A very Jaunty HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL! With any luck, you've made merry, said farewell to 2012 in style, and ready to face 2013 energized... and only slightly hung over. Wooho!!! (more aspirin, please)

I wanted to share this year's holiday card design, which I hope you like. The idea came to me one day, towards the end of summer, funny enough. I thought of snow globes and how they're like the captured dreams of places and things we all wish for. And they're always full of snow, hence the name -- but what do snowmen gaze at when looking at a snow globe? Surely, they must dream of tropical beaches and sunny skies, something that seems like a lofty, but I daresay not impossible goal. 

Because nothing should be impossible, not during the beginning of a year when we are given the luxury of Dreaming Big! For generous souls who spread kindness to strangers. For the one time of year where children can believe in a little magic, and we're reminded of what that wonderful feeling was like. For wishes and dreams we can hope to fulfill in the new year. 

Don't let that holiday goodwill fade away when the chill of January arrives -- keep that generous spirit warming your heart. And continue to be inspired, energized and excited with the Jaunty world around you to power you into this bright, shiny new year ahead!

Jaunty Fine Print: Illustration by Denise Sakaki - Happy New Year!!

Hap-hap-happy 2012! Did you have a fabulously festive New Years weekend celebrating this bright and shiny new year? Are you probably still nursing a wicked hangover and putting off that pesky ol' resolution thing until the aspirin kicks in? Yeah, yeah, this Birdy gets it, we've all been there.

Of course, one of the big reasons I love New Years is the excuse to get dolled up and be a fancy Birdy. This year was no different, bringing together old favorites that give a bit of sparkle and shine. I was Inspired by a vintage 1930s photo of a swimsuit that was actually crocheted, if you can believe it. I liked that it had the look of a jumpsuit, almost disco-like. I have no crochet skills, but I need no prompting to find an excuse to wear sparkle-sequin shorts! A 1970s whim made me pull my favorite purple halter tie-neck blouse out. It's a Jaunty Wardrobe outfit that's made appearances before, but this Birdy doesn't care that it's been worn -- gasp -- a couple of times. We wear what makes us feel festive and fun. And really, when else is a good time to wear sequin shorts, but New Years??

From the Jaunty Wardrobe: fabulous sparkle-sequin shorts from Express, silk halter top from Macys, boots from The Bay, jewelry and handbag are vintage. BYO party attitude.

Jaunty Fine Print:  photo from Vintage Home Arts, Jaunty Wardrobe photos by Denise Sakaki

What, 2011 already? Not so long ago, 2010 had arrived, a year full of promise and hope. The months flew by and before we all knew it, we're already in a wishful Mood thinking of what 2011 will bring.

This Bird always makes her own holiday cards and this year's design was inspired by both my own eventful year as well as of the friends around me. New babies, new jobs, new destinies awaiting fulfillment. This year was so full of promise amid challenging economic times and a changing landscape of where people had thought they would be in their lives. It felt like 2010 was the year of discovery, and so 2011 should be the year of action, to take what one has learned in the year before and put it to use, to achieve the things we always mean to do, but never take the time to do it.

This Bird felt fortunate to have been able to stay afloat as a freelance graphic designer, get a few things published as a food writer and photographer, but the most important thing about 2010 was that it granted the space of personal discovery. It wasn't about money or the acquiring of things, but learning to find a little peace of mind, which is the finest luxury I can think of.

Creative exercises like Project 365, making you take at least one photo a day, keeping up with blogging, and never letting a day feel wasted by making sure there was always something meaningful to do, even if it's as simple as cleaning the house -- learning to make everything matter. 2010 was an exercise in proof of life. Sure, there were exciting moments like shooting photos for Fashion Week or getting invited to special events, but I was happiest taking photos of small details, crafting gifts for friends and being able to really inhabit this life instead of running around looking for new ways to reinvent the world around me. I look forward to this discovery leading to more of the same in 2011, without the pressure of wondering what next big thing needs to happen. Not that this Bird is big into resolutions, but you could say mine is to allow the future to unfold gracefully.


Jaunty Fine Print:  illustration by Denise Sakaki

 

Whew... another Christmas come and gone. And of course nothing says post-holiday like... sushi?? Call it a strange craving after so much rich holiday food, plus this Bird having a family of the Asian persuasion, it's customary to celebrate the new year with dishes from the sea. This is probably due to the fact that Japan is an island nation and most of their food came from the ocean's bounty. Maybe if they had lots of grazing land, they would be celebrating the new year with hamburgers.

This Bird clearly has sushi on the brain, so consider this a Mood in the raw, admiring all these fun and funky items that both celebrate the cuisine of Japan. The red dot dish is particularly useful, with the dipping area in the center and the wide lip to artfully display your food, and really, who doesn't want to keep their feet warm with a pair of sushi slippers? You know you want 'em: {1} Red Dot Dish from Crate and Barrel, {2} Sushi Slippers from Uncommon Goods, {3} Sushi Stapler from Paper Source, {4} Sushi Pillows from ThinkGeek, {5} Cold Sake Set by Khafu Japan


Jaunty Fine Print:  photos from shops listed above

 

Another year nearly come and gone, but what a Jaunty year it's been! Fortune has shined brightly upon this Birdie, having been given the privilege of witnessing some fashion firsts in the area, and continuing to be inspired by all the pretty shiny things swirling around. While it would be far too long a list to have in one post, some of the Magpie highlights of 2009 include:

1) The opening of the Neiman Marcus at The Bravern in Bellevue
2) The fact that we have The Bravern, a very sparkly place to wander about
3) Being Inspired by the world at large, and translating it via the Jaunty Wardrobe
4) Along with Inspired looks, being blessed with lovely gifts from good friends - merci !
5) Fashion Week in Bellevue, at the Nordstrom Fall 2009 Runway Show 
6) Being able to meet RJ Cutler, director of The September Issue, and view an early screening
7) Exploring the fanciful and beautiful world of indie artists, like Secret Jewellz on Etsy
8) Never being too serious about anything, and able to have a bit of fun
9) Aside from getting another Anthropologie store, pretty florals are all the Jaunty rage
10) Always keeping a sparkle in one's Jaunty step! 

The Jaunty Magpie will continue its flight, second star from the right and straight on 'till morning -- straight through into the new year. Thank you for joining the adventure, and here's to many more things to come! *Cheers*

 

One of the things this Bird always remembers about the holidays was in the days between Christmas and New Year's, her Jaunty Mother always pressed upon her the need to write out thank-you notes to all the kind and generous souls who gave gifts. What felt like a chore as a wee chicklet, now feels like a vital rite of etiquette, especially with all the rapid-fire communication avenues available to woefully send a fast, but lackluster, "THANK U. Catch U L8R!" Call this Bird ye olde-fashioned, but there's something pleasantly civilized about sending a note in the mail, showing thanks and appreciation for a genuine sentiment of generosity. Plus, one can't deny the joy of getting a letter. It's something an email or text message can never replace, the tactile sensation of opening an envelope, unfolding a note, and seeing something written by hand and sent with affection.

Continuing this sentiment of thanks, and to honor my Jaunty Mother's sage wisdom, I wish to write out an open letter of gratitude to everyone who has visited The Jaunty Magpie in its first year as a fashion, art, and personal style blog:

Dearest Readers and Visitors,

I wish to extend my most sincere thanks to you all for taking the time to visit this Bird online to peer through the posts, to leave such thoughtful comments, and chatting over Twitter. It has been an extra special treat to be able to meet fellow bloggers in the area, and make new friends -- truly the greatest gift of all! This Birdie feels truly blessed and humbled by the kindness shown.

It has been barely a year since the Jaunty Magpie perched itself online to share her thoughts, musings and periodic peeks into her rumpled wardrobe. Your kindness is most appreciated and something that has thoroughly imbued this blog with the inspiration to continue searching for lovely and thoughtful discoveries. Really and truly, this blog would not be anything without the support of you -- readers and friends -- who have been so generous with encouragement and praise.  

In the new year, this Bird resolves to continue exploring the world of fanciful things. I will carry on the browsing of whimsical finds for Fancy posts, keep creating collages of inspired Moods, as well as singular treasures and thoughts full of J'adore. The Jaunty Magpie has always been about being a resourceful Bird, and the Inspired posts showing items photographed from her own wardrobe will march onward, remaining a Polyvore-free site (not that I don't like it; I'm just weird and stubborn).

So please accept my utmost Jaunty Thanks for your supportive kindness, and I wish you all the very best in the new year!

With love and affection,
denise the magpie