Gift giving guides!  It seems all our favorite design bloggers have put together a list of the coolest christmas gifts to give and receive.   We’re definitely taking notes…

DO WANT!  Holiday Gift Guide 2009

Design*Sponge Editor’s Picks

77 Design Gifts under $77

Shelter Gift Guide under $50

Green Gift Guide: The Design Junkie

Ok, so that’s not entirely true.  But when you start paying attention…the amount of information out there is pretty incredible.

Joe Ruggiero writes a blog detailing his new product releases and interesting information on his current lines.  We carry the line of furniture that Joe designs here at CCINO…here’s a great new sofa he’s introducing at the Highpoint International Furniture Market this week.

One of our very favorite design blogs here at CCINO is Design*Sponge.  Grace Bonney writes a lovely blog that includes design before and afters, sneak peeks into some incredible homes, and a wonderful DIY section.

She delves into other areas related to the home as well, such as gardening, flower arranging, and cooking.  We love her blog for a daily dose of inspiration.

Some  of our other favorite design blogs are Apartment Therapy, Decor 8, Shelteriffic, and Remodelista.  These are great sites to go to for ideas before heading into CCINO to work with one of our designers.  These blogs are also a good way for our designers to keep current with the trends and learn what’s going on with the design community at large.

Personally, my favorite place to shop online has got to be Etsy.  Not so much a blog as an online crafting community, you can pretty much find anything you’re looking for on Etsy.  And you know that it was handmade by someone who loves their work.  The best thing about Etsy is that you can have a direct relationship with the person who is creating your product.  Most products can be customized, which takes your gift or purchase for yourself to the next level.  

We believe in handcrafted, personalized goods at CCINO too.  All our upholstery is made in America, by artisans who have worked for years to perfect their craft.   And – we’ll personalize your sofa by putting your name in it.  Now that’s about as personal as it gets.

What are your favorite blogs?  Got any we should check out?

Today I thought I’d touch on a blog post – one my dad, Kevin, sent me last week.  This article is by Steve Pavlina; his website is titled “Personal Development for Smart People”.  The article deals with a problem many of us have had – which is, no matter how hard we try, we just can’t find what we’re looking for.

Now, I do believe there are many people out there who know exactly what they’re looking for in a piece of furniture – and in life for that matter.  I am certainly not one of them.  I could fall in love with a new chair or sofa every week.  And I am always completely convinced that it’s the right piece for me…until something new comes in the next week.  Decisions are definitely difficult for me.  I think this is why Pavlina’s article made such an impact on me.

Pavlina says the key to making decisions is:

“For each alternative you’re considering, ask yourself, “Is this really me?” What you’re asking is whether each path is a fair expression of who you truly are.  To what degree does each option reflect the real you?”

Pavlina’s suggestion lends itself perfectly to furniture shopping.  There are so many great styles and looks out there – the process can be completely overwhelming.  Which is why CCINO and by Design offer complimentary design service to our customers.  We want to make sure that you not only get high quality, unique, custom designed furniture – we want to make sure that what you’ve purchased…really is you. Our designers help you ask all the right questions – and determine if the look is not only stylish and comfortable – but really reflects your lifestyle.  Which means…our designers are constantly asking themselves – is this really my client?

Pavlina says this new way of thinking has completely changed his decision making ability.

“So I decided to make this decision by looking at each candidate desk and asking myself, “Is this really me?”  I went back to the same local store, and it was an amazingly different experience.  Instead of looking for what I wanted, I looked for who I was.”

Check out Pavlina’s article here and tell me what you think.  Or better yet – try his great suggestion during your next shopping trip.

Talk soon.

Brooke