Well, technically a garland update. We're into garlands around here. They're just so gosh darn cute, it's hard not to be. And when I saw these beautifully illustrated alphabet cards at the Brooklyn Flea, I decided it was time for a new garland in Lou's room.

These lovely cards are by a New Yorker named Kate Durkin, and I just love them. I love the simplicity, and the colors, and even her food choices - almost all of which are vegetarian (or have a veg equivalent), which is for the win in our family. This little garland is taking the place of the one we originally hung in this super awkward spot (you can see it here) and I love the result. Lou is so into reading and sounding out letters right now, and our most favorite pastime is shopping or cooking at Sweet Lou's, so the food theme works well for us.

Since I had already hung these Command hooks for the last garland, it took about 15 minutes to add new string (which I just double-knot around each hook) and clip up the cards with tiny clothespins. You could also use a hole punch and thread the cards on the string, or you could frame these lovelies and skip the garland all together (we have a set of vintage-inspired cards in a large format that we plan to frame someday - when we get them out of storage). But there are really talented people out there making things like this -- and they belong in your home! No work for you. Lovely result.

If you like this whimsical vibe, though, I do recommend checking out Kate Durkin's site. Her stuff goes beyond foods, and I love all of it. I think it's perfect for baby gifts. (She doesn't know I'm shouting her out. I just like her stuff).

A final note: While I think these white Command hooks are a lot more noticeable in the photos than hey are in real life, there are nice wee clear clips they make that I'd probably use the next time around. I just dug around in my Command hook stash (shocked, aren't you, that I have one of those?) and had plenty of these, so I used 'em.

That's all she wrote this autumnal Monday. Have a great one!