Welcome to Huis!

My mother, the globe traveling recent retiree, is finally settling into retirement and has started up her own little Etsy shop called Huis, which means "house" in her native Dutch. Basically, she's always loved to sew, knit, crochet and embroider, etc. and now that she has extra time on her hands, she's taken to experimenting and selling the good stuff on Etsy.

I snagged the prototype of the Owly Baby Blanket for Cael and can attest to high level of adorability and softness. And if you're not in to baby things, there are lots of other things to choose from, including pillows, throws, and assorted table textiles. She's just getting started so check back often to see new listings.

In addition to what you see on Etsy, she also embroiders "birth certificates" if any new parents out there are into that (framed embroidered birth record - baby name, weight, city of birth, and a custom motif).

To help launch the new store, Huis is offering a special giveaway. The first person to buy anything receives a complimentary set of Blue Vine place mats and napkins for two. Comments and feedback are welcome!

Waiting on an Autumn Muse from Lithuania

So I've solemnly sworn NOT to buy any fugly maternity clothes, and dammit, I'm sticking to it. One: I hate pastels. Two: I hate the idea of spending money on stuff I'll never wear again. Three: I love clothes and I don't want to sacrifice what little sense of style I have just because I'm gestating. So as I hit the 3-month mark and start to develop the inevitable pooch, I've been getting my Etsy fix, digging through the many amazing little shops to find some comfortable and versatile alternatives to moo moos and pastel crap with appliques. (Yes, I know maternity clothes have come a long way, but it's just the principal. No offense to any maternity clothes makers or wearers...)

I'm currently impatiently awaiting an Autumn Muse all the way from Vilnius. I love LeMuse's sexy, drapy, and totally form-forgiving designs. I imagine it will kind of be like wearing a giant sock. One that can be work with naked shoulders or without. Best part, I'll still be able to wear it after the kidlet is born. Hell, I might even be able to fit the baby in it, bjorn and sweater all in one. Very national geographic, but who knows, I might be comfortable. I probably won't look as good as this pastoral Lithuanian damsel, but I'm gonna try!

Tabletop Greens That Don't Die

As the holidays approach and we get ready to actually officially have company for the first time since we moved into our new house, I've been trawling the internet to find a longer-lasting alternative to cut flowers, and preferably something that will be resistant to my black thumb.

I'm a huge fan of terrariums. Nothing but a few drops of water and indirect sunlight and these mini ecosystems can really flourish. This modern Danish terrarium available on Pop Deluxe is gorgeous and would look great on the dining table or mantle, but etsy has a host of more affordable options, including these by Made by Mavis. But the last one I got, I still managed to kill everything inside.

Etsy also has other great options like these amazing preserved plant decorations by floradelsol. They're not plastic so there's still definitely some natural beauty to the elements. I love my comfort garden and have been eyeing a few other things for our next dinner party.

And if I had the time to drive out to Venice, I'd love to explore Big Red Sun's collection of sumptuous succulent offerings. They just showcased some of their work at a recent work event that Secret Agent PR helped to organize and their decorations really made the party. I'd love to get my mits on their succulent globes or one of their larger table top arrangements. One of these arrangements and you're done. For the year. They're timeless and can live as long as you take care of them.

But realistically, I should probably focus on trying to get our dining chairs delivered before Thanksgiving, so I'll probably just going with these adorable wheatgrass placeholders from Revisions Studios.

I'm just glad there are such talented and creative plant people out there so I can just click and buy!

designbyte: Loop Leaf Love at First Sight

Ok, I admit it.  I'm an Etsy addict.  So rather than bankrupt myself, I'll use these little design bytes as placebo fix.  This week, I'm totally in love with Megan Auman's Loop Leaf table/ottoman/stool/objet d'art.  One day when I have a house befitting of it, I would love to put one of these lovelies close to my favorite chair.

Made from laser-cut, powder-coated steel, the Loop Leaf ottoman comes in black and white.   With very manageable dimensions, rounded edges, and rubber feet, it's perfect as an ottoman, bedside table, mobile stool for guests, really anything you want to make it.  Technically, you could even use it outdoors, but at $750 a pop (not including shipping), that's probably not a good idea.  Me wants. 

If someone else buys this before I get the chance to, shut up.  I don't want to know.