Paris in Springtime? Don't Mind if I Do!

Full disclosure: the closest I've come to Paris is a layover at Charles de Gaulle airport with my brother when I was 13.

But I *feeeeeel* like I've been there, or even like I am there, whenever I look at Nichole Robertson's photographs and her Paris Color Project (check it all out here).

I have been borderline obsessed with these photos for quite some time, and I'm not even sure I could recall how I found my way to them if you paid me with a trip to Paris, but I.Just.Love.Them. They even inspired my own very pathetic-by-comparison attempt at photographing our neighborhood by color (blerg).

I've hesitated to purchase anything, though, only because I haven't actually been to Paris myself, even if these photos evoke in me some sort of nostalgia for a trip long-forgotten. BUT. A clearance sale? I can't pass up a clearance sale! Get yourself over to TheParisPrintShop on Etsy and check out all of the beautiful photographs, including an insane clearance section thanks to prints already available on paper they've discontinued using. I mean, $8 8x10 prints?

I am just going to let these photos sweep me away to beautiful Paris this spring, in my mind at least. (There are a few images already in my Etsy cart!)

(Note: I did not receive anything - art- or compensation-wise - for this post. I just love these photos, so I thought I'd share the art/deal.)

More Paper Love

I hate to reveal this one, because, well, it's so freaking great I want to keep it all to myself, but that's not right, or mature, or fair, because, well, it's so freaking great. So-- YOU'RE WELCOME. Seriously, though... for Valentine's Day or any other reason, this might be the best way to tell your friend how great she or he is. Check this card out:

Remember the "Best Friends" friendship necklaces from childhood - one half of the heart to each pal? Well, here they are in a cute, sweet, contemporary card, thanks to the paper genius pair of Lisa and Jen of FareWell Paperie (shop on Etsy). I seriously think this might be the best paper-related idea ever, and as in love with it as I am, I'm also kind of annoyed I didn't think of it first.

You just write on the back of one half of the card and give or mail it off to your buddy, then she/he carefully separates the cards along the perforated edge, keeps her/his half, and gives/sends you back a sweet note on yours! Perfection, right?!

And the rest of the items in their little shop are equally delightful. Trust me. Or don't, but that would be silly.

Happy Valentine's Day to all my beautiful friends tomorrow. I love you more every day.

Who Wants to Make Me Some Pillows?

Or, fine, I'll just order some. But here's where this all started...

I'm in love with so much of Jonathan Adler's designs, it's borderline frightening. I've never indulged, but I want so many of his pieces so much that when I see them my tummy hurts. Recently I walked by the JA Chicago store, and saw these lovelies in the window display:

Logically, I fell in love. (see what happened there? like that "falling in love" play on words? it's clever, but also true.) I want to add them to our daybed, which doubles as a comfy lounging couch, in our multipurpose second bedroom. Alas, I just cannot justify a splurge on these, as much as I love them. So I need another solution. My sister in-law suggested scouring Etsy. Here are a few possibilities:

(here)

(here, also available in capital letters, as seen here)

Where else should I look? Or is anyone reading this crafty enough to create some magic for me? Or should I just splurge? No, I daren't! Dare I?

Nerd Moment of the, Well, of the Moment

Don't you want one of these, my fellow nerds? In a word: Amahzing.

Check this shop (Pamela Fugate Designs) out here, and the Big Books stuff here. And then go raise your Nerd Flag.

Get It While It's Hot!

'Member the fixation I had with k.slademade clutches, etc.? And then I ordered mine (this one), and I LOOOOOOVE it. Every time I take it out for a spin, it gets lots of compliments. It's delightful. The pattern makes me smile, and that's worth a pretty penny in and of itself, if you ask me. Of course, since I pulled the trigger and made a selection, I have fallen in love with nearly every other clutch and second-guessed myself several times over. AND, Kelsea has created several new lovelies that just make my fingers twitch toward my wallet like a fiend. Consider these:

 Don't you love/want/need them all?! I love the pop of neon on the zippers of the blue and cream clutches, and the rich coral hue of that last one. What a fun way to keep the warmth of a season-gone-by in your wardrobe!

But guess what... she also makes some crazy-awesome accessories that are equal parts fun, sassy, and stylish. Feast your eyes:

(all photos via k.slademade on Etsy)

I love them! Don't you?! Don't you want them?!

Well, now you can grab 'em up! k.slademade is offering 15% off accessories (that's the bracelets... and there are more styles in her shop) with the code KSM15 good through midnight tonight! Go over there and snag yourself something, you deserve it! And while you're there, pick me up a clutch or that yummy tote. Fine, get it for yourself! Be that way.

Ordered It!

Finally picked my k.slademade clutch - and I'm excited!

(blueberry hill vintage clutch)

(p.s., yay! images showing up!)

Bangles (the accessory, not the girl band)

I'm a jewelry-wearer. I don't know about you, but every outfit for me can be enhanced by the right earrings, a great necklace, a simple bracelet or ring or all of the above. I inherited this from my mother (and I'm pretty sure that anyone reading this who knows my mother might be giggling right now because to say that my mom accessorizes her outfits with jewelry (among other accessories) is easily among the greatest understatements ever uttered...), who can accessorize with such unique her-only perfection, that you couldn't grow up a girl in her home without at least trying to work it a little every once in a while. That lady has style.

Anyway. I love these beautiful bangles by Frosted Willow on Etsy...

I could add images forever (well, not forever, there are only so many items for sale in the shop, but you know what I mean)... these are just wrist-perfection if you ask me. LOVE.EVERY.SINGLE.ONE.

Aren't they just so beautiful?! One alone is perfect. A whole bunch stacked together - also perfect. Delicate and chic and, well, just divine.

unitedthread

Something about these prints by unitedthread on Etsy is just.so.gut-punchingly.wonderful. It's equally the colors and the perspectives and the flora and the animals (oh, I love animals!) and specifically the owls (duh!) and the watercolor (oh, but I also love water color!) and the... well, it's all that and everything else that I can't put to words. I think I'm ordering a few... not sure which, though... What's your favorite?

(five whales stacked)

(hummingbirds and joshua tree)

(oxalis)

(poppy pods)

(all the single ladies)

(two barn owls)

(two saw whet owls)

(water hole no. 3)

Clutches by k.slademade

I'm really into clutches lately. Usually I'm a BIG BAG kinda gal. But lately, just the opposite. Could have something to do with warmer weather... who wants a big strap and heavy tote adding to sweat issue? Not this lady, that's for sure. I just bought a new gold party clutch (with a Groupon!) this weekend. And then, thanks to the blog [ simplesong ], I discovered k.slademade (also, there's a shop on Etsy, der). By the artist's own description, "k.slademade is a small operation I run out of my yellow bungelow on a quiet little boulevard in Southern Indiana. I spend my evenings dreaming of what could be and spend my days making my dreams a reality. In my off time I take my dog Monty to the park and we talk about how we can make the world a little better." What's not to like about this?!

These pieces are perfect. Sleek, fun, chic, a la mode, and just plain cool. I honestly can't decide what to order. But I'm-a-be ordering something, you best believe. Help me? What would you pick for me?

(large pony leather clutch)

(striped sailing clutch. obviously, because we know how I feel about stripes)

(suzy market clutch)

(the randy vintage clutch)

And there's more than just clutches... totes and accessories and more. How's a girl to control herself?!

Now please, someone advise me on my purchase. Thanks.

Pods

I'm seriously obsessed with these hanging air plant pods from mudpuppy and just need to pull the trigger and buy them. But here are the questions: color? number? which plants?

(black)

(natural/buff)

(glossy white)

(moroccan sand)

INPUT PLEASE! (aren't they awesome?!)