A very important baby’s birthday is today. . . so in honor of the sweetest little girl ever, I took inspiration from one of my favorite things, cameos and silhouettes, for one of my favorite people, Miss E. By using a photo of her from the side, I was able to create funky, cute cameos of her precious noggin.  I think it turned out pretty cool, if I do say so myself! And of course, if you think they’re as cool as I do, I’d be happy to take requests!

Happy Birthday E!!

Ever wonder what recycling your plastic water bottle can really do? Well, wonder no more. Alexandra Ferguson is a bright spark in the world of recycling, and is a mastermind at creating posh post-consumer recycled applique pillows. Made from the equivalent of 4, count ‘em 4, plastic bottles, these felt pillows are a no brainer when it comes to saving the Earth one stylish step at a time. Go get ‘em Alexandra!

Tiny. Bird. Vase.

Need I say more?! Okay, maybe a lil’ bit more. These original ceramic gems by Pretty Random Objects are handcrafted by Joanna Mendicino, who lovingly calls her designs crafty modern.  It’s simple, clean and especially sweet. Enough said!

Hey there friends! Just wanted to take a minute on this lovely, lovely Friday to do a quick blog shout out. Some days we all need a pick-me-up and I always find myself laughing at the sharp-tongued ladies over at Badder Homes & Gardens.

No matter what the subject of choice, they will find a way to gross you out and make you giggle all at the same time. Ha! So go check out their snarky wit and superb design taste (all be it sometimes offensive, yeah!) HERE. If you’re shamefully thinking it, they’ve probably already blogged about it. So go, now, have fun!

It’s true. . . it’s really the little things that often make my day that much brighter and well, sillier. And don’t we all need a good dose of silly every now and then? Yes, and yes!

So take a look at this teensy weensy business card file cabinet. It’s so wee and so clever, I can’t stand it! Now, all we need are micro mini hanging files and some snazzier, tiny tabs and we’ll be all set. Organization, here we come! Ooh, look at that. It even has a digital clock!

Or how about this dinky, little wallet light?  It’s perfect for any and all of those dark situations you might find yourself in. Dimly lit restaurant? No sweat! Use the light to see the menu. The same size as a credit card, just fold the center up and presto change-o, you have a fabulous glow right at your fingertips. See what I mean?! It’s the small things. . .

UK based silkscreen printer Popcorny has unique handmade products that make me smile. I’ve pulled some of my favorite limited edition Popcorny goodies in the hopes of starting all of our weeks off in a fabulously creative way. From the charming typewriters to the uplifting messages to the stylish gals with wicked cool attitudes, I can’t get enough of Popcorny’s imagination and design. Available as artwork pieces, posters, bags and stationary, start shopping here now! Thanks for the tip HJ!

(all images by popcorny)

Recently it has come to my attention that I’m a little more Irish than I thought. Okay, a lot more Irish than I thought. With a name like O’Shanney only a few branches away from me on the good ‘ole family tree, I was a bit surprised by my sudden ability to actually say, ‘Kiss me I’m Irish!’, and mean it. With that being said, I figured why not use this newfound identity to find something cool and chic (and a tad celtic)?!

Guiness Extra Stout Soap $6

I Heart Guiness Brooch $8

Celtic Comfort $15

Green Hoops $16

Green Gem Earrings $33

Celtic Business Card Holder $22

Peacock Scarf $90

Three simple words can mean so much. And I don’t know which one of these two kiddos said it first, but it makes for one adorable, wintery painting. Original work by Finnish illustrator Emmi Jormalainen, I believe many will have a similar grin on their faces as the temps begin to warm up in lots of places. So darling and innocent, their sweet faces are priceless.

“Hold My Hand”

Check out more of Jormalainen’s charming souls online at the Shiny Squirrel here! And then be sure to visit her blog here for insights into her latest inspirations and projects!

“I Will Take a Nap”

Fawns, birdies, bunnies and big, fluffy treetops. . . these are a few of my favorite things. And I must admit I’ve never loved them more than now. Seeing the eco-friendly metal accessory designs by Figs & Ginger rekindled my flame for such sweet forest characters, and the elms and maples they live in and under.

Although I should clarify my love for such things tends to only stretch as far as art, style and design inspired items. . . I love not camping is my motto of course! But I’d be more than happy to wear a fawn in the forest around my neck, or a chubby sparrow on my finger. They’re too cute and too enchanting to pass up! Visit Figs & Ginger’s online store here! The bunnies and birdies are waiting!

all photos courtesy of figs & ginger.com

That is the word of the week, er last couple weeks I should say. FROSTY. Everything in my world at the moment is iced over, chilled, numb, frigid, frozen and especially frosty. Thank goodness a trip to warmer weather is just over the horizon for moi (sorry to all the rest of you below zero peeps!). So in honor of the bitter cold days here up nort, I’ve decided to make some extra nippy lemonade out of some super arctic lemons, and shed some light on a few fantastic, frosty inspired gems.

Frosty Coffee Mugs $25

Frosty II $17

Frosty Deer Pencil Case $18

Twisted Frosty Earrings $45

Winter Textures Handmade Buttons $6.50

White Oval Pendant $10

Frosty Grace Hair Piece $29

The Frosty Fox Print $14

Frosty Leaf and Pearl Necklace $38

And with that, may I leave you with two very important words. . . stay warm!

I couldn’t close the art + design fave list up just yet. . . because there are a few more creative masterminds out there that needed to be added. How could I live with myself if I didn’t include the peeps below?! Their spark and style is infectious, and this here blog would cease to exist without their ingenuity and clever ways of looking at the world. So here’s to another impressive year full of art and design that continues to stop us in our tracks!

Perch! Design

WRecords by Monkey

FRED Design

Charm School by Sarah Collier

Papaver Vert

There are so many amazing artists and designers I’ve come across this year, I have no idea how to narrow it down to a few of my favorites, but here goes. From awesome, one-of-a-kind 24 hour t-shirt designs to adorable, quirky  robots and birds, to unforgettable photographs and original paintings, my art + design fave list for 2009 includes. . .

My Invisible Friends

Branch Homemade

Lauren Shelley Strom

The Poppy Tree

RIPT Apparel

Silhouettes of ANY KIND!!

Sara-Jayne Photography

I could absolutely, most definitely go on and on with more lovely artists and their inspiring creations, but for now I’ll stop. But I do reserve the right to come back at you later today with more! Until then. . .

And of course,  please feel free to visit the above talents and see what they’ve been up to!

Two words for you. . . fable and fury. The self-described wayward adornment designed by Seattle based Fable & Fury is positively lovely and right on point in my opinion. No waywardness about it.

Each design is uniquely modern and still Victorian at the same time. The silhouettes are enviable, and I love the whimsical animals, peculiar characters, and the fanciful vignettes. Between the owl, octopus girl, the sweet tooth, and the kitty cat girl, I can’t decide which one to put on my wish list to Santa! Whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend just might need to reconsider. . .

The floating feather holiday ornaments by Jayson Home & Garden definitely caught my eye. Their airy, gentle style is so pretty not only hanging from a Christmas tree, but I’m imagining these feathery gems in my home all year round. But you better act fast, these elegant ornaments are selling out fast!

I liked the idea so much, I tried re-creating it with my own lil’ twist. I used a bit of Bollywood flare with a gold, red and deep purple ribbon, and a purple feather with a teeny tiny sprinkle of gold glitter inside. And I have to say, I think they turned out just as pretty as Jayson’s, but with a tad more spice. Jai ho!

While browsing the Shiny Squirrel, an amazing place for emerging and one-of-a-kind artists, I happened upon the sweet and simple little prints by Blanca Gomez. Her characters with bright orange accents and rosy cheeks remind me of some of my favorite childhood storybooks. And how can you not love that?!