Gorgeous Calendar

I saw these beautiful Jennifer Hill calendars featured on both design*sponge and dooce. Absolutely amazing. How great it would look in an office (if I had one) or in my kitchen. I love the concept and the title Places I Have Never Been. Of course Jennifer Hill has lots of other cool stuff too, so make sure you check her out!

How Retro!

This Etsy shop sells jewelry and accessories made from vintage buttons. The designs are a lot of fun and whimsical. Makes me want to run my hand through a button jar!

not too pink... just right

I can’t remember how I found this Etsy shop filled with little prints for your home. The art is whimsical and the colors are great. Shopping at not too pink is a very affordable and fun way to add some style to your walls.




Aren't they fun?

pinkdixie

I've been lacking some inspiration lately. To help with my desire to find pretty (sometimes cute or fun) things, I decided to have an Etsy week. I love, love, love the philosophy behind Etsy. As their motto says, "Your place to buy and sell all things handmade." It ends up that many of the "shops" are run by mothers who have a talent for creating beautiful things!

I was quickly perusing Etsy, while waiting for the water to boil (our computer is in the kitchen), when I stumbled upon pinkdixie (really fun clothes for really fun kids). What actually drew me to the shop was this cute little smock with pears and apples all over it.


I love that the design of the dress, along with many of the fabrics the seamstress uses, is something that I could have worn when I was little (yes, a child of the 70's). She began making these smocks for her daughter to wear during meals once her daughter was pulling off the bib. It could also be used for messy activities, or even as is on a hot day!

Pinkdixie also has little baby outfits, bib sets, car seat strap covers, and lounge wear. Look at this cute lounge outfit!

Sewing with Kids

I had so much fun sewing with my son today, that I decided to take a look at what sewing items are out there for the kid crowd (12 and under). Sewing, along with other arts and crafts, can really teach a child a lot about process and patience, let alone activate some creativity!

I remember getting my first sewing scissors from my Nana when I was 9 years old, which I still use, and I took my first sewing class when I was ten. I'm not a very good seamstress (I'm too impatient!), but I value my mom's great talent. Over the next 10 years, I would like to hone my skills so that I am more confident and competent!

Here is the kit we used. It says that it is for ages 5 and up, but with guidance it could be for a 4 year old.



2-4 year olds:

Alex Lacing Around Forest and Ocean

Friendly Bugs Lacing Cards

Lacing Shapes

4-7 year olds:

Loop N Loom

Felt Friends

Simply Needlepoint

7 and up:

My First Sewing Kit

My Wooden Sewing Box

Sock Monkey Kit (Closer to age 9 or 10)

Could I borrow a Smencil, please?

I am now in the quest for a filing/organizational system for our new home. When we moved we got rid of our two-drawer metal filing cabinet, and now we are looking for something much smaller to replace it. It has to be pretty because it will be out in the open. I have a huge paper problem, so I really need to get this under control! While perusing the vast Internet options, I ran into this great shop called See Jane Work. They have some very fun products like these Smencils, which are scented pencils. Of course they have pretty binders, notebooks, and file folders. I really enjoyed their amusing (but true!) little write-up on a home office. So many things to choose from and lots of fun to look!

Affordable Art

Modern Art Everyday is a great little Etsy shop I found through Apartment Therapy: The Nursery (a great design blog... I love their Green version, too). I love that the artist proclaims that her work is fun, affordable and modern art. It can be easy to find the fun and modern, but often the affordable art is harder to locate! Her prints on canvas are my favorite.

I think I told you all I had a thing for pears!

This is the print that was featured on the Apartment Therapy blog. Love those colors!

Darlybird

I love this little shop. In fact, my husband got me a couple of things from here for my birthday! (Like this rose carved bracelet in the plum color.)


Their jewelry is fun, but one of the first things I noticed were these simple girls' ribbon headbands!


These salad servers are beautiful, too.


You could spend a lot of time looking at the unique items sold at Darlybird, and trust me, I have.

Crystalyn Kae

This summer I spotted these handbags online, and I was so impressed. They come from a designer named Crystalyn Kokorowski, whose business is based in Seattle. Aren't they beautiful? She has made some special edition items out of leather, but most of her designs are made of glaze-coated fabric, which is suitable for vegans or those that don't like leather products.

Crystalyn Kae handbags looked so great online, I had to see them in person. When I was in Portland I made sure to visit a boutique that stocked these bags. And guess what? They are so soft, and so pretty. I loved the way it rested on my shoulder and the beautiful stitching. The vintage fabric that peeks out from some of the designs is so cute! Seeing the bags in front of me affirmed that they not only look great, but feel great too.

My two favorites are the Soiree Drawstring (seen above) and the Troubadour Tote.

Although I keep looking at the hobo and clutch bags, too!

Now I'm the first to admit that my budget is still recovering from 7 years of grad-school and the choice to stay home with the kids instead of work full-time, so most of my purses are roughly valued at less than $20. BUT, when I do buy my first "nice" bag, I definitely want it to be one of these! We'll see what the next year brings!

Bath Time Blues

Although my son loves to swim, he has never been great about having the shampoo rinsed from his hair. It wasn't too long ago that he would cry or scream if even the slightest amount of water trickled near his tightly closed and covered eyes. As I am thinking about making some changes to the kids' bathroom, I was reminded of flo, a great product by boon. I first was introduced to boon by mod*mom, and their products all look great.


Because the water flow can be controlled, I think flo may help get rid of some of our bath time blues.

Little Details

This last fall my friend, who happens to be part of a very fashionable mommy network, introduced me to the most adorable Trumpette socks.


Of course my daughter never kept her baby socks on, so buying cute little socks that would end up on the floor of the car was never an idea I entertained. And once she started wearing shoes, I knew I couldn't cover up those stylish socks with her practical shoes. But now I can dress up her little feet in something that would be seen by everyone. These maryjane rainboots are irresistible!

Mirror, Mirror

Came across this great set of hanging mirrors. They would look nice in an entryway or on a small wall as shown in the picture. I would like to see them on one of the walls next to the bathtub in my master bathroom. One of the best things about this set is the reasonable price!

Oh, the choices!

So far I have mentioned one Etsy shop, but I can't help but keep going with Madison Craft Studio. I could spend hours looking at each beautiful pendant fashioned from origami paper. The design is modern and colorful, with lots of great bird and tree motifs. With the amazing price, I won't be able to stop at one. I keep envisioning them used as home decor (attached to a leather cord for a napkin ring, a display of charms in a picture box), but they make absolutely beautiful necklaces.

Kid Art... Real Art

I found this cute little shop that sells art geared for kids, not just prints, but actual collage and paintings that can be personalized. The shop is Petit Collage and I love this little whale. Look at some of the other great designs, like this pear (I have a thing for pears!).


Wouldn't this little red sundress be great in a girl's bedroom? Original and bright, what every child's room should be!

I wish I was 5

I have been introduced to the wonderful world of Etsy. Found this adorable little shop with lots of little girl things. Makes me so glad I have a daughter. Amy, the creator and designer, is getting ready to restock for the fall, so I check daily to see if she has more for sale, but not yet. Doesn't the sugar cookie set look yummy? Her little girl aprons are absolutely beautiful. And the name nanaCompany reminds me of my Nana and all the wonderful baking she would do. Check out some of the items Amy has sold. Truly one of a kind! Can't wait to see what she has been working on this summer!