Today’s Mother’s Day guide is straight from Etsy I love the idea of unique and thoughtful gifts that somebody made with their own two hands.
1. Fashion Art 2 for $24.
2. Ipad Cover $39.99
3. Infinity Scarf $21
4. Cocktail Dress $130.19
5. Cameo Necklace $40
6. Recipe Book $40
7. Skincare Gift Set $103.90
8. Jewelry Organizer $260
9. Nightgown $30
And, of course, there is always the Etsy Gift Card!
I am experiencing a bit of baby fever with friends having babies and getting ready to have babies. So it got me thinking about nursery design. I had so much fun designing my own daughters nursery. I chose lots of artwork from Etsy, vintage pieces from Decade in Denver, and modern goodies from Mod Livin’. I enjoyed mixing up some vintage with the modern pieces to create a whimsical and eclectic space for her as well as for myself. Because lets be honest those first couple of months we are pretty much living in there as well. I also wanted to find pieces that could grow with her. For example, all the art work I chose can very well carry her through into middle school, her dresser which doubled as a changing table she can have forever, and even the accessories are still appropriate for elementary school. I also didn’t want it to feel like a bought a whole room from one store. So, mix it up and have fun play with lots of different colors instead of just choosing one. Creating a space that feels calm, relaxing, and fun will really mean a lot when you are up for the 5th night in a row at 4 am.
After being strongly “urged” to pick this blog back up immediately by my lovely friend Hilary I realized just how much I have missed it. I began this blog to sing the praises of our local talent, eateries, shops, and people putting wonderful energy into the universe. We moved from the Highlands a little more than a year ago to Applewood. We wanted a big yard, more space, 60’s ranch style, and a place to grow as a family. However, after living in the Highlands for over 8 years it will forever hold a very special place in my heart and since Wheat Ridge/Lakewood isn’t exactly know for its culinary choices we head there all the time. It’s become very apparent to me that my quaint little neighborhood is struggling to keep its small business uniqueness in the midst of a hard economy. Independent store fronts are being pushed out by a rise in rent and a decline in consumer traffic. Moving right in are chains who can afford the cost of doing business at the expense of the neighborhood itself. I wanted this blog to be the voice of all the small business owners who are out there breathing life into all the neighborhoods in Denver. So, now I am calling on you the consumer to be conscious of where your dollars are going. “Showrooming” a store to see a product in person and then shopping it online for a better price is absolutely killing all these little shops you love. We are all out to save a buck – me as much as the next – but consider for a moment what it means to invest in your local economy and in your own backyard. If you don’t want a Starbucks replacing your favorite coffee-house then go there instead of the convenience of the drive-thru, if you are shopping for a new stroller for your baby shop local instead of big box or online, and most of all be an advocate for these businesses by talking them up and encouraging others to do the same. So my first post back is a call to action – lets all help our local businesses to thrive by having their backs no matter how much you may think you are saving elsewhere. Because honestly how much is that savings really worth when you see shop after shop shutting their doors? Lets be known as the city with the best restaurants, the best micro brews, and most small businesses per capita than any other. Please share the love by posting about your favorite store, restaurant, business, coffee-house, etc.. on my Facebook page! Spread the love people!!!
There is something about a little girl (or big girl) in a peter pan collar that I am loving. It’s so Audrey Hepburn inspired and sweet and vintage all the things that make a fashion moment great. Here a just a handful of all the lovely items I found on Etsy – all three I want to incorporate into my daughters wardrobe asap. At 4 years old her biggest fashion influence is Zooey Deschanel … actually Zooey and her music have been all she’s talked about since she was 2. I think all of these are very Zooeyesque and would meet me kiddo’s definite approval. Oh and Zooey if you are reading this – Sofia would like to invite you to her birthday party.
4. Tweed Coat
My daughter is going through a “horse” phase that most little girls go through, so I was doing a little search on Etsy for ideas for Christmas when this little guy popped up. Why settle for an imitation when you can give your child the almost well kinda sorta real thing? WTF in all caps with a whisper yell because I don’t want to wake my kid up! I have been oddly obsessed with this guy ever since I stumbled across it. I’ve shared him with co-workers hoping someone would say “wow that’s pretty freaking awesome” and then I can breathe a big whopping PHEW someone out their finds this awesome and will take him home. Okay I just realized I have been rambling and you all are probably like WTF is she talking about? THIS IS WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT VERY LOUDLY IN MY OWN HEAD:
This is one amazing horse. It is a child’s toy and made from real animal skin. The skin is very soft and appears to be in great shape for the age. He has stitching along the stomach and the inner legs. He is a black and white color with a brown tail which I’m pretty sure is horse hair. His ears are intact and his reins are in great shape with tiny, little nails to keep them in place. The most wear I see is on the nose of the horse.
This is a truly wonderful toy and very rare.
He measures 8 inches long and 8.5 inches from head to toe.
Please don’t hesitate to ask me questions. I will do my best to answer.
Oh I definitely have some questions like how much therapy would a kid actually require after being gifted a gift a toy horse made of REAL ANIMAL SKIN?!? Thanks Mommy a real dead toy horse just what I meant when I asked you guys for a PONY! I am probably going to get all sorts of emails about this rant – but really c’mon how could I keep this find all to myself? And for the price of $625 this little guy is a steal. Is it just me or does he/she have a bit of crazy behind the eyes?
If you have admired my logo and wondered who the genius is who designed it then you need to check out her Etsy shop. Red Fern Vintage is a vintage wares shop run by one of my closest friends, Donna Clarke. Donna lives in Connecticut with her equally awesome husband Andrew, son Noah, and pretty much the cutest dog you have ever seen. She also is an incredible graphic designer and is available for logo work, invitations, and brand collateral. Her point of view is fresh and inspiring and I wish I could be just like her when I grow up. Here’s her bio from her Etsy shop:
I am a Fashion/Graphic Designer who left the fashion industry to raise my first child. I have so much creative energy and find it hard to sit still after working a fast paced life in NYC. Being home has allowed me to make a long standing hobby and love of mine into this shop, Red Fern Vintage.
When I was growing up, wherever my family went on vacations or visit relatives I always wanted to go thrifting and still do. I love volunteering at community thrift shops and tag sales. I decided to take this passion and create Red Fern Vintage, a collection of items I pick up on my travels and meanderings. I love doing this and hope it shows in my selection of hand picked items.
If you love one of a kind pieces as much as I do or you would like a unique invitation for you kids birthday I can not recommend her enough. Now if we could only convince them to relocate their awesomeness to Denver……
As the cold weather descends upon us I need to find a place for my daughter to hang up her coat & hat instead of random doorknobs, the floor, or the sofa. I also think its important to give her a sense of responsibility by giving her the ability to pick up after herself easily and quickly. So I started scouting out coat racks on Etsy that I can hang low enough for her to use in the entryway. I, obviously, need it to look super cute as well. Here are a few of the hundreds they have to choose from I have listed them below from top left to bottom right. Choosing one is going to be impossible!
1. Arrow Rack $80
2. Rack with Cubbies $150
3. Faux Antler Rack $21.99
4. Yellow Rack $75
5. Cloud with Bird $35
6. Modern Refined Rustic Wood $43
7. Modern Twig $168
8. Cloud Standing Rack $225
I have nothing but love for the people who have brought the Horseshoe Market to my life really I LOVE YOU ALL! Sofia & I met up with our friends Amy & Allie and braved the blustery 32 degree day to take in as much as we could as quickly as possible. A 3.5 year old & an almost 4 year old are not the most resilient cold weather shoppers. I would have perused the wares until my hands and feet were numb, but carrying around Sofia (because “I am so cold I might just die Momma” although 1/2 hour before leaving she had a mini fashion meltdown because she was told she couldn’t wear shorts with her snow boots no matter how cute you think you will look, and yes you need to wear a coat even though you have a scarf and hat on.) made swooning over the prettiness while trying to take pictures too challenging for one mere mortal. I promise to make up for it by flying solo to the Horseshoe Holiday Market in December. But I did pick up a couple little goodies to tie me over for a couple months and there is always Etsy which most of the vendors can be found on! So, check out the vendor list and shop local for the holidays.
One of my favorite vendors was Hippo Kiss Creations with her vintage inspired necklaces and accessories. I bought Sofia the necklace in the middle with her initials. I am such a sucker for vintage typography I need to purchase a necklace for myself and all my nieces as well. I am still kicking myself for not purchasing what I have dubbed the “Deconstructed Doll House in a Jar” which is by Baby Grey Clementine. I actually want two jars for the middle of my dining room table. What a fantastically whimsical centerpiece! Maybe Santa will bring me a couple for XMAS! Randee Kildow is incredibly talented and I think I am going to ask her for a little private peek into her studio for the blog! I am giving my husband her business card for future gift purchases. She sells via Etsy as well as in some local stores.
I was pretty excited to find a small bag of antique marbles from The Pink Attic Cat to add to Sofia’s collection which was handed down from my grandfather and uncle. Their store is located in lovely Downtown Littleton and the ladies that run it are super sweet and really know their stuff. They have some great one of a kind finds that I cannot wait to see more of. On November 2nd & 3rd they will be filling their store with vintage Christmas items. I have already marked it on my calendar.
I have been a fan of Hip Violet for a VERY long time and I always make a point of stopping by her booth. Jesi’s daughter Violet is also a classmate of my daughters and the inspiration behind the brand. Every baby gift should contain at least one of her adorable bibs!
Obviously there was a whole plethora of fabulousness that I didn’t get to blog about today, so see for yourself and make it out to the upcoming market in December. It’s a great place to take care of all your gift giving needs. Last year I made an effort to buy almost all my gifts either via Etsy or at local handmade markets like Horseshoe. Support small artisans and businesses whenever possible people. The End.
I have a big blank wall in our kitchen behind our island that is currently mocking me. Why? Because I just cannot decide what to do with it. I am considering wallpaper, a couple large size family photos, and artwork. I have a whole list of things that I have found on Etsy that are possible contenders. I love vintage signs and typography and found this really cool sign on Etsy today. This would look amazing in just about any style kitchen and would add a bit of whimsy to a modern space.
HELLOLOVEDENVER 