Guest Wish List: Dana Balch

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, Laurel Hill, Dear Hearts, Seed and Plate, Treehouse, Recipe for Press, Morgangster, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today, the last guest post in this project comes from Dana from Athens Street Style. 

The holiday season is a perfect time to stock up on accessories, support the artists in my life, reflect and reorganize. Here are a few of my picks! - Dana

1. I love how this case is reminiscent of Audrey's Funny Face dance number.

 Kate Spade Dancing Legs Hologram iPhone case $40

2. Kristine was our very first apartment tour on the blog. I'd love to pick up a few prints and ceramics from her this season.

Kristine Leschper ceramic mugs $20

3. Kind of in love with eyeball printed everything this season.

  Falconwright eyeball pouch $68

4. Datter has some of the sweetest little trinkets (and duh! more eyeballs!)

Datter Industries rings

skulls: $64

hands: $55

eyeball: $64

5. My life is a jumbly mess without a notebook. 

Moleskine 12 month 2014 planner $20

6. This incredible statement necklace would make me feel like an ancient goddess.

Laurel Hill Harvest necklace $158

Guest Wish List: Morgangster

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, Laurel Hill, Dear Hearts, Seed and Plate, Treehouse, Recipe for Press, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today's guest post comes from one of the first people I met in Athens, GA (Russell Hall dorm buds!), Morgan Cogswell of Morgangster. Morgan is one of only a handful real-life Tina Fey's in my life, which you should know is one of the highest compliments I could give. 

Morgan works in Athens as a graphic designer and loves shirley temples, bike riding, breakfast foods, and Netflix. She dislikes olives and writing about herself in the 3rd person. She writes regularly about living in Normaltown and other such things over at her personal blog, Morgangster  and is the music columnist for The Lovely Project. Follow along with her Normaltown Instagram project at #normaltownproject 

"The holidays always stir up a certain amount of nostalgia for me: the traditional decorations, the songs, the unspoken gift-giving rivalry amongst my siblings... 

Though I try to outdo them by coming up with the best, coolest gifts for the best, coolest people I know... mostly I love the look on their faces when they open their gifts. The saying stands... it IS better to give than to receive! Here are some gifts that are on my radar for the many best/cool people in my life." - Morgan

1. evo Haze Styling Powder: If you or someone you love suffers from "baby-hair-mopville" (as the bottle suggests) this stuff is your new best friend. // You can find it here or, if you live in Athens, at Model Citizen Salon. // $29.95

2. Stainless steel wine glasses: The Great Outdoors + Wine. Nothing more needs to be said. // Find them here // $13.52

3. Crosley Cruiser Turntable: Not only will this cool little guy play your records, but also there's a jack for your iPod. // online here // $99.95

4. Encyclopedia of the Exquisite: I received this beautiful book last year for my birthday, and I have enjoyed thumbing through the pages a little at a time ever since. It's exactly what it says it is: "Cleverly illustrated, Encyclopedia of the Exquisite is an ode to life’s plenty, from the extravagant to the eccentric. It is a cele­bration of luxury that doesn’t necessarily require money." // online here // $21.83

5. Artifact Uprising Books: This may be one of the things I'm most excited about this year. I take a lot of photos (Instagram and otherwise) but never really know what to do with all the pictures. These beautiful little books are just perfect for storing all your memories. // online here and via their app // $16.99

6. Glory Glory Prints:  I'm a designer here in Athens and have been selling these Georgia themed prints for a while now. I've just recently moved to having them printed here in town, so this is an exciting new development for my tiny Glory Glory shop. For the holidays, I'm currently offering free shipping on these guys! 11x14 and available in both gray and black. // online here // $18.00

Keep up with Morgan! // blog // shop // design

Guest Post: Recipe for Press Gift Guide

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, Laurel Hill, Dear Hearts, Seed and Plate, Treehouse, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today's gift guide comes to use from Recipe for Press. Recipe for Press is the brainchild of Amy Flurry, also of paper-cut-project. Her book, workshops, and products offer DIY PR education to entrepreneurs in the Athens community and beyond. 

Not much is cozier than curling up with a great book and a cup of tea, especially around this time of year. Recipe for Press intern Claire has picked out a few of her favorite gift ideas that will thrill any book lover! All of the items featured below are from Recipe for Press DIY PR workshop grads!

DEAL********also, if readers type "thankyou" in the coupon code upon checkout, they will receive 20% off Recipe for Press and the new Pitch Wheel

www.recipeforpress.com

Guest Post: Seed & Plate's Gift Guide

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. 

Today's guest post comes from my The Seed & Plate. The Seed & Plate is an independent magazine in Athens, Ga. with a focus on food, farming and community in the Southeast. 

The holidays are the perfect time to show support for the local businesses and talented craftspeople in your community. It’s the personal touch that comes with these gifts that always rings true with loved ones. Plus it’s a great way to show pride in the bounty of your hometown. Through our wanderings with The Seed & Plate, we have encountered so many unique products that we’d be thrilled to find in our stockings this year. Here are just a few!

Guest Post: Dear Hearts' Gift Guide

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. 

Today's guest post comes from my North Carolina friends Dear Hearts. Have you ever walked into a store and felt like the buyers reached into your brain and stocked all the things you'd choose for yourself? That's how I feel about Dear Hearts. Their mobile shop, headquarters, and online store are all curated to perfection. 

They also have a special discount for Arrowhead readers! From now through 12/20/13, you'll receive 10% off with the code ARROWHEAD!

Image via Garden & Gun feature

Hi from Dear Hearts in Durham, NC! We're two best buds and we just recently opened our store which started out as a wild daydream for us and now is this awesome part of our everyday life. When we're shopping for each other, holiday gifting is pretty easy. We just buy whatever we want for ourselves and then wrap it up and give it the other person. Of course, it's not always that easy so we've made this handy gift guide for the ladies and dudes in your lives.

LADIES

(clockwise from upper left) Best Fu*kin' Friends Necklace by In God We Trust ($180/pair) Cuffs by Dream Collective: Painters Bow ($100) and Braille ($95)  Burning Leaves 100mL Water Perfume by CB I Hate Perfume ($85) Hannah High Waist Jeans with Python Pockets by Courtshop ($144)  Leaf Print Blouse from Dear Hearts Vintage ($36)

GUYS

(clockwise from upper left) Rifle Tie Bar by In God We Trust ($50) Horween Minimalist Wallet by 440 Gentleman Supply ($58) Dude No. 1 by MCMC Fragrances: All-Natural Beard Oil ($65) and All-Natural Cologne ($75)  Field Notes "Drink Local" Lagers 3-Pack Limited Ed. ($9.95) Milton Quilted Overshirt by Bridge & Burn ($125) | ** Please contact us directly to order this item

Keep up with Dear Hearts online!
shopdearhearts.com Facebook Twitter (@dear__hearts) Instagram (@dear__hearts)

Guest Post: Treehouse Kid & Craft Gift Guide

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, Laurel Hill,  and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today's gift guide comes from Treehouse Kid & Craft. While Treehouse has lots of great items and classes for kids, I find a lot of gifts for grownups (I use this word loosely :) at there, too. Remember when I took a needle felting class at Treehouse? Owner Kristen Bach is also part of beautyeveryday, who we heard from earlier this month. 

Guest Post: Laurel Hill's Wish List

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today's gift guide is from talented jeweler and metal-smith Laurel Hill. We Athenians have known for a long time how talented she is, but this year national retailers like Free People took note as well. 

When every woman I know wants Laurel Hill for Christmas (it's impossible to go wrong with anything she makes) I wanted to know: What does Laurel Hill want?

Guest Wish List: Edith on Fashion

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today's guest post comes from Meredith Thornhill, an Athens friend and host of WUOG show Edith on Fashion. 

Guest Post: Community's Holiday Gift Guide

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

Today's guest post comes from Community, an Athens boutique that balances style with sustainability.

Guest Gift Guide: Beauty Everyday

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, ScoutMob, Community, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

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Today's guest post comes from Beauty Everyday, a group of women in Athens, GA who document their creative lives and the unique Southern places they encounter. Rinne Allen has been my friend and neighbor for years. Her studio is a magical hideaway nestled beneath my house (just look at this gorgeous photo set from Trouve Mag) and just running into her in our shared backyard making sun prints or on a stroll with her cute kids leaves me with a little inspiration every time. Kristen Bach owns one of my favorite shops in Athens, Treehouse Kid & Craft, offering craft supplies, gifts, and creative classes for kids and grown-ups alike.  Rebecca Wood is the creative force behind R. Wood Studio Ceramics. 

They just released a book together (pick one up in town at Avid Bookshop), and are having a book signing at 5&10 Wednesday, December 11. 

Images from Beauty Everyday

These women know Athens inside and out, and have a wide network of local and regional makers, so I'm extra-excited about their gift ideas. If you're outside of Athens, you can still purchase from Beauty Everyday, Treehouse, and R.Wood online stores, and pick up some daily inspiration from the Beauty Everyday blog. 

This year we are encouraging folks to support local businesses as much as possible.  Our city has so much to offer, it's easy to support our local peeps!  For our Arrowhead VIntage gift guide we have made a little gift basket with some of our local favs.  Bon Appetit! - Beauty Everyday

1.  Autumn Print by Hope Hilton available at Double Dutch Press

2. Arrow Print by Megan Fowler available at Arrow

3.  Cine gift card available at Cine

4.  3 Porch Farm goodies  available at the farmers market and at 3 Porch Farm

5.  Our Book Beauty Everyday by Rinne Allen, Kristen Bach, and Rebecca Wood available at Avid, R.Wood Studio, and TREEHOUSE kid and craft
6.  Take Root Calendar by Brown Parcel Press available at TREEHOUSE kid and craft

7.  Homemade Catering gift card  available at Homemade  

8.  Red Mule grits available at Red Mule Grits and the farmers market

Guest Gift Guide: Allie Bashuk of Scoutmob Shoppe

This holiday season, I gathered gift guides and wish lists from local businesses, creative-types, friends, bloggers, makers, and do-ers I admire. Gifts are by no means the important part of the holidays, but I wanted to give local makers a chance to toot their own horns, and it's fun to peek into friends' wish lists. So far we've heard from beautyeveryday, Edith on Fashion, Community, and Double Dutch Press. Don't forget to check out the exclusive discount codes many of these shops included in their posts! 

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Scoutmob Shoppe is a curated online marketplace that promotes independent makers. We find artists that pique our interest, tell their stories, and drive traffic to them -- all to help them make a living off of their crafts.

I'm an advocate of making my own gifts, but if you're gonna buy online this year -- please buy from Shoppe. The talented makers and my hardworking crew will love ya for it. 

Use the promo code "ARROWHEAD15" for 15% off until 12/26!

(buffalo sweatshirt from The Local Branch, Scoutmob $25 gift card, torc bronze bracelet by Laurel Hill, moonshine gift tags from Swim Club)

Guest Post: Way Out West Music Festival

This past month, I (Natasha) had the distinct pleasure of traveling to the beautiful city of Gothenborg, Sweden for Way Out West, an annual three day music festival held in Slottsskogen.

Guest post by Natasha (far right) of Nicely Built

Beautiful park, beautiful festival

The lineup was a good mix of artists I've listened to for years (The Knife, Athens-bred Phosphorescent, Neil Young) and newcomers that I've quickly added to my personal soundscape (Grimes, HAIM, Local Natives). In addition to all these wonderful acts, a couple of good friends expatriated to the city about a year ago, so deciding to take the trip was a no brainer.

I'm so glad I decided to go! With the exception of Neil Young's cancellation (a member of Crazy Horse broke their arm), the festival was a steady procession of great live performances, excellent festival food (more on this later), and spectacular people watching (the fashion was fierce y'all).

By far my favorite act was Saturday's The Knife headliner set. The band's energy and choreography made remember why I love electronic music so much in the first place. Second place goes to Phosphorescent. The performance was early in the day yet well attended. Matthew's performance felt very intimate despite his full backing band. Seeing the city's most well known performer, Håkan Hellström, play was very much a memorable experience. People were seriously weeping, dancing in a traditional circle style, and generally just freaking out a la a Beatlemania. It was awesome!

The Knife

Grimes

Way Out West was like no other music festival I've been to in regard to organization. The WOW folks planned the logistics to be environmentally sustainable in a grand fashion. All of the festival food was vegetarian (and delicious). I've been obsessed with grilled haloumi burgers ever since. Recycling receptacles were everywhere and the grounds remained clean the entire time due to the ever busy cleanup crew of volunteers. I should note, this commitment to environmental sustainability was evidenced throughout the entire city of Gothenborg -- a fact that really made me smile.

Food! Glorious food!

And the fashion you guys - it was so good. No predictable gauzy, flowy looks found here. Attendees traversed the festival grounds in everything from industrial platform boots to custom Nike Air Max sneakers. There were also heavily penciled eyebrows, more than a few long shoreman getups, and an impressive range of a rain gear. Quite a few interesting hairstyles, including what my crew dubbed, "hat head," in which a lady with long hair cut the top part into a bowl cut leaving the back long similar to a mullet.

So, yeah! Way Out West was fun and I would definitely go again!

See you next year :-)

All pictures by Gianna Keiko Rankart

PS: You didn't think Natasha would go to Sweden without having some authentic Swedish fish, did you? 

Guest Mixtape - Morgan from Morgangster

My pal Morgan (check out her blog Morgangster!) and I decided to swap mixes for guest posts this week. Morgan and I lived on the same dorm hallway our freshman year of college (awwwwwwwww) which makes her one of my oldest Athens friends. She is an excellent graphic designer, wordsmith, and enthusiastic human being.

Mixtape Masta Morgan  ^

My November mixtape can be found on her corner of the web this week!

Morgan's mix features Twin Tigers, The Brunettes, Jeremy Messersmith, and more. She included one of Sufjan's Christmas tracks, which is fun for me since our radio department handles his promo and, we've been playing the new holiday boxed set nonstop in the office (it included temporary tattoos and stickers!)