Wednesday Welcome: Kimagine Designs

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to Kimagine Designs of New Jersey. Broken china and sterling silver come together here with beautiful results.

Friday Favorites: Ruffled Shrugs

There are pros and cons to living in a region that has four seasons. I've never lived in any other type of climate, and I know what to expect each time the weather changes around here. In the summertime here in the DC suburbs, the forecast is much the same every day. "Hazy, hot, and humid with a chance of afternoon thunderstorms". When the heat and humidity are oppressive (and even unhealthy at times), I tend to stay indoors. Of course I'm dressed for the outdoors in a tank or short sleeved top, so I get chilled when the air conditioning is blasting. I try to dress in layers this time of year~ and one of my favorite accessories is a ruffled shrug. Falling in loose layers over a tighter top, these shrugs fit right into my favorite category of "fun and functional" accessories. Any of these three pieces would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe!



Paris Flower Market Cardigan from My Paris Attic





Cashmere Ivory Ruffle Cardigan from Vintage VC





Haroedux Shrug in Spicy Ginger and Mustard from Secret Lentil

Wednesday Welcome: TomoKirigami

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to TomoKirigami in Los Angeles, CA. Tomoko was raised in Japan and enjoys the Japanese papercutting art of Kirigami. In Japan, the word kirigami has been in use for a long time because "kiru” means to cut, and “gami” means paper. So, kirigami means to cut paper. Tomoko's designs are cut from origami paper and are glued onto heavyweight cold press watercolor paper. They are available in an 8x10 size and would look great grouped on a wall. Check out her creations here!

Set Sail

A collection of nautical items neatly arranged into a treasury list by DPD Designs. That handsome sailboat key fob is mine :)

Wednesday Welcome: Painted Mosaics

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to Painted Mosaics in Greenville, South Carolina. Each 10" wooden letter takes hours to complete. Using acrylic paints in different layers allows this artist to create textured "3D" designs on these wooden letters. Here is her description of the process:
"My designs were painted in the style of mosaics. I painted little "tiles" and little "grout" lines. For each letter, I build up the flat "tiles" by applying several layers of Crystal Lacquer to just the "tiles", using tiny brushes and sometimes a magnifying glass. I leave the "grout" lines flat. This is how I create a cool, shiny texture that you can see and FEEL".
Display just one or spell out a name or word~ either way, you'll make a statement!

Friday Favorites: Baked Goods For Breakfast

Today's post is inspired by hunger. I ate the last of my homemade chocolate chip banana bread yesterday so I'm stuck with toast, cereal, or english muffins today. While most days one of those would suffice, today seems to call for something sweet. These are a few goodies I wish I had on my plate right now!

From top to bottom:
Large Midwestern Cinnamon Rolls from sweetumsbakery
Pumpkin Muffins from MmmMmmYummy
Chocolate Chip Scones from NutlessWonders1

Just perfect with a cup of tea... sigh...

Wednesday Welcome: Haute Dogs

Each week I'm using Etsy's Pounce feature in order to discover new items "from undiscovered shops waiting for their first sale" as the Etsy site states. This week's welcome is extended to Haute Dogs ...handmade, recycled doggie shirts by Katie Donegan. If you have a 5 to 10 pound pup that likes to dress in style, this is the shop for you! In addition to the fun fashions found in the Haute Dogs shop, Katie can also customize YOUR favorite t-shirt you already own for your dog. FUN!