Beverages always taste better out of a fancy glass. This set of 6 glass flutes is the perfect vessel to hold your champagne or cordial. After the party you can use them for vases too. They measure about 7" tall and each one is unique. $49 for the set. Get them at Rain Collection.
I always knew my parents were ahead of their time in terms of design. I was SO excited to find that these are still in production! This storage solution is called the componibili and has been made by Kartell in Italy for over thirty years. And I had one when I was a kid!!!! Mine was yellow and I think my sister had either blue or white. Now they even hold a place in the Museum of Modern Art in New York. You can still get them from Hive Modern. They must have retired the yellow but you can choose from red, black, white and silver. Mom and dad, you guys are cool.
This is what I love about Etsy... I typed "retro doily" into the search box and landed on many cool things.... these three were my favorites. The top is the doily clock from and furthermore. The cork backed porcelain coasters (middle) are from Racquel Masri. Finally, the cameo wall hanging comes from Banner Babe. Obscure searches often lead us to the most interesting of shops. If you have a winning search term, let me know. This is my favorite Etsy pastime... I could do it for hours. (Better than watching the Superbowl!)
Here's a budget friendly way to send your Valentine's Day greetings. Red Stamp has FREE cards that you can print at home... and they're cute! Prints 4 to an 8.5 x 11 sheet. Just cut, sign and mail! And if you are all dialed into the social media thing, they even have virtual cards you can post on your blog or on Facebook.
As much as I have tried to fight it, we do need to wear socks in the winter. No more going barefoot in ballet flats for a few more months. Liven up your sock selection with a few pairs from Ozone Socks. Everything from stripes to argyle to polka dots. The men's collection is particularly good. Stay warm my friends!
Brave Space Design is a group of Brooklyn based designers that bring modular, multi function objects to the home of office spaces. Their devotion to using only environmentally sustainable products makes them a perfect feature for the GREEN category. Their Light Block fixture creates a sense of modern wilderness when lit. The walnut panels are made from ecoresin, a non toxic, sustainable material that includes 40% recycled content. $350.
I am venturing away from dogs this week as my nieces have become obsessed with FISH! I remember the days of my nasty fish tank covered with algae that turned out to be more of a chore than anything else. Perhaps I have matured enough to take care of a fish and this wall mounted fish tank from Wrapables is awesome! Note, the tank is small and meant only for fish no larger than a beta.
Ticings are decorative sheets of icing that allow you to add a touch of modern design to your baked goods. You create the canvas, the ticings make it special. Top cakes, cupcakes, brownies and cookies with designs for holidays, weddings, showers, birthdays, kid parties.... No one will ever know your cupcakes came out of a box if you place a ticing on top!
Now I am on the hunt for a rug. Just repainted my living room plain old white and it feels so fresh and bright. Now I can get a bit of a darker rug and not feel like I am living in a dungeon. This one from West Elm is the current front runner. A subtle herringbone pattern framed on each end with an iron colored solid stripe. Best part, it's only $249 for an 8x10 size. Fair trade and Craftmark certified too.
Okay all you artisans out there.... today is the FINAL day to nominate your favorite artist (and it's okay to nominate yourself) in Rikrak Studio's 2010 Handmade Olympics! Categories include handmade items for kids, eco-friendly items, handmade products with the most innovative design, inspiring blogs and more. There are over $2,000 worth of prizes too! HURRY! Last day to enter is today, January 31st! And be sure to stop by the Rikrak Studio blog frequently.... she is the NICEST blogger out there!
Good artwork can be hard to find. Especially artwork that is reasonably priced. I've got my eye on a few of Geninne's prints at her Etsy shop. The birds are just phenomenal and unframed prints cost only $25. I've seen a few of her prints through Urban Outfitters but the selection in her own shop is by far the better option. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!
Pansy Maiden. Great bags. Green and cruelty free. Designed and handcrafted by artist Laura Collins out of her studio in Medford, MA. Check out her site for some great bags at very fair prices.
Maxine Sutton creates a beautiful line of homewares and accessories that incorporate the best practices of sustainability. All of her items are handcrafted and consist of natural organics such as cotton, hemp, linen and wool. She combines these elements with found/recycled/vintage items and all embroidery uses plant dyed wool yarn, cotton, alpaca, silk and linen. The French lavender filled spoon shaped sachets are adorable.
Kids got cabin fever? Do a little online shopping at Donna Wilson and hook yourself up with a "make your own monster kit". Kit comes with precut monster shape, stuffing, pom poms, do dads and all the monster embellishments you could ask for. No sewing skills are required. A fun craft project for you and your kids and it will help to put a friendly face to that infamous monster under the bed. Um, the monster above is actually a little too creepy looking.....
Vanilla infused sugar... well not just plain old sugar.... organic turbinado sugar combined with Bourbon vanilla bans from Madagascar. Um, yum. Pear & Peony sells a set of 5 glass tubes full of this aromatic sugar sealed with an air tight cork and complete with a label and pairing suggestions. What a perfect treat for house guests or a favor for your next bridal or baby shower. Pour some of this in your morning cup of coffee and you have instant heaven. $25 for a set of 5.
So I'm looking for a throw and of course the one I land on, from Missoni Home of Italy, costs over $250. But isn't it pretty? 100% pure wool in all these fun colors. If you are so inclined to buy (I would be incredibly envious), you can get them from artedona. <sigh>
I have been on the hunt for accent pillows in a mustard color and I've landed on two gems! The first is from Droplet Studio and is made from yellow felt with a white felt fern applique with blue stitching. $38 for the pillow and the insert! The second is from Yorktown Road (an all time favorite of mine) and is made from beautiful textured linen. The third color block pillow is from Raw Edges Studio and is made from natural hemp muslin and organic cotton. Can't go wrong with either three!
How do you spell patience? K R I S T I N A M A R I E!!! Wow. These paper and hand dyed fabric garlands are truly a work of art. The paper circles in the middle image are 5/16 of an inch and then are sewn together! And the garland is TEN feet long. Wow. And she's hit the big time! She will be featured in the March issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! I'm impressed.
Just got the new Boden Spring catalog. It has become very apparent to me how appealing a jolt of color can be when you are in the midst of a blah winter. Colors like crocus, fennel and clementine.... While I am on a financial diet, I cannot deny myself the right to at least browse and think of Spring. Perhaps after a couple months of tightening my belt, I just might be able to treat myself to a little bit of Boden.
What to do with vintage barware? Sandblast it and cover it in frosting! Plush Pod sells a set of 4 of these Frosine Glasses that breathes new life into old glasses. Each set of 4 is hand selected so it's a surprise to see what you'll get. But rest assured that the sandblasted frosting will make for a cohesive look.
As you all know, I have a black lab (the love of my life) and when I saw this artwork by Emily Burrowes at Z Gallerie I nearly fell over. She will do a commissioned portrait or you can get a print of some of her existing work. Boxers, terriers, spaniels, shepherds, goldens.... you name it.
Okay, someone answer me this... "where have I been that I am just NOW discovering Pioneer Woman???" Heard about it Sunday and now I am hooked... completely. Pioneer Woman chronicles the life of a woman, Ree Drummond, who lived in LA and moved to a ranch after meeting her Marlboro Man cowboy husband. She is a ranch wife, a mom of four, a photographer, a blogger and a cook. The recipe section is unbelievable. From cowboy nachos to chocolate sheet cake and everything in between. She has a cookbook too! Get it here. Now if you'll excuse me, I am knee deep into reading her posts about how she met her cowboy.... it's seriously better than any romance book you could ever imagine. I must get back to it....
Leave it to a duo out of the Midwest to come up with such an ingenious idea! Midwest Finds sells these pump dispensers made from a vintage Ball mason jar and their custom zinc lid with a built in pump. Perfect for hand soap, dishwashing liquid, lotion etc... A wonderful use of a vintage find and a unique rustic addition to your home. Only $10 too! Check out their Etsy shop for a bunch of other goodies.
Have a friend moving cross country? Your kid got accepted to college in Texas? Or perhaps you want to pay homage to your birth state? The state felt pillow collection from Love, California is just what you need. All the pillows are custom made to order so if you don't see exactly what you like, send them an email and they will line you up with the state and color of your choosing. Check out their shop and BUY HANDMADE!
I'm quite taken with the log bag from Fluffy Co. Screen printed by hand using water based inks. Fabric is an organic cotton/hemp blend. On sale right now for $48.
Remember that kid in school who always ate paste? Where is he now, huh? It's no surprise that kids put nasty stuff in their mouths.... why not make sure it's at least made from natural ingredients. Eco-Kids has a line of art products, specifically moulding dough, paints and colored pencils that are all made from actual plants and/or recycled materials. Flour, cornstarch, salt, extracts from beets, carrots, spinach, blueberries... even available in gluten free formulas! Much safer than that paste from days of ore....
If there is anything you can do to make your kids eat, you'd do it right? I think you might have some luck with Alphabet Plates. For $22 you can get a personalized melamine plate (BPA free of course) that features their favorite food, sport, characterization or monogram. Placemats are available too (for $18) that teach your kids where all the utensils go and they even are available in all sorts of different languages! Multilingual AND well fed....
I was blown over when I saw the Herriott Grace website for so many reasons. 1) The products are absolutely beautiful! The woods... walnut... birds eye maple... all stunning. The collection includes spoons of various sizes, rolling pins, salt bowls, cheese boards, pedestal plates and mortar & pestles. 2) The photography is some of the best I have seen. The cheese board staged with evergreens, walnuts and a slice of pomegranate... genius. 3) The story behind it all. It's a father/daughter shop which I love. My dad is also a talented woodworker that gives me the most beautiful gifts.... I wish I could showcase his pieces as beautifully as Herriott Grace has done.
Um, need some candle holders? Luna Bazaar is your ultimate source, hands down. Over 300 different ones to choose from in a rainbow of colors. If a party, wedding or hoopla is in your future, look no further than Luna Bazaar so set you up in the decorating department (volume discounts too). They also have paper lanterns, pillow covers, favor boxes... Named Martha Stewart Weddings' favorite source for paper lanterns.
Coucou Madame, a shop selling vintage German porcelain, is celebrating its 1st Etsy birthday TODAY, January 10th! In honor of this special day, everything in her shop is 40% off for today only. Yes, that's right... F O R T Y percent! I've got my eye on the Edelstein Diamond and Dot Vase.... I suppose I should hurry before someone else beats me to the punch!
