Tag Archives: WIshing True

Greeting Card Art

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Do you ever get a card so beautiful that you want to frame it? Have you ever actually done it?

I often save cards. Not the Hallmark kind though.


No – I mean those lovely hand made or hand made-looking ones that rarely cost less than $5.

I’d like to think that I will eventually frame all of them to create a display of “minis.” I may even buy some specifically for this purpose -I stumble across at least one per day as I browse through my favorite eye candy sites.

Here are some printed cards from a couple of my favorite artists that would definitely make the cut:


1 & 2 from Anne Harwell – she also has a wonderful blog, Annechovie.
3 & 4 from Janet Hill – she features all of her paintings on her blog, The Evening Picture. I had the honor of interviewing her last fall.Even if you don’t think you have “an eye” for this kind of thing, you could just pick a few images from the same artist creating instant cohesion. How about these three (Chris Chun via Little French Nest):


Okay – so my taste runs a tad bit girly… But you get the idea. Really anything works as long as it suits you and your own aesthetic. Even if that includes Ziggy (although I’d mix that one up with some other images to avoid looking a little too Ziggy-obsessed…maybe some Snoopy…a little Garfield even?)

By the Sea, By the Sea

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We’re taking the kids to Rehoboth Beach, DE for a week at the end of July and I think I want a new beach bag.

Canvas is a definite – but where to buy…?

There’s always the traditional L.L. Bean bag.

This would look perfect with my Lacoste polo shirt and chinos.
And I could be a total 80s prep and get it monogrammed! I’ve always had a thing for monograms…

Or I could get something with a more creative design/color/pattern. And if that’s what I’m going for – then a multitude of options are available at Hable Construction.

Initially, I loved this one with the leather handles.

But that’s far too slim for a family beach bag.

Yeah – it would be fine for my own towel, book, magazines and contraband junk food – but how many arm floaties can you fit in that thing?

A better choice would be this roomy one.

But it has that funky handle. I like it, but I need the option to slip the straps over my shoulder… NEXT!

Okay – this is more like it.

But what’s with the weird handle thing on the side?


The website says it’s “a side handle to grasp for sideways bag dumping.” My toddlers don’t need special aides for dumping out bags – so I think we can skip that one.

FINALLY – the solution:

The “picnic tote” also comes in some of my preferred prints above (specifically the green/blue and the fuchsia). So I think we have a winner!

The fuchsia rope picnic tote. Roomy, sturdy, pretty and unique (that is unless I sit next to another Hable lover on the beach). Now I just have to come up with $165.

Sigh. Well this is a blog about wishing…maybe Target will come up with a knock off.

Charming Designs

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I recently happened upon Bonbon Oiseau, a “jewelry and hair adornment” company based in Brooklyn. The designs all have a chain link and charm theme – an interesting spin on the traditional charm bracelet.


But what I’ve really fallen in love with is their line of necklaces. The little charms and pendants are so delicate and unique. Here are some of my favorites:



They also have a lovely little blog, Your Destiny is Stone Golden. I’m adding it to my reader right now. Can’t wait to see what the creatives behind the Bonbon Oiseau label have to say…*Click on photos to link directly to product page.

En français, s’il vous plait.

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I recently found an artist on Etsy who paints lovely scenes from Paris. I love her bold colors and whimsical composition.Here are some of my favorites:

Not sure if I’d get any work done, but what a view!

Mon Dieu! Is it already noon? Let’s stop in pour le déjeuner.“My colors are blush and bashful.” “Her colors are pink and pink!” (sorry – not French – but it’s the first thing I thought when I saw this)
My favorite spying perch: “Hey you…On le pont! Will you pick up after your dog? Some of us like to stroll around here…”

“The Real Housewives of Provence”

Reminiscent of Matisse – non?

Oh my! Moving on…*

What is it with women and always having to go to les toilettes together?

 

For the love of god – will someone find the damn corkscrew!?

For more scenes from Gay Paris – visit Fifi Flowers!

*I totally stole this line from the Travelocity Roaming Gnome commercial (when he he’s clicking through his slideshow of touring European museums and lands on Michelangelo’s David – with his cap covering the “naughty bits” – soooooo British). It’s my all time favorite.

Vintage Rehab

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Chris’ parents were here this weekend, so there wasn’t much time for writing. I did want to get in a quick Materialistic Monday post though.

I’ve had Vintage Rehab on my Etsy favorites list for a long time. I think my friend Ainsley first introduced me to Stacey Samuel’s work.


1800s Fan Necklace

Here is a short description of Vintage Rehab that I pilfered from an old press release:

Vintage Rehab is creating a tradition of providing life and rejuvenation to heirloom pieces, transforming them into modern every day wearables. Stacey Samuels, an accomplished Interior Furniture Designer and experienced Marketing Veteran, started her jewelry business as an Estate Sale addict.

“I was looking for my niche within the custom jewelry business, so I began to attend estate sales and auctions. One thing that I noticed was that estate jewelry had lots of personality but there was something missing. Each piece I purchased seemed to scream out at me… please fix me up and give me life! So I did just that. Each piece I have created has great history, presence and has a distinctive heirloom quality. I give it even more life by choosing only the great pieces and doing a lot of work giving it layers and using only the highest quality resources.”

My long standing love affair with antique jewelry is one of the defining elements of my current design preferences. When I was a little girl, I was too young to appreciate the bigger picture of fashion and home design, but I could find beauty in one single object.


1900’s Embellished Locket Necklace

Whether it was a beautifully embroidered pillow, an ornately painted Limoges box or a filigreed gold locket – I was drawn to it. As a child, I wouldn’t have been able to explain what caught my eye beyond the fact that it was “pretty,” but I now know that it all came down to detail.


1900’s Scenic Locket Necklace

Of course, this love of detail and flourish dictated that I would inevitably become enamored with any number of over the top monstrosities during those formative years… I have a distinct memory of studying an image of Princess Diana’s wedding shoes and asking my mother she would make me a wedding dress “exactly like hers” when I got married. My genius mother said, “of course honey,” knowing full well that it was just a young girl’s daydream and not a binding agreement to spend every night for a year sewing seed pearls on lace hearts.


One of a kind design featured on the Vintage Rehab blog.

But at the core of this preference for all things “fancy” was an appreciation for detail and the workmanship involved. Most of the jewelry I received as a young girl came from antique stores and flea markets. Back in the 70s and 80s, it was possible to buy an old enamel pin for a fraction of what people now pay for “estate jewelry.” Stacey’s pieces remind me so much of my childhood and the contents of my beloved jewelry box.


1920’s Etched Circular Locket Necklace

Even now when I think about the way I want a room or an outfit to look, I start and end with the details. And vintage jewelry epitomizes this perspective.

The fan pin necklace pictured at the top of this post brought back waves of nostalgia, and I wanted to feature some images of these lovely old pieces that have been recently brought back to life by Vintage Rehab. So add this to your own Esty favorites, personal wish list, life inspiration list or any old list that seems appropriate. Stacey and Vintage Rehab are on every single one of mine.