Getting Started Early...

Some of my new favorite things from Cox & Cox. I am not much of a shopper, truth be told. I do love buying gifts for people though... especially unique, beautiful and ingenious ones. I have a teensy Martha streak (although I am loathe to admit it). I am NOT the domestic goddess type, but it's OK, they have an apron in this shop especially for me so I can make some snowflake cookies. I DO love to present things beautifully, and the collection of ribbons, stamps and such has me mentally wrapping gifts as I go! Do take a gander at their website, it is so beautifully presented and so many more interesting goodies than what I have here. Very well priced as well if you are used to purchasing from across the water. 

Cute, cute, cute!

I know there has been some major cuteness on the market for the last couple of years, and to be quite honest, cute is rarely my thing. I can appreciate the appeal, but I just haven't really found my place in the cute scene. However, this morning I found some definite CUTE that I just have to share, on (where else?) Etsy.

I think Jamtart Baby is really on to something here. She has a wonderful sense of whimsy and a flair that almost tells a whole story with just one simple illustration.

I love her use of colour and white space and the way you can get a piece of art for your wall to go with a pillow. Genius. Her tagline reads "Sweet things for the modern baby..." which is definitely true, but I can see her pillows and prints in any fun space. Or any "too modern" space needing a hit of fun for that matter! There are definitely a few too many "serious" modern living and bedrooms out there. Let's throw some happy at them people!

Spark Tart

On to metal...

One of our local design divas wields a mean blowtorch, taking the current popularity of metalics to a whole new level! Maintenance welder turned furniture fabricator, Kate Tupper sheds a new light (a really freakin' hot one) on the design industry with her indoor/outdoor one of a kind pieces. From a chaise to a wingback, she uses both new and found bits and bolts to create a modern take on classic shapes for a signature piece that is as sculptural as it is functional (although you might look into a lovely cushion or two as well).

Look here at Spark Tart for more...

Thos. Moser

I have the feeling this is one of those things that everyone knew about but me.

I am totally thrown buy how stunning the pieces from this 36 year old company are. Each piece is grain matched and hand carved. I grew up with a woodworker in the family and have a real appreciation for both wood as a medium and wood as a pure natural entity and I absolutely fawn over quality pieces that really utilize both to create a beautiful functional piece. Just exquisite.

All photos from Thos. Moser.

The GREAT STORE Commeth!

WOOOO HOOOOO!!! The Gods are at last answering my humble prayers and sending an IKEA to a city near me! I have to say I am not partial to the location (Westbank), but it makes sense. Ten or more hours to the closest one right now= bummer. A new store four hours away however, is in the works for a town that has finally reached whatever their prerequisite population is.  Finally I can go for a weekend shopping trip! YAY! 

Oh the Joy. 

Like It Was Only Yesterday.

I wish I was doing this right now... 

Today is the first day waking up to the soggy grey ick. How can it be this grey out when it was so spectacularly sunny yesterday? Should we not be allowed by the grace of nature to fall gradually into the darker time of the year? So I am returning us all to last weekend's fall fair in Harrop.

As a city girl turned cosmo-hick I am always saying that I live in the middle of nowhere, but in actual fact, Nelson is quite a happening little town. The REAL middle of nowhere is out past Harrop- real country life. 

I love it. I am all about prize chickens and dressed up zuccini as long as it isn't my responsibility to keep them alive. Don't get me wrong, I adore getting my hands dirty in the garden, I'm just still learning. And bugs freak me out. 

Here are the fruits (and veggies) of somebody else's labour...

Best dressed veggie table...

The card says "I want to be a pumpkin." Any veggie

sporting a hand felted pashmina is a clear winner.

Gorgeous fall blooms.

You can't see them clearly but this plant

 is covered in bees!

Everybody havin' a good time!

Photo credit: Sarah Grieve

My Castle In the Clouds...

...Except that I live in Nelson, BC and we don't do tall buildings.  Which is, of course, why I live here. That doesn't extinguish the desire that my alter-ego has to live in something like this in either an industrial space converted, or a glass building. I have plans to build one, right after the purchase of my small country of a piece of property on which I will build the space that my initial-ego wants to live. That abode is altogether different. The problem with imaginary houses is that they could be anything, and one sometimes has a rather difficult time deciding on what they want. This one does anyway. So in the meantime, I dream away as many hours as possible, re-arranging furniture in my imaginary castles... and cottages, and boathouses and...