a week in review

I know.  A week in review should probably happen on a Friday, right?  Well, just consider me creative, all right?  Or late.  Whichever.  I was just scrolling through some of the fabulously inspirational items I posted on our Facebook page over the last week and couldn't help but to share them here too. Just in case you missed them the first time.  Or wanted to see them again.  Here's hoping last week was lovely.  And this week is even better.  Cheers!

1.vintage ice cream scale 2.brooch bouquet 3.acrylic ring 4.howlite necklace 5.wobbly stoneware 6.embroidered dress 7.chiffon shoe clips 8.vintage mirror 9.mini carpet bag

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zuzu girl {hearts} her customers

 Thanks to the Mom that was willing to share this fabulous photo of her daughter in her blue charming solid blooms headband.  Simply lovely.  And we adore seeing our hard work in action!  There are still quite a few headbands left in the shop.  Get 'em while you can...

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it's been beautiful here

As you may have noticed, I haven't posted here in what is now approaching a month.  And, if you follow me on facebook you may or may not have seen the quick note that I dropped a few weeks back alerting fans that I will be closing my zuzu girl handmade shop.  But then I just kept on posting all of my favorite pretty little things there like usual.

So what gives you may ask?

Well, life gives. 

And time. And money. And two glorious children. 

I've been trying to figure out what direction to take this shop for the past six months.  I've made great strides and had so much fun morphing from frilly princess props to classy accessories.  

I love to create.  And I honestly don't know how I'm going to NOT create.  But I just can't afford to continue running the business as I have been.  I have, quite simply, found myself short on the time, money and energy to give to the shop what it rightfully deserves.  

And so, another chapter must end.  

But, I haven't written the end of the story just yet.  Not even in outline form... so it's going to be a surprise to us all!  

I finished my last wholesale order on Monday and my last custom order this morning.  As of tonight I will no longer be adding any new merchandise to the line.  The shop will stay open for just a bit as I inventory and organize.  Much of the product will be picked up by a local retailer so I won't be marking any of it down in the shop.  Any remaining merchandise will, over time, be gifted to my favorite friends, customers & charities.

 

The question now is how to stay connected to the brilliant, supportive Etsy community that I have so embraced over the last two years.  Because, while I think I can manage to walk away from the Merchant role, I simply can't just walk away all together. 

And so I ponder.  How will you be best served by my passion?  And how will I best fill my innate desire to design, decorate, shop and share?  Should I resurrect my previous blog "it's beautiful here" and continue to bring you all the latest products, parties & people I'm lusting over?  Or should I just change the format here and just keep on keeping on?  Or, is there another retail adventure up my sleeve?  

Only time will tell.  

Would you like me to get to the point now?

Yup, figured so.

So first, if there is something you want in the shop get it now. Before it is gone. If you want multiple items and want to ask me for a bulk discount, go ahead, can't hurt!

And last... (nope, nothing in between) please don't bail on me yet.  I'll be here to entertain you one way or another.  And I'll be sure to let you know how and where... as soon as I do.

It's been simply beautiful.

Thank you for everything.

Cheers,

Kristi

 

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fit for habitation

So if we start now (notice the "we") it might be done by next summer.  Which better be warmer than this summer.  But that is really quite irrelevant because this thing is so damn cool it wouldn't matter how warm it was.  

Courtesy of domestic creations by way of Jordan Ferney.

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going local

Going local, yet somehow still transporting myself to some charming place far, far away every time.  

I simply adore Maison Reve.  Located smack in the heart of downtown Mill Valley, California, Maison Reve means "dream home" in French.  And that it is.  After you've oooh'd and aaaah'd around the shop for a long while, you truly feel like you should sit down, put your feet up and enjoy that steaming hot cup of Peet's.  And I bet they wouldn't mind a bit.

Sadly, I'm usually racing by with any combination of dog, bike, scooter, skateboard, children (and of course a coffee) so I don't always have time to poke around.  But this weekend, sans kids, and thanks to a dear friend visiting from "the other coast" I made the time.  And I'm so glad I did.

I left with the small Holland flower vase pictured in the first image.  It's charming.  And not really all that small.  Once I get some pretty little flowers for it I'll snap a picture for you.  

Now, the ambiance is just not quite the same, but you can shop from her website... or get some inspiration from her blog.  But really you should just come visit.  I'll buy the coffee.

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orange you glad I didn't say banana?

 I love orange.  And the way Zuzu can never, ever tell the knock knock joke correctly... but how it always ends up hysterical anyway. So I just couldn't resist curating this fab treasury tonight.  You can see it HERE on Etsy to click the images live.  Cheers!

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fruit salad ice cream cone

When Naomi put this post up on her blog a few days back, she actually referred to herself as "mad in the head".  I'm assuming she did this because she writes a blog called Bakers Royale, and I can appreciate that this is hardly baking but, mad in the head?  Nope.  Brilliant.  Love it. 

Although I'm still not honestly sure what I think about the hidden candy treasure in the bottom (read her entire post - they need something to weigh them down).  Kinda defeats the purpose.  And the rice is, as she says, "boring!"  How about a few little (or one really big) "natural" vanilla marshmallows like they sell at whole foods?  My kids would definitely go for that!  

Although, admittedly, they would prefer the skittles.

Thanks go to Modern Handmade Child on Facebook for the link!

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cupcakes & cartwheels paperclips

I picked these up at my local Paper Source yesterday (LOVE this shop).  Don't need them.  Couldn't resist them.  They are made by a company called Cupcakes & Cartwheels that doesn't seem to have it's own website, otherwise I'd share it.  I could most certainly make them myself but for $8.95 a dozen I chose immediate gratification.  Only problem?  They are so darn pretty on this paper I don't want to take any off!  And might not...

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wake me up before you go-go

OK, seriously now.  How fun is this chick? 

Don't you worry now.  She's got Kenny Rogers, INXS and even a little Tiffany too.  Am I dating myself too much?  

Everything in her Etsy shop is handmade from re-purposed fabrics purchased locally.  She's Sally Ann and she made me smile in a big way tonight.  Thanks Sally Ann!

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blooming pencil pot

Is it Tuesday already?  Oh my!  How time flies when you're recovering from a birthday party, six visiting, but not necessarily related to each other relatives AND school has been out for seven long weeks.  Did I say long?  Did I mention that it reopens three weeks from today? Nah. But who's counting?

I spotted these fabulous flower pot pencils right away in the new Fall issue of Modern Handmade Child to which I am typically a contributor... just not this month.  Even still, it's contents are simply fabulous.  These fabric flower pencils are shown on page 25.  They are also available for sale at little cat on Etsy.

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happy birthday zuzu!

 If you hadn't caught on by now, zuzu girl handmade was inspired by and named for our darling daughter, Zuzu when she was two and a half years old.  My how time flies.  This weekend we celebrated Zuzu's fourth birthday with several parties.  

On Thursday there was a "school party" which involved only some colorful marshmallow pops and some silly band favors tied up with pretty little tags & bows.  Fairly easy.  

Then there was the "family party" on Saturday which was a lovely gathering of nearly two dozen close friends and family, a pool, sports, lots of yummy bbq food, banners, balloons and presents.  

Lots and lots of presents.

And Sunday, well Sunday was the "nail salon party" chosen by and designed mostly by the birthday girl herself.  Ten four year old girls decorated flip flops, beaded bracelets and necklaces, got their fingers and toes painted, danced and sang to Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus (scary, they know ALL the words!), and yes, ate more marshmallows and cupcakes.  It was a lovely, lovely day.  

I hope you enjoy the photos.  It was a fairly simple affair but the girls will remember it forever.  Or at least until next year.  Here are some of the meager resources we used to pull it off...

gerber daisy headbands & princess wands designed by Zuzu and handmade by zuzu girl 

pipe cleaner rings inspired by Martha and made by Grandma

wooden painted fans by Oriental Trading

bead & flip flop & tote bag project supplies from both Michael's & Jo-Ann's Crafts

marshmallow pops inspired by The Decorated Cookie and made by Mom

mini cupcakes by Sweet Things

craft project suitcases, favor baskets & containers all came from home

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pretty ditty

I've never worn an apron in my life.  And I don't cook which pretty much explains it.  (Well, my kids might tell you otherwise but fortunately their standards are fairly low.  I'm not sure any sane adult has ever witnessed a "real meal" come out of my kitchen... that didn't arrive in a vehicle.)  

Needless to say, I have recently acquired a small obsession with aprons.  Not sure why.  Maybe it's my recent focus on simplifying.  Or my vintage obsession.  Or, maybe both since they seem to be quite one in the same at times.  Doesn't really matter.  But what does is that Pretty Ditty makes some pretty awesome aprons.  You can find them here.  And here.  

Oh.  And she makes pretty dresses too...

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glorious treats

 Now,  we have some pretty fabulous hydrangea bushes in our backyard but I've never seen anything like these cupcakes from Glorious Treats in all my life.  Unreal.  But real.  Or not.  Which is it?

I honestly don't think I'd ever dare attempt to make these myself.  (Is that totally lame?)  But if you would like to you can find complete instructions here.  And then you can send me some.

Thanks must go to Lil Boo & Co. as well for the introduction to Glorious Treats lovely & creative blog.  We are most grateful... and envious!

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feeling inspired.

Working on some inspiration boards. Cause we all need a little inspiring.  And this assortment, my friends, truly inspires me.  Some of these products and artists you've seen here before.  Others you haven't.  

But don't they look oh so lovely tied up neatly together?  

If you'd like to find any of them, this is where you start...

1.dream spun kids 2.fatboy 3.miss mosh 4.rocket and bear 5.wee waldorf 6.nellystella 7.les pom poms de violette 8.goose grease 9.familles summerbelle 10.ivory and moss 11.imagine and make designs 12.jennifer ramos 13.rocket and bear 14.pretty lil things 15.cate and levi 16.joy thigpen

Happy weekend and here's hoping for some warm sunshiny weather to further inspire!

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leah rosenberg

She makes cake.  

She makes art.  

She has impeccable style.  

And she lives in San Francisco.  

My day is now complete.  

Meet artist Leah Rosenberg.  I found her here. 

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spooning

Do you not want to go and make some of these painted spoons for your kitchen RIGHT NOW or what? I just adore the simple whimsy created by Fine Little Day.  Thanks go to say YES! to hoboken for the introduction.  Now I just wish I had few more wooden spoons here. Anyone have some they want to unload?

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i {heart} etsy

Don't have time to sit around looking for the best shops & the most fabulous items out of the hundreds of thousands of talented artists on Etsy? Nah, neither do I... but somehow I do manage to find a few hidden treasures. Or at least hidden to me. So, I figured I'd share. But only because I don't have the money or space to buy them all myself. And they all deserve to be bought. Isn't that generous of me? For links to the shops and items pictured above you'll need to navigate to the favorites section of my Etsy shop here.

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remember when?

 I've been going through a lot of reflection this past year and I often find myself thinking that I just wish things were easier.  Now, if you follow my blog regularly you know that I clearly like "stuff" but sometimes I truly wish it would all just go away.  And life could just be simple again. And then I stop and ponder exactly when it all got so complicated. And why. 

I also want one of these.  And I want to use it.  I want to take the time to look up a number or even memorize one (gasp). And I want to take the time to dial it.  And then I want to take the time to talk.  Like we used to.  Remember when?

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cupcake pops. yup. you read it right.

Stop the presses!  

This post is from April of 2008? And I missed it?

Oh. My. Cupcake. Goodness.

It's a damn good thing I don't have all the ingredients to make these right now or there would be one seriously yummy midnight cupcake party going on here.  Party of one.  But still.  More for me.  Tomorrow, my friends, is another day...

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tea time

 

I am seriously in love with this teapot. But I already have a teapot that I seriously love. It's orange enamelware with a wooden handle.  It's so lovely (and old) that I'm humbly hesitant to use it.  It just sits proudly on the stove top looking pretty.  As it should. Then, when I do have tea, which is all too infrequently to own fancy vintage teapots, I pull out the trusty stainless steel number from the bottom cabinet to boil the water. While the fabulous orange vintage pot watches. To make things even more interesting, only three of the four burners on our stove work. So if I'm making tea, you see, we're down to one.  

You'd think I would have talked myself out of buying this fabulous blue teapot with all this mindless stove top banter now, wouldn't you? Hah! You don't know me all that well at all now do you....

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