To Dye For: Upstate Reinvents Shibori

Kalen Kaminski and Astrid Chastka are the designers behindUpstate, a line of strikingly sophisticated (and slightly cosmic) hand-dyed dresses, home accessories, scarves, and more. The Brooklynites put their own take on dip-dyeing and Shibori a Japanese tradition of dyeing cloth using several different methods of binding, folding, or compressing the fabric. We visited their studio to find out more about the fledgling business.

So howd you get started?

Kalen: We both quit our 9-to-5 jobs and entered the scary world of freelance. We started spending our days off going to museums, galleries, vintage shops, and thrifting. Originally, we wanted to make large wraps with vintage fabrics but were never able to find the perfect fabric or textile to work with. At that point, it was more of a creative outlet than starting a company.

In 2010 we discovered a friends hand-dyed shibori tapestry and started studying the art of shibori by making scarves and wraps mostly for ourselves and friends. That summer a friends shop in California (Gravel & Gold) placed an order and it kind of snowballed from there.

Whats the best part of what you do?

Astrid: I really enjoy the photo shoots. It is so much fun to watch a collection come together in the end and to work with people we love to document it. Also, being able to create something working with a close friend adds another dimension to our friendship. Ive learned so much from Kalen since we started Upstate.

And the most miserable part?

Kalen: Production management and coordination with our vendors and factory.

Astrid: I totally agree My least favorite is also keeping track of everything from orders to money when all I really want to be doing is designing and dyeing.

Who and what inspires what you do?

Kalen: I just went to the Francesca Woodman photo exhibit. The combination of light and rich texture in each photo is so beautiful. Sonia Delauney always. Negative spaces, especially in forests. The beautiful botany prints of Dries Van Noten. I also love everything from Bloom magazine. It shows the relationship between flowers and plantsto fashion and design. So lovely.

Astrid: Some other recent inspirations include Patricia Urquiolas furniture, Chip Kidds graphic design/book jackets, and the colors and shapes at Celine. I love everything found on the art blog But Does it Float.

Do you obsess about the product and business and does your love of it consume you?

Kalen: It used to consume me all hours of the day. Now I work really hard to only let it consume me during certain hours while Im working and really focusing, then I have to flip the switch off. Otherwise, theres no room left for inspiration. Being able to take steps back has made me love and appreciate the business even more.

Whats your long-term hope for the business?

Kalen:It would be great to have a successful large-scale clothing and home line that is still hand-dyed and made in America and not sourced out. Hopefully more helpers and a big studio with bathtubs, washing machines, and maybe even a rooftop garden to grow natural dyes.

What does Upstate bring to your life (besides an ability to pay the bills)?

Kalen: Does it sounds cliche to say fullfillment? Having full creative control of something so special is really awesome and watching your hard work pay off ignites that passion.

Astrid: I love being able to start with an idea and make it a reality. The idea that others might be excited about what we do, or might want to own a piece, is really exciting and worth working for.

If you werent doing this, what would you do?

Astrid: Making things. I just cant stop. Id love to buy a big intaglio etching press and print all day long or draw or design myself a perfect shack to live in probably next door to Kalen, somewhere upstate.

(Photo by Matthew Hranek, products courtesy of Upstate)

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Party Tricks: New Years Eve

After planning many a friends wedding and shower just for kicks, Tori Hendrix got professional about her party passion. Three years ago, she launched Sitting in a Tree Events named to reflect her philosophy that entertaining should be about happiness, not stress.

Hendrixs personal taste leans toward layers, textures, and bold colors.And since shes well-versed in sparkle, we asked her to share tips on how to incorporate some extra shine and festive spirit into New Years Eve parties.

Think small(er)

Forgo the big party or night on the town and host an intimate dinner in nothing is as memorable as gathering a key group of people in a warm and personalized setting. Have custom cocktails and personalized place settings that make your guests feel special. No need to cook even: you can order take-out as long as the setting is beautiful. If inviting families, weave in a mini, family-friendly celebration, too. Kick off the evening a little earlier and celebrate with hats, horns and lots of photos before tucking the little ones in for the night.

Create a fresh palette

Make this a separate holiday by creating a palette that isnt red or green try wintery whites, blues with silver, blush and gold, or even neon pink and rose gold. Whatever it is, setting a distinct palette will make it feel well thought out and special for your guests.

Dont shy away from sparkle

Nothing says New Years Eve quite like sequins. Scatter them on the tabletop and mantle where theyll catch the light and glitter. Add sparkly pillows to your sofa, or you can even spray paint something ordinary (branches, old vases, tiny plastic animals) gold or silver a little bit of metallic can go a long way.

Make your own favors

Buy a bag of plain party hats and give them your own spin with decorative paper and trim. Print out your own labels for champagne bottles to add a signature touch. Or conjure up some magic by making festive wands using craft sticks, sequin trim, and bells.

Forget the Ball Drop

I love the thought of all the guests lighting sparklers at midnight. They look beautiful in photos and are really memorable. You can tie ribbon or little tags to the ends or set them at each place setting. Using wish paper for resolutions or intentions for the upcoming year is also a lovely idea. Guests can privately write down their resolutions then all gather together to light their wishes and send them floating into the night sky.

(All photos courtesy of Tori Hendrix)

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Our Favorite Food Discoveries of 2012

In between photo shoots, recipe testing, and story scouting, our editors have to eat and theyre always on the lookout for delicious new discoveries. Here, the ingredients, kitchen tools, and restaurants that sparked our obsession this year.

Eventide Oyster Co.in Portland, Maine: They just opened in July, and they do a lobster roll that redefines lobster roll. They do it in a steamed kind of bun which works out to taste like Wonder Bread with a hint of sourdough.

Another favorite is rosti we had this in Switzerland and Austria and I dont know why it isnt all over menus here the best hash brown-ish dish with mushrooms, or egg, or whatever on top.

Yolanda Edwars, Executive Editor

Im not sure this is new this year, but its new to me:NOBU Dry Miso Seasoning,made by Hikari Miso. It accents like salt but with a deep and rich tang. I love it sprinkled over simply grilled fish.

We just got a Wusthof Super Slicer in the test kitchen and I love it. I have been using it on a photo shoot to cut all sorts of cakes. The blade is thicker than that of most serrated knives, so its got some heft and breaks through bread crust like a dream.

Jennifer Aaronson, Editorial Food Director

The Castelvetrano Olives with Preserved Lemon and Celery Leaves at Rich Table in San Francisco are the best bar snack/simple cocktail food, and they would be super easy to duplicate at home.

Jessica Romm, Lifestyle Editor

Im lovingAntica Formula Vermouth its not really a discovery, more like a vow renewal. Its made from a way-old recipe, isnt cloyingly sweet, and makes Manhattans and Negronis even better (if thats even possible). Im also really into Aperol(its this years Campari). Its lighter on the palate and a great summer drink with seltzer.

Shira Bocar, Food Editor, Whole Living

Nashvilles CatBird Seat opened by Eric Anderson and Josh Habiger. Delicious food. Awesome restaurant playlist. Great conversation if you want it, since youre so close to them you can literally sit and talk with the chefs. Plus their beverage director, Jane Lopes, is incredible. Her pairings are spot-on, thoughtful, and really blew my mind (bourbon washed wine glass paired with food insanely good!)

Lauren Tempera, Assistant Food Editor

After years of removing the juicy red arils from a pomegranate by submerging it in water and breaking it apart, I learned Marthas easier (and much more fun!) way just a few months ago: Cut a pomegranate in half horizontally then, with your hand underneath the cut side, hit the top of the pomegranate half with a heavy metal spoon or ladle. At first just a few arils come out, but as you continue hitting it, the airls loosen from the membrane and just start pouring out!

Merritt Watts, Senior Food Editor, Everyday Food

Paesano extra virgin olive oil is my new house brand. Its inexpensive enough that I dont feel pain in my heart when I use it for cooking, but its also great for vinaigrettes and finishing cooked dishes. Its got a full body and a smooth finish, with no bite at the end.

Greg Lofts, Senior Associate Food Editor

I loveAleppo pepper. Its a red pepper flake from Syria that is somewhat smoky and gives a little heat without being overly painful. I use it in pasta, vegetables like kale it almost goes with anything.

Stephen Orr, Editorial Gardening Director

For me, 2012 has been the year of the fig! I keep a big jar filled with the plump, dried figs at home and after some experimenting created a new treatthat has become a big hit:a dried fig stuffed with a whole roasted hazelnut and chocolate-coconut oil ganache, dipped in dark chocolate and crushed hazelnuts on a bay leaf. I was inspired by fichi al forno in Florence, Italys San Lorenzo market.

Christina Tobia, Associate Project Manager (and etsy seller Tobia Bakes)

A couple of months ago I got my hands on a jar of Nunya Sauce, the signature condiment of Marination, Seattles favorite Hawaiian-Korean taco joint. I started by putting this spicy, umami-rich mayonnaise on a chicken sandwich, and immediately found myself planning my meals around it.

Jennifer Anderson, Digital Food Editor

We love using sudachi, a citrus fruit similar to yuzu, to make Japanese pickles. We add sliced cucumber, soy sauce, sake, katuso bushi (or bonito flakes), and the juice of one sudachi, and let them marinate in the refrigerator. They are delicious with rice.

This year we also discovered very tiny, colorful hot peppers at Eckerton Hill Farm at NYCs Union Square Greenmarket. Weve been adding them to homemade pesto from our garden. My husband roasts them in the oven, chops them up, and then adds them to a small bowl of olive oil. We drizzle a little of the pepper oil (and some chopped peppers when feeling adventurous) onto the pesto before serving.

Melissa Ozawa, Senior Gardening Editor

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How to Plan a Last-Minute New Years Party

Planning a bash theyll never forget doesnt have to sap all your free time and energy. In fact, you can do it in the time it would take you to watch four episodes of Downton Abbey. Here, a few of our best ideas for throwing together a day-of shindig.

Four Hours to Go
Worry less about creating actual dcor and more about setting a festive mood. Craft a few eye-catching streamers out of metallic paper, a circle cutter, and metal jump rings, and then focus on ambiance. A table of star-punched hurricanes made out of paper will add a romantic warmth to the room. (Perfect to set the scene for a midnight kiss or two.)

Aside from that, count on your lovely friends to decorate the space. (Still worried the room looks too bare? If all else fails, fill it with white and silver balloons for instant festivity.)

Three Hours to Go
Start prepping your food on pretty white trays or plates. But remember: Keep it simple! Crudites with a slab of blue cheese, Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta, Prosciutto-Basil Crostini, and even a Shrimp Cocktail are all perfect, only-takes-a-few-minutes choices.

Once everything is plated, cover each platter with plastic wrap and refrigerate until its time to serve.

Two Hours to Go
Get ready! Eschew basic black for a dress in a fun, bold color. And who cares if its something youve owned forever? Throw on a statement brooch necklace,a studded cuff, or a pair of sparkly earrings and youve got a whole new, party-ready outfit.

One Hour to Go
Nows the time to mix up a pitcher of your signature cocktail. Stick with a simple recipe, like this two-ingredient Blood Orange Champagne mixture.

Or, go even less fussy and simply pop a bottle of champagne (learn how to do it here) and add a skewer of frozen grapes to each flute for some fanciness.

Dont forget to put on some music its party time.

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Chase Away Chills the Swedish Way

For our January issue, New York cooking instructor Anna Harrington warmed friends with a feast based on her Swedish mothers recipes. The only exception? Her friend (and cultural attache at the Swedish consulate) Nik Arnegrens glgg recipe which headlines glggfest, his most popular party of the year.

Many people shy away from glgg because it tends to be too sweet, so my secret is to go easy on the sugar and instead add some extra liquor for a bracing kick, says Nik (pictured above with friend Starrett Zenko Ringbom). Some people use orange peel, but I stick with whole cloves, sliced almonds, and raisins. The infusion has to sit for a week before you make the actual glgg and it makes for a lovely smell that permeates your whole home.

Niks tip: Make sure the glgg simmers without boiling so it stays hot without the alcohol evaporating.

Planning to gather friends around a fire this winter? TryNiks Very Special Glgg recipe and Annas Swedish menu.

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2012s Best Christmas Cookies

Its our last chance to bake up batches of the holiday seasons culinary star, so this weekend were breaking out the royal icing and getting down to business.

To get you inspired, weve assembled a collection of the best Christmas cookies of 2012. Bon appetit!

Basic Sugar Cookie Stars viaMartha Stewart
A simple yet perfect sentiment for the holidays (and an ideal match for a mug of steaming hot cider).

Winter Doll Cookies viaHanielas
I love the cool grey icing and beaded red trim. Truly spectacular!

Reindeer Macarons viaTest with Skewer
Yet another one of the endless possibilities offered by the simple macaron. These are especially cute.

Chocolate and Almond Marshmallow Sandwich Cookies viaWhisk Kid
The perfect accessory for a mug of hot chocolate. I cant look at this picture without my mouth watering!

Stained-Glass Sugar Cookies via Martha Stewart
I absolutely love this original idea for creating translucent cookies. Are they not stunning?

The Perfect Dark Chocolate Sugar Cookie viaSweetapolita
Heres a recipe for mixing the traditional sugar cookie with everybodys favorite ingredient, rich chocolate. Youll definitely want to throw a few of these into the mix this year.

Gingerbread Santas viaNa Miotle
I love the traditional quality of these sweet Saint Nick cookies.

Eggnog Lattice Sugar Cookies viaTraceys Culinary Adventures
These cookies bring back memories of pies made by loved ones over the years. The added touch of eggnog is simply ingenious.

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DIY Yarn Shag Gift Wrap

Give your gifts a festive punch this year with this cheery DIY yarn shag gift wrap. In a few simple steps you can turn ordinary wrapping paper into a work of art. Inspired by the brilliant colors and textures of Moroccan rugs, the technique works with just about any color combination and can be applied to gift tags, fabric, and anything else you can think of.

Tools and Materials

• Yarn
• Scissors
• Card stock
• Wrapping paper
• Sewing amchine
• Ruler
• Pencil

Step 1: Cut

Cut a 1-inch strip of card stock and snip a tiny 1/4-inch slit at the top to hold your yarn in place. Loosely wrap your yarn around the strip of paper.

Note: If youd like to create the pattern on your wrap before you begin, werecommend measuring out your paper pieceto the box youd like to wrap it with!Using a ruler and a pencil, lightly mark out your lines.

Step 2: Sew

Set your sewing machine to a smaller zig-zag stitch. Slide the yarn-wrappedtemplate up to your needle and with yourpresser foot down, carefully slide the yarnoff the strip as you begin to stitch the yarn onto your wrapping paper beingcareful to avoid catching your paper template with your needle!

Step 3: Fluff

Cut the loops youve created on each side of your stitching in half and fluff upyour yarn to make it nice and full.

Thats it!Happy crafting and happy holidays to you and your family!

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How We Know Its the Holidays

Around here, weve been talking about the holiday season since Labor Day. We create new traditions every year with twists on classic dishes and new interpretations of old favorites (like our Christmas cracker-inspired story in this months issue). However, the most meaningful things we do this time of year are the things weve always done, the heartfelt traditions passed down through generations. Here are a few that make us feel all warm and fuzzy:

Dish Duty

For me the holidays have always begun in my family when my mom takes out the Christmas dishes and starts to wash them for use. Growing up my brother and I would always bring the boxes down from the attic and lay them out and it was always a sign that Christmas was on its way. As silly as it is, I still get excited each year when I see the dishes come out.

-Kristen Lefkus, Whole Living Editorial Intern

Sister Act

Im one of three girls. Every Christmas Eve, my mom lays out new Christmas pajamas on our beds to change into. They are usually the same pajamas in three different colors/patterns. The pictures that result are a little embarrassing but we love them and we all look very festive on Christmas morning!

-Diana Marko, Digital Project Manager

International Inspiration

My husband is Hungarian so if were not in Hungary for the holidays he always makes Hungarian pancakes (palacsinta)for Christmas breakfast. We eat them with apricot jam made by his mom that he smuggles back every time he visits.

-Alanna Stang, Whole Living Editor-in-Chief

Edible Decor

We get a little tree for the kitchen and decorate it with edible things like cookies, candy, popcorn, etc. andevery year my sister and I make orange rolls with my grandmother on Christmas day to serve with dinner.

-Courtney Anderson, Digital Marketing Manager

Window Shopping

Growing up near Chicago, my family always went to see the beautifully decorated windows at Marshall Fields. It was usually the story of The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol.

-Anna Ross, Assistant Photo and Research Editor

Scent-sational Wake Up

Every Thanksgiving my mom makes fresh baked cinnamon buns in the morning my siblings and I sleep at home the night before, leave our doors open and the sweet smell in the early morning never fails to wake us up. We all go down to the kitchen, grab a cinnamon bun and watch the NYC Thanksgiving parade!

-Colleen Banks, Martha Stewart Weddings Editorial Assistant, Style

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Put Your Cosmetics to Work

With holiday madness approaching, there are fewer minutes left to spend fussing in the bathroom. Save time (and shelf space) with these four beauty products with major multitasking potential.

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel, $70
This potent bottle is great for intended use as cell hydration and damaged tissue repair, but its endlessly versatile. Store it in the refrigerator to treat eye puffiness (goodbye, cucumbers), mix with tinted SPF to maximize your moisturizing efforts, and apply a dab to untamed brows in place of traditional eyebrow gel.

Kate Somerville True Lash, $35
Taking off the days eye makeup never felt as efficient as it does with this multipurpose remover and lash enhancer in one. It wipes away waterproof and long-lasting beauty products, smooths fine lines with chamomile, firms the eye area with rosehip and avocado extracts, and creates fuller and longer lashes with its lash-enhancing peptide.

Caudale Divine Oil, $48
You can replace a handful of products with this newly launched dry oil made of grape, hibiscus, sesame, and argan oils. Apply to locks for instant shine and static relief, massage into cuticles for manicure maintenance, and apply to arms and legs for moisturizer in the shower or a quick on-the-go glow. Plus, it smells delicious (like rose, grapefruit, vanilla, and cedar) so you wont mind applying it everywhere.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, $22
This eyeliner pot is already a staple of womens beauty routines with its long-lasting wear and creamy, easy-to-apply formula. As it turns out, its also versatile if youre a brunette. Bobbi Brown uses this powerful pot three ways. I use it as liner. I also use it as eyeshadow, and I can put it on my roots in between touchups, she says.

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Shop the Farmers Market from Your Desk

In theory, signing up for a CSA is glorious: your money goes to local farms and you get just-harvested, usually organic, truly ripe produce every week.Then that slightly manic feeling of lettuce overload sets in, and eventually youre just. tired. of turnips.

Launched this week in New York, LA, and San Francisco, new companyFarmigo aims to combine the convenience of a CSA with the choice and flexibility of shopping at the farmers market. Gather a group of co-workers or neighbors, sign up with the site, and theyll build a website just for your crew. You can place orders online (produce, flowers, dairy, eggs, meat, baked goods, and wine) from a network of local farmers and producers. But unlike a CSA, youre not obligated to order each week and you can decide exactly what you want.

The orders are delivered to a designated pickup spot, such as your office, local community center, or school. Brooklyn-based companies Etsy and Carrot Creative tried out the program in its beta phase to rave reviews heres hoping it takes off.

(photo by Mike Krautter)

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Kila Sikus Lovely Linens

Senior editor Melissa Ozawa discovered these sweet embroidered linens fromKila Siku. Based in the Congo and recently expanded to Rwanda, the company provides jobs for more than 70 women, all of whom support their large families through the work. The pouches, tea towels, aprons, and travel kits are clean and modern, with a touch of whimsy perfect gifts for moms, friends, and sisters-in-law.

Reading glasses pouch, 20 Euro

I Wash, You Dry tea towel, 18 Euro

Timeless sewing kit, 40 Euro

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Help Kids Build Gingerbread Houses with a Modernist Twist

It might take a village to raise a child, but Anna Harrington is helping kids make the village. A gingerbread village, that is. At her Yummy Time!cooking workshops at Pomme in Brooklyn, the mother of two guides 4- to 8-year-olds through the construction and decoration of gingerbread hauses.

Gingerbread hauses are modernist gingerbread houses, Anna explains. This allows the children to build any type of structure rather than striving for some sort of cute gingerbread house ideal. I only make squares and rectangles building blocks and the kids have to figure out solutions working within those parameters. It is really amazing how diverse the buildings look with rather limited shapes.

Ready to start construction with your own little builders? Keep in mind these tips from Anna, and whip up her dough and icing recipes, shared below:

You should plan on making and baking the dough in advance of the day you want to decorate. Kids can help mix the dough until it gets super thick and difficult to manage. The baking is slow and long and an adult really needs to cut the pieces right when the dough comes out of the oven while its still hot, so kids should not help with this. The dough lasts in the fridge for 3-4 days, so you can bake it over a few days if you wish. Also, you can bake these and store them wrapped in plastic or in an air tight container for up to a month. One batch makes 3-6 modernist houses, depending on scale.

Gingerbread Dough:

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons baking soda
1tablespoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/3 cup dark molasses
9 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:
In a medium bowl, whip cream and vanilla until soft peaks form. In another large bowl, mix sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger together. Add molasses and whip cream, mix well with hand blender. Cup by cup, add the flour, mixing well with hand blender until all flour is completely mixed.

With a good amount of table flour, roll out a handful of dough (you want to try to make it the size/shape of the baking sheet you are using.) Make sure to use flour on your rolling pin, under the dough and on top, and rotate/flip the dough as you are rolling to ensure it is not sticking to your counter. Try to make it 1/8 thick all the way across. Trim any end you wont be able to use and add back into the dough bowl. Carefully place the rolled out piece onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet.

Bake at 300 degrees for 50 minutes. You dont really want the edges to get dark.

Remove the sheet and on a stable surface, immediately cut the rectangular and square pieces with a chefs knife. You can draw and cut pieces of paper in advance to lay on top of the bread to use as guides so you get some uniform pieces. Place pieces on a cooling rack; once completely cool, stack up and wrap in plastic. (I store them in a shoe box so they dont break). Repeat until you are done with the dough. I use 2 baking sheets at a time, set off by 10 minutes to allow for cutting of the shapes.It usually takes two to threerounds depending on the size of the oven.

Icing/Cement:

I use this both for putting the building together and the decoration. Make this the day of use, and use it immediately or cover airtight and use within 8 hours. This icing is quite thick.

4 large egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 teaspoons water
7 cups powered sugar

Directions:
Beat the egg, cream of tartar, and water with hand blender until frothy. Cup by cup, add the sugar and beat on high for 5-10 minutes. It should be bright white, smooth, and rather stiff. I leave it in the mixing bowl covered in plastic wrap until I am ready to use, and then I spoon portions out into sandwich-size resealable plastic bags for each child. Cut off a little corner, squeeze, and cement away!

The first two to three pieces are the trickiest! Encourage your child to sing a song or count to 20 a few times while holding two pieces in place to allow the pieces to set. After the kids are finished building, I like to take a 10 minute break to allow the buildings to set before decorating. I prefer to use non-branded, clean-shaped (round, oblong, square, circular) candy to go along with the modernist aesthetic of these buildings.

Completed hauses after an afternoon of (not-so) hard work.

Ta da! A proud gingerbread designer shows off her work.

(photos by Jessica Antola)

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A Winter Cooking, Crafting, and Cleaning Playlist

Clockwise from top left: Lame Impala "Lonerism"; School of Seven Bells "Put Your Sad Down"; David Byrne & St. Vincent "Love This Giant"; Grizzly Bear "Shields"

Think of it as akin to whistling while you work humming while you clean. Good music has a way of making even the most tedious household chore seem not quite so bad. This playlistaims to keep you entertained while your hands are busy. It includes some of the best music released the latter half of this year by independent artists you likely arent hearing on FM radio stations.

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Wild Child: Handcrafted Kids Gifts

Take a walk on the wild side with handcrafted baby gifts inspired by the animal kingdom.

1. Elephant Booties

Lined with furry faux-sherpa, these soft booties are made by Erica Hager in Mandan, North Dakota. This cheerful elephant pattern is available in sizes for tiny toes from 0-24 months. ($28)

2. Bird Mobile

Delightfully sculptural and wrapped in colorful patterned fabrics, this mobile would look great in any kids room. Custom pick the fabrics for a personalized gift for treasured tots. ($168)

3. Owl Wooden Teether

Made of hard rock maple, this naturally anti-bacterialwooden owl teether is a hoot. ($12)

4. Squirrel Felted Finger Puppets

Needle felted from 100% wool, these sweet little squirrels in soft hoodies are imagination-activating finger puppets. ($60)

5. Alligator Stuffed Toy

With a soft, squishy body and colorful limbs, this hand-sewn alligator is anything but scary. ($30)

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Handcrafted Holiday Wreaths

Dont have an army of elves to help with holiday prep? That doesnt mean you cant add a handmade touch to your home decor. These wreathsfrom Etsy crafters have a handcrafted quality we love, and theres a style to suit anyone.

Tiny twig wreath ornaments from Bella Mia Design, $39, come in a pack of ten so you can use them as tree ornaments or grouped on a wall for a standout display.

Look closely: This wreath from Etsy shop weirdlittleworld,$65,is actually made from a map of New York City.

This living wreath will last long after the rest of your Christmas decorations are taken down. Succulent Designs, $78, uses easily maintainable succulents, and includes instructions for care.

Made of white and red paper straws, this showstopper from Airth and Olson,$32,combines bright modern colors and retro materials.

A wreath with white pip berries from Wild Ridge Design, $65,welcomes guests with sweet wintry scents like warm vanilla, baked apple pie, and hot maple toddy.

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