8.29.2014

Carol Ross Pottery

A while back when we were visiting the Missouri Botanical Garden, I noticed some pottery by Carol Ross.  She sells her work on Etsy under the name The Clay Bungalow.  I especially like the pieces with bunnies (of course).



8.28.2014

Cowboy Collectibles

When we visited Old Town San Diego last January, I bought a beautiful horse hair bracelet.  It's from Cowboy Collectibles (from Montana).  Mine consists of two braided strands of chestnut brown hair, complete with a horseshoe charm.  Much cheaper than owning an actual horse...


8.27.2014

Canvas USA Map

I bought a pair of moccasins from L.L. Bean once many years ago, and I still get their catalogs.  When I flipped through the last one, I saw this cool map.  It's a giclee print on stretched canvas and would be a super addition to any home.

8.26.2014

Modern Genealogy Charts

Have you seen the modern genealogy charts from Latter-Day-Home?  They've teamed up with I-Chart-You to create some really pretty and simple charts.  Choose from grey ombre or one of their great color combinations.



8.25.2014

Arizona Fabric

I've really been thinking about the West lately...  So much great design.  April Rhodes' Arizona fabric is fabulous.  I saw this fat quarter bundle in the Sisters and Quilters shop on Etsy.  (Wouldn't you know, they're from Utah...)  If you buy it before I do, you have to share - OK?


8.22.2014

Amano Studio

We have a new shop in our area called Cypress House.  It is kind of Anthropologie-ish, and it's fantastic.  One of the first things that I noticed there was a cool arrowhead necklace.  It was made by Amano Studio from Sonoma.  They have a great line of Western-inspired jewelry, including these great earrings and necklace (not the same one that I saw).



8.20.2014

Everything Oz

We were in Kansas City a week ago, and they have a fun store at the Crown Center that features all things Missouri/Kansas.  I picked up this book to flip through and could not put it down!  Everything Oz is a fantastic collection of crafts and recipes pertaining to The Wizard of Oz.  There are darling upside-down cupcakes with little witch legs sticking out from the bottom and fabulous poppies and these cute Dorothy and Toto dolls.  I ended up ordering a copy from Amazon (much cheaper to buy from a third-party seller), and it should arrive today!  The authors are Brits Christine Leech and Hannah Read-Baldrey - I'll have to learn more about these creative crafters...



8.19.2014

Eccolo

I saw some really lovely journals at TJ Maxx the other day.  They were made by Eccolo.  This bee journal is from their web site.  Isn't it so pretty?


8.13.2014

Michael Coleman

When I was at the Nauvoo Temple a couple of weeks ago, I noticed a beautiful painting and made a note of the artist's name.  Michael Coleman is a prominent Southwestern artist from Utah, and his work is reminiscent of the Hudson River School.  This one is similar to the one in the temple.


8.12.2014

K. Hall Designs

I've posted before about Barr-Co. soap and hand cream and Simpatico perfume and candles.  Well, they all come from a company called K. Hall Studio, Inc.  They opened a shop at Plaza Frontenac called K. Hall Designs, and it is a lovely place.  We were in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago, and I took this picture (secretly).  I think the Simpatico solid perfume is a great idea, and I really liked the Ambergris scent.  I could spend days browsing and smelling all of the beautiful things that they offer.



8.11.2014

Car Coasters

One of the things about my new car (new to me, that is) that I don't think was very well thought out is the color of the interior.  It's a black car with a light tan-ish interior.  That's great for the leather seats, but for the carpets not so much.  Also the cup holders seemed to be showing every little bit of fuzz or speck of dirt that came their way.  So to keep them looking presentable I sewed some fun little car coasters.  I just measured the bottom and then sewed some scraps together and trimmed.  (They do have fabric on the back and batting.)  I was happy to use some of the last bits of my favorite squirrel fabric. :)


8.08.2014

Trader Joe's Lavender Dryer Bags

I recently picked up a pack of Trader Joe's Lavender Dryer Bags.  They don't work quite like dryer sheets, but they do smell fabulous.  After you use them for 5 or 6 loads, you can sprinkle the lavender buds on your carpet to vacuum up, leaving your home smelling like Provence.  I haven't done that part yet, but they've been very nice in the dryer.  (I borrowed this photo from Apartment Therapy.)


8.07.2014

GPS Coordinate Key Chains

Recently I taught a lesson in Young Women's about temples.  For a handout, I made these little key chains.  They have the GPS coordinates for the Chicago Temple.  Most of the girls clipped them onto their purses.  I hope when they see them they'll think about the temple.


8.06.2014

Tarte Cosmetics

Earlier this year when I turned 35, I started thinking about a few things.  One was wearing makeup!  And the other was using natural health and beauty products.  So when a couple of my friends accompanied me on my first visit to Ulta, I asked the lady for some options.  She introduced me to Tarte tinted moisturizer.  It has been very easy to use, and I'm pleased with the results.  I also picked up a small tube of Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara.  It is fantastic.  (Just don't wear it on a nature hike, like I did.  The natural ingredients seem to attract tiny flies...)



8.05.2014

The Last Ship

The week after we returned home from England, we attended the world premiere of Sting's musical, The Last Ship.  It opened in Chicago before heading to Broadway this fall.  Tony thought that if we went on opening night we might see Sting there.  We did.  He was in the back by the soundboard but was never mentioned and never addressed the audience.  We haven't seen many shows, and we were surprised by the foul language (although looking back I shouldn't have been, knowing it was loosely based on Sting's life and involved sailors...).  The songs were very nice, and the show was interesting enough.  The set was pretty cool.  Most of the songs can be found on Sting's latest album by the same name.  I do love Sting's music, though, so I did enjoy the show.


8.04.2014

Marlborough Cologne

One of the souvenirs that my husband came home with from England was Marlborough cologne by D.R. Harris & Co.  He bought it at Blenheim Palace, home of the dukes of Marlborough (and birthplace of Winston Churchill).  The scent is described as a subtle blend of woods, including cedar and sandalwood.  It's a very nice manly scent without being too cologne-y (you know, that strong teenage boy department store stuff - blech).


8.01.2014

The National Gallery, London

One of the great, free museums of London is the National Gallery.  It's right in the heart of things at Trafalgar Square.  We enjoyed spending time there.  I liked this very large painting of Whistlejacket, the racehorse, by George Stubbs.  As a splurge, I bought this watch featuring a still life by Ambrosius Bosschaert.  I love it.