16 (MORE) Awesome Things!

*originally published November 25, 2021

It's been a little while since I updated my AWESOME things list (you can visit the original one back in the April 2020 blog), so I'm doing that today. Cue the enticing music.

Over here in Ottawa, it's rainy and dismal today so clicking around the interweb and reminding myself of some of my fave things was just the thing to lift my spirits.

As always, I'm sharing with you in case you, too, are looking for something to bring a smile. Or maybe something that would make a sweet Christmas gift (if you're not gonna buy them a Ply Studio gift card, which I'm sure was your first choice :). So, grab your coffee or tea and have fun poking around in these completely awesome things!

DIY
 Austin Kleon's Gratitude Zine (and a few others that are equally cool)! 

A list of 30 Christmas projects to get you in the spirit.

Lia Griffith's website is PACKED with DIY ideas - and super well organized, too! 

Gifts for Kids
Boolah Baguette is my very favourite custom doll maker, located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (shout out!). Even if you can't snag one of her amazing creations in time for Christmas, you simply MUST check out her work - it's just so cute! (and thanks to one of my sisters for putting me on to BB many years ago)

KiwiCo has brought most of my nephews, nieces and my own kids great surprises and hours of fun through the mail. PLUS, you can shop last minute and not miss anyone!

The Kindred Studio is great for kid apparel AND laundry detergent. :)

Gift ideas for the bigger people on your list
Knitbrooks is a small-scale, handcrafted fibre tools company located in Nova Scotia. Beautiful stuff!! Great stocking stuffers for the fibre enthusiasts in your life!

ANIÁN is a great company located on Canada's west coast. I love their melton wool blankets and plan to pick up a couple for those hard to buy folks on my list. I ALSO love their company statement: ANIÁN was designed to create garments for a variety of social occasions and weather conditions without harming the environment. Simple. Beautiful.

Uppercase is my favourite magazine of all time (well ... maybe after Sassy when I was a teenager). It is ads-free and created by a one-woman team in Calgary (little known fact: the editor's office is in the same office building AND suite that I used to work in when I lived in Calgary! How's that for a sign from the universe that I was bound to LOVE this publication so much??).

Wellness+Movement
Headspace has been my go-to app for years - for meditation and focus music.

Do Yoga with Adriene - maybe try her last 30 day challenge?  

Get Organized!
I'm trying to get on top of all my digital organization (uh). This video really helped me to organize my 24,384 photos and thousands of videos. Not joking.

Podcasts
I have loved Cathy Heller's podcast for many years. Don't let the title throw you off if you AREN'T ready or interested in quitting your day job. So much other great content and she is just a really good interviewer.

Other things
Brain Food from Shane Parrish and Farnam Street. His Sunday newsletters are packed with interesting insights and well-curated writing.

The Art of Doing Stuff is clever, funny, AND useful. Check it out!

STILL ON THE LIST (because the pandemic is still a thing)
Julie Nolke is still just so funny (as she explains the pandemic to her past self). You'll want to watch everything on her YouTube channel! 

***
I hope you truly stay well and happy through this holiday season. If you need a break from it all, stop by the Studio and see what we have going on? Like some handspun pom pom garlands (December 5th), seasonal mandalas (December 12th), felted ornaments (December 14th) or just general merriment! You're always welcome here (with masks and double vaccination, of course).
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- Carmen xo