Little Willow

more pretty

lilwills — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:09:50 +0000

Here are more pretty things to brighten up your Monday; these feminine corsages and headbands from ban.do. There are so many ways to use these flirty designs for your up-do or your outfit. The headbands would make a great bridesmaid gift and those corsages would be the perfect flair to perk up a simple white t-shirt and jeans. Sometimes it’s so great to be a girl!

sweet shades

lilwills — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:32:46 +0000

I would love to have these pretty shades for my sunglasses collection. The price tag is a bit of a deterrent, they are $536.00 AUD which I am pretty sure translates to “you cannot afford these” in US dollars, but a girl can dream right? For more pretty things from designer Sretsis peep them out at Maximillia.

(via little lost love)

romantic dresses

lilwills — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:22:22 +0000

To Die For dresses from Brit Nadinoo. Oh I can’t wait to have my figure back!

(via A Cup Of Joe, via Greedy Girl)

courtney kaye design

lilwills — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:18:18 +0000

One of my readers Mia turned me on to Courtney Kaye’s beautiful accessories, thanks Mia! Courtney Kaye began her life in-style as a model but quickly realized her talents were better suited for jewelry design. After studying at the FIDM in LA and interning with the fabulous Alexis Bittar she launched Courtney Kaye Design in 2009. Her gem encrusted headbands have a real art deco feel that would make the perfect accessory to your Blair Waldorf inspired outfit or any classic, tailored outfit for that matter. Courtney’s entire line is very romantic and feminine. I am in love with the long tassel necklace with rutilated quartz and the matching smoky lantern earrings. Make sure to add Courtney to your Etsy favorites, she’s one to watch!

family room makeover

lilwills — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:05:08 +0000

We’d been putting off buying a new rug since we moved into our rental a year ago but when George the cat threw up on the current rug for the millionth time we knew the time had come to bite the bullet and find the right rug. I spent about a week shopping locally and taking home several samples but nothing quite looked right with the blue couch which is the centerpiece of the room. So late one night I was surfing the WWW for inspiration and popped over to NYC’s ABC Carpet & Home. I was super excited to see that you can now shop online and of course I immediately searched to see if my favorite Madeline Weinrib rugs were available through the website (called Amagansett in case you are looking for them). To my sheer delight not only were they carrying her cotton rugs but they were on sale and came with free shipping! So without further ado here’s what I bought!

As soon as I saw the Keri rug from her Amagansett collection I fell in love. I loved the floral motif and how it almost perfectly matched the Indian floral motif on the couch pillows. The bright raspberry was a risk but when I looked around the room I realized I had quite a bit of pink and red on the walls already. Since the rug is on the thin side I bought a 1/2 inch rug pad and it makes the floor super cushiony. I realize this look is not for everyone and I was unsure at first myself of the bold color choice, but in addition to warming up the room it really ties together all of the different elements I have going on in that room and the adjoining living room. It certainly boosted my confidence that blogger Making it Lovely also has a pink Madeline Weinrib rug in her living room.

I have to give a big ups to the hubs who trusted me on this choice and luckily feels comfortable enough with his masculinity to lounge in his leather chair surrounded by all of that pink.

I’m still not sure what to do with the wall behind the tv. Since we can’t paint the walls I feel like it needs something. I’m also not sure if I want add a coffee table in this room. So I guess this isn’t really a full makeover just yet, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, here is some more information about the prints and such that I have on the walls. Behind the couch I hung the polka dot plates I bought off of One Kings Lane, here’s a picture from Charmville’s blog. On the right wall is my Stephanie Levy print. Behind the leather chair is my Nate Lambdin print and opposite is my San Francisco print from Ork Posters. Lastly, in the living room is the hubs Jerry Garcia print from the über talented Marian Bantjes.

boot love

lilwills — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:15:40 +0000

This time of year I always start coveting boots. These comfy looking studded Frye boots are my latest crave. With my fast lane real estate days behind me there are no more annual bonuses which means no more bonus boots. Then again I have become a super savvy ebay seller in my time off so I could sell my Sigerson Morrison boots to help me buy these Frye boots. Or perhaps they could take the place of a baby bauble present from the hubs and instead become a baby boot gift. Either way these boots are on my list, these boots I can’t resist!

art wall

lilwills — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:21:18 +0000

I have a new favorite website to share with you! Art Wall is a virtual display space for independent artists to exhibit their work in the form of an artfully arranged Art Wall. Founder Katie Stephenson makes it easy to find art for your home by perusing her virtual rooms where you can view her carefully curated art ensembles. Some of the artists she is currently showcasing are Lorena Siminovich, Jill Bliss and Harry Stooshinoff. If you find yourself smitten with a certain piece just click on it and you will be redirected to the artists website where you can buy from their shop. I love this idea especially because I aspire to having an art wall myself, something that looks haphazard but is obviously a finely curated arrangement of interesting pieces (like this). If you need more inspiration, Katie has created a Flickr group where users can post their own art walls.

rhinestones and ski slopes

lilwills — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:02:59 +0000

I love to support women entrepreneurs, especially bad ass women who are not only succeeding in business but have excelled in the world of sports too! A.J. Cargill and Pam Coleman started Halo Hats in 2004 after meeting on the Jackson Hole Women’s Hockey Team. They decided to combine their love of sport with their feminine sensibilities and their line of sporty hats with a little bit of bling was born. You can purchase one of their adorable ski hat designs online or check here for your nearest retailer.

elliot mann handbags

lilwills — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:18:54 +0000

I so wish the hubs and I had the time and money to go on a tropical vacation before the little bambino arrives in January. It doesn’t help matters that we went to see the movie Couples Retreat this weekend (mediocre at best) and I had to watch visions of Bora Bora cover the screen for 90 minutes while I salivated. Lucky for me I am a big daydreamer and so I will include these bright boho chic handbags from Elliot Mann into my dreams of a trip to Tahiti someday. Each of these one-of-a-kind handbags are constructed from vintage remnants of 100% cotton and handwoven fabrics from around the world. Adjustable handles made from genuine braided leather and riveted with added reinforcements complete the designs. They are the perfect bag for any trip around the world, or a trip to Babies R Us, whatever floats your boat.

liminal press & bindery

lilwills — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:22:06 +0000

When my youngest sister Quinn graduated from High School I gave her a journal. On a bunch of the pages I wrote what I hoped at the time would be sage words of wisdom from her elder sister on the ways to navigate the college years. I asked her once if she remembered what I wrote to her and all she remembered was that I told her to date boys who play guitar. Such great advice apparently that she is now married to a boy she met in college who is an awesome human being and also happens to be a Dr. and who thankfully has never played guitar!

Everything worked out for the best regardless of my unmemorable gift, but had I been more thoughtful I would have given her something she would remember forever like a one-of-a-kind artist book by Camden Richards (love her name). Camden is a graphic artist who started Liminal Press & Bindery as a way to commemorate those magical moments in peoples lives. She can take a personal story — for example, the experience of pregnancy and birth, a couples love story, a grandparents life story or even gather sisterly wisdom and advice — and weave these stories into a gorgeous book. Her books can be commissioned using a variety of methods such as bookbinding, papermaking, printmaking, illustration, design, painting, letterpress printing, and collage. Take a look at Camden’s gallery of a few of the books she has created for friends and family. Next time I need a truly unique gift for a special person or moment in someone’s life or even my life I will look to Liminal Press to commemorate the occasion.

envelop: illustrated cotton basics

lilwills — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:51:22 +0000

For all of you textile lovers and illustrators out there, the recently launched website Envelop from Belgium offers the unique experience of being an active participant in the design of simple, high quality home textiles. If you are a textile lover, the concept of this print-on-demand platform allows you to choose the textile item you’d like to customize. I like the aprons but you can choose from pillowcases, table runners and tote bags to name just a few, and then peruse a list of over 57 designers and their illustrations to customize the product. If you are an illustrator, you can upload your designs for approval and then once you become a member buyers can choose one of your designs for any of the product templates listed. What a great way to promote yourself and your designs to a worldwide audience! Find out more about becoming a member here. Below are samples of just some of the designs available, which are all made from 100% cotton using an eco-friendly process no less. Thanks to Serge for sharing your great concept with me!

stuffed animal kingdom

lilwills — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:37:13 +0000

Sorry I have been short on posts lately but I’ve been sick as a dog up until this weekend. With the fog in my head finally subsiding, this colorful menagerie of wild animals from Allen Ave Designs was all the inspiration I needed to get back into the swing of things. Their Color Zoo consists of hippo’s, elephants, lions and more, all lovingly handmade with vintage cotton fabrics. And for under $20 you could build a whole stuffed animal kingdom in your child’s room!

feel good art

lilwills — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:55:19 +0000

The dynamic printmaking duo Anna Corpron and Sean Auyeung who brought you Sub-Studio have recently launched a new project called The Working Proof. Working Proof’s mission is simple: to promote both affordable art and social responsibility in the form of limited edition prints. A new print is released each Tuesday at 1:30 PM EST and 15% of the sale goes towards a variety of charities ranging from humanitarian outreach, animal rights, the environment, and research. One of my favorite artists, Gretchen Wagoner, has already taken part in support of the Jane Goodall Institute, and other exciting artists like Dan Funderburgh and Catherine Ryan are upcoming. For you print lovers this is such a great way to support good causes, emerging artists and build your art collection, all for under $100! Sign up here to get first dibs at each weekly release.

the bubble roome

lilwills — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:23:39 +0000

I spotted these clever soaps made from vintage Victorian door knob molds on Design Sponge but it was the gorgeous packaging for The Bubble Roome’s other products that really made me a fan. I am flying through bottles of lotion these days in the hopes of preventing stretch marks and just the sound of the grapefruit and tangerine butter cream has me practically salivating. I know, that sounds weird, but the combo of citrus and butter does strange things to a pregnant woman. You can buy these delights online through The Bubble Roome website.

(image from Darling Dexter)

happy jewelry

lilwills — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:11:01 +0000

These sweet little necklaces from LuLu Bug put a smile on my face this morning. I have been an apple eating machine lately. I’ve especially liked green apples which I’d never liked before (except in an apple pie of course), so that green apple necklace has my name on it. The designer Sue Urquhart makes each necklace by hand using silver and concrete. Who knew concrete was capable of something so pretty?! She is clearly on an Autumn inspired kick right now and I love it! Visit her Etsy shop to see more flora and fauna necklaces.