A "Target" for Pots

I don't know about you but finding the perfect trivet always
seems to illude me. I wan't something sophisticated yet practical
and of course exceptionally well designed. So when I came across
these interchangeable rings by Kirsten White I was thrilled. Check
out the various color combos here. Such a great concept and
right on target. k

Holiday Scramble and Contest

in honor of the season, karen from kstyle and holly from holly's
plate have teamed up to bring you the twelve days of christmas
holiday contest. starting december 1st and running for 12 days
thereafter, karen and holly will be posting a single letter on their
sites for a total of two letters each day. collect these letters, 24 in
all, and at the end of the 12 days, unscramble them to reveal a
holiday phrase. the first person to correctly unscramble the
phrase and email karen at troyajijic@yahoo.com will win a pair
of karen 's hand-crafted lampwork earrings. the first person to
unscramble the phrase and email holly at hollyloo@gmail.com
will win a holiday bumbleknees print made by holly. good luck
and happy holidays!

ps: here's a hint (you're only going to get this one!) ... the phrase
is made up of seven words.

and yes this is a different contest. kstyles november earring giveaway
is happening and soon I might add. k

The Perfect Gift

I'm always on the lookout for gifts for "my girls" so when
I saw these " lady pens" in Oprah's latest magazine I knew they
would make my list. You can find these and four other styles
at pylones. Love these and I'm pretty sure I don't have a
single girlfriend who wouldn't. K

I Love Whimsy, Amy Elswick

I was browsing gumps yet again and I saw these amazing
"animal basins" by Amy Elswick. How cute are these? What
a showstopper as center stage on a buffet table or
as the main "soup" event for a fall party. Check out Amy's
web site Clay House Pots for more soup basins as well
as some other clever pieces. k

Nature in Wax

Candles really are the perfect gift and I absolutely
love the clean, natural simplicity of both of these. The
first set which are my absolute favorite I found at an
online french boutique called L'Esprit. The second pair
I found at Proper Topper . Lots to see at these fun
sites. I just might have to gift myself with a few of the
above. k

Nature in Silk

I wanted to revisit these amazing silk leaf mobiles by
textile artist Jan Carson. They were actually one of my
first posts but I'm sure were not seen by many. They
are absolutely stunning and you can find them at a
Portland landmark called "The Real Mother Goose".
The online store has some nice selections including the
mobiles but the store is absolutely chalk full of handcrafted
works from artisans all over the country. enjoy, k

Nature in Glass

The combination of nature and glass is a sure winner. I
would love to decorate my Thanksgiving table with either or
both of these fabulous pieces fron The Artful Home. What
are all of you doing for Thanksgiving? We'll be cooking at home
this year with family and a few friends. Have I mentioned
that R. does all the cooking. Spoiled I know but what can you
do. k

It's All About the Gold

I love this. What could be more fun than sprinking gold
dust on your hot cocoa or cappaccino. Even Martha
Stewart would be impressed. Well maybe not but my friends
sure would be. Gumps of course. k

Good Enough to Eat!

Strawberry dipped chocolates are the best and I've made
my share for various dessert themed parties so I'm
more than ready to forgo the real thing for these
fabulous fakes which can be found at Sur La Table.
I'd love to have an "edible" theme tree and you
could get a good start with all the "gourmet" ornaments
at Sur La Table. k

Felix and Doolittle

I love the edited style of these xmas cards by Felix and
Doolittle. Sometimes less is definitely more. And by now
you probably know that I am a major figure skating fan
so I have to admit I am partial to the last card. And
joy would be just the right word. enjoy, k

Red Polkas from Kate Spade

Who's not crazy about kate spades's tidbit plates but what could
be more fun and festive then this set in holiday red. Anybody out
there reading this who have me on their xmas list, MOM, this is a
sure winner. To die for. k

Meet Preston Merimekko's New Model

Well not really but he could be. Spent the afternoon with
my friend C and took a tour of the amazing horse ranch called
Eden Farm Equestrian facility located in Ashland. Well known
on the west coast for their horse rescue program called
Equamore foundation they have been responsible for the
rescue and rehabilitation of mistreated and neglected horses
from around the country. Check out their website here.
Thank you C for the tour of such a fabulous facility and
home for horses oh and Preston is gorgeous. k

And to check out this gorgeous new line at Merimekko
go here. k

Black and White

Here's another fabulous artist whose work is featured
at vessel. Check out all the wonderful pieces by Jaime
Hayon here. I love the pigs also but the horses are
my favorite. k

A Tiny Peek!

No these are not the xmas earrings yet, but just a
tiny peek at the mosaic glass xmas balls that I will
be giving away some time in November. You will know
it when you see them.

And don't forget. The first person to write in the comment
"I want those fabulous earrings" will be getting a package a
few days later from kstyle.

Black and White

I've been looking for the perfect product to introduce another
kstyle favorite topic which I will call black and white and as
soon as I happened upon this amazing line known as Cmielow
Porcelain I knew I had my first post. This gorgeous line was first
created in the late fifties and early sixties in the famous Cmielow
Porcelain factories in Poland and then recently resurrected by the
current owners. They literally rediscovered and painstakingly
repaired the original molds. I'm so glad they did. Oh and other
pieces of this wonderful line can be found here. k

Frozen Fur

Amazing work by ceramic artist Bodil Soderlund.
I love the idea that we can find a grown up way to
keep our softies or our children's softies in our
"well designed" world. Such a creative and clever
idea and she even does commissions. Check out a
whole variety of pieces at vessel. Awesome. k

oregon

I love this new gocco print by nebo peklo not
only because it is simply gorgeous but because
it is simply Oregon. Especially Oregon in the fall
as the rains and wind strip our trees to their most
edited selves. This is a limited edition and I am
sure they will go fast so hop on over to nebo
peklo to reserve your unique print "autumn rain". k

Oh Deer!

What's a xmas card shopper to do. So many deer to choose
from and all so festive and fun. While deer might get a mixed
reaction in Ashland I still think the reindeer variety have a
place in our holiday hearts. SOoooo.......

Why you might ask are we not total deer lovers in this
picturesque deer friendly city called Ashland. Well here is a
true story which happened to me or I should say to my
friend V a few months ago. After a wonderful tour of her
gorgeous new home, freshly built, she asked me to give her
a ride back to her old house still not quite vacated. An
understatement to say the least. As we drove up to her front
yard I heard an "oh know not again "expletive. Confused at
first I soon noticed the very big problem!

Literally sitting on her doormat, as if he owned the place,
totally blocking any possible entry into her house was a full
grown, massive antler endowed deer. The big daddy deer to
be exact.

"Well" she said obviously resigned, "I'm going to have to walk
around to the back AGAIN!" And that was that. A typical day in
Ashland. So while clearly our resident deer have gotten just a tiny
bit bold and I'm pretty sure V won't be buying any of the above
xmas cards anytime soon I still love the pesty critters and if you
do too check out the following sources in order of appearance.
Spot Bear, Moma, Emma Rose Papery, Foxy and Winston, Flaunt,
and for fun I threw in reindeer key chains from finnstyle. enjoy, k

Xmas is Going to the Dogs

I'm a total dog lover but very dog deprived right now
so these glorious xmas cards definitely have my name
on them. I love them all although I'm partial to the first
because my last dog was/is Mikey the beagle. My mother
has him now because we couldn't take him with us to
Australia where we lived for a year. Now she'd probably
kill me rather than give him back. In order of appearance
you can find these cards at elum, emma rose papery, r-nichols
via the pink square, and gumps. enjoy, k

Whatever!

This is my fantasy clock. And sometimes while living
in Mexico I could almost get away with it. But alas
as much as I would like to say I'll be there "whenever"
schedules and appts. just seem to intervene. Doesn't
mean I can't dream however. So whatever. k