So, if you haven’t made cards, and you haven’t picked out any to buy, you are seriously running out of time folks. There aren’t that many wacky Valentine’s Day cards out there – and even less architect based valentines, however, you can still score some unique cards vs. the typical blah hearts blah love deal.

The card above is actually part of a postcard set; oh! my god! i miss you by yoshitomo nara. BUT I love the title card; it’s one of my fave postcards. Nara’s art is all fun, but the OMG postcard is such a nice way to say I love you that I had to share. Especially good if your Valentine is far, far away.

Be the person who sends the world’s longest card ever with Fairy Tail greeting cards by Tord Boontje and Artecnica. Genius.

Nothing says a unique I love you like shooting someone’s brains out. Only if they’re already a zombie though. Guns + real humans = not cool. See more at Tina Seamonster.

This card is unique as in you’ll be spending a unique Valentine’s Day alone if you send it. Actually, I think it’s funny, but I’ve had mates who might disagree – send carefully to the right person. See more fun at Be My Anti Valentine.

Pick up a single love note made of eco-friendly sustainably-harvested yellow birch from Night Owl Paper Goods. These are semi-traditional, and not so offbeat in text, but a card made of wood is too cool to pass up. Plus, right now if you spend $40 you get a free reusable tote too! Cards shown above include:

• love scribble
• owl love you forever
• be my honey
• folksy floral hearts

If you’re looking for more traditional cards (that are eco-friendly) see: Green Valentine’s Day Cards.

Need gifts? Check out the Offbeat Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas OR you can always choose a great house book. Nothing says I LOVE YOU like eye candy architecture – am I right?

Post from: Blisstree

Offbeat Valentine’s Day Cards – Hurry Up Already

Not much says a weird I love you like one of The String Doll Gang from Kamibashi. Some good choices for a super lovable heart day…

Lover Boy

Little Frank

Queen of Hearts

Love shaped rubberbands – maybe for your office mate? The one you know you shouldn’t flirt with? Hmmm.

Dream Wedding Tin Bank – SO tacky that I sort of like it.

How overrated are cute little stuffed bears? Very. Monster Colin is way more lovable, in a zoned out sort of way.

Magic Frog to Prince – At this point I might keep it in frog form.

Bonus links:

• See the weirdest (and sort of disturbing) vintage Valentine EVER. I have no words.
• And dysfunctional candy hearts – why, because the real ones have always annoyed me.

Later an Offbeat Valentine card round up AND if I can manage it, some actual structural valentine ideas.

Post from: Blisstree

Offbeat Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

Wishing everyone who celebrates the holiday an offbeat, safe, and fun Christmas day.

[Denver City & County Building in Colorado image via stock.xchng]

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Christmas Day!

One of Offbeat’s favorite gals, Michelle Kaufmann has a killer (and gorgeous) template plus recipe posted that teaches you how to make your very own organic GingerLotus. Not quite as livable as the the mkLotus, unless you happen to be made out of sugary dough, but very cool.

Last year’s Gingerbread Village at the Seattle Sheraton Hotel featured many amazing edible homes. From Bay Area’s KMD Architects there was the beautiful “Chinese New Year”:

DLR Group managed a gravity defying “Planet Holidays”:

You can see and read about many more Gingerbread Village Houses in Constructing Christmas from The Stranger.

If you want to make your own mod gingerbread home, without all the fuss, snag yourself the personalizable modern gingerbread house from red envelope.

Cool for a kit, but I bet if you tried to make your own, it’d be even neater.

Stay tuned, because I’ve got more offbeat gingerbread homes coming up and the goods on a unique gingerbread contest you may enjoy entering.

Post from: Blisstree

Offbeat Gingerbread Homes 2008 – Part One

This Classic Offbeat Homes: Holiday Lights Video is where we’ll start, because it’s one of my favorite offbeat Christmas posts -totally bizarre.

I’m also a fan of The World’s Best Offbeat Gingerbread Homes. Honestly, how could I not be, with cool stuff like this:

Offbeat Christmas Trees for Offbeat Homes

How to build an offbeat Christmas structure in two easy steps – how’s that for a long title? Worth a click though; it’s not often you get to see the words, duck, house, and Christmas lights all in the same post.

And the prize for largest electric bill goes to….

The Christmas Story house!

Post from: Blisstree

Offbeat Winter Holiday Kick Off

This year bloggers from around b5media’s Lifestyles, Health and Wellness channels are giving readers a special surprise. We’ve created a virtual mall to help ease the anxiety of shopping for those on your holiday list who may be a little more difficult to buy for.

This is a cool new feature, because it means you never need to leave your house to get all your holiday shopping done. Plus, with all these bloggers offering gifts related to their blog topics, you’re sure to find one or two lists to adore.

You can start here at Offbeat. I’ve got a great gift shop posted, full of strange and unique gift ideas (plus of course, plenty of house related items).

I’ve got two other shops going on as well. At Tree Hugging Family I’ve got a shop posted that will help your entire family to go green this holiday season. Then at Declutter It I’ve got oodles of time management and organization minded gift ideas.

Other amazing holiday shops around the channels… 

Stop by Kettle and Cup and select your favorite hot beverage, kick back and browse this years Holiday Gift Guide Shopping Extravaganza.

Cherie from Career and Kids has the perfect list for the business woman/working parent.

Mary Emma from One Book Two Book shares a suggest shopping list for the avid reader and artist on your list.

Everyone knows what to get a jewelry lover – but do you know what to get one who loves to make jewelry? Cyndi at Jewelry and Beading has the answer!

At All Holiday Cafe Katelyn has set up all kinds of amazing holiday minded gifts – stuff to make you and yours feel extra merry.

Cherie at Diabetes Notes shares gift ideas to keep those visions of sugar plum fairies dancing for the diabetics on your list.

Chloe at The Doggy Blog shares an adorable wish list as written to Santa Paws.

Christine at Mad Cropper knows how to please those who are crazy about scrapbooking during the holiday season.

Quilters anyone? This unique craft makes for the tougher shopping experience – but that’s so yesterday considering we have a pro in our corner. Let Mary Emma at Quilting and Patchwork help you pick out the perfect gift.

Angela from Breastfeeding 1-2-3 provides a list of gifts for the breastfeeding mother on your list.

So maybe giving kitchen appliances isn’t the best idea – but what about a cool and unique Cooking Gadget? I’d say your bound to surprise the cook on your list with something from Cyndi’s list.

Peggy at Lively Women has put together a list of gift ideas for the health conscious female on your list.

Christine at Our One Heart shares tips and gift ideas to keep that Bride-to-Be happy during the Christmas season.

Tracee at BlogFabulous has put together an amazing store displaying gift ideas for the woman’s woman.

Christmas is for everyone and shopping for an Alzheimer’s patients can present a challenge – allow Mary Emma at Alzheimer’s Notes helps you overcome that challenge and get on to the joys of the season.

Do you have a fabric-aholic or a needlehead on your Christmas list? Don’t get them the same old boring sing-song gift – let Chloe at Tangled Thread help you pick the perfect gift.

Unique gift ideas for the mixed media art lover on your list is what Cyndi from Layers Upon Layers has on display.

Have an aspiring to advanced chef on your list this year? Cyndi at Busy Family Meals has an extensive list to cover every stage of cooking from beginner to pro.

Eliza has pieced together a shop that covers mom, dad and baby at Babylune. Why leave anyone out?

Heather at The Food Bowl is taking care of pets and their people with a fun list that’s bound to connect you with the perfect gift.

Did someone say chocolate? Heather at Chocolate Bytes did! Our resident chocolate expert has put together sweetest gift shop you won’t want to miss.

Who says married couples are boring? Check out the letters to Santa as shared by Marc and Marye of Marriage Actually and see what might appeal to the married couple on your list.

Don’t forget about that single and dating friend or relative! We all know how difficult it can be to buy for them – Lucky for us we have Dating Dames and the Dames have the answers.

It’s never too early to start buying for your favorite gardener and Linette at Mother Earth’s Garden has a wonderful list to help you decide.

Linette at Play Library is haring the Best of Toys list this year – check out what’s hot and get to buying! We know how quick those hot toys sell out every year.

Have someone on your list who always hosts the best parties? Surprise that person with a unique gift as recommended by Linette at She Knows Parties!

Marcie from One Book Two Book and A Child Chosen shares a wonderful shopping list she’s broken down by age groups and hobbies.

Whether it’s tea or coffee you are looking for, Marye from Kettle and Cup has unique gift ideas that’s sure to add a little spice to your favorite hot beverage.

Haven’t figured out just how to shop for the junk lover and crafter on your list? Let Peggy from Junk Creation assist you with your selection.

Susan from Grounded Fitness has a little something for the health and fitness buff on your shopping list.

And last but certainly not least, Gayla has compiled a list of MomGadget Favorites – A Year in Review 2008 instead of a storefront for you to shop.

From all of us at Lifestyles – Health & Wellness

We wish you and yours a very Merry Holiday Season and a wonderful 2009!

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Shopping Extravaganza with b5media Lifestyles, Health and Wellness Channels

You should be on vacation, It’s not so smart to be a U.S. turkey in residence today.

Post from: Blisstree

Happy Thanksgiving!

(Get your own gingerbread birthday house at The Gingerbread Shack)

Today is my birthday (so I get to slack about!). Also, I should take this moment to say that while flowers and books make stellar gifts, nothing really says I adore you like houses. Wouldn’t you agree?

Here are some hopeful gift ideas for a girl like me…

Unwrap my fave gift idea!

Or maybe this gift!

Unwrap this one!

Unwrap a skinny one!

Or maybe something more in your price range.

And lastly, something cool that actually was under wraps….

Unwrap this!

I may be back with something else later, but if not, have a fun day.

[gift images via stock.xchng / wrapped house via Offsite)

Post from: Blisstree

Perfect Offbeat Birthday Houses

This cool little pumpkin house is located at the Dallas Arboretum. They’ve got all sorts of Halloween activities going on, so if you happen to be in the neighborhood, you might want to check them out.

To see my other pumpkin house efforts during the Offbeat Halloween season you can visit:

• Offbeat Pumpkin Architecture
• Pumpkin Architecture Take Two

If you and the family are headed out for some trick-or-treating tonight, be sure to take your camera. Then head over to Simply Thrifty and enter the Little Monsters Costume Contest! You could win a Seagate FreeAgent Go.

[image via Dallas Arboretum]

Post from: Blisstree

Pumpkin House

It seems kind of blood splattered to me. Or at least you could pretend; honestly, there’s just not that much offbeat Halloween furniture floating around out there. This Fusion Chair is close though – from designer / artist Aldo Barreto. Barreto also designed a killer, totally offbeat infant car seat that you have to see. It’s fresh, mod, and oh so unique.

[image via Aldo Barreto via Coroflot]

Post from: Blisstree

Offbeat Halloween Seating