Lovelies for your lovelies. V-day inspiration.
January 29, 2011
I happen to be living with two very artistic and crafty roommates. One loves to sew, decoupage, and tackle any other DIY project that she’s inspired by, while the other is the master of all things collage and very brave when it comes to captaining maiden voyage projects that she has no experience with to date. I admire that kind of fearlessness, I tend to stay in my comfort zone for fear of ridiculing (myself to hard).
This year, we three are hosting a Valentine’s Day brunch and let me tell you I am BEYOND obsessed with looking for decor projects for our special day. I’m sure I’ll post pics from the actual event, so until then I just wanted to share what’s inspired me so far. Just click on the titles of each craft for the how-to.
Happy crafting!
-from Martha Stewart (yes, she CAN do everything)
I think I’d be tempted to use twine instead of ribbon, I gravitate toward “earthy.”
Crocheted Heart Garland…for those of you studs who crochet.
Poster Cabaret
January 17, 2011
Really great site with some very unique posters (and a focus on indie concerts). Cheap and easy way to incorporate some great conversation pieces in your humble abode.
Man Man Concert Poster $25.00
Andrew Bird Concert Poster $25.00
Bob Dylan Concert Poster $35.00
Bag-handed compliments.
November 15, 2010
What better way to give to your eco and money-conscious friends than saying “I applaud your efforts of taking your lunch to work when everyone else is ‘eating fresh’ at Subway or whatever that means. Now here is a bag that is cute (like you). So there.”
The Etsy shop GirlsCanTell (LOVE the name!) have you covered. Pick from illustrations aplenty. Oh and they’re not only illustrations, but they’re diagrams. DIAGRAMS.
Superfun Tandem Bicycle Diagram Lunch Bag (say that 5 times fast)-$16
Cute Little Terrarium Eco Lunch Bag-$16
Magical Unicorn Recycled Cotton Lunch Bag-$16
Rob Ryan from Londontown.
November 15, 2010
Rob Ryan is an artist from London, UK that I have admired for a little over a year now. His artwork in combination with simple, heartfelt messages would be uniquely warm additions to any room in the house. Even you minimalists can appreciate the decorative simplicity that is all things Ryantown.
A few pieces that I fell head over heels for:
This Bell Will Ring Ceramic Tile-$36
Last Night Whilst You Were Asleep Ceramic Tile-$36
For your grapes (and 40′s) of wrath.
November 13, 2010
I guess I’m on somewhat of a beverage-holder kick. The only way I can justify today’s post is due to the fact that most of us (and by most I mean people who have at least one friend) will most likely attend a Christmas party this year.
And what do we normally bring to Christmas parties? No, the answer is not, nor ever will be, cocktail weenies.
The answer is wine.
Instead of wrapping up your wine in festive tissue paper, why not go the more eco-friendly route. Put the vino in a bag that is not only charming, but reusable as well. It’s the gift [holder] that keeps on giving. Who knows where this thing will end up after being passed on from recipient to recipient. Only time and generosity will tell.
And if you’re stuck on what to get your college-aged class act/20-30 something, why not get them a fine frame for their forty (forty ounces of malt liquor if you don’t know what I’m talking about). If you’ve seen anything more clever than the holder below, please send me the link because I’m convinced it doesn’t exist.
Well, now that my once G-rated blog has abruptly taken a turn for the PG-13, here are the goods:
From the shop: GangGreeneCo
Wine Bottle Tote Bag made from re-purposed cotton/canvas-$18
From the shop: ChefRepublic
Organic Bottle Bag Wine Poetry-$15 (comes in yellow, as well)
From the shop: GangGreeneCo
Forty Oz Tote Bag made from re-purposed cotton/canvas and rubber grips-$15
“Beer me” and bikes.
November 12, 2010
I realize this is a complete niche gift, but if you’re anything like me and have a bike enthusiast that enjoys a good brewski (or two) in your life, look no more for their perfect holiday gift.
Whether it’s Blue Moon, Newcastle, Fat Tire or good ol’ Bud Light, these screen prints are a sure-fire way to please your road or mountain lover.
And for those of you who are just looking for some unique designs to mix up the glassware shelf in your house, the Vital shop on Etsy has you covered.
Vital Bicycle, screen printed glassware, blue, set of 2-$20
Mega Crazy Super Bike Party-screen printed bicycle pint glasses, set of 12-$89
TLR, screen printed glasses, set of 2-$20
Wren, screen-printed glassware, charcoal, set of four-$35
Dala Horse, screen printed glassware, set of 4 pint glasses-$35
Shoogi in your stocking.
November 10, 2010
I found these two amazingly adorable sets of earrings yesterday as I was doing some homework for the upcoming month and a half Etsy-fest that I’ve gotten myself into. : )
Today, let’s take in the cuteness of this ear decor and be done with it. Perfect gift for any hip lady in your life or stocking stuffer for your daughter (no pressure Beckie).
Shoogi is a quaint little Etsy store but it really tugged at my heart strings.
The owner of Shoogi is Avishag Kroizman and she lives in the south of Israel, She says in her bio that she’s married to a “great friend” and a mother to two amazing kids. She also recently left her high-tech job to pursue her more artistic passions and to spend more time with her children.
I love it.
Oh! And she’s having a pre-Christmas sale right now that includes $6 dollar earrings and $15 dollar necklaces.
Below: my top picks
Ivory mini flower-Post earrings-$7.20
Sparrow Post Earring – Silver-$16.20
PonderandStitch…and the holiday itch.
November 9, 2010
Here it comes, ready or not. It’s Holiday season 2010 and you’re undoubtedly stressing about gift ideas. Well I’m here to give you a gift idea per day for those who don’t have the time to find “the perfect gift” for that special someone or someones in your amazingly busy life (between work, yoga, picking up the kids, putting dinner on the table who has the time to tailor each gift to their loved one’s interests?) The answer is someone who has more time on her hands than she cares to…moi. The trick is, I’m only going to be pulling from Etsy. It will be a fun challenge on my end and hopefully you’ll be able to grab some inspiration for the annual chaos.
[and away we go]
I came across this cute shop on Etsy through the editor’s picks section and I thought I would share the adorable cuffs Amy (the owner) has to offer. Not only are they double or triple-stranded (your choice) but you can get them engraved. She is “convo-friendly” which means you can reach out to her at anytime for suggestions for your product. She also has 100% positive feedback so there is no gambling with great service, she’s proved it with 215 extremely satisfied customers. I personally love the one that she has as a proto-type…”be still…” I think in light of the upcoming holiday frenzy, we should all remember tp take a moment to just, well…be. Here here for vintage floral bracelets and the ability to personalize.
Double strand embroidered cuff bracelet - be still - MADE TO ORDER-$28
Double strand hand embroidered cuff bracelet - cross stitch love-$29
Double strand cuff bracelet in mustard and crocheted lace. $26
Through the Looking Glass(ware)…
March 6, 2010
In honor of Tim Burton’s new and highly anticipated feature-length film debuting today, I thought I’d share some recent finds on the subject. When Charles Lutwidge Dodgson aka Lewis Carroll finished this literary masterpiece over 150 years go, I sincerely doubt he had any inkling of the merchandising possibilities his “literary nonsense” tale would have. Not only did Disney hop on this bandwagon, taking the story and forever branding images of the purple and pink Cheshire Cat, along with that trusty talking doorknob in our minds, but collectors have found a way to create a niche market for these lovable and long-standing characters.
While in New York a few short weeks ago, while strolling down Broadway toward Madison Square Park, I stumbled upon the cutest shop called Fish’s Eddy. Please know that I’ve always been a sucker for dishware, highly ironic since I’m constantly moving from home to home every year (and this year from one side of the country to the other) and don’t have the funds to entertain. Nevertheless, even in the throws of college and athletics, I was always looking for great deals on cute serving dishes.
Simply put, this shop is my heaven on earth. There were dishes of every shape and design: dishware for the Brooklynite, the polka dot extremist, the bargain hunter, the color enthusiast and even the dog and cat lover. It wasn’t just the merchandise in this place, it was the warmth I felt not only from the manager and the other employees there, but from my fellow shoppers. You could tell this place made people smile, there is only one, so I’m assuming people come from near and far to peruse.
Enough talking, let’s get you to the goods, enjoy Alice and her friends. Just click on the pictures to be redirected to their website (if you want to buy).
Alice Square Plate Flying Cards $12.95
Alice Mini Rectangular Tray 2 Cards 3" X 6" $5.95
Alice Glass Tea Party 11 oz. $5.00
“Thank You’s” have no place in my inbox.
February 26, 2010
As a child, upon receiving gifts of any sort, I vividly remember the event being a two-part experience. There was the moment in which I opened the gift and then there was inevitably the question that my mother would ask of her children upon receiving anything new from a family member or friend…”Have you written your thank you yet?”
At seven years old, all I was worried about was what color pumps my new Malibu Barbie would be wearing on her date with Ken, I hardly had the time to think about actually expressing any level of gratitude. Come to think of it, I was held back in kindergarten, so I’m not entirely sure I even had the capability to do so at the age of seven. How much progress can actually be made in two years.
Anyway, now that I’m older and coherent enough to know how much time, thought, love and (sometimes) money can go into gift-giving, I’m a much larger advocate of the forgotten art of thank-you cards. It seems as though today, society has relegated them to the “wedding gifts” section of our lives.
I’m here to say that if you really want to impress someone, write it down on some inspiring stationary and send it snail mail asap. Store-bought, homemade, monogrammed, whatever you want. Just make it happen. It’s honestly a ton of fun looking for something that resembles who you are in some way, in paper. At one point, it even became a mild addiction for me. I would find myself in Papyrus, staring longingly at all the florals and paisley’s. Photographs of Audrey H. in Paris, in Rome, in London in New York, she really got around. There are so many to choose from, like I said, make an event out of choosing what’s right for you.
I’ve always been a sucker for French toile. I stumbled upon this little set the other day by etsy seller ScrappinrenCreations and fell in love. She has the most adorable creations, please do yourself a favor and check her store out.
French Toile Stationary Notecard set in a Muslin Bag $8.50
Some other goodies from the seller:
Wild Rose Thinking of You Gift Tags $4.25
