Creature Comforts - daily inspiration, style, d.i.y. projects + freebies

Fancy This: 10. 27. 09

These lovely (seemingly-random) pieces jumped out at me yesterday as I was trying to put a post together for you all.  I love it when that happens!  I'm not even sure what you would list as being the common theme here, but I do know that I love each and every piece.  I mean, how amazing are the shoes...and the dress...and...and...

• Light Blue Sky Dress ~ Bellebas
• Mechanical Animals Paper Dolls Set ~ Oh My Cavalier
• Forest Tonttu Original Hand-drawn Egg Cup with Hat ~ Heidi Burton
• A5 Stem Print Notebook ~ The Green Apple
• Mini Typographica Notebook ~ Patina Stores
• Dynamite Ball & Chain Pillow ~ Hable Construction
• Classic Tornado Rollerball Pens ~ Kate's Paperie
• Colin Sandals ~ Kate Spade

One Good Thing: New Prints from Hello Handmade

 
Hello lovelies!  Shanna and Betsy of Hello Handmade are at it again.  Hurray!  Just today they've released their Winter 2009 line of gorgeous hand-lettered printed goods...with more to come in November.  Visit their shop to see more and to purchase.  xox Ez

One Good Thing: Paper Straws

{photo by Cindy Ensley - found via Parcel Post}

My Obsession with paper straws started back with this post, and since then I've stocked up on these 3 great colors offered by Kikkerland.  Aren't they fabulous?!  They are the perfect way to make any drink fun and festive...or you can just display them in an Old-fashioned Straw Dispenser or glass cup on your counter top for a little stripey love in your kitchen.

Color Crush: Grey + Mint + Tan

This color combo is my new fave!  Of course I think this about every single Color Crush post that I put together...but this time I really mean it.  ; )

I would absolutely love to use this palette to decorate my bedroom.  And with the addition of some candles or twinkly lights I can imagine it as a color scheme for a small intimate wedding or dinner party...maybe even a modern take on Holiday decor!  So pretty!

• Linen Throw ~ Haus Interior
• Acorns and Oak Leaf Watercolor Painting ~ Golly Bard
• Chinoiserie Pillow ~ Dwell Studio
• Oliver's Twist Necklace ~ Elephantine
• Amanda-S Ante Ocean Shoes ~ Chie Mihara
• Book Boxes ~ Wisteria

In Good Company: Cox & Cox

I love every little thing about UK based shop Cox & Cox.  Theirs is the sort of site where you can easily find yourself lost (in a good way) while looking though (and drooling over) all their beautiful products.  Take a look at the eye candy they offer right here.  xox Ez

Psst...they ship internationally too.

Today I Love: Lonny

Have your seen this loveliness (found via Good-Grace)?  Online magazine Lonny is taking blogland by storm (I think I'm catching the tail end of it), and it's no wonder.  Just starting flipping through their virtual pages and you're sure to be hooked for good.  So go on (if you haven't already) and read Lonny right here.

One Good Things: Owl Plushies

These new one-of-a-kind Owl Plushies from Night Owl Paper Goods are the cutest thing!  I would like a whole flock of them perched on my shelves.  My favorite (pictured) already sold (boo-whooo), but there are lots more to choose from.  Lucky us!

Color Crush: Paprika, Black, and White

• Pia Wallen Crux Wool Blanket ~ Cloudberry Living
• Wool-blend Ribbed Tights ~ J.Crew
• Fig of Provence Extra Pur Soap Bar ~ Compagnie de Provence
• Little Black House ~ Nora Aoyagi
• Pencils with Wooden Box Ruler ~ Kate's Paperie
• Fog Linen Napkins ~ Haus Interior
• Oak Leaf Painting ~ Jamie Shelman

Hello lovelies.  How was your weekend?

I'm on a black and white with pops of color kick these days... so I apologize if the palette is getting old for you guys.  This post started last week after I spotted these yummy tights at J.Crew and discovered the sweet oak leaf painting by Jamie Shelman.  I just knew they wanted to be in a Color Crush post together, so I obliged.  hope your Monday is beautiful.  xo Ez

A Very NICE Announcement

Hello lovelies!
First of all, I'd really like to apologize for being SO out of it lately. I know postings have been rather light around here in the past few weeks so I thank you so much for sticking by me...you guys are the best!

I mentioned to you all a few weeks ago, that I've been juggling several "secret" projects. Well today I'm thrilled to finally be able to tell you about one in particular. As some of you may have noticed, my Etsy shops have been on vacation mode since my big move back in July. I'm happy to announce that I'm relaunching my Nice Package shop next week with a couple of new & exciting changes.

 

The first and most exciting part is that my friend Marichelle and I have decided to partner up and go into business together. You might already know Marichelle from her blog, etsy shop, or the post I wrote about her last month...but if not, then let me just tell you that she is full of creativity and working with her is entirely too much fun (from impromptu dance breaks or mannequin poses in front of her window simply to amuse ourselves, to a million other silly kooky things).  Of course in the midst of all the fun we have also been working our tails off to create a unique line of home decor products and packaging supplies that we hope you guys will really love.

We'll be "soft-launching" the line this Saturday at the Brooklyn Flea - Fort Greene (as long as the weather holds out for us). Deb of Bonbon Oiseau has kindly offered to share her space with us. We hadn't planned on finalizing the collection so quickly and to be completely honest, another 6 months of tweaking would've been ideal, but the opportunity came and we couldn't pass it up. So if you're in the Brooklyn/NYC area this Saturday (October 10th) please stop on by to say "hello." We'd love to meet you!

If you can't make it by the Brooklyn Flea, then be sure to keep a lookout for the launch of our shops (etsy and Big Cartel) next week. We also started a blog where we'll be sharing behind-the-scenes pics, lots of DIY and how-to projects with a few bonus freebies of course. Can't wait to see what we've been up to?...come on over right now for a sneak preview!  xox Ez

In Good Company: Present & Correct

Hello lovelies.  I can't believe I haven't yet blogged about this fabulous shop yet...they've been in my "need to blog" file for ages, so I'm glad I finally remembered to do so.  In any case, if you haven't heard about Present & Correct yet (or even if you have), head on over to their site for some delightful vintage and modern eye candy (they have an etsy shop too).  I'm loving their selection of vintage posters, and just about everything else really.  Hope you love them too!  xox Ez

Inspired Spaces: AB Chao

Check out the gorgeous makeover that AB Chao has been working on in her home.  There are a lot of things to love about what she's done in each room... but my favorite has to be how much of it was completed using stores and resources that are available to most of us (Target, IKEA, eBay, etc).

Her Room:

Such great and inspiring results!  You can find out more about the makeover on her blog Hashai and on flickr .  xox Ez

Inspired By: Stylist Atlanta Bartlett

The beautiful dreamy interiors styled by Atlanta Bartlett are perfect eye-candy for my day.  I'm especially fond of the vintage teacups repurposed as catchalls for jewelry and other mini treasures.  See more of her work right here.  xox Ez

In Good Company: Haus Interior

I received an email about Haus Interior earlier this month, and finally had the chance to visit their online shop over the weekend.  The selection of merchandise that they carry is beautifully curated...with established brands stocked along side some of our favorites from the indie / handcrafted scene.  Prices start at under $10, so there is truly something for everyone.  Get your shop on.  xox Ez

+ The Cultivated Home (blog).

Color Crush: Gilty Pleasures

Need a little sparkle in your day?  Me too!  These gilded lovelies should do the trick just fine.  What color(s) are you crushing on right now?

1. Ivory Suzani Pillow ~ VivaTerra
2. Gold Paper Bowls (sold individually) ~ Up in the Air Somewhere
3. Wreath Earrings ~ Banana Republic
4. Alima Luminous Shimmer Eyeshadow (light) and RMS Beauty Cream Eyeshadow
5. Spiral Journal in white gold ~ Paper Source
6. Zann Heels ~ Nine West
7. Champagne Gold Sparkly Metallic Cord ~ Paper Source
8. Letterpress Gold Lace Card Set ~ Bow and Arrow

In Good Company: Elisabeth Bentz

If you spend any time at all on etsy than you've probably had the pleasure of seeing the textile designs of Elisabeth Bentz already.  Elisabeth transforms ordinary linen fabric into unique pieces of useable art and I adore her simple yet lovely aesthetic.  I've bookmarked her shop as a perfect go-to source for special holiday gifts and more.  Perhaps you might like to do the same.  xox Ez 

Color Crush: Black + White + Red

It doesn't get more simple than a color combo of black and white with pops of red, but I'm having a mini crush on these hues at the moment.  I think I'm going to go give my nails a fresh coat of candy apple red polish and wear my favorite cozy black sweater.  Ahhh... Fall!  xox Ez

• Take a Number Water Glasses ~ Blue Ribbon General Store
• Little Red Riding Hood Screenprinted Card ~ Pinecone & Chickadee
• Buffalo Check Napkins ~ Pendelton
• 'Sleep - We Will Wake You Up to a New Day' - Print by Karin Akesson ~ All Things Original
• Travel Sized Hair Powder by Lulu Organics ~ Lucky Scent
• Chinese Laundry 'Bog' Boots ~ Piperlime
• Minimalist Clutch ~ Gogovivi Designs
• Milk Mustache Pendant ~ Paper Bullet
• Bird & Cage Stamp Set ~ the Curiosity Shoppe

Today I Love: Cozy Picks for Fall

It seems that when I took our dogs out this morning, Fall had decided to arrive.  The air was crisp and had that scent that spells a change of seasons.  Yippy!  Bring on the hot cocoa, apple picking, woolen mittens, and such...I'm ready!

• Gramercy Pendant Lamp ~ Sundance
• Cuckoo Clock ~ Mod Cloth
• Faux-Leather Harness Boots (only $35!) ~ Old Navy
• Vintage Ball Jars (perfect for displaying a bouquet of fall leaves) ~ Adventures in Vintage
• Lutz & Patmos Honecomb Throw ~ West Elm
• Mingzy 001 Bag ~ Ployly Mingzy Bb'
• Royal Standard Typewriter ~ Noun
• Renee Garvey Leather Circle and Button Bracelet ~ Clay-Pot

In Good Company: Slide Sideways

Aren't the sweet goods from etsy shop Slide Sideways the perfect pick-me-up for a gloomy day?!  I'm especially mad for their cushions!  See more right here.  xox Ez

Inspired By: Marichelle Burdman

Hello lovelies!  Wednesday's are generally reserved for posts on photographers and stylists, but today I wanted to do something a bit different and share a tad with you about one of my wonderful new neighbors (and sweet friend of mine), Marichelle Burdman (she doesn't know I'm writing this, so I hope she doesn't run me out of town after this).

{all photos - © Marichelle Burdman}

You may already know Marichelle from her blogs Heart Handmade & Lifeflix, or her etsy shop Wunderlust, but what you may not realize is just how incredibly kind and talented she truly is (of course a lot of this is evident through her sites...but read on for a few things that I specifically love about Marichelle).

a. Her incredibly adorable effortless chic style.  Seriously... I need to take lessons from this girl!

b. Her delicious cooking... she whipped this dinner up for us two nights ago with ingredients she grew from her own garden (so fresh and amazing).  Also her blueberry crumble bars are to die for (that is if the perfect packaging doesn't kill you first).

c. She is incredibly talented and crafty...and seems to have a way of creating magic out of ordinary materials like muslin cloth, paper, and twine.  Check out her shop to see what she's up to currently.

d. She and her delightful boyfriend "Hillsy" have transformed their home (they just bought it late last year) into a cozy and welcoming place where everything is beautiful but where you aren't afraid to put your feet up and settle in for a night of tv watching and a cup of "Hillsy's" famous tea.

e. And finally... and impossible for me to show in the photos (but most notable) is just how kind and generous both Marichelle and Hillsy have been to us in our first few weeks here in our new town.  They are some of the loveliest and most down to earth people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing...and I feel luckier still to call them my friends.  xox Ez

P.S.  Coming up in just a bit I will show you a few photos I took in Marichelle's beautiful yard on Monday.  I hope you will like them.  xoxox

Wish List: Cheery Picks for Fall

1. Bag (Yellow Check) ~ Linea Carta
2. Vintage Wooden Arrows Set ~ Sweetshorn
3. "Golden Oriole" Original Art by Robert Clarke ~ The Curiosity Shoppe
4. 12 x 16 Pillow ~ SOWN
5. Boyfriend Belt in Flame ~ Gap
6. Dip Mug in yellow ~ Crate & Barrel
7. Malachite Ring ~ Naventin
8. Vintage Goldfinches Plate ~Branch & Birdie

Hello, hello, hello again dear lovelies!  I am so glad to finally be back and writing to you from my new place here in New Jersey.  Thank you so much for your patience while I've been away.  I hope you loved all the fabulous posts my wonderful guest bloggers created for you in my absence.  A quick recap of these lovely contributors (just in case you missed any of their personal sites):

• Leslie - A Creative Mint  | flickr
• Traci - Bliss  | etsy shop | big cartel shop | flickr
• Marichelle - Heart Handmade  | shop | flickr | lifeflix blog | twitter
• Janice - Scissor Variations | shop | flickr
• Susy - Hey Susy  | shop | twitter
• Melissa - Melissa Loves  | shop | twitter
• Julie & Kathryn - Perfectbound  | flickr
• Lisa - That's Happy  | design studio | shop | flickr | twitter

Moving has been a crazy, wild adventure so far and I'm ready for life to settle down soon.  I'll share more with you shortly about our move as well as some helpful tips I learned along the way, but in the meantime I hope you will enjoy some of the bright and cheery things on my wish list for the rapidly approaching Fall season.  What creature comforts are you wishing for today?  xox Ez