Thursday, May 27, 2010

curiouser and curiouser





Alice & Wonderland inspired birthday party table (or un-birthday party table as Alice would have it) courtesy of Lollipop Events & Designs.  Loving the stacked tea cups (secured with a hot glue gun), the moss ball centerpieces and the dainty little monogrammed tea bags.  Thanks to The TomKat Studio for the introduction to Lollipop's lovely shop & blog.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

jordan ferney's birthday tree

 Jordan will be posting more details on how to make your very own birthday tree (or baby shower tree... or mother's day tree...) later this week on her blog.  But I have a hard time with patience and these images were just too lovely not to share immediately.  I'm thinking I might like a *just because it's pretty tree* in our home...

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

vintage love

 Isn't it just lovely what a little paint can do?  I adore amye 123's use of upcycled materials and fabulously happy paint colors.  The little deer props certainly don't hurt the cuteness factor either!

Monday, May 24, 2010

bookworm

 My eldest learned to read this year and our lives will never be the same.  It's a beautiful thing watching him put his nose in his book and keep it there, despite distractions.. even when the distractions involve such necessities as food, school & sleep.  Heck with it.  My boy loves reading!

I've been thinking forward to his 7th birthday this fall (um, yes fall) and was going to suggest that in lieu of gifts his friends donate a book in his name to the school library.  In turn he will receive 7 gifts of his choice (and within reason) from his parents. In my defense are at least a half dozen unopened toys/games on his closet floor that were given to him for his 6th birthday.  I'm thinking it's a pretty easy sell and really such a great idea all around (and not just because it was mine).  He gets exactly what he wants.  The library gets free books.  His friends don't have to wonder what he will like.  And I don't need to figure out where to store another stack of untouched gifts.  Everyone wins. 

Now how do I sell him on these fantabulous book cupcake toppers that I just found on Ohdeedoh?

Sunday, May 23, 2010

silly shopping


Vintage big eyed postcards courtesy of Silly Shopping. They are all so darn cute it's nearly impossible to pick a favorite.  You can find hundreds of images Silly Shopping's Flickr account and a whole bunch for sale on Etsy.

Monday, May 17, 2010

cupcake

Like most of my friends in the late '80's, when I left for college I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. But I was going to an excellent state school (Go Gators!) so it really didn't matter yet. Then it was time to declare a major and still, no clue. I'd always been kind of a math geek, and even though I also liked to write I figured Business School was a good bet. But still, no clue. The one day, senior year, it hit me. I went home and told my parents that "I wanted to buy clothes with other peoples money." Yup. I think I put it just like that. And so I did.

And for many long years I worked my tail off in the world of corporate retail. Buying clothes, housewares, wall art, light fixtures, sofas and anything else they wanted me to. And I was damn good at it.
But then I quit.

Now what in the world does this have to do with cupcakes you might be thinking. Or, more likely, has this woman completely lost her mind? Well, both nothing, everything and, um, yes.

See when one of my friends asks for my opinion these days on where to buy something I get a little obsessed and the quest takes on a whole life of it's own. Like today for instance when a friend emails me, "I want to have a cupcake party but everything out there is so cheesy..." And then I spend the better portion of my evening searching for all things "cupcake" on Etsy.

But the beauty of it is, I found some good cupcakes. Some really good cupcakes. And they are not at all cheesy.

Thanks go to these lovely Etsy shops for the images and products shown above...

1. frilly t-shirt 2. set of 4 notecards 3. cupcake stand 4.printable favor tags 5.calming poster 6.sweet charm necklace (ok, I cheated a little here, this one's mine) 7.cookie jar 8.cupcake wrappers 9.ribbon barrette

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Monday, May 10, 2010

amy butler wallpaper



Just when you thought she had successfully taken charge of the entire textile industry she goes and does it again. Introducing Amy Butler wallpaper courtesy of Graham & Brown. It's colorful, classy, and it's nothing less than fabulous.
Thanks go to Design Sponge for the hot new tip!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

bongenre elegant melamine

 Bongenre melamine tableware courtesy of Jill Fenichill and her lovely website.  These are just four of my favorite patterns.  Children's sets and bulk wedding packages available as well.

it's the little things...

Give me a pair of well worn jeans and a slinky black tank any day.
It's the little things that excite me. 
 1.via spiga clogs 2.cara accessories bangles 3.rainbow haze bag

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

a global perspective

I know, I know, it's Cinco de Mayo and I had visions of creating a colorful Mexican inspired collage but then Etsy sent me this one courtesy of their fabulous blog and there was really no reason to compete.  
I mean... it's cool. 

Then I saw this stunning work of art at the K Callaghan Gallery and I totally inspired.  My son would LOVE the blue one in his room.  Too bad the walls are currently overrun with shelves of Legos.  Sigh. 
Maybe in a few years...

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

accessorize

Dear Accessorize
Where have you been all of my life, why do you suddenly appear just in time for my extraordinarily colorful summer and how dare you ship fairly reasonably to the US?
PS.  I think I love you.

download & print

There's got to be a catch.  Free invitation templates that you can download and print at home?  That are really, really pretty?  Yup. Courtesy of Download & Print. It's really that easy.  Almost easier.  (But if you're invited to Zuzu's 4th birthday party this summer and one of these shows up... please just ooh and aah like you think I've done something extraordinary!)

just hangin' around

It's certainly no secret that I am head over heels smitten with anthro.  And then they go and do this.  Oye.  Where can I put it and who's gonna hang it for me?

Monday, May 3, 2010

going somewhere are you?

 Got luggage?  
Then checkout these clever vintage image tags by Passalaqua Design Studio. Love the look and the lingo. Can you guess which is my favorite?  Now I just need some fabulous vintage luggage to hang them on...

Sunday, May 2, 2010

oh happy day!

Love these party decorations?  Think they are some fancy, schmancy pieces of art that you have to pay lots of money for and ship from Europe?  Nope. They are made of vellum and you can totally make them yourself.  Yup.  Jordan Ferney shows you how here on her lovely design blog Oh Happy Day!

outdoor

 I've never posted anything from a former employer on my blogs... until now.  I just couldn't resist these hip new outdoor furniture collections from Restoration Hardware.  Kinda missing that sweet employee discount right about now.  And the space to actually accommodate this ginormous furniture... but that's irrelevant. 

Saturday, May 1, 2010

birds on a wire

I absolutely fell in love with this light fixture in the Dwell Studio catalog today.  Unfortunately, they don't credit it in the mailer & have conveniently edited it out of the same product shot on their website so I had to scan my catalog page to share it here.  

I wonder if it's really functional.... see the exposed light bulb in the middle?  And if it is functional...  what it looks like when it's illuminated in a dark room.  Not sure I'd be hanging it over my baby's crib but it's still pretty damn cool.

If you happen know anything else about the piece please feel free to share!