautical compass/star, and yesterdays looked like a tree, so could it be “outside at night”? The swirly tree, and then the star reminds me of Van Gogh’s paintings a little, only his skies were swirly… I’m probably TOTALLY off.
Today’s seek peek is a compass.
Today’s sneek peak is a compass….hmmmm…what could the set be???
Thanks for the challenge. Here is what I came up with. Hope you like it. http://terrbear38.blogspot.com/2008/04/black-and-white-shapes-by-design.html
I am eagerly awaiting the next release. I am thinking a tree and compass rose too.
What wonderful goodies! Basic Black will be a gift for part of my granddaughter’s graduation gift, she’s off to law school in August.
I shied away from the catalog…I have four granddaughters – 3,4, 3, & 2, I need my money for PTI realeses, LOL.
I have a dear friend from Memphis, I must tell her about this restaurant for when she goes home to visit.
Mish’s gift is “OFF THE HOOK”!
I covet that bracelet, I know I shouldn’t. That would be an awesome prize, you could put the winners initial on it. Mine is “J”, LOL.
Are the clues for “travel”?
TFS and have a GREAT weekend.
I am thinking nautical or travel. Camping maybe? It is all looking good. 🙂 I did some black and off-white cards for my grandmother. Thank you for the inspiration.
http://lizzybellsfrozendelights.blogspot.com/
I’m going to guess a hot air balloon!
Today’s sneak peak is what we called in French a “Rose des vents”. I think that in English it is a Nautical compass. Are you going to be travelling? A travel set is coming? Great!
Nichole, thanks for review on Basic Black. I work for a Fortune 500 Company and thought this would be a great book to read as well. This weekend, I went to Borders Book Store to purchase it. I finished the book in two evenings! And you are right, it’s a great book! Thanks so much for the recommendation.
Here is a card inspired by your project! http://forum.papertreyink.com/forum/gallery2.php?g2_itemId=10110
Great articles and it’s so helpful. I want to add your blog into my rrs reader but i can’t find the rrs address. Would you please send your address to my email? Thanks a lot!