this is not my work

one neat shop

 

 

 

Um...wow, right?

As some of you know, I moved from Portland, Oregon to Austin, Texas about one month ago and right now I am literally *bummed* that I didn't get to see the is amazing new shop, Alder & Co. before I left town.

They carry hand made and thoughtfully made items from around the USA and the world. Some of my favorites are gorgeous mobiles by Frazier & Wing, Japanese masking tapes, Fog Linen and Makr goods.

Seriously-from the photos it looks like some could buy any one thing in the shop for me and I'd be stoked.

I'm hosting the Little Winter market in November in Portland and I will be sure to stop by Alder& Co. For now, I will read their awesome blog and dream...

(all photos taken from their shop blog...thanks guys!)

dandy

I adore these well designed chocolate bars from Mary & Matt and think they would make perfect gifts.

I like the idea of giving gifts that are consumable instead of just handing someone another piece of clutter.

Anyway, they have a fun blog, too.

:)

perfection in a new form

 

 

 

I'm going to be honest, I am not normally a fan of wall decals.

But my friend Shanna Murray has changed all of that.

Can you believe how stunning these decals above are?

After a year of sketching, planning, research and hard work Shanna is introducing this new collection.

I adore the look of the decals-they actually look like Shanna's sketches!

Another great part about these guys?

They are made in the US and are priced at $10-$40.

Pretty darn awesome, if you ask me.

I already have about seven different ideas of how to display these guys-and best part is-if I end up moving, I can take them with me :)

Thanks for providing us with these beauties, Shanna! See the shop over here.

natural beauty

 

 

 

I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Amber Mahler last December.

She is the woman behind ManiDesigns Jewelry. Amber gathers pieces from the natural world; seedpods, tiny branches, leaves, flowers, even berries and casts them using a lost wax technique. She then creates gold and silver pieces from these casts-leaving her with a gorgeous and completely unique collection.

Her line is an intricate series of works that in person is seriously breathtaking. When you hold a piece in your hand it almost seems it is too fragile to last, but her pieces are super sturdy. Amber is a poet and metal is her medium.

ManiDesigns was exclusively available wholesale and through craft shows but Amber just opened a new etsy shop. Be sure to check it out!

simple sundries

To me, there is nothing worse than strong smelling artificial soaps, candles, and sprays. They make me sneeze and they make my throat hurt and they make James' skin itch uncontrollably.

It's a little scary the things that are in some of the items we keep in our homes and put on our bodies.

We are always looking for natural, hand made sundries and I am so happy to have found Amber's shop, Oakmoss.

Amber is an animal rescuer, mama, wife and blogger who also runs a lovely little etsy shop stocked full of natural bath and body products. She also dabbles in film photography which you can check out over here at her flickr.

five things

 

 

 

If you read my other blog, you may have read that my husband and I decided that this year we would not exchange gifts.

I am totally okay with this-but I wanted to share my "if we were exchanging gifts, this is what I would want" list with you all. Because maybe, just maybe you are still looking for that perfect something and these are all gifts that you can still get in time for the big day.

1. Beautiful poster by Jen Causey-you can buy it here and it's even on sale! I would hang it above my computer and stare at it far too often

2. A practical, pretty, recycled tote by forest bound. Try and snag one quickly here. They go fast.

3. This fun print by Sandra Juto. Pick one up over here-and be sure to wish her a happy birthday today :)

4. The Japanese volume of Lines and Shapes. Available here and on sale, too.

5. (Not pictured) a membership to Portland's awesome IPRC.

Ah....it did feel better to get that out

just.in.case.

;D