write a bike

 

Juri Zaech is currently working on a way to produce a prototype of one of these bikes.  Fabulous.  I'd love to see them in universal, inspirational statements as well.  Like *love* or *ride* or even *bike*.  Creative, right?  

Thanks go to Poppytalk for the introduction.

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wovenplay

I think I may have to stop everything and go try to replicate this little feather tiara by Wovenplay.  Right. Now. But seriously, everything about Katherine Edmonds website is inspirational.  In her own words...

Embracing the use of old techniques, hand-crafted textiles, practical form, and the natural qualities of materials, Wovenplay cultivates the savoir-faire and inspiration of the past to create modern, sustainable couture for the everyday artist and adventurer. Wovenplay inspires creativity, self-reliance, appreciation of art and the inherent beauty of traditional arts and crafts. The collection is hand-made or hand-finished in Wovenplay's Manhattan studio. Fabrics are tinted in natural or low-impact dyes. Garments are constructed with the highest standards by local workforce or fair trade producers and packaging is recycled and/or biodegradeable. The company supports the International Solar Energy Society with a portion of profits every year. Founder and designer, Katherine Edmonds, has a background in art, textile design and traditional french dressmaking.

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au natural

Feeling a little under the weather today (although it is quite exquisite weather) but getting uplifted by these *au natural* products.  What's inspiring you today? 

Images courtesy of these lovely Etsy shops...

1. antlers from vintage pickins 2. glass terrarium from terradctl 3. wool felted dryer balls from clean sypria 4. bangle bracelets from mystic fibers 5. handknit fingerless gloves from reflections by ds

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just desserts...

You seriously have to click over to Amy Atlas' blog to see a close up of this cake.  Unreal.  Who throws these perfect little parties in real life and exactly why am I never invited? 

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out of my reach...

...but it's certainly fun to dream. 

Loving the new Design Within Reach catalog this month. 

Although I do find $3,637 (plus tax & shipping) a tad absurd for a child size womb chair.  And I'm rarely surprised by a price tag.

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happy friday!

You'd think a week at home with a sick kid would have given me loads of time to blog, and design new jewelry, and clean the house. You'd think. As it turns out... not so much. I have an empty blog, a clean desk, and a messy house.  Humph.

None the less, I wanted to share a few of my favorite encounters this week with you. For one reason or another they are special. I hope you find something that makes you smile too. Happy Friday!

I think I'm a little late to the cocodot party but I'm thinking anyone else who has been hiding under an invitation rock might appreciate my sharing the link anyway.

 You *might* just see this urban outfitters spinning birdcage jewelry stand

if you attend the zuzu girl handmade open house in a few weeks. But act surprised.

Striped hand painted flower pot by chalknotes on Etsy.

Now if only I didn't kill plants faster than I can buy containers.

This create a person notepad by Melissa & Doug often saves my busy tail. I just reordered the create a person, create a face, and make a face sticker pads. They make for great creative, independent play for your own wee one... or throw in a few markers and give it as a gift.  Promise.  Both Mom and child will love you.

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thankful leaves

The Halloween crafts came down last night.  I suppose now it's time to think about Thanksgiving...and Hanukkah... and, gasp, Christmas!  Where has the year gone? 

I just stumbled upon this unbelievably simple yet absolutely original place setting project on Make and Takes blog.  Dried leaves and a silver pen.  Who would have thunk?  

Simple is good.  Especially when it looks like this!

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Anita Card...now!

 Just another fabulous freebie from Jessica at How About Orange.  Personalize your own calling card with her adorable design and simply print at home. And, of course, they are orange. Which makes them all that much more fabulous. 

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lil' luxe

 Introducing Lil' Luxe.  Based locally in the heart of San Francisco, "Lil' Luxe is a members-only site for chic, premium, yet affordable products for babies, kids and those around them."  And the folks putting it all together for you are pretty darn talented.  And nice too!  

They haven't launched quite yet but get ready. You can sign up for a free membership on their website and keep up with their latest acquisitions and office antics by following them on facebook. 

How's this for office culture?  Sure beats a gray cubby!

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the sartorialist

So today's question is... which would you put first on your list. The shoes, the bracelet, the dress or the pants?  Oh my.  Decisions, decisions.  Both looks are just plain fabulous.  Images courtesy of the always inspiring Sartorialist.

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design sponge DIY vintage tin candles

Do you swoon over decorative vintage tins? Like candles and pretty little scents?  Enjoy a small DIY project with big rewards?  Yup, me too.

I found this DIY vintage tin candle project on Design Sponge this morning and I just had to share it (and some of their photographs) with you.  Simply click on over to their lovely little blog for complete instructions.

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get to the point!

I'm nuts for needlepoint.  Seriously.  What is up with this?  I just turned forty (that part is read softly as if whispering) and all of the sudden I'm acting like a Grandma.  I simply can't seem to get enough of needlepoint.  Fortunately, there is only so much needlepoint one person can have in their home and only so few dollars in my wallet or we'd all be in trouble.  (And I haven't the time nor energy to learn a new craft.  Well, at least not THIS week.)

This is just a small assortment of the pillows, eye glass cases, cell phone cases, paperweights & footstools that we stumbled upon at the Jonathan Adler store in San Francisco today.  And a to-die-for orange apartment sofa thrown in for good measure.  I want them all.  I bought one.  Because I really, truly "NEEDED" a new eyeglass case.  Really.  You'll have to trust me on that one.

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got mail?

How totally fun is this antique farm house post office mail sorter?  I think it would be so perfect in combination with our mostly mid-century decor.  But what would I put in it?  Or more importantly... what would you??

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young at heart

young at heart

Houzz- Kitchen Design, Bathroom Design and More»

Browse by Space and Style- For Example:

Contemporary Kitchen · Modern Bathroom · Contemporary Living Room · Tropical Bedroom · Modern Dining Room · Traditional Homes · Contemporary Patio · Contemporary Landscaping ·

Are you looking to redecorate your child's room?  Or are you a voyeur that just likes looking at other peoples homes like I do? In either case, I've put together a brief Ideabook of whimsical kids rooms on Houzz for your viewing pleasure.  Enjoy!

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close to my heart

I have to admit, I'm a sucker for lockets. Have been for some time. My mother gave me my first real locket as a college graduation gift. There is just something so personal and so intimate about them.  What better way to keep a memory of someone close to you?  Even if you don't fill it (which I often admittedly don't)... the space is there... and somehow you know how you would allocate it. And that is nearly as just meaningful.  

I was curious as to the origin of lockets and wanted to see if there was something outside the obvious, and there wasn't really, but I thought I'd share some of what I found here. And then I wanted to assure you that our zuzu girl handmade lockets are most definitely poison free!

..."In times past a locket was used to carry around small things that had some value to the wearer. Medicine could be kept inside them as well as poison. Ancient times could be very dangerous to live in and the act of poisoning someone who was a threat to you was often a means of disposing of them. It was a lot more common than you might think. Lockets were also used by those who held certain beliefs in herbs and like charms to ward off evil and sickness. The hair or ashes of loved ones was often kept inside a locket as one of many items kept as a keepsake.

Lockets were often used to put a miniature hand painted picture inside. These tiny images of the person inside were very tedious work, but done by an expert artist the result was a beautiful work of art. In the past hundred years or so is when the most popular use for lockets developed so to speak. Placing photographed pictures inside them became their most common use and photos could be had by almost anyone...."

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Our Deepest Fear

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

~Marianne Williamson

Just in case you, too, need a little inspiration this morning.  Now read it again.  And then go shine!

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OPEN for business!

The new, grown-up zuzu girl handmade reopened last night.  Consider yourself informed!  I only had time to get eight listings up last night (I forgot how tedious the process is!) but I've got at least two dozen more beauties ready to list... and so many more to make for you.  Please keep checking back and we'll do our best to keep you informed here about the pretty little goodness at zuzu girl and all around us.

We're so happy to be back.

Happy Hump Day!

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ooooh, orange!

How cool is this orange epoxy concrete floor?  Not sure I'd be daring enough to do it myself so I'm just gonna keep staring at this fabulously cool flat highlighted by Dwell a little more...

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casting off?

 Loving this article from ohdeedoh about the "cast-off" furniture trend.  I'll admit it.  I had a cinder block & 2x4 book shelf in my college bedroom.  And it was tres chic at the time.  But now I'm head over heels in love with this pallet bed and spool coffee table.  Want them.  If anyone would like to cast them off to me I'll take 'em both...

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zuzu girl grows up

It's official.  After just one short month of announcing that we were closing our shop... we are reopening... with a whole new look!  

 

Now, you should know that I am not schizophrenic.  Pretty little pinky swear.  We just... Well, we just have a hard time doing nothing. (As if I'm ever actually doing nothing even when I am "doing nothing".)   

 

We are still waiting for most of our supplies to arrive but we've whipped up a few favorites for your viewing  pleasure.  The look is inspired by, well, me.  It's California bohemian meets urban chic.  It's looking hip while riding your Mundo to school pickup or feeling sexy while sipping cocktails with your best gals at a swanky restaurant.  Sometimes in the same outfit.  It's making a statement without making a fuss.  Effortless beauty.  Unique style.  It's the new, grown up, zuzu girl handmade.

And we hope you simply adore it.

Follow us on facebook.  Or choose to be notified on Etsy.  Either way.  We'll be launching soon...

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