Now that spring has arrived, if you’re anything like me, you might be looking for something… something to add a little boost of colour or a bit of change in your environment.
Well, voilà! mazizmuse|home can help! These handcrafted modern-chic pillows are a fantastic (and affordable!) way to change things up for the season. This silk appliqued tulip pillow is so vibrant and would bring a shot of warmth into any space!
Tulips always mean the arrival of spring for me!
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So graphic and lovely!
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I also really love these outdoor pillows! No April showers could keep me down if these were around…
This stripe takes me right to the beach. Summer!
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Mazizmuse is the creation of Laura Mazzerolle in Vancouver. With training in fashion design, textiles and more, she moved into interior design and is treating us to some bold home accents. For example, the graphic screenprinted black design below can be trimmed in any of 9 colours. Bam! Colour.
Aboriginal-inspired design is trimmed with vibrant colours
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To find out more about Laura’s work, you can find mazizmuse|home at these fine internet locations: Etsy shop mazizmuse|home, Facebook, Twitter and her blog!
Cheers,
~Sarah
I met the lovely Jolanta of Jola V. Designs on Twitter, and then at the OOAK Vancouver show last December. Not only is she on the “tall girls” team with me, but she also has a bag called the “Sarah”. Match made in heaven!
The Sarah bag, like all of Jolanta’s pieces, is made using leather that is pre-cut, overstock, repurposed or liquidated. I appreciate that the hides she uses are being being turned into beautiful bags rather than shredded or sent to landfill. This means that Jolanta often has limited (but fabulous) colour runs for her bags, making them that much more special.
A group of Sarah bags - love the colours!
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Having seen Jolanta’s super-soft bags in person, I love the extra special details (the ruffles, the braided strap, the added knot of leather) and the way those are incorporated into very functional and roomy construction.
The "Katie" bag
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The lacing is a great detail on this Jaki tote
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She has also recently added canvas totes to her line, which are adorable (no surprise there!). These would add a little fun to your travel or beach wardrobe, or fill it up at the local farmers market!
The ruffles! I love the ruffles!
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So, do you love them?! Here’s some good news – Jola V Designs is celebrating 2 years in business, and Jolanta is offering a chance to win one of her popular Sarah bags – drop by the Facebook page and comment here for a chance to win!
You can also find Jolanta on Twitter, and all of her bags are available on her website at JolaVDesigns.com. If you’re an Etsy fan, you can visit her shop there, too but it is a limited selection – check her website for full range of colours and styles!
Enjoy!
~Sarah
As the parent of a toddler, it sometimes feels like I am living in the eye of a hurricane. My girl is one pudgy-cheeked ball of motion, noise, and sometimes utter chaos. So when bedtime arrives and she is feeling snuggly and quiet, my husband and I really soak up those moments! Of course when a kiddo feels like cuddling there is nothing better than a special squishy friend, and these adorable buddies from Stephanimals are so cool that every kid is bound to love them.
Each one is handcrafted to be “Unique Like Nature”, and they even come with a soft story book that helps kids learn about the animal and their habitat! The quiet moments are a great opportunity to talk with kids about things that are important to your family, and Stephanimals share stories of conservation and knowledge about the world’s critters.
This sweet duck would make a great Easter gift, don't you think?
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At the moment, my girl makes a "Roar" sound for almost every animal... perhaps she is trying to tell us she wants a lion?
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But wait! It gets even better! Stephanimals donates $2 from every single sale to charity, (in 2011 all funds raised will go to Nature Canada) Awesome, right? They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk… and you can too!
Counting sheep never looked cuter!
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There are lots of different fabric choices for each animal, make sure you visit the Stephanimals site to see them all. There’s also links to lots of eco-friendly groups and products, a fun page full of activity ideas, and an animal info section where curious minds can go to learn and explore!
~Remembering my special childhood bedtime buddy. Her name was Ellie… she was an elephant. Yes I know, the creative juices run deep in me, can’t you tell?
:-) Jennifer
Oh my. If you love shoes, have I got the indulgence of a lifetime for you. Forget the Manolos or Jimmy Choo’s… how about custom, hand-painted, made-to-order super-swank stilettos?!
Welcome to the world of Vancouver’s Cocopunkz. Just feast your eyes on these:
These are called "Infatuation". Why, yes, yes I am infatuated!
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Or these:
"Mystery Shoes - Rain City"
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Ada Fu and Miranda Pang love shoes and love to paint, and the combination of their creative talents is pretty spectacular. They have a selection available on their website (specific sizes and paint treatments) but the part that intrigues me the most is the custom option – send them your shoes, give them a theme to run with and voilà, you have a one-of-a-kind shoe to knock ‘em dead with.
Seriously gorgeous, these yellow tapered heels are called “Ink Flared”. I’m seeing a night out on the town, little black dress, and these. Who needs jewellery when you’re wearing shoes this freakin’ fabulous?!
*swoon*
You can see more of the girls’ past work at cocopunkz.com, and on their Etsy shop. You can also follow along on the blog, Facebook and Twitter for more fun with Ada and Miranda!
Cheers,
~Sarah
I admit it, I sport a ponytail more days than I’d like. If I had some of Melissa Abram’s fun hair accessories, I might feel a little happier about that fact!
A simple, organic print
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A splash of pretty brocade on this headband
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Okay, here’s another confession – I cannot make bobby pins do what they’re supposed to do. They just don’t stay in my hair… but if I ever figure it out, I’d like to add these pretty kimono pins to my collection, please!
Little black dress, red shoes and these in your hair? Gorgeous.
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Robots are, shall we say, “trending” these days and this handsome little dude is featured on one of Melissa’s necklaces and more retro robot styles on rings as well!
Robot!!
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Melissa hails from Quadra Island, BC and has a great line of semi-precious jewellery as well. Be sure to drop by her website, her Etsy shop or her Facebook page to see more of her designs including earrings, rings, bracelets and more hair accessories.
Enjoy!
~Sarah
P.S. I found Melissa via the Artzi Stuff shop in Nanaimo, BC! If you’re in the area, definitely check it out – over 40 Canadian artists are featured!
I love it when something just catches your eye and captures your imagination. When I saw these gorgeous lampwork beads from Flame on Glass, I immediately started dreaming up ways of incorporating them into my daily life. I was drawn to the colours and shapes, and just couldn’t look away.
The silver foil detail adds an extra fun touch!
This one is feminine and sweet, it's like a mini garden!
I am picturing gorgeous beaded book markers, key chains, wine glass charms, and of course some bold, chunky, and utterly fabulous jewelry. There are so many possibilities for creative projects that would be perfect to showcase these super-fun beads.
These ones feel a little "cosmic" to me. Far out!
You can wear your heart on your sleeve... or your wrist, or anywhere you like!
Flame on Glass is the brainchild of Linda James from Salt Spring Island, BC. Her love for melting glass has been going strong for more than a decade, and I think it shows in her beautiful beads. Check out her Etsy shop to see all the different colours and styles, you’ll be glad you did!
Cheers,
~Jennifer
For folks in some parts of the country, yesterday was Family Day. It’s a holiday where we are encouraged to celebrate our families and those we hold dear. At my house we had a sleepy morning full of toddler belly laughs, then an afternoon of noisy and crafty fun with the in-laws, and a turkey dinner feast to top it all off. It was pretty nice, I must say!
One of the crafty projects that my mother in law had prepared were wooden plaques which we decorated with things like “Home Sweet Home” and our last names. It was a fun project and captured the spirit of the day. While my painting skills left something to be desired (ok, a LOT to be desired), I still think our little name plaque is something special. So of course I came home and went online to see what kind of spin someone with much more talent than myself could put on a similar project. I was not to be disappointed when I immediately found The Snowshoe Loft. These rustic and beautiful wood-burned signs are a lovely way to put your name on any space, be it a cabin, cottage, or even just a favorite room.
It's like a warm welcome home, personalized just for you!
My husband *dreams* of having his own man cave. If/when that happens, it would definitely need one of these!
Coral is a hawaii-born creative type who fell in love with winter and fall when her family moved to Canada. She is currently an urban woman, but dreams of a cabin in the woods, surrounded by nature’s beauty. She burns all her signs by hand, without using any stencils or machines, under the watchful eye of her wiener dog named Walnut.
The cabin and tree image adds an extra special touch
I also really like these pretty little woodland animal blocks. They would be great mixed in among family photos on a mantle or shelf!
They are all lovely, but I think the moose is my favorite.
You may not be encouraged to carve your initials in a tree these days, but Coral’s signs send the same warm and enduring statement of love, and are way more portable than a huge tree! Or they can even be used as directional signs to an intimate outdoor wedding.
LP and SW, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g....
If you want to see more, or to order your very own custom sign, visit The Snowshoe Loft’s Etsy shop. While you are there, make sure you browse around, and see if you can find a picture of the adorable Walnut!
From my family to yours, have a wonderful day!
~Jennifer
As many of you know, I have recently returned to my “outside-the-home” job after maternity leave with my little munchkin. This also means, among other things, a return to planning and packing lunches. So far I have managed to get something together every day and avoid starvation (or a desperate McDonalds’ run). However, usually my lunch has ended up thrown into a big ugly shopping bag. So what’s the big deal with that? Nothing really, but picture this: Me, attempting to look “professional” and “put together” (ha!), carrying my purse, baby’s daycare bag, and a grocery bag lunch, while balancing the baby on my hip and fishing my keys out of a pocket. Yeah, that’s what I thought.
So, while it might not be a huge deal to have a stylish and pretty bag to carry my lunch, I think it will make a difference in how I feel about myself each day as I dash off to work. Enter: Urban Harmonie Designs. I think these eco-friendly, reusable, and super-chic lunch and snack bags are fantastic!
This is light years better than a shopping bag, am I right?!
The pink polka dots are girly and cute, but not over-the-top. Perfect for work or school.
These bags are made with laminated cotton, and are free of all the nasty stuff that normally accompany most plastic items. Even better: you can just wipe them clean with warm soapy water! Vicki (aka Urban Harmonie) has a love for all things vintage, so her fabric choices often have a retro feel. Her bags are all handmade in her Vancouver studio.
I know one rainbow-loving girl who would probably eat just about anything as long as it came from this colourful snack pouch!
This one is even reversible, you could change it up depending on your mood!
Urban Harmonie can be found on Cargoh, Etsy, Twitter, Facebook, and her very own website. Why not pop by and say hello?
Now if only I could be as inspired about what to put *in* the lunch bag!
~Jennifer
There is something so magical about the ocean. How anything so huge and powerful can also be calming and soothing is a mystery to me. Whenever I am near the sea I find it almost impossible to tear myself away. I love that feeling of being a part of something so much bigger than yourself, and the beauty of nature as the water crashes into the shoreline.
It has been a few years since I have been able to sit ocean-side, and lately I am definitely feeling like I need to feel some salt water in my hair! But, since that is not in the cards at the moment, I have been feasting my eyes on jewelry that has been touched by the sand and surf. I especially love the light and lovely pieces by Victoria BC’s Swept From The Sea Designs.
sea glass + beach pottery pieces + freshwater pearls + sterling silver = one fabulous bangle!
The little turtle charm looks perfectly at home on the green glass, so cute!
Picture the warm glow when the summer sun hits these sweet earrings.
I love the soft, tumbled look of the sea glass. It has an earthy feel that sets it apart from straight coloured glass (of which I am also a HUGE fan, as many of you know by now).
I love the deep blues in these pretty dangly earrings! Sea glass in those shades is apparently quite rare, that must be why I like it so much!
Would a little bit of sea glass be the perfect finishing touch to a crafty project you have in mind? Swept From The Sea Designs has groups of glass pieces for sale in different colours, and even some sea glass buttons that could be just the ticket.
Indulge your inner mermaid with a visit to the Etsy shop, and don’t miss the Winter White sale section! I am off to feast my eyes on a little piece of the west coast… Enjoy!
~Jennifer
Valentine’s Day is sneaking up on us! 1 week from today, wouldn’t it be fun to have something a little unique and, dare I say, handmade to offer your sweetie? Or, if you’ve already planned ahead and have got it all under control, just send the link to this post to your chosen one just in case they aren’t as organized as you are!
Check out these sweet valentine’s day postcards from Jasonda at Dotty Logic – just download and print! You can spread a little love, too, by donating to one of her favourite causes, The Hearts on Noses Mini Pig Sanctuary in Maple Ridge, BC (details on her blog post!)
So CUTE!
Taking your honey out for Chinese food for dinner? Slip these little valentines across the table after the meal. These adorable felt fortune cookies are from Montreal’s Yummy Pocket.
"I love you more than my iPhone"
Drug store chocolates won’t do this holiday. Try the handmade chocolates from Vancouver’s Giggle Sweets (if they taste half as good as they look, it’s a total win-win). Of all things, I can’t believe I’ve never had salted caramels. Time to rectify that situation, I think!
Valetine's Day + Chocolate = match made in heaven
Original art is a very personal gift, and these pieces from Jellybeans are so lovely for Valentine’s Day.
"Hanging Heart" original watercolour
Jellybeans, based in the Toronto area, also does custom family tree paintings which would be a great gift to celebrate the love of your family this Valentine’s Day!
Family love!
If you’ve got a great Valentine’s Day gift idea, let us know in the comments! We’d be happy to “share the love”!
xoxo,
~Sarah
