For the friend who has everything . . .

This antique pineapple holder (yep, that's right) is up for auction in Lisbon, Portugal today. Could this be a last minute gift for that friend who has everything? I really want to see a photo of this with a pineapple inside. I don't know why I think this is all so funny . . .

Image courtesy of Renascimento

They like coffee, too

I don't think I could manage the spider cup, but I wouldn't mind seeing that sweet little otter face at the bottom of my morning Americano. I love that this Etsy shop includes the animal as a "material" in the listing. For example, the otter cup lists: ceramics, ceramic, cup, otter.

Images courtesy of Creature Cups

I shall never tire

These snake rings push all my buttons. And just look at how warm and scuffed up the gold is. Like a perfectly worn in pair of jeans that you want to wear for twenty years in a row. If I put one of these on I dare say it would never come off. All of these come from Paris Hotel Boutique, a San Francisco based shop that sells (among other things) jewelry, vintage hotel silver (and copper pots from the Waldorf Astoria!) and art. I found this vintage French parade flag in their "sold" files and almost lost my marbles. And this 4' tall brass candleabra well, I really want to figure out a way to wear it. Could I fit in there somewhere among the brass foliage?

Images courtesy of Paris Hotel Boutique

Manny & Simon toys

I found a cute wooden fire truck (see above!) at a local consignment store last week. It is perfect. Just enough moving parts to keep Severen interested but no bells and whistles, literally. This company is new to me - Manny & Simon. Eco-friendly, named for grandfathers of the founders (one was a firefighter, the other a farmer) and made in Southern California. I love their other wooden rolling-toys as well as their bright step stools.

Images courtesy of Manny & Simon

Rad Jigsaw Puzzles

Do you like puzzles? Nervous System is a product design company in Boston that uses math, computer programming and fancy tools (like laser cutters!) to make nature-inspired, affordable puzzles and other objects. They use software to simulate crystal development to create an unique, organic interlocking design for each puzzle. The details about the development of their puzzles is fascinating. The current radial series features colorful work by Jonathan McCabe. I'm filing these away for my Christmas wish-list.

P.S. There is a great interview with the founders Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg over at Design Milk.

Images courtesy of Nervous System

Huaraches for a good cause

I spotted these bright sandals by Ix Style in a magazine while waiting for an appointment the other day and was smitten with the woven huarache style and the bright colors. I didn't have time to read the blurb so I looked them up when I got home. I found out that the young company (just launched this spring) is involved in charity work in Guatemala, which is where the founders have family roots. 15% of every shoe sale goes to fund clean water projects in Guatemala through Charity Water. The production of the sandals is in-country by a cooperative of women artisans, which means the retail cycle starts and ends in Guatemala. I like the mission and I like the shoes (natural leather and bright canvas - swoooon) I'm off to get the red pair.

P.S. Refinery29 has a generous coupon code for Ix sandals available right now, which will put a pair of these at your doorstep for less than $80.

Images via Ix Style Inc.

Citizen London

The braided cotton goods over at Citizen London are so appealing. These trays would be very nice as wall hangings, don't you think?

Oprah's interview with Camille Cosby

I am not an Oprah person. I've never watched her show, I don't buy her magazine, etc. But I just read her Spring 2000 interview with Camille Cosby start to finish and it was one of the best interviews I've ever read. I finished it and then I started again. And I know I will read it again. There were many passages that moved me, not least of all her discussion about her marriage to Bill early on and how they made a choice (after about 10 years together) to really be together and work on their relationship. She also talks about how she navigated the pain and grief in the year following the murder of her son, Ennis. And then there is this wonderful passage on aging, which makes me want to be 40 right now!

Oprah: I was in your kitchen once, whining to you and Bill about handling fame. I had the disease to please, and you said to me, "Honey, just wait until you're 40. All of this will change. You will let it all go. It will not be a threat to you anymore." How did you know that?

Camille: At 40 you become more self-assured. You realize that men don't look at you as a toy any longer; they don't flirt in the same way. And if they flirt, it is because you are really looking good. It's the real deal. Everything becomes real after 40. I'm now in my fifties, and my tolerance level for nonsense is zero. I know I'm going to be something else when I'm 60.

Oprah: So your tolerance for nonsense disappears?

Camille: Zero.

Oprah: And the need to please others?

Camille: Out the window. You realize it is a waste of your time, because the older we become, the busier we become. We become busier with things we really love to do rather than being busy with other people's stuff.

Read the full interview here: http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/Oprah-Interviews-Camille-Cosby/3#ixzz2RxxOD33q

Photos credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Snap, zip, button, latch

Imagine a drawer with all of these pouches/wallets/bags inside. I'm having a tough time not making that vision a reality! Each of these pieces has something that grabbed me - a shiny clasp, some pretty stitching, a pleasant shape. Such lovely little things! Which one is your favorite?

 ▴ All images LINKED and courtesy of (top to bottom) Fabric Paper Glue, Squid Whale Designs, Made by Hank, French Queen's Ransom, Forestbound, Coriumi, Scout & Catalogue, Jenna Rose Handmade, Infusion Handcrafted Bags, BESS'NETTA and Ms.Tips Vintage ▴

Bracelets for summer

After I spotted my buddy and Etsy colleague extraordinaire Amy wearing a maxi skirt from Thief & Bandit I did what any girl would do and spent the next twenty minutes committing their shop contents to memory.

I'll have to think long and hard about whether god intended for me to wear their leggings. In the meantime, I'm thinking of picking up one of their bracelets (images linked!). The fabric and stud pieces are so fun and beg to be paired with a summer tan and a tank top.

P.S. The Thief & Bandit kiddo collection is also excellent. These leggings were made for Severen!
P.P.S. Amy stocks a great shop over at Wildfell Hall Vintage. Her vintage blouses are particularly swoony.

Images courtesy of Thief & Bandit

Les herbes

I love these black paper botanical illustrations from Evajuliet Atelier. The thyme print is my favorite, maybe because it reminds me of the café au lait with wild thyme that I drank while I was in Marrakesh several (ok, ten) years ago. I can still taste it!

P.S. I bought a custom family tree print from this shop after Severen was born and I am so pleased with it.

How I would like to ring in the New Year

Hello! We got in late last night from nearly two weeks of traveling. I've got loads of catching up to do in the shop (and beeeautiful things to photograph!) but until I can get my act together there please feast your eyes upon this Fabergé bell-push, ca. 1890. Can you imagine putting your finger on this beauty? I think that would be a pretty excellent way to start the New Year, with a push of this bell. Maybe next year . . .

P.S. Here is another gorgeous bell-push from Fabergé.

via Wartski

10 Festoon favorites

As promised, here are a few of my favorite festoon necklaces from around the web. Some are costume and some are fine. All images are linked. Have fun! (P.S. My festoon outfit post is coming tomorrow!)