Favorite Find: Say What?

One of my favorite Pinterest boards is my “Say What?” board. This is where I collect all sorts of witty, inspirational and sassy sarcastic sayings. I keep collecting these thinking that I’ll make some fun art in my home office out of these, but like a lot of things that project has yet to see the light of day.

Anyquote, I stumbled across the Etsy store, hairbrained schemes and fell in love with their great quotable prints.

Kate

Knot A Problem

The weather certainly has gotten chilly out but indoors is nice and cozy at my house due to our fantastic pellet stove. There’s the warm glow of fire in our living room. Add knit throws and some additional candle light and we’ve got ourselves an inspired retreat away from the frost, falling leaves and crisp winds. It’s reminding me that winter is nothing to fear with a setup like this.

Harman XXV Pellet Stove

This setup is not without its drawbacks however. Because we count on this one heat source to warm up our little 945 sqft cottage (ok, it’s a rambler – but a girl can dream) that means leaving doors open or suffer a numbing temperature in whatever room’s been closed off. Our biggest challenge – the bathroom. With a bathroom just off the living room, we’ve got a glorious view of the toilet if we leave the door open. Not hot!

After a lot of procrastinating I’m finally going to pull the trigger and buy a knot doorstop to solve this issue. I can drop one of these cottage-appropriate accessories at the door’s opening to give myself a good ~4” gap, allowing the warm air in but still allowing the door to block the view to the john.

-Kate

Here are some other cool door stops I found online.

Olw Door Stop | Anthropologie

Horse & Eifle Tower | Origin Crafts

Green Rope Door Stop | Etsy

Beach Door Stop | Etsy

Favorite Finds: Envirosax

A couple years ago I received a collection of wonderful and simple Christmas gifts from a friend of mine. She had the brilliant idea of putting together a few of her favorite things to gift her friends, and she selected each to match the style of the girl she was giving it to. And thus one of her favorite things became one of my favorite things and I’ve been paying it forward ever since.

I love, love, love Envirosax!! They fold up super compact so I can fit them in everything but a clutch and it keeps me from bringing home so many shopping bags - whether I’m stopping at the grocery for a few items,  or hitting up Georgetown for some chic shopping. There are lots of unique items on the website, www.envirosax.com, so I recommend giving it a look.

- Kate

Favorite Finds: Photography Fashion

While I’m on the path of prattling on about things I like/love/obsess over, I’m just gonna keep going and take you a long with me. This week’s Favorite Find comes to you from my recent search for my very first digital SLR camera. I love photography and while I think I’ve done a pretty good job snapping my amateur pics with a less than brag-worthy Cannon PowerShot, it’s time for an upgrade.

Like any eager shopper, I’ve also been on the hunt to accessorize said camera once I’ve got it in my hot little hands. I found this amazeballs shop, SizzleStrapz, on Etsy and am completely crushing on everything that’s features.

- Kate

About SizzleStrapz: "We make high quality DSLR camera straps and camera bags for women and men which are geared towards the serious camera fashion photographer in you . We cater to the professional, modern and everyone in between photographer in you, to make you feel comfortable and bold behind the lense. "

Some of my photos

Favorite Finds: Office Style + Organization

Okay - with all this talk of office chairs, curtains and the like I thought it was about time I shared one of my favorite sites for office organization items. See Jane Work! If you need inspiration or to find something unique and useful for your workspace then this is where I’d start.

If you’ve got any similar sites we’d love you to share. There’s a lot that Bethany and I are doing in our respective home offices to get in tip-top shape.

- Kate

Favorite Finds: Stylish Recycling

My home office reorg continues and so too does my office related favorite finds! While purging myself of the ridiculous stylings I selected 6-years ago (seriously, what was I thinking?!) I’ve been searching for beautiful solutions to my ugly, cluttered office woes.


A serious passion of mine is reducing, reusing, and recycling (yay for good ad campaigns!). I could go nuts talking about this topic but I’ll save that for later because this is a favorite finds post and not a green-rant. But I do hope that all of you are doing your part… a piece of which is recycling your office paper. If you look back at my post Home Wasn’t Build In a Day: Office Part I (yes, I know there’s a terrible spelling error there but I’ve linked this post in so many places that there’s really no turning back now) and check out the pic “Exhibit C. Hell from another view.” That sad brown basket, under the pile of down comforters, was my previous recycling bin. Gag. Because we’re talking about paper recycling we can get creative about the solutions. There’s no liquids or other goo to mess up your bin. And since this needs to live in the home the container should fit your décor.

If you’ve got a stylish recycling solution we’d love to see it. So please share by leaving a comment.


- Kate

Favorite Finds: Reader's Choice

Hello all! Today I was just spending a bit of time wandering aimlessly through the shops on Etsy.com. Of course I was finding loads of stuff that I’ve convinced myself I must have or must but for someone I know. Following is a collection of items that I love. We’d love to see your favorite etsy items. So… comment with a link and tell us why it’s your favorite find.

Letterpress Recipe Cards and Recipe Box
Mustard and Black Spaghetti Strap Cocktail Dress
Coral Hued Stone with Gold Bead Accent Necklace
Three Big Birch Trees – Wall Decals
Large Wood Letter K
Ginko Mustard – Decorative Cushion Cover

Kate

Favorite Finds: Doormat

My favorite find of the day - colorful doormats made of old lobster-trap netting. The rope, recalled by fishing authorities due to the danger it poses to northern right whales, is finding a new use.

There are several places online to find these but I'll give you this one: http://www.mainefloatrope.com/downeastdoormats.html. They're based out of Maine (home of lobstah's) and give back -  a percent of profits go to protecting the Northern Right Whale, support ingMaine lobstermen and implementing environmentally sound practices in the Gulf of Maine.

Accessories - the Coco Chanel Way

If you don't own a pair of the latest trendy matchstick pants, or even something with ruffles that promotes your with-it-ness of the season, you probably shouldn't focus on just accessories. That said, those of you have have the basics down probably appreciate some accessory gab. I get most of my inspiration (from fashion to decorating) from my grandmother, Josie (seen left), who had a Hepburn-like timelessness.

As Coco Chanel once said (I'm paraphrasing here) 'when you get dressed to go somewhere, and have all of your accessories on, take a look in the mirror and edit yourself by taking one thing off.' This could be a helpful hint for the Kardashians, or people who over accessorize without matching the theme of the articles. Take for instance, a person who has on a watch, a bracelet, a necklace, earrings and a snazzy belt. Too much? Maybe. But doable - YES. Especially if each individual article is tastefully simple and doesn't compete with the aesthetic.

Think about the "look" you are going for before executing. Then decide whether that lariat necklace is a bit too much, paired with the black pants and button down you have on for work. The trend reports for Spring 2010 boast fabulous metallic shimmery accessories. Try a thin metallic belt over a long cardigan, or a chunky metallic wrist cuff with an open-front vest and skinny jeans. But always remember to self-edit. If you're looking to pile on the "flare" - you may want to consider applying at TGI Fridays instead.

Some fantastic finds for accessories :
Anthropologie ($$)
Lou Lou Boutiques ($ - $$$)
Urban Outfitters ($)
H&M ($)
Target (has some great resort-wear accessories with coral and enamel right now!)
J.Crew ($$$)
ETSY ($ - $$)

Happy Shopping!

Bethany