A Closer Look at Ottoman

Icing for the Kitchen

The kitchen hasn't even been started, but I can't help but find things I love on Etsy that I would love for it! So, this morning, when I noticed that Treasury West was going to open in about an hour, I decided to fill mine with lovelies for the kitchen:

Well, I just had to add in the eco-friendly and wonderful Cork Trivet again by nothingasitseems!

I have been a fan of artgoodies before I started selling on Etsy...functional and hand printed...what more can I ask? The squirrel is adorable!

In contrast, I just found bailydoesntbark and I love The Ant Porcelain Spoon - clever!

The milk bottles in porcelain by alyssaettinger are fantastic (and would go great with the milk cartons from this post).

EstherCoombs' work is fabulous and the cake stands are wonderful - be sure to check out the hand-drawn detail on these!

And, purposedesign is a must after my last post!

EcoKate is an Eco Etsy buddy, and these dish cloths are organic!

The simlicity of design and the fact that this cream and sugar set are white (and cork!) are perfect in my book...by paigerussell.

Another lovely handprinted tea towel, this time by skinnylaminx and the spoons are really sweet, yet graphic.

Okay, I just adore the carrot on these placemats by wonderthunder (and with a name like that, how could you go wrong?).

The smile glasses by WarauKoppu make me smile...'nuf said.

Ah, the tin food container elevated in porcelain - I love work like that! Taste by lorenabarreaueta is just a taste of the collection.

Kitchen Thoughts and Purpose Design

We're working on the floor in the new place (which is why we haven't fully moved in yet), but we're trying to get the basic "floor plan" of the kitchen planned out; we're gutting it and replacing it with "parts" mainly from Ikea (yay, lots of "bang for the buck"). So, I'm all about function, particularly in the kitchen. We're going to build an island that holds most everything from the kitchen with drawers (even the small appliances so that they don't have to be cleaned around). We're also pretty lucky that my parents are remodeling, so we got their old microwave and dishwasher (well not really old, they just don't match their new look). We will probably get a fridge from a friend (also not old, he just built a house and needed a brand new fridge to match), so we only need to buy a range new- yay!

We also like things exposed in the kitchen (except sitting on the counter) for easy accessability. For example, the pantry will be really shallow and without doors, the everyday dishes will be exposed so that guests don't have to dig, and the spices will be easy to grab when necessary - like this:

It's a spice bar from purposedesign on Etsy. I love it! I think we may have to have several to house our spices (or paint a wall in the kitchen with magnetic paint), but also from purposedesign are wonderful spice kits:

Large Persian Spice Kit - purposedesign also has more familiar spice kits (unless in this case you are from Iran), but I wanted to show the variety in the shop.

Large Chai Tea Kit - one word - yum!

So, if you have any kitchen-related tips...please let me know! I'd love to hear from you!

More on the house soon (with pictures as things get completed...I like before and afters).

Happy Tuesday!

(a little reminder) and British Cream Tea

...that Eco Etsy's "Auction for a Cause" starts tomorrow; you can find out the details here. This would be a great opportunity to cross off a bunch of names on your list for the holidays.

We're not quite finished moving - sheesh. But, we have a lot to do to the new place before we can fully move it. So, posts may still be a bit spotty for now. I'm going to try to get all of our stuff in our old place to one room (plus the kitchen...well, just the fridge, microwave and a few dishes are functioning right now...the rest is off limits because it's packed and I want to keep the kitchen clean) so that it's less overwhelming. As far as the new place, we're re-doing the floors ourselves, so it's taking some time.

Therefore, I haven't had much time for crafting. But, if I find some time here and there, I may work on some more "...for your Wall" pieces.

In the meantime, I thought I would introduce a new shop on Etsy that I find utterly charming. I love to learn about cultural differences in food and British Cream Tea has the most adorable "Delicious British felt treats," and there's even a glossary in the shop announcement:

Biscuits = Cookies
Ice Lollies = Popsicles
Sweets = Candy
Puddings = Desserts (usually with custard or cream)

Okay, here's some pictures of these cuties:

Christmas Pudding - I love how the icing drips off the edge.

Fab Ice Lolly - Check out the embroidered sprinkles on this one.

Boiled Egg and Toast Soldiers - Stinkin cute little egg!

The photography is great in this shop and makes me want to have a tea party. Also, check out the descriptions on these items for a history on them; very clever!

All for now; I hope you had a fabulous weekend!

I know it's a little early...

...but I've been seeing Christmas trees in the home improvement stores while getting supplies for the new place (so they've been on my mind) and I relaxed a bit with the current issue of Dwell today and saw an Unica Home ad for the Kuno Prey Christmas tree; I fell in love with this tree last year because it's got a modern, yet vintage feel (so me!) and it isn't a PVC tree! It's "crafted from industrial bottle brushes and painted wood." Now, that's modern and vintage! Here's a look:

So clever!

I'd better get back to thinking about Halloween however; even though we won't be able to decorate with the move, I want desperately to go to a pumpkin patch and it will be a nice break from the craziness (besides, my son will LOVE all the pumpkins).

A short post today, folks, this move will climax this weekend...I think! :)

Happy "hump" day!

My Home Decor Picks

Well, that Caroline Hwang article and the fact that I'm moving got me thinking about my home. So, when I happened to click on the Treasury a few minutes before it opened last night (and then snagged one), I decided to fill it with items I would love to have in my home:

I just found the plytextiles shop and I love this "Modern Doily -- Shades of Mustard," particularly because I love hexagons which remind me of beehives (and also remind me that we need to help save them).

"Best Before" by ricochetstudio is great! I love when everyday objects are elevated, especially ones that are ephemeral or we take for granted (in this instance, both).

Faux bois is great, and "Blueorange II" by edwardfoley is a colorful take on it; I usually tend to be more interested in texture, but I love a punch of color.

Nonfictiondesign has a fantastic series entitled "Invasive Species Dinnerware." This piece is "Invasive European Starling."

Ah, I still need to make a terrarium and TheOakLeaves terrariums are so inspiring!

Vaeda's photography is stunning, particularly this photo: "Stained Glass Visionaries."

Simplicity is one of my mottos and checkout this "Cork Trivet" by nothingasitseems.

I live in Oregon, and we even have a beaver on our flag, so the "Bad Beaver vase (chewed)" by paigerussell is a favorite of mine.

I think I've mentioned before that I really want a cuckoo clock, but I also love these rad "Wall Hanging Clock - Cuckoo Clock - Blue" clocks by decoylab. I suppose I could have a few. :)

SarahBurden's Dirty Delft series is stinkin' clever and this one is "Dirty Delft Plate Number 3."

So, since I'm going to have a woodstove, maybe I'll fill the area around it with faux bois (and some faux bois log pillows to curl up on). This piece, Logs, by GollyBard is simple and perfect.

Last, but not least, "Mod Cabin Clock," by nice is simply white and could look lovely next to the faux bois.

Happy Monday! (now back to packing)

I'm in Today's Etsy Finds!

Wow! I'm in today's edition of Etsy Finds (you can subscribe here) - "A daily email showcasing hot products and gift ideas, with surprise special discounts for subscribers."

The item featured was Moss Pincushion 14:

The find is entitled - "Getting Caroline Hwang's Look - Home Decor Edition"

I LOVE this concept! Here's the inspiration for the Etsy Finds:

And...here's a treasury worth of picks that are compiled at the bottom of the article:

I think these picks represent Caroline Hwang's look rather well!

Happy Saturday!

So, I Tried the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

If you remember from this post, I was really excited about the new Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate from Starbucks; well, I tried it today. I ordered my drink and I happened to notice that the guy who was making it was adding syrup to my drink and I asked if it also had caramel syrup in it (besides the caramel drizzeled on top) and he said no, it had coffee nut syrup in it...and I said that I guess I should have asked if there is additional syrup in the drink (why should I have to? Who would think there would be additional syrup in the drink? I already asked the gal at the counter if she liked the drink to which she responded she did, but added a shot of expresso...). So, I said that the drink would probably be way too sweet (I mean, it's already hot chocolate and has whipped cream and caramel ontop), so he said that if I didn't like it, I could have him remake it....I tried it...it stunk...it was WAY too sweet! I don't believe I've ever returned a drink...I don't do that...I suck it up...but this was WAY too sweet! Anyway, he remade the drink (guilt on my part for wasting the bad one) and it was rad! One thing I like about Starbucks' hot chocolate is that it isn't too sweet (why did they ruin it?). I liked the subtle salty taste and it would have been better if I didn't get it in a "to go" cup, but with a three-year-old, I'm not going to hang out. Also, the salt is better on the top, by the time I got done with the drink, a lot of the salt settled to the bottom, which was pretty salty, but still a nice contrast.

Edit: I was back at Starbucks the other night and I noticed the list of available syrups and saw one called "Toffee Nut," so I believe the syrup used was toffee nut instead of coffee nut; never-the-less...it was much too sweet!

So, this reminds me...I also like the green tea lattes and green tea frapps at Starbucks and one day, I happened to overhear the details of the drink when I ordered because the guy making it was new; the guy I ordered from told the barista to put in four shots of melon (I usually get the grande size) - FOUR shots! So, now I ask for "no melon" when I get the green tea drinks.

Between these two experiences, I have learned my lesson - always have the barista dissect my drink order if I don't know what's in it (hidden sugar - that's for sure)!

Well, no photos today...(I love pictures, I'm so visual)...but, I'm moving and time is of the essence!

Let me know if you try the hot chocolate and what you think! Or, if you've had a similar experience!

Happy Friday!

So Many Varieties of Mint!

As you may have noticed, I've been thinking about gardening a lot and I have lots of plans for mint! So, I figure, why just have one type of mint, when there are so many varieties?! So, on Etsy, there is a seller that sells several different types of mint - The Paper Gal. Here are the varieties that are for sale (or have sold) from her shop:

Apple Mint Cuttings - Organic

Sweet Pear Mint Cuttings - Organic

Double Mint Cuttings - Organic

Some of the other mints that have sold are: Lime Mint, Chocolate Mint, Variegated Pineapple Mint, Candy Mint, and Scotch Spearmint.

I think that it's pretty exciting that each of these mints look a bit different, so that if you have several, you can tell them apart visually!

Happy Thursday!

A Few Items Recently Listed

I have listed a few items in the shop this week:

Moss for your Wall (V2) 2 (4 inch)

Lichen Bobby Pin 6

Lichen for your Wall 3 (5 inch)

So, I feel a bit productive even though I'm moving! However, the move will get more intense as the week progresses. We have a lot to do and flooring to re-do at the new place - yikes! I hope to have some before and after pictures to share once things have settled (that may be awhile - ha!).

Happy Tuesday!

Auction for a Cause!

The Eco Etsy Team is auctioning off a basket of handmade goodies to benefit the Nature Conservancy! Here's the details:

About the Auction

The benefit auction started preparations in the spring of 2008, and each participant that donated to the auction basket were required to follow a set of rules for their items:

● Every item is Eco-related in some way. These include re-purposed, recycled, up-cycled,and eco-friendly products.
● Every item is handmade.
● Every item includes a small card that describes the item and how it relates to eco-practices.
More than 60 individual items are contained in this beautiful, eco-friendly auction handcrafted by people who care about nature and our environment. The total of all donations is valued at more than $300 retail.

Auction Details

Donation photographs will be available beginning October 20, the first day of the auction.These photographs can be accessed by viewing the album at http://ecoetsyauction.myphotoalbum.com/

Auction Start Date: October 20th, 2008

Auction End Date: October 30th, 2008

This auction is open to US residents only. This is to prevent any legal issues as well as preventshipping issues that may arise due to regulations that other countries have.

Bidding: Bids may be placed on the auction basket by emailing [email protected]. Updates will be announced regularly on the EcoEtsy blog (http://ecoetsy.blogspot.com/) with the highest bidding amount.

Please note that the monies raised will also be used to ship the donation basket to the winner.

The highest bid placed by 9 PM MST (-7 GMT) will be awarded. The auction basket will be shipped within one week of bid payment receipt – payment details will be sent to the winnerafter the auction via email.

About EcoEtsy

Eco Etsy is a group of like-minded people who are coming together to spread the word about reducing, reusing, and recycling. We concentrate on educating other Etsyians to be more aware of the waste we create when packaging our items, and therefore offer tips and tricks to help other members create a greener way of life in their shops and in their personal lives. EcoEtsy is open to all Etsy sellers who want to waste less in the process of creating, selling, packaging and shipping and to encourage buyers to do their part as well. Please feel free to learn more about EcoEtsy and the products we create, the tips we produce, and the efforts we are involved in byvisiting the following websites:

Eco Etsy Website: http://www.ecoetsy.com/

Eco Etsy Blog: http://www.ecoetsy.blogspot.com/

Street Team Page: http://team.etsy.com/profilest/eco.shtml

About The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy's mission is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. To learn more about The Nature Conservancy, please visit http://www.nature.org/

Since their founding in 1951:
● They've protected more than 117 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of riversworldwide – operating more than 100 marine conservation projects globally.
● They work in all 50 states and more than 30 countries – protecting habitats fromgrasslands to coral reefs, from Australia to Alaska to Zambia.
● They address threats to conservation involving climate change, fire, fresh water, forests,invasive species, and marine ecosystems.