blomma finds

SUNDAY - INDIE - ALYSSA ETTINGER

Alyssa Ettinger is known for her porcelain knitware vases, coasters and tumblers but I have fallen in love with the replica mason jar glow lanterns (available only through her Etsy site).  The set of 2 hanging lanterns is hand-cast porcelain made from antique mason jar molds.  Simply throw in a votive candle to watch them glow.... or use them as decorative accents around the house.  $90 for the set.

Today is the LAST DAY to vote for the 500th Post Party Giveaway!  Just leave a comment on any post to be entered to win one of seven prizes.  First winner will be announced MONDAY!

SATURDAY - PAPER - LINNEA DESIGN

I have had the Linnea Design poster calendar hanging in my kitchen for years!  Every year at Christmas I get a new one and each month is as good as the previous one!  Simply buy an 11x14 acrylic box frame and pop in the poster every month.  Start your holiday shopping (did I just say HOLIDAY shopping) early and get the 2010 version for everyone on your list!  A bargain at $37.

FRIDAY - WEAR - CLAIRE RINER JEWELRY

Cracker Jack Charms.  I just love he sound of them....  For some reason, the fly charm struck my fancy.  $100 for this 20" gold plated chain and sterling silver pendant.  Claire Riner Jewelry is the collaborative effort of artists and friends Amanda Riner and Andrea Claire.  Go ahead, collect all 15 different charms!

500TH POST PARTY REMINDER

Don't forget to leave a comment on any post through July 12th to be entered to win one of seven daily prizes!  The winners will be announced starting July 13th.  GOOD LUCK!!!!

THURSDAY - GREEN - HUMBLE

Humble is inspired by bold graphics, hidden patterns and creatures from nature.  Their products are assembled in the USA and hand printed on 100% cotton or organic cotton using non toxic water based inks.  The patterns and colors are right up my alley and the prices are very reasonable.  $36 for a set of 4 tea towels and $34 for a pillow cover. 

WEDNESDAY - KIDS - OCHANGA

When it comes to kids, I always manage to find gobs of sites for girls clothing.... it's easy to find adorable stuff for girls.  Boys on the other hand.... a bit more of a challenge.  Ochanga is the international designer boutique for boys.  The prices are not outrageous, especially if you scope out the sale selection.  And what boy doesn't need some patchwork La Jolla Cove shorts!  And the shoes... Come on!

TUESDAY - COOK - OCHELLY

The ultimate reusable bag.... the Unzipped Glass Container.  So many times we use these zipper bags for our snacks and once the snacks are gone, so goes the bag.  Now, you can display your treats (or goldfish) on the counter in the glass unzipped bag.  As Ochelly says, the temporary has become contemporary.  Only $19.98!!!!

MONDAY - HOME - POP DELUXE

SWEET!  These sparrow hooks from Pop Deluxe would be the most adorable addition to your little girl's room.  Even hand them in a bathroom, entryway or sunporch to add a little modern sweetness to our pad.  They are sold as a set of two in mixed colors of white, brown, pink and green. Set goes for $16.99.  

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered in the 500th Post Party Giveaway!  Spread the word!

SUNDAY - INDIE - MODERN NEST

Modern Nest on Etsy is a treasure trove of mid-century modern home accessories.  The prices are good, the photography is GREAT and the selection is broad.  I love everything!  They are a husband and wife team that hunt for finds at flea markets and estate sales.  Clearly they have a great eye!

Don't forget to leave a comment to be entered to win one of 7 giveaways in the 500th post party!

SATURDAY - HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!!!!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!!!  Hope you are all having a fantastic holiday!!!  Check out Ablaze for lots of fireworks photography.

FRIDAY - WEAR - SUKIE

The sketch book bag from Sukie is the ideal size to carry all sorts of things.  The bag measures 12 in x 13.5 in and was designed to hold a sketchbook and your supplies.  The strap is long enough to wear across the body as well.  The 100% cotton screen printed bags come in six different designs.  Check out her site for other stationery and textile products. 

THURSDAY - GREEN - OOOMS

We slap solar panels our our houses, why should the birds have it any other way!  The solar birdhouse from OOOMS collects the sun's rays all day and then at night the perch lights up to attract dinner!  All the bird needs to do is stick it's beak out the hole and dine on juicy bugs.  YUM!

Don't forget to leave your comment and be entered in the 500th Post Party Giveaway!

500TH POST PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT

I am so excited!  July 13th marks the 500th post for blomma finds.... hard to believe I have spent so much frickin' time on this thing!  Nonetheless, it has been a labor of love.  To thank you all for being such loyal readers I'm having a little 500th Post Party the week of July 13th with a different giveaway every day, ALL WEEK!  

Here's how it will work:  Leave a comment on any post sometime between July 1st (NOW) and July 12th and you will automatically be entered to win one of the 7 prizes!  Comment as much as you like because each one counts as an entry.  Starting July 13th, I will announce each day's winner.  Simple enough!  The prizes will be a surprise until the actual day of the giveaway but here is a sneak peak into the wonderful companies that have contributed.  

YAY!  Post Party!  Thanks for keeping me going for 500+ days.....  here's to another 500!

 

TUESDAY - COOK - WILLIAMS-SONOMA

The 4th of July is merely days away.... get to a Williams-Sonoma before the weekend and invest in a set of 4 waffle cone ice cream bowls.  Interior colors include red, white, blue and tan.  The perfect patriotic addition to your summertime party!

MONDAY - HOME - WOODNOTES

Woodnotes is a Finnish company, founded in 1987, that designs and manufactures products and concepts inspired by paper yarn for homes and public spaces.  The products range from carpets, blinds and partitions, furniture, table linens, storage containers and other accessories.  This newspaper stand is the ideal spot to store your papers.  When it's time to take them out to the recycle bin, just lift and haul!  

SUNDAY - INDIE - LEILILALOO

You can't help but fall in love with the shop LeiLiLaLoo after reading her bio on Etsy.  A 37 year old wife, mother and creator who has a passion for creating things handmade and a penchant for keeping things (like baby food jars) in hopes of one day using them for another purpose.  I can identify in so many ways.  Anyway, check out her shop.  The handprinted ribbon and sachets are my favorites.  BUY HANDMADE!

SATURDAY - PAPER - ABLE & GAME

I love Able & Game!!  They just started in February of this year and their designs, all based on hand-drawn illustrations of weird and wonderful people, add a breath of fresh air to the often cliche and boring world of greeting cards.  Their references to pop culture will give you a chuckle too!  Check them out!

FRIDAY - WEAR - NET A PORTER

Support Fashion Targets Breast Cancer by purchasing this Ralph Lauren polo shirt, sold exclusively at Net-A-Porter for $50.  All net proceeds from the sales will be donated to affiliated global charities.  Comes in white, red, lime green or yellow (my personal choice!).  

THURSDAY - GREEN - KOR WATER

Sorry... way late today with the post!  But it is a good one... Kor Water - the ultimate water hydration vessel made by a company that calls itself water advocates.  Reusable, BPA free, hinged top with handle, no annoying threads from a screw cap, and the modern vessel allows your water to be seen instead of hidden in a metal canteen.  Check out their site for information on the global water crisis and ocean and watershed protection.  

WEDNESDAY - PETS - PET PROJEKT

Is your pooch a little stinky?  If you just can't bear it, perhaps you should invest in a Fresh Fido Fragrance Charm.  Simply clip onto your dog's collar and for up to a month you can breath in the fresh scents of cucumber melon, juicy green apple, ocean breeze, tangerine, white linen or wild berry.  Only $6 but I'm not sure how Fido himself will feel about it.....

TUESDAY - COOK - AQUAVIT

So Sunday marked Midsummer, the longest day of the year and being Swedish we have to do our traditional toast of Aquavit before we eat our meal.  Aquavit, "the water of life" being the literal Latin translation, tastes nothing like water and it will suck the life right out of you!  My family usually drinks the caraway flavored Danish brand Aalborg.  We keep it in the freezer and serve it ice cold (perhaps that makes it go down easier - um, did I mention the alcohol percent is like 40%?).  I am very tempted to try the white cranberry Aquavit produced by the famous Aquavit restaurant in NYC.  White cranberry sounds a bit more appealing than caraway no?  (image courtesy of nycgo.com)

MONDAY - HOME - WREN & COOPER

I wish I had about a gazillion pages to devote to Wren & Cooper!  I just discovered them tonight and cannot read enough about them.  They are a furniture studio out of Philadelphia that custom makes every single piece of furniture using the best methods of craftsmanship.  Their studio uses only sustainably harvested hardwoods and they create very little waste.  Wood scraps are made into their popular cutting boards and whatever is left over is used to heat their facility in the winter.  And the pillows... LOVE the pillows.  Check out their site for lots more details.  

SUNDAY - INDIE - THE SHOPHOUSE

You must find a place in your home for this book mobile from The ShopHouse.  Perhaps an office or sitting room.... it is just too cool. $48 and truly one of a kind.  Check out the shop and BUY HANDMADE!

SATURDAY - PAPER - MANGO INK

There are a million photo announcement/card sites out there... Kodak, Snapfish, Shutterfly... but I have yet to find one that has designs as unique and current as Mango Ink.  I was hard pressed to pick just one so I picked three of my favorites.  Each has a different feel but clearly when someone gets this in the mail they will know that it did not come from Walgreens.  Sweet and tasty!  That's Mango Ink!

FRIDAY - WEAR - RUCHE

I can't really pull off the Bohemian chic look but maybe I could incorporate a few pieces from a site like Ruche.  I was particularly interested in their shoe category.  Fair prices too....

THURSDAY - GREEN - TRANSYLVANIAN IMAGES

This company is absolutely fascinating.  Transylvanian Images sells textiles like bath and kitchen linens, tote and travel bags all handmade by women villagers from Transylvania.  The fabric is a combination of hemp and boiled linen.  All the flax and hemp are grown on pesticide free farms, harvested, processed and spun by hand.  Each piece is bought directly from the artisan.  How cool is that????

WEDNESDAY - KIDS - ANAMALZ

These are amazing toys and they are environmentally friendly to boot!  Made in Australia from sustainable maple wood they come in a variety of animal types... farm, wild, Australian and prehistoric.  The limbs are bendable for added functionality.  They have also established a trust so as more anamalz are purchased, more funds become available to support real animals!  Get them at a number of sites like this one. 

EDWIN, THE QUIET ELEPHANT

Shameless promotion here.... so a few weeks ago I finally finished writing and illustrating a book for my niece's second birthday.  She has a fascination for elephants and the sound that they make.  So I came up with a story about an elephant, Edwin, who can't make the elephant sound.  He goes on a journey to find his sound and along the way hears the sounds of all his animals friends.  He tries to make their sounds to no avail.  It isn't until Edwin falls asleep that he finds his voice in his dreams, a symphony of the most beautiful sounds.  

I printed the book on Blurb (a FANTASTIC site!!!) and I'm humbled to find that it was chosen as a "staff pick".  You are welcome to purchase a copy (I don't make a dime off it) but it's a cute story nonetheless.  Who knows.... maybe one day it will fall into the hands of someone who thinks it might be worth more.  

Okay, I'm done.... I feel bad I just talked about myself. 

TUESDAY - COOK - TEROFORMA

Father's day is 5 days away... there is still time to get your dad a thoughtful gift.  Is he a wine drinker?  Whiskey?  A wine decanter or set of whiskey glasses from Teroforma would be a perfect show of appreciation.  Throw in a set of whiskey stones for some added intrigue - natural soapstone cubes that you simply chill and throw in your drink.  Keeps the whiskey cool without diluting the drink... smart.... we all know diluting is bad!  

MONDAY - HOME - NORTHERN LIGHTS CANDLES

I'm in the mood for candlelight lately.  What a better way to put your old wine and beverage bottles to good use!  Buy either the taper or tea light topper from Northern Lights Candles ($10.99) and voila, instant ambiance!  Invest in a whole bunch and make yourself a candle wonderland a la a Stevie Nicks video!