The City Sage

Etsy Love: Vintage Decor from Two Art Directors

I have a dream. It's a simple dream. It involves me, a few girlies, and a road trip to every antiques hotspot in the United States. Is that so much to ask? Until the day that such an opportunity presents itself, I'll get my vintage fix from Two Art Directors--a new Etsy shop with an old soul.

A visit to this online boutique is like a trip through history. The brainchild of a Texas team of art directors, stylists and photographers, not only does it boast a carefully edited selection of treasures and curios, each item is photographed as though viewed through the veils of time.

My favorite detail? The 'Instant Collection' of saucers, because I hate that awkward phase at the beginning of a collection---you know, before you become an aficionado and are instead just a weirdo with a couple random plates. And really, considering the price of fuel these days, isn't it better to let an expert scour the flea markets on your behalf?

Images courtesy of Two Art Directors.

  

February is National Embroidery Month!

While preparing this morning's post I discovered that today marks the beginning of National Embroidery Month--as if I needed an excuse to indulge my obsession with all things needle-and-threadable! There are so many stitching enthusiasts out there, and their imagination seems to know no bounds.

It's splendid to see how embroidery and other needle arts have extended beyond the purview of fussy old ladies and goody two shoes girls. Don't get me wrong, I also have a serious weakness for old school stitchery, but sometimes nothing satisfies like a Liz Lemon expletive or an embroidered ham.

Tell me: Do you ever get your stitch on? I myself am in the middle of a cross stitch chair from TinyModernist--and I'd love to hear about what's in your hoop! If you don't embroider but are itching to start, here's a cute project and a must-have book to get you going!

Shopping Guide: 1, 2. Mary's Granddaughter 3. September House 4. Ruggles Stitch 5. Incy Wincy Stitches 6. Bird & Banner (not embroidered but great inspiration!) 7. TinyModernist 8. Niku 9. Crooked Sister 10. Bubbly Schnooks 11. Crazy But Cute 12. La Gidgette (not for sale but I wish it were!) Sponsored links: Sign up for 000-107 training and get HP0-J40 certified in days! We offer high quality HP0-S26 dumps with 100% success guarantee.

Round-Up: Vintage Housewares on Etsy

When it comes to vintage shopping, I can't resist the lure of the hunt. But I don't always have time (okay, I almost never have time) to cruise the myriad vintage shops that abound here in San Francisco. Fortunately for Etsy, we can all stalk our vintage prey, without the funny smells and pushy sales folk! So here are some of my top vintage shops Etsy jungle.

Directly above find samplings from High Street Market. I swear, shopgirl Kelly has supplied me with every knickknack I own! Head there for refined midcentury treasures like bookends, clocks and brass figurines. At the very top of this post, feast your eyes on rustic, timeworn pieces from New Dominion Blues. A trip there is like an escape to an old Maine fishing village.

If you feel like you're looking at the prop room of your favorite shelter magazine, you're not far off---Blue Bell Bazaar is a favorite stop for editors and stylists! And below, the quirky and cheerful goodies at Sweet Love Vintage will leave you giddy and trembling with retro fever.

Tell me: Do you love to search for vintage housewares? What are your favorite hunting grounds?

Etsy Find: Vintage Fashion Prints from Le Petit Poulailler

Continuing with yesterday's focus on affordable art, behold my latest find! I have such a soft spot for vintage fashion illustrations--especially those from the early decades of the 20th century. So I was thrilled to happen across the Le Petit Poulailler, an Etsy shop that is a veritable treasure trove of antique prints! Don't they make you want to take a trip back in time to go shopping?

As a self-proclaimed history geek, I love that vintage prints are artifacts of times gone by. The hair, the clothes, the shoes...just imagine the stylish ladies who would have pored over these pages with the same fervor that we attack the latest issue of InStyle and Vogue!

Of course you don't have to be a history nerd to love them, because they bring such personality to any room of the house. Whether in the front hall as I've hung mine, or in a feminine dressing area or powder room, the colors and lines really leap out at you. And if fashion illustration isn't your thing, check out Le Petit Poulailler's selection of botanical and insect prints too!

Etsy Find: Sara Norris Photography!

As part of my new year's intention to surround myself with more art, Etsy is a go-to resource for accessible, affordable, and amazing finds. So I was thrilled when photographer Sara Norris emailed me to share her shop. Don't you want to dive Alice-in-Wonderland-style into the mystical, whimsical world she creates captures in her photos?

Right now I'm especially in need of the cheery retreat that these images provide; I learned on Friday that my job is being reduced to part-time, and I'm feeling pretty bummed. I spent the weekend thinking about the lemons--half the income!--and the lemonade--time to monetize my personal passions?--and now I'm just muddling through this Monday afternoon.

So let's go Sara's Etsy boutique and escape for a while, shall we? And brace yourselves for an onslaught of fun and inspiring posts, a spruce-up of my blog layout, and all the other millions of things I can now squeeze into my days!

Images courtesy of Sarah Norris.

Etsy Fave: life.love.paper

Still searching for those extra special gifts? Original art is a fantastic option, and of course Etsy is a go-to source. I'm a huge fan of Tina at life.love.paper. Using her signature dreamy, mystical style, she captures everything from the drama of nature to the wonders of the everyday. Plus I've ordered from Tina and she's the sweetest gal in town! Visit her shop, admire her flickr stream, and pop by her blog. What a happy holiday treat on this dreary Tuesday evening!

P.S. Don't forget to enter this morning's giveaway for a to-die-for cubic zirconia ring!

Images courtesy of life.love.paper, via Simply Hue.

Letterpress Holiday Cards: Etsy Round-Up

By now you've already designed, hand printed, embossed, addressed and mailed all your holiday cards, right? Yeah, me neither. As usual, I'm woefully behind the season's greetings eight ball. Not to worry--there's still time to stock up on letterpress cards from Etsy! Say it with cuteness: congenial cardinals, cuddly hedgehogs and a doe-eyed Chihuahua are almost too adorable for words. As for that VW bug, I saw a nearly identical sight at Home Depot this weekend and it killed me that i didn't have my camera!

For your favourite typography nerd, forget the pictures and get verbose. From scripty gift tags to a hit of retro, and from a fancy-pants 'Peace' to sweet and simple wishes, the message might be the same but the letters make all the difference!

At the opposite end of the spectrum, a picture is worth a thousand words. Scandinavian floral gift tags would also look lovely hanging from the branches of the tree--as would holly berries and bells. Poinsettias boast textured elegance, and a quirky partridge in a pear tree recalls one of my all time favorite carols.

Of course Etsy offers up a slew of cheeky and whimsical options for those non-traditionalists in all of us. Even if you don't speak Spanish, these Feliz Navidad cards get the point across loud and clear. Is holiday romance in the air? Invite someone for a smooch, a cup of coffee, or a more-than-friendly game of holiday bingo!

Finally, if the sight of more red and green makes the bile rise in your throat, break the mold with a delightful non-denominational greeting in hues of blue, grey, yellow and plum. Wintry silhouettes and skaters are just plain fun, and a snow angel summons the playful spirit of the kid in all of us!

Etsy Lust: High Street Market Vintage

Of all terrific vintage shops on Etsy (and there are many!) my favorite is High Street Market. Shop owner Kelly has such a keen eye for the most unique and charming decor items. Create a gallery wall with items like a patriotic brass eagle and a kitschy antler trophy (sold out already!), hang a delicate gold mirror near your front door, or use an old schoolroom chalkboard to keep a shopping list in the kitchen. There are no more excuses for bare walls!

Still swooning over last week's holiday table setting ideas? Mix a few pieces of vintage tableware with your best china to create a warm, welcoming, and one-of-a-kind Thanksgiving spread. Fill polished silver bowls with fruit or flowers for a stunning centerpiece. A leather ice bucket adds a rustic/refined touch, a Greek Key gravy boat projects classical elegance, and a filigree napkin holder would be perfect for storing stationery long after the last smear of cranberry sauce has been wiped up!

Channel the nostalgia of holidays past with these fun and fab finds. This month's Martha Stewart Living features the domestic doyenne's collection of vintage faux Christmas trees; get in on the action with these mini light-up versions! Festive candleholders, from reindeer to menorahs (also sold---geez!), light up the night. Finally, bribe your loot delivery boy of choice with a chintz plate of cookies---in hopes of getting everything on your list!

Lots more to love at the High Street Market shop and blog!

Blog Out Loud = Brilliant!

Last night I was honored to speak on the panel of talented bloggers at the Blog Out Loud event in San Francisco. Not only was it a fantastic opportunity to connect with readers and fellow bloggers, it was also a reminder of how many extraordinarily talented and creative folks are out there. The event was held at Bell Jar, one of the city's most delightful shops. If you're ever in town, you must stop by and say hello to store owner Sasha--and I dare you to leave empty handed!

Several vendors generously donated their wares to create gift bags for the first fifteen audience members through the door. Letterpress notecards from Wiley Valentine are a bright and beautiful way to say 'I'm thinking of you!'

Designer Erin Vale made these 'Freakin' Never Ending To Do List' notepads just for the event, and they are that rare blend of useful and hilarious. I think they should become a regular installation in her shop!

Paper pastries makes cute and colorful stationery, book plates, and more. Their cupcake cards are just the calorie-free indulgence I need after all the wining and dining I did over the weekend! Tiny Pine Press contributed a mix CD kit similar to the one below--perfect for capturing musical memories!

We Collective's Folk Square Pendant is a tiny, playful reminder of an evening well-spent. Plus their prints and t-shirts are wonderful too; I especially love this Everything Happens print!

Last but not least, every gift bag contained a gorgeous cookie from Sweet Ambs. They're almost too pretty to eat (with the key word there being 'almost'!)

I'm so grateful to everyone who came out to the event, and to Rebecca and Megan for their hard work and inspiration in founding Blog Out Loud. And thanks also to my fellow panel members Cassandra, Sasha, Lynn, Susannah and Christiana.

If you're a vendor and you want to inquire about contributing to the next blog out loud event, contact Rebecca or Megan here. And if you're a blogger or blog reader and want Blog Out Loud to come to your city, get in touch with the fab gals behind the scenes!

Girly Wonderland: YellowGoat on Etsy

This morning's boudoir makeover has me in a totally girly mood; I wish I could abandon my work and host a ritzy, glitzy tea party with all my besties! In lieu of that, I'm loving these baubles from YellowGoat. This Little Goddess headband is fit for an otherworldly princess!

Every gal should have one of these Sugar and Spice pendants. Wouldn't it go beautifully with a pair of pink fairy ballerina slippers?

What little lady doesn't dream of finding her perfect match? If no Prince Charming is forthcoming, this darling necklace makes a perfect substitute. Bonus: It doesn't snore or hog the blankets!

Seriously though, do visit the shop--all of YellowGoat's intricate pieces are handcrafted and completely droolworthy. Be sure to check out the YellowGoat blog too!