Etsy Friday Five - 4/29

While I was in college, I had a part time job at Bath and Body Works. It was suppose to help me pay for tuition, but instead it fed my product addition. Lotions, Potions, Shower Gels and Hair Masks, with a 30% discount, I bought them all, and in vast amounts. And I shared the wealth, so my friends and my mom were always stocked.

I guess my mom has finally worked her way through her stockpile, because when I asked her what she wanted for Mother’s Day, she requested bath stuff. Which inspired this week’s Etsy Friday Five.

If you think Bath products on Etsy, a name that stands out is Dennis Anderson. With over 29,000 feedbacks and all of them 100% positive, you can pretty much rely on the fact that you will be getting a quality product. While best know for his olive oil soaps, he also stocks everything from lotions and gels, to lip balms and whipped soap in a jar With delicious sounding scents like Hawaiian Lei, Violetta, Iced Oatmeal Cookie, Rosehips and Kumquat and Chai Tea, it is to hard to decide what to try first.

Pomegranate(4 oz. jar) Whpped Soap In A Jar (Vegan) by Dennis Anderson - $6.50

My daughter is obsessed with play-dough right now, so I know she will get a kick out of Red Leaf’s Bubble Bath Dough.  And if she likes, then my mom (who often watches her overnight for me), will really love it, since it will make bath time go smoother. You just scoop a handful out and rub your hands under the running facet for loads of bubbles.  And once the kiddo goes home, Mom can use the product as a moisturizing shower gel for herself.  Scents include Plumeria, Black Tea, Pink Grapefruit, Orange Sherbert, Beach and Basil Lime. 

Red Leaf Bubble Bath Dough by ShopRedLeaf - $12

I can not count the amount of hours that my mom and I sat on the beaches of Cape May, NJ.  And how many nights I had to deal with tight, hot cheeks and noses because we had just a little too much sun.  I wish we had packed the  Chamomile Soothing Facial Mist from Petite Threla.  Lush botanticals like Chamomile, Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera make this product just what tender skin needs.  I would recommend keeping it in the fridge between uses, to ensure a refreshing cool mist on the skin.

Chamomile soothing facial mist by Petite Threla - $4

Instead of getting Mom one big basket of products, I really love the idea of a year long gift.  This Year of Soaps gift from Sweet Petula could be just the ticket.  Every month, a beautifully packaged soap along with a little something special will be delivered, ensuring 12 " You shouldn't have, but I love it" phone calls.  Lush scents include Sweet Pea, Ruby Grapefruit, Ginger Blossom and Fleu de Lis.

12 month soap subscription by Sweet Petula - $90

One of my favorite memories of my mother is having a "sick" day from high school and doing a total girl pampering day. We went shopping, out to lunch and came home to sit on the sun porch, sipping virgin strawberry daiquiris in matching green face masks. With this Green Science Face Mask from Dress Green, I can help recreate that memorable day this Mother's Day. The ingredients in this mask (organic kelp powder, organic calendula powder, organic nettle leaf powder, white willow bark extract) make this a great mask for both our skin types, normal and slight oily.



Green Science Facial Mask by Dress Green - $9



All images courtesy of their respective owners

Art Star Craft Bazaar - You can't miss this!

If you are within a 3 hour drive, train trip or camel ride to Philadelphia, I highly recommend you leave the weekend of  May 14^th open and plan a trip to the City of Brotherly Love.   For that is the weekend of the Art Star Craft Bazaar. **

Art Star is an outdoor Art/Craft market run by by Philadelphia’s Art Star Gallery & Boutique.  Over 100 local and national artists take over the Waterfront at Penn’s Landing for this two day event.   This is not your typical stuffy craft fair – these artists have a decidedly Indie bent and the crowd is a happy blend of tattooed hipsters, crunchy granola moms and people who know that supporting local Artisans is a great thing to do.

Live music and great food (including Vegan options) round out the day's offerings. 

Below is just a small sampling from a few of the talented artists scheduled to participate in the show.  Hope to see you there!

 1. Blue Superstar Necklace by Jen Roder -$65; 2. Hipster Bingo Cards by Hipster Bingo -$8; 3.Elephant by John Murphy - $35 ; 4. Baby ball with linen and cotton by Namoo - $24.50; 5. Small Deer Trivet by Peppersprouts- $32; 6. Sour Cherry Soup by Claudia G Pearson - $20

1. Whale Pillow by Kate Durkin- $26; 2. Wine Cork Necklace by Olive Bites - $18; 3. Broken Plate Necklace by The Broken Plate - $50; 4. Rosemary Mint Goat's Milk Glycerin Soap by Liliths Apothecary - $4.50; 5. Set of 4 flower dippers by pinkkiss - $30; 6.Philadelphia Map Print by Peaceful Traveler  - $24; 7.Nap Pillow Cases by Shopdirtsa - $55; 8 (and 9). Nighttime in the city 2 by Nate Duval - $50; 10. Butcher's diagram floursack towel by Girls can Tell - $12; 11.Reel around the fountain sampler by Chez Sucre Chez - $72; 12. Circle Fawn Necklace by Figs and Ginger - $45

All images courtesy of their respective owners

** If you can’t make it over to the actual event, still head over to the Art Star website.  They have many of the vendors listed with direct links to their online stores – so everyone can shop!

Fresh Offerings from PAPAYA!

It is no secret that I love PAPAYA! (the store, not the fruit, which has an odd texture that I can’t seem to get around, and I am rambling). They were the very first thing I wrote about on the blog and I am always checking their site to see if they have new items to drool over

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So color me thrilled when I saw that they have some new items in their office supply line.

These Memo Mouse pads ($12) are now on the top of my wish list. Aside from the fact that they are so lovely, they are also 50 pieces of memo paper. They are such a great idea, a right at your fingertips place to jot down notes, phone numbers, and blog ideas.

Bloom Memo Mousepad - $12

Starlight Memo Mousepad - $12

If you are like me, your cube/office is flooded with a sea of sticky notes. Right now, I can count 11 without even turning my head. I am so sick of yellow post-its, I could scream. That is why I am lusting after these Sticky note collections ($12). Now I can tell that, late in getting me copy, copywriter to call me ASAP with style.

Voyage Sticky Notes - $12

Charmed Sticky Notes - $12

It pains me to admit it, but I am often found scurrying around the office, clutching a clipboard. I have so many schedules to keep track of; it is pretty much an extension of my arm now. So, I want a pretty one, and am so excited that PAPAYA! has some lush ones now.  

Carpe Diam Clipboard - $12

Laughing Whale Clipboard - $12

All images courtesy of PAPAYA!

Etsy Friday Five - 4/22

Happy Earth Day everyone!


Earth day is the inspiration for today’s finds. We all hear about recycle-reuse-reduce and being kind to Mother Earth but in your day-to-day life it can sometimes slip the mind. Here are five interesting, eco-friendly products that can help make a difference.

I get so excited every Spring, because a small farmer’s market sets up about 4 blocks from my house. I get to walk down and get fresh fruit, flower and veggies. Buying at a local market, I lower the carbon footprint and support local farmers which makes me happy. The plastic grocery bags most of the vendor use, doesn’t. So – a great alternative is to use a stylish re-usable shopping bag like this one by Pony and Poppy.  I love the screen-printed cheerful red apples.

Three Red Apples reusable fruit/veggie bag  by PonyandPoppy - $10



In the wake of deforestation, it is always great to find new uses for recycled wood.   I really like the line of repurposed wood candle blocks that Margaux and Walter Kent over at Peg and Awl have designed.  They use reclaimed old growth Pine, once a floor joist from a 19th century Philadelphia house, to create their candle holders.  Vintage botanical prints round out the design.  I love the history of these pieces and their  worn look, and would love to line about 5 up on my mantel piece...if I still had a place with a fireplace. I miss my fireplace.

Floral - Antique Old Growth Pine Candle Block by PeganAwl -$17

My husband is a Tshirt hoarder.  I love him, but he has concert tees from when he was 14, he is now 34. It is a sickness. So this recycled Tshirt rug from Talkingsquid will probably give him heart palpitations.  But I love it.  I love the idea of find a new way to recycle old clothing and this is so clever.  I can just imagine how soft it is and it would be the perfect doggie sleeping area. Or cushy place to stand while doing dishes.  I wonder if I could make one with some old Black Flag tee's.   Just kidding honey, get off the floor.

Recycled T-Shirt Rug in Yellow SMALL by talkingsquid - $60

 Did you know that indoor air can be significantly dirtier and worse for you then outdoor air?  And that there was a NASA study that found that having houseplants can remove 87% of air toxins within 24 hours.  And that houseplants can often look a little drab?  That is why I love this succulent wreath from Pamela Newman at Fairyscapes.  With a little water and sunlight, this wreath will continue to grow and bloom long after most flower arrangements and go a long way towards cleaning the air in your home.  Plus- I mean come on, it is so pretty.

Rose Round Succulent Wreath 9" by Fairyscape - $44.99

So, I love learning new stuff and in researching today's blog I found out that there is a wide array of research suggesting that Dryer Sheets are bad news.  They are full of chemicals and could potentially damage your clothes and your skin.  So these Wool Dryer balls from Dryerballs are a clever way to ditch dryer sheets forever.  Apparently, these guys can reduce drying time, reduce static and fluff fabrics without any chemicals at all.  Plus, they are reusable, which saves time and trash.

6 EcoFriendly 100% Wool Dryer Balls - Natural Color by Dryerballs - $42

All images courtesy of their respective owners.

Shorpy - my favorite vintage photography site

If you have read Lulu for a while, you probably know two things about me; I am a history nerd  and I love photography.   So, it should come as no surprise that the day I found today's featured site, I was lost for 5 hours straight.  (I was on bed rest while pregnant with the kiddo, so I had 5 hours to spare.)

Lady in the Water (1947) by Toni Frisell

Shorpy (named for a 14 year old coal miner from 100 years ago, Shorpy Higginbotham) is a photography site that features thousands of high resolution vintage photographs from 1850 – 1950. It is part history lesson, part art gallery and all addicting.



Shorpy Higginbotham: 1910 by Lewis Hine

The owners of the site have  restored the images (usually from the Library of Congress or other archives) to their original glory and post them in high resolution, so you can open the images up to view a much larger size. The incredible level of detail once you do this is astonishing. A photo of a tenement building in 1900 comes alive once you see the women leaning out the window, the laundry hanging on the lines, the cat on the sidewalk. It truly is a window into another time.

The Washboard Jungle: 1900 by Detroit Publishing

Aside just offering  historical eye candy, the site also has prints for sale of the images they feature and most prints start at $15.  This derelict plantation image from Frances Benjamin Johnston has caught my fancy and will most likely be on my cube wall soon.



Woodlawn Plantation, Napoleonville vicinity 1938 by Frances Benjamin Johnston



All images are courtesy of Shorpy

 

Etsy Friday Five - 4/15

While looking for today’s items, I was reminded of a memory. In my early twenties, my girlfriends and I used to go dancing at this bar/club located in a tiny river town call New Hope, which had once been a thriving artist community but was quickly transitioning into a tourist Mecca.

One summer night, leaving my friends on the dance floor, I headed out to the small patio overlooking the river. An older man, late 60’s maybe, was also standing at the railing and said hello. I found out in short order that he was a painter; very drunk off cheap red wine and that he would not be buying me a drink. Considering, I hadn't asked for one, I found the last statement amusing.

He continued (this is a close to verbatim as I can get) “It is not that you aren’t lovely, it is because you are a brunette.” He paused to light a cigarette “You see, brunettes, all of you, you always have that look in your eye, like you know a secret, like you know all of my secrets. Like you already know the answer to every question I would ever ask you. Your eyes turn us into stone and little boys at the same time. Dark witches, all of you.”

And he walked off into the summer night…

So, inspired by my drunken painter – enjoy this bevy of beguiling brunettes. Just be careful not to turn to stone.

Fashion illustrator Paule Trudel Bellemare has made quite the splash with her quirky and clever series Girls+Dogs.  Hipster girls (I use the term lovingly) and their adorable dogs have their personalities captured brilliantly by this talented artist.

Marvin by Paule Trudel Bellemare - $30

Janet Hill's paintings have the feeling of vintage glamour and beauty. Be it a portrait of an intriguing woman, a still life of a beautiful room,or a pristine vintage kitchen, her work is feminine, peaceful and utterly wonderful.

The Feather Fan Dancer by Janet Hill - $26

I had never known what an ACEO was before I found The Brilliant Magpie’s work.  They are prints/original works the size of a traditional baseball card.  What a great way to start an art collection.  I recommend starting with this raven haired beauty.  She reminds me of the Great Gatsby and cold bathtub gin.  I bet she rouges her knees.

Noleta -- ACEO Limited Edition Print by Amy Abshier Reyes - $5.00

Another way to start a collection would be with this tiny canvas by Tali.   It is the size of an average refrigerator magnet and is sure to be a conversation starter.   Not just because of it’s diminutive size, but also because of the pensive ingenue in the painting.

Rimma / tiny canvas print by Tushtush - $20

Our last bewitching brunette is by well-know illustrator Catherine Campbell who runs Myfolklover.  The thing I love about Campbell’s women is they are always seem to me just a little bit cheeky and mischievous.  I also adore her use of pattern, it is a distinctive signature and really establishes a piece as her's at first glance.   Plus, who doesn't love a girl in glasses (and not just because I am one).

Jane by Myfolklover - $25



All images courtesy of their respective owners



Jao Daily Travel Pak Giveaway Winner!

The time has come to announce the Jao Brand Daily Travel Pak winner!  Thank you so much for everyone who entered to win these wonderful products.  

So....the lucky number was comment number.....

Which was Tina S who said....

Congrats Tina - you are going to love these products.   I am also going to send you some samples of the Outscent as well.   Just drop me an email with your shipping information and they will be on their way.

Leah Giberson - Houses, Chairs and Trailers, Oh My.

Usually Lulu does a big product roundup on Wednesday, but due to a crazy deadline at work and a wired three year old at home who decided to outlast her parents the past few nights, I am forgoing the big round up this week to feature an artist that I am just enchanted with.


Leah Giberson transforms the ordinary and simple into something extraordinary in her paintings. Homes, chairs, campers – all take on a new life and a deeper reality under Giberson’s brushes. 

As good as it gets

Giberson describes her work this way “There is a quiet anxiety and loneliness in these images of isolated houses, empty chairs, abandoned pools and vacant streets. Shadows loom from unknown/unseen sources, horizon lines become uncomfortably close, people are absent and geographic clues are obscured. Despite all this uneasiness, there is also a sense of bravery or at least a blind and determined optimism.”

Slide

While I love all of her work, the Caravan series is my favorite.   There is just something about these pieces that captivates me.   There is peace and a sense of place that I love.  They are also fueling my ever-increasing urge to grab my family and hit the open road. 

Caravan Series One

Desert Camper One



Dungeness Dwellings



Rear View

Willerby

 
You can shop for prints here and here.   You can also visit Giberson's site and blog.
 

All images are courtesy of Leah Giberson

Silver Spoon Jewelry

A couple of weeks ago, I went to the Sugarloaf Craft festival with some friends. What a great show – over 200 talented vendors with everything from glassworks to baskets to specialty foods. If you have a chance to go to an event in your area, I highly recommend it.

One of the vendors that really caught my eye ( and hit my wallet)  when I was there was the Silver Spoon Company out of California. They have a fantastic line of jewelry and accessories based on heirloom patterns (of silverware) from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

I know what you are thinking – more spoon rings…boring! But, no, not these. Designer Jennifer Northup has elevated the concept way above your traditional spoon rings and has come up with some really inventive (and beautiful) jewelry.

I especially love the hummingbird and bee pendants.

Prices start at $29 for the rings, $56 for necklaces and $89 for bracelets.

 

All images courtesy of Silver Spoon Jewelry

PS - Today is the last day to enter the Jao Giveaway.
You know you want to win these great products.