I just saw this cockroach plate on Etsy.  I’m strangely drawn to it, and repulsed at the same time.  What’s your verdict?  (This plate is made by Etsy seller Catherine Reece.)   You know…I think it would be best as a platter.  That way, once the food starts to disappear your guests would be shocked and a conversation would naturally erupt.  I’m just saying…

So I don’t have much time this morning to write this post (it looks like I’m going to be late for work again), so I’ll come back and update it later tonight…but I’m thrilled to have worked with Lauren Pope to create an illustrated banner for the blog!  She did an amazing job and was the best to work with.  Our original design (shown below) didn’t really end up working with the proportions of the blog (big lesson learned for both of us!), so she quickly photoshopped a previous sketched idea she’d had for the one you see above.

I can’t tell you what a wonderful person Lauren was to work with!  And I hope anyone who wants any artwork or illustration done will head over to her Etsy Store and show her the love.  She’s absolutely wonderful.    (And obviously ridiculously talented!)   Thanks again Lauren!!!!!!!

Recently, I had the pleasure of getting to speak with some of the lovely people at The Vera Company about their newest projects licensing classic Vera prints to retailers to reproduce & reinterpret her designs for their products.  It was so refreshing to chat with them to learn more about who this iconic designer was (because previously I had NO idea!), and also just to meet people who were so passionate about her designs.  It definitely made me excited about her too!  Apparently she designed during the 60’s, 70’s and the 80’s, and you can see that reflected in her designs.  At any rate, now some of her designs are being re-interpreted onto new items like these dessert plates so keep on the lookout at stores across the country for new Vera products.  (I seriously LOVE these!  N are you reading this?  My birthday is coming up soon!!  Haha.)

Here’s a link to stores across the country where you can find new Vera products.  But also for those vintage junkies amongst us, it turns out that with a few quick searches on Etsy and ebay you can pick up some fabulous classic Vera originals for not that much money!  I could definitely imagine the ones below framed, sewn into pillows, or even just worn as they are.  Her prints are so great mainly because they’re just so happy…and that happiness seems to be translated through the design.  I also like that many of them have a very watercolor feel to them.  Anyways…here are a few of the great vintage ones I found:

Classic Plaid Vera Scarf & Brooch Set $38 on Etsy

Classic Vera silk scarf $36 on Etsy

Geometric print Vera silk scarf for only $13 on Etsy.

Look for your own Vera originals on Ebay and on Etsy.

I realize this has nothing to do with my (or anyone’s) house, but I happen to adore a great handbag.  What girl doesn’t, right?  Well, THIS Etsy seller makes bags that are definitely drool-worthy.  I adore the striped jute strap, and the colorful fabric is fun & quirky!  But best of all, it has a pocket big enough for a magazine!  Now THAT is definitely the perfect travel bag!

Go here to check out her bags.  They’re pretty reasonably priced to boot!  (All photography via DrikaB…and it happens to be quite lovely as a side note.)

I seriously love almost everything Etsy designer sohomode does.  Her choice of prints is wonderful.  Her styles are figure flattering.  I don’t know why I haven’t actually purchased any of these items yet, except that I’m a woefully terrible apparel shopper.   However, I’m determined that the next fashion purchase that I make should be one of these items.  Check out sohomode’s shop HERE.

I certainly have no reason to buy toys, but the Christmas season just makes you think of kids, no?  And recently I’ve been coming across tons of adorable & simple toys.  In this time of economic uncertainty, it feels like we should spend more time on simple things…and of course spend our money on items that are special and hand-made.   (At least that’s my theory, but what do I know?)  Anyways, here are some of my favorite toys that I’ve found recently.

Rutsu, a bear maker, based out of Japan is one of my favorites.  I aspire to one day own one of her bears.  Although at the moment, I’m not sure what I would personally do with it.  Therefore I have to figure that part out first.  Here’s her flickr set to see more of the breadth of what she’s created.  They are the type of stuffed bear I would love to have had as a child.

KitLane makes adorable felted sculpture dolls.  I just don’t quite know what to say about these other than, omg, so cute.  Here’s a link to her shop.

Angela Davidson is from Philly (Holla!), and ever since I found her on the Etsy geolocater several months ago I keep going back to look at her gorgeous toys in my favorites section.  This little squid is so freaking cute!!  Look at those teeth!  Here’s a link to her Etsy shop.

Decor8 posted about Sweet Nellie today which is how I saw her shop for the first time, but seriously…how cute could this little guy be?   Her shop has so many cuties that it’s hard to choose!

Diane Koss (from Philly as well?) makes these adorable monsters.  I love them so much.  Fuzzy.  Imaginative.  Not scary at all.  Here’s her shop on Etsy.

C’mon people!  Look at these NEW blocks?!  They look like the coolest vintage blocks you’ve ever seen!  I want my future/unborn/adopted child to have blocks this awesome.  Love them.  You should see the other sides that aren’t letters.  Here’s a link to MyFathersHouse4 etsy shop.

Los Delingos also makes adorable toys too!  I love the mixed fabric on these little stuffed animals.  Nonos is on sale now too!

Anyways…love them all.  Too cute…and I love the imagination that goes into creating these lovelies!

Today while exploring Etsy with their Geolocator tool (an awesome way to find locally-made product by the way), I discovered Wondercabinet’s shop filled with all sorts of magical creatures. Considering the fact that she’s been featured on several blogs before, I’m shocked that I’ve missed her work up to this point. (What rock have I been hiding under?!)

Her prints [done on old book pages] remind me of something discovered in a mad scientist’s laboratory. (Which is probably why I love them.) These particular ones are from her BEASTIARIUM series, and feature animal hybrids…such as a Half rabbit – half jellyfish…or part fox – part bird. At any rate, they make me want to be a kid again…and pretend. And that’s what makes them so great.

So head over to Wondercabinet’s shop and purchase some prints! They’re only $29 each. She also has a blog so make sure to check that out too.

Etsy never ceases to amaze me in all the wonderful things you can find there.  People are so creative.  And the fact that you can buy artwork directly from an artist just makes me happy that there are still ways to interact with people on a small level.  These four pieces have been in my favorites for the last week, and seeing as how I’m trying budget myself on acquiring new wall decor…I thought I’d pass along the joy to the rest of you.  Sooo cute.

(From Left to right):  1. “The House Next Door” by Leannegraeff, 2. “Carolina Chickadee” by melissakate, 3. “Girl Papercut” by elsita, 4. “Formal Squirrel” by MisNopalesArt.

In today’s Ping Mag, there’s an article called “Play around with a Toy Camera.” It’s an article that tugs at my personal heartstrings because I’m in LOVE with my Holga…as you can tell by going here to see my favorites. Anyways…this got me to thinking about how the weather here in Philadelphia is finally getting warm and feeling like Spring. And what is my favorite thing to do when the weather turns warm?! Head outside with my trusty toy camera and take lots of pics of random stuff that catches my eye.

To celebrate the joy of lomography & spring…I headed over to Etsy to find something eyecatching. And Dripstick’s photography definitely caught my eye. I have a passion for Danish bicycles so…this is awesome. And what other better thing to do when the weather is warm? Head outside on your bike. Head over to Etsy and check out more of Dripstick’s prints.

I love vintage linens. Especially dishtowels, napkins and tablecloths. This seller has two really cute ones at the moment. If you love your vintage kitchen as much as I do, then go and check it out!  Oh, and another great online vintage store is Plaid Pony Vintage.  Definitely check her out for fun stuff too.