Geez. I haven't done a real post since Thanksgiving! I guess it's apparent how high up my blog is on my priority list. Seriously, I really do care and I promise to post often this year! (And by often, I mean once every other month...I kid.) Although 2006 definitely had its positive moments, it was a personally tumultuous year for people in my family with sickness, surgery, a layoff, and most recently, the passing of a beloved aunt.
So, I'm glad that 2007 is here. And I'd like to share some thoughts for the new year. First, let me just get this out of the way: Like a bajillion other people, I'm looking forward to the new season of 24, The Wire, and Project Runway. Who isn't, right? And I can't wait for Bravo's Top Design which is supposed to start this month. Hmm...interesting cast. What's up with the tight tees and jeans combo? I guess it isn't a show about fashion...

This year I'd also like to spend quality link-chasing time getting my laugh on via McSweeney's. I never leave that site disappointed! My favorite piece continues to be: WHAT I WOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IF I WERE BILLY JOEL DRIVING TOWARD A HOLIDAY PARTY WHERE I KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE A PIANO by Michael Ian Black--that title alone is hilarious.

And I hope McSweeney's author Lisa Brown adds another book to her "Baby Be of Use" series, which is excellent bedtime reading for your little ones, I might add. "Baby Fix My Car" is my one-year old son's favorite. I hope she's gearing up for new titles. If so, I'd love to see: "Baby Do My Laundry" and "Baby, Where are My F*cking Keys?" Okay, maybe without obscenity...
And on the design tip: I'm curious to know who West Elm is going to knock off in 2007. Besides Jonathan Adler, who is clearly their favorite artist to copy. A quick peak in their latest catalog and it looks like, Helene Ige is their latest victim:

Helene's is velvet, West Elm's is cotton. She's got a beetle, they've got a grasshopper. Helene use's gold metallic foil, they're using gold metallic sequins. Very clever West Elm. Very clever.
And on a positive note, it looks like they were forced to change their "etched botanical wall art", the previous design was a near direct copy of Beth Weintraub's work. Looks like someone got a cease and desist letter!
And what's in store for me in 2007? I'd love to put together another Modern Economy sale in SF (hopefully in March) and again in LA (maybe in August). I'm also looking forward to doing the National Stationery Show with Relish Accessories in May 2007. And I have a craft-related title with Chronicle Books coming out in August/September 2007. What else? Hmmm..just taking over the world, you know, stuff like that.