Web Wares for Wittle Wones

Miss Robyn is about 6 weeks from her due date and as her belly continues to grow and the arrival of Cash/Mason/Parker/Esteban Hyams nears, I can't seem to divert my attention from baby goods.

I first spotted Studio Mela aka dazeychic on We Heart It. Her So Very Happy print graced my computer background, my Gtalk avatar, good ol' Yes, Please! and anywhere else I could put it.

In visiting her site over the past few weeks, I could help but think about fantastic her prints would be hanging in a nursery or child's bedroom.

Visit Studio Mela via these routes:
Etsy
Blog

So excited to see one more little face join this lovely bunch:

Silhoutte Blue for you

When I first caught sight of Silhoutte Blue's "4-Ever" print, I was instantly whisked back to my first book love, The Giving Tree. The print is so sweet and tender. Now, I am on the look-out for couples getting hitched....

After my "awws" ended, I browsed the rest of SB's Etsy shop and realized that the greatness doesn't end with this sweet print...

About:
Founded, owned and operated by Megan Nutley, Silhouette Blue began as a senior art project in May of 2006 and has since expanded into a full line of greeting cards and custom wedding invitations. Inspired by vintage photography, Silhouette Blue offers creative cards for many occasions and unique custom stationery. Situated in her apartment and studio in Forest Park, Illinois, Megan designs and assembles all her greeting cards and custom wedding invitations entirely by hand.

Site/Etsy

Happy Frye-day!

The work week is ending and I am embarking on another adventure-filled weekend with my co-horts. I want to be kicking it around town in my favorite jeans, a well-worn shirt and some sturdy, broken in boots. Unfortunately, I am still on the hunt for the last item.

A good pair of boots, like the perfect towelor pillow or pastry, are not easy to come by. Some feel just right to the touch, or appear to be all you've ever dreamed or wanted. Then after a bit you realize you were duped. I have experienced this elation-to-disappointment cycle far too many times in the arena of leather boots. I want a pair that will go with everything, that can be dressed up or dressed down or even worn alone. A pair that will grow old with me and weather the weather and all the fads and show it's age beautifully like old Hollywood grace. And this is why I have fallen in love with Frye boots.

Frye has been manufacturing leather boots and shoes since 1862 making them the oldest continuously operated shoe company in the United States. Their boots were worn during the Civil and Spanish-American Wars and homesteadiers journeying across the Plains in them. With almost 150 years of dressing the feet of military elite and adventurous New Englanders, they should definitely be able to withstand covering the feet of one lil' Meesh for years to come.

Adrienne Button

Sam Button

Paige Buckles

Sam Double Shaft & Ava Button

Sam Boot & Jane Stitch

And these are the ones I am stalking via the web and the rack at Macy's. Every girl needs a pair of riding boots in their wardrobe and these will be mine!

Paige Tall Riding

Check out their boots, bags and belts: Frye Company

Sartoria Vico's Wrapped Up Web Wares

It's obvious that I am in the beginning stages of hibernation mode...the cooking, the cleaning, the projects, the snuggling of many things. I've been scouring the web for soft cozies in which to encase myself for the upcoming months and wandered into the world of Sartoria Vico. Not only are these Italian knits luxuriously soft, stylish and available in all the colors you could want but they are also multi-purpose pieces. A simple relocation on your body or of a seam and a new purpose is discovered.

Sciarpone

I love scarfs, i love sweaters so how could I not love a scarf that doubles as a sweater!?

Ciambella

Today it's a scarf, tomorrow it's a shrug, but always it's simply lovely

Cappuccio
Perfect for blistery days

Cuffia
Ideal for those ponytail hair day when you must head into the snow

Gomita
While it's only function is a sweater, Gomita can work for going out or staying in.

Sartoria Vico brings together the worlds of fashion and product design and are handmade in a small knitting factory, which ensures quality right down to the smallest detail.

And if the designs weren't fun enough, be sure to spend some time with their interactive dress-up dolls: http://www.sartoriavico.it/bimbe/index.html

UPPERCASE goes Old School for Web Wares

Inspired by the world of graphic design, Uppercase opened it's Calgary gallery bookstore in 2005 and offers a range of graphic design books, illustration, typography and pop culture. They carry greeting cards designed by the resident artist/proprietor as well as beautiful file folders, binders and do-dabs for your home/work office space.

They are currently exhibiting an “Old School” theme celebrates the aesthetics of twentieth century education through an art exhibition and companion book, as well as curated objects. It is inspired by vintage flash cards, old desks, biology class, science fairs, crayons, card catalogs, textbooks, class photos, teachers, yearbooks, lunch boxes, gym class, maps, lockers, report cards, film strips, recess, spelling, chalk… and the list goes on! Here are my wanted web wares:

"T is for Thank You" by designed by Jennifer Muller of Lucky Tangerine studio

"We've Got Your Number"
Numeric designs for a variety of occasions..."1. You’re my 1 and only.", "2. 2 become 1", "3. And baby makes 3."

Orlan Kiely Classic Crocus Design notebook.
(Would go perfectly with this)

Mini colored pencils & a whole bunch of pink erasers

Jumbo Clips. As big as your face!

Check out their site and/or their blog

Sarah Jane's Wednesday Web Wares

I can't quite remember where or when I stumbled across Sarah Jane's illustrations but I have loved them since first sight.

Their delicate, sweet, images and display of simply love and joy always have a calming nature. According to her Etsy site, Sarah Jane has been illustrating the world around her since she can remember. And now, as a Mommy of two, her children are her world. Thus, Sarah Jane: Illustrating Childhood™ was born. While her works are obviously perfect suited to children's rooms, they are also sweet enough to share between friends or frame for a special spot in your home. Here are the ones that make me most gushy:

October in Polka-Dot Wellies

Little Visitor/ Mistletoe Kiss

Sarah Jane's Calendar Images


January's Fresh Start

Christmas Post


Three Bears Revisited

You Spook Me

Visit Sarah Jane's Etsy shop to browse, awww, and purchase up her goodies. Also, check out her blog to read and see her creatures of inspiration.

P to the O to the S to the H

In 1997 P.O.S.H. opened its doors in Chicago, determined to offer something unique to the consumer that was tired of the "sameness" that had crept into the marketplace of home & table decor. The small shop was met with a warm reception as the search for pieces that haven't been mass-produced for coast-to-coast consumption was shared by many.

"At some in your life, you want something that is real!" That thought is what drives P.O.S.H to search high & low for the items that stock its shelves- an eclectic assortment of vintage Hotel Silver, Restaurant China & Flea Market finds. Found in such disparate places as old American china warehouses to the antique markets and auctions houses of Europe, the items sold at P.O.S.H are often one-of-a-kind or limited in quantity.

I must admit that I am smitten with their selection of items and return to browse quite often. Here are some of my current favorites:

Bistro Pads
Unused, vintage Bistro Order Pads found at market in the city of Blois, France. Supplied by beverage companies, they were a popular form of advertising in the café culture of France. These would be perfect for jotting down recipes, shopping lists or Rummy scores.

Baker's Twine
I would prefer to use these in their intended manner: tying up baked goods and packages. However, I know Elliot & Emma would find their own pleasure in batting them about the house.

Vintage Czech Shoulder Bag

Vintage Chicago Athletic Association Plate and Boullion Cup & Saucers

Acquired at auction, china produced exclusively for the Chicago Athletic Association (CAA), one of Chicago's oldest and most distinguished private social clubs. Reflecting the gracious heritage of the now-shuttered club, it is a reminder of a simpler time and of a proud era in our city's history. The club's distinctive Cherry Circle logo is probably one of the most famous cases of mistaken identity. First appearing in 1915, the unmistakable cherry red C within a blue circle later went on to also become the logo for a certain beloved local baseball team. Indeed when CAA member William Wrigley purchased the Chicago Cubs in 1925, the team adopted the Association's logo and continues to use a variation to this day.

French Gnome Creamer

Set of 3 Bon Appetit tea towels

French soap/ Wrapped Sugar Cubes

This store is on my ever-growing list of must-visits in the Windy City. If you are ever there or have ever gone, let me know what you think.

P.O.S.H Chicago
613 N. State Street
Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 280-1602
http://www.poshchicago.com