Warm Scarves November 24, 2008

It is chilly chilly chilly out! I was browsing online for scarves and looked up a few that I’ve seen in person and loved, and a few new finds.

First of all, it’s incredibly hard to find a picture of any of Club Monaco’s ANYTHING!, but after much searching I did find a picture of their ‘Cashmere Sadie Scarf/Pashmina’.

The picture doesn’t do it justice. I love the polka dots, but it comes in a variety of colors and patterns. It’s warm and ‘whispy’: if you knotted it around your neck you would be quite warm, but if you chose to wear it as a shawl over a dress, it’s slightly translucent, which I think would be a classy effect.

This weekend I saw Kate Spade’s ‘wiener dog’ scarf. If I knew someone with a dachshund (or if I had one), this would be an immediate purchase. It’s great—obviously warm and not at all bulky!  The way the dog’s face and body stretches around the scarf is fun, not campy.

Then in my typical Etsy search, I found a couple winners! I’ve never been a huge fan of the ‘scarflette’, but this one from Holladay’s Etsy shop looks warm, comforting, and convenient for those days when you don’t want to deal with stuffing your scarf under your coat.

I also found this warm cashmere scarf from Adventures of Jr.’s shop. The pattern wouldn’t work for every coat or outfit, but I could see it working well with a green or brown peacoat, or a heavy trench.

Etsy: Bailey Doesn’t Bark November 21, 2008

I like to do a bi-weekly browse through Etsy, just clicking amongst various sites without any sort of order to the clicking.  Occasionally I will search a tag word like stationary or something, but more often than not, I just click on a store and look around and then click on their favorite stores and then after awhile it’s hard to figure out where I started.

Hence how I stumbled upon ‘Bailey Doesn’t Bark‘.  This store is full of lovely hand painted mugs and plates.  The designs are quite sweet, especially this ‘Sleeping Supporters’ mug (and plate) with two birds intermingled and at peace.

Even though there are no expressions on their faces (and the fact that they are birds!) I think this series would a wonderful gift to a loved one or as an anniversary present, signifying the reliance and sense of calm that comes from a strong relationship.

I also like the ‘4 Seasons’ mini painted cups.  I tend to enjoy takes on the ‘Four Seasons’ (be it Vivaldi, Thomas Cole’s rendition, or the numerous sculptures, notecards, or jewelry done on the subject).  Like the other work in this store, this particular homage to the Four Seasons is simple:  the point is made in an effortless and minimalist way.  The summer cup is wonderful, with the bird flying in the distance and a tree completely in bloom.

The Four Seasons

Close Up of Summer

Emmo Home November 20, 2008

Emmo Home sells modern products for all areas of living:  kitchen, bath, office, kids, fun.  These objects vary between unique, strange, and funky without seeming to sacrifice any functionality.  I am a big fan of products that go beyond the typical and here are a few of my favorite finds:

Sugar Bowl:

Nice, elegant sugar bowls:  many wonderful shops sell them and I’ve found plenty that I like.  Of course I don’t end up using my sugar bowl much, so it’s basically a decorative piece.  This is not elegant!  And that’s okay…I think this sugar bowl could be used as that one ‘off-the-wall’ element in a really trendy kitchen.  I’m picturing stainless steel appliances and granite countertops with sleek cabinets and red knobs.  And then this funky monkey.

Cotton Swabs:

I love having apothecary jars to hold various necessary items.  But if those items are for a kids’ bathroom, why not something that’s not breakable and resembles a shy little alien?  Sounds good to me!

Cat Bowl:

If I could justify dropping $80 on my cat, I’d splurge for this cat bowl (but sorry, Kate, that’s not happening!).  Nonetheless, I love this piece.  The tail makes it easy to move around and it just seems so much better than boring bowls on the floor.  And probably less easy to accidently kick, spilling water and food everywhere (that only happens twice a day!).

Kate Spade Fun November 16, 2008

Kate Spade’s line of bags, stationary, shoes, frames (etc) is consistently clean, crisp, and classic.

The colors and the lines of her bags are exceptionally wonderful (except for an animal print stage); the stationary is cute and modern.  Here are a few of my current favorite bags and designs.

Flapper-esque Cloche

London Baylor Bag: perfect for a weekend or as an every day bag

Savona Dillen bag: a wonderful, trendy work bag: roomy and functional

A trendy diaper/baby bag: whoohoo!

Studio Violet November 13, 2008

I found Studio Violet from  Design Sponge’s glowing review.

From two Swedish designers comes:  Really unique, quirky, and ultimately sweet postcards and journals of leaves and funky (cute) heads on odd shaped bodies.

This certainly doesn’t sound like the best description ever, but I would love to have one of those precious cat posters hanging in my apartment!

Holiday Cards November 9, 2008

The stores have been decorated for Christmas since late September…but I’m certainly not REALLY ready to think about that holiday before we have (and enjoy!) Thanksgiving.  However, it’s never too early to start figuring out and browsing through holiday cards.

I already have mine for this year, but here are a few that might make me reconsider my current choices

From Ink and Wit I found this ‘Birds and Cupcakes’ card of this precious baby bird receiving another cupcake from the momma bird.  CUTE!

From StorybyMia’s Etsy shop I found these simple ‘Holiday Stocking’ cards with a cheerful Happy Christmas.  Simple and refreshing.

From Little Paper Planes, I found the always popular combination ‘Egg Nog and Rum’ card.  Love it!

Fun Political Items November 4, 2008

In honor of Election Day, here are a few fun political finds:

Scarves from Echo Design:

Donkey Scarf

Close up of Elephant Scarf

Elephant Bib from NinaBina’s Etsy Shop:

Obama Post Earrings from BeachMama’s Etsy Shop:

Donkey and Elephant Brass Figurines from Design Within Reach:

Happy Halloween! Etsy Finds November 1, 2008

A selection of fun Fall finds from Etsy. From pinklilypress‘ Etsy shop:  pumpkin notecards! From photographer Rob Eastman, a stunning capture of fall leaves on a winding road (in Georgia): I thought this was an amusing, Halloween appropriate, t-shirt:  Ben Franklinstein, from Mis Nopales Art Happy Halloween, Happy Fall…onto  Thanksgiving!!