friday's one-of-a-kind find: prints by kari herer

This friday I'm swooning over these Kari Herer prints, which are romantic + rustic without being overdone or obvious. Herer is no obscure artist -- her work has been featured everywhere from Martha Stewart to Town & Country to InStyle -- but how she combines natural elements in such unexpectedly lovely ways is unlike anything I've seen. The entire series is done with original drawings/art and photography, and signed + stamped by Herer herself (see the last two photos below). They would bring a refreshingly organic, dreamy element to my ultra-modern living room just as well as they'd fit into a cozy, country aesthetic.

 

[all photos from kari herer's etsy page]

All of the prints pictured here are available for purchase on her etsy page, but do check out her website for more professional info and her blog for more personal photos - both are amazing. And enjoy your weekend! xx

lovely little things: tiny paper mache bowls by etco

I love these tiny little bowls (each one varies in size, but they're generally only a couple inches tall + wide). They're perfect for stashing any of the million little baubles I have strewn across my dresser at any given moment, and they'd look equally chic in a trio, left empty to show off the gorgeous metallic inside. Each is made from recycled paper and features a black or white matte outside that perfectly compliments the gold, copper or silver leaf lining. The bowls are hand made to order by Yamarilet Pacheco ("etco" is an adorable shorthand combo of her first + last names), a Venezuelan-born NOLA resident who also crafts jewelry. Here is a sample selection of her work --- although as with any hand crafted item, each is a little different in the end.

[all photos from etco's etsy page]

What a lovely little way to add some life to a bare bookshelf or drab dresser... enjoy! xo

noteworthy notebooks by ribbon squirrel

With all the tablets and gadgets we tote around today, I can barely recall the last time I actually wrote something - as in, with a paper and pencil. This take on the classic composition by etsy poster + print shop ribbon squirrel reminds us that a great notebook doesn't always have to plug in --- or cost a thousand dollars. I'm loving the look of the color-blocked geo design against the black + white print, and (of course) the fact that it's handmade. Choose white or a combination of complimentary colored pages, perfect for whatever you want to write... no outlet necessary.

[all photos in layouts chosen from ribbon squirrel's etsy shop]

make it personal

How sweet are these personalized, handmade pictures by UK-based design company sarah & bendrix? The concept is so simple + adorable, and I love that each one is made-to-order. You can choose from one of their designs or amp up your game + send in your own mementos to be used as raw material for your piece. Transform old invitations, birth announcements, love notes, newspapers, books + just about anything else into a charming, intimate works of art.

Such a lovely, low-key way to take old mementos that have been collecting dust in a shoebox, hidden in the back of the closet, and put them on display. It is also a great source of inspiration for the more talented + ambitious of you out there who are up for a DIY challenge.

But for the rest of you who (like me) haven't exactly mastered DIY-ing, don't risk ruining your keepsakes - leave it to the experts at s&b.

[each photo was taken from sarah&bendrix' etsy page]

friday's one-of-a-kind find: the leather "paper" bag

I'd like to say that it was love at first sight. But when I first came across this bag on etsy, I did a double take.  Initially, it looks like it contains a pb+j and a fruit roll-up. Then it clicks.

. . . So let's just say it was love at second glance.


 It's like those edible experiments where they make a pastry dessert look like a double cheeseburger - totally bizarre and yet amazing at the same time. Instead of playing with her food, Brooklyn - based designer Dana Meyer toys with our idea of the classic brown bag, ditching the paper for a buttery, rusty - hued natural suede leather. It works because the craftsmanship is impeccable, the color is perfection and the texture is super luxurious.

The bag also features a magnetic closure + folds up like the real thing for easy storage or travel.

I would display this in my apartment, use it as a clutch or - why not - do the obvious use it as a cheeky play on the classic lunch box.

Talk about totally unnecessary but equally amazing . . .

Looks like brown bagging it is back.

Enjoy the weekend!

[all photos via dana's etsy page]

wear your love story

As soon as valentine's day rolls around, we are bombarded with messages of seduction --- mostly from retail stores.  Every one seems to have found the perfect gift, and it's always heart-shaped + saturated in fuchsia, baby pink, blush or blood red. 

Trust me, I'm not complaining. I love Nordstrom + I love love. But I always have the same thought as I scroll through the slide shows of lingerie + perfume: if that someone is really so special, doesn't she deserve something not featured in a generic roundup of romantic cliches?

As much as we love opening up jewelry - and trust me guys, we definitely do - the well-thought-out words that accompany the gift is always the best part. Even more amazing (maybe for it's elusiveness) is the long-lost handwritten love note, in all of it's crossed-out, misspelled glory. 

With that in mind, here is my valentine's advice: definitely don't lose the jewelry - just pick a piece that combines it with the one other thing we'd most like to get, on v-day or any day.  Take a look: 

<><><><><><><><> one <><><><><><><><>

  

  

<><><><><><><><> two <><><><><><><><>

<><><><><><><><> three <><><><><><><><>

<><><><><><><><> four <><><><><><><><>

  

<><><><><><><><> five <><><><><><><><>

<><><><><><><><> six <><><><><><><><>

<><><><><><><><> seven <><><><><><><><>

<><><><><><><><> eight <><><><><><><><>

<><><><><><><><> nine <><><><><><><><>
  
 

Whether it's tucked inside an envelope, rolled into a locket or written on the page of your very own book, these lovely finds are the perfect way to write your love story - and wear it - this valentine's day. Just call me cupid --- I think I can already hear the "awww".

[all photos via catbird + sellers' etsy pages - see numbers for links]