Ending up on Etsy

Perusing the internet on a Friday evening, waiting for my boyfriend to get home so we can eat dinner, I stumbled over to Poppytalk, a wonderful Canadian design blog if you haven't yet had the pleasure, only to read about an exciting Etsy and West Elm pop-up shop hitting Vancouver later this month. 

With Vancouver only a few short hours away I had to check it out, which led me to the individual Etsy sites for each vendor participating... an hour of browsing beautiful things later and my Christmas shopping is complete, or might as well be. 

Sometimes I find Etsy a little bit intimidating, there are so many vendors and so many products that one search pulls up hundreds of pages of results. It's very simple to be sucked in, only to surface hours later unsure of what just happened. Therefore I love to read up on other people's favorite sellers, and to hear that they are getting together in Vancouver is just too exciting!

Here are a few of my favorite item's from the featured sellers, you can find the entire list on Poppytalk here, as well as all the event information.

These cufflinks are made from bamboo. I love the little teepee tents!  (by Cabin)

Can you believe this is a soother clip, perfect for the preppiest of babies. (by DownHomeAmy)

A gorgeous Merlot Sea Salt that has my mouth watering with sweet and salty flavour ideas (by The Pink Peppercorn)

Every Vancouverite needs their own set of jealousy inflicting chopsticks (by StorieBrooke)

Unfortunately, even being so close, it doesn't look like I'll be able to sneak down for the weekend. However if anyone lives in the area and decides to go please feel free to gloat away, I will live through you vicariously. 

Etsy Picks - Sweet Pastels

Perhaps I indulged in one too many Cadbury Mini Eggs this Easter, or maybe I'm just finally giving pastels the attention they deserve, because for some reason I can't get these soft hues off my mind. Not just for nurseries and baby clothing, I found some wonderful pastel pieces on Etsy recently. 

I've really fallen hard for this little beaded necklace - the pastel hues are lovely. I'd pair it with some dark skinny jeans, ballet flats, and a couple thin layered t-shirts.

via Etsy

Vintage tea-cups in soft pastel hues and vintage magic. I really like the mid-century style and stack-ability.

via Etsy

What a fabulous pale pink Polaroid camera! I have a soft spot for Polaroid prints.

via Etsy

A pastel pennant-style necklace is so on-trend right now. I think this could be easily replicated with a little DIY magic.

via Etsy

This little cosmetic pouch is beautiful in soft pastel purple, I really like the colour blocking effect and tassel zipper pull too!

via Etsy

I'm planning on rocking pastels throughout the spring and summer, and maybe even into the fall if it's lucky... 

Enjoy!

Calli

Etsy Picks - Minty Fresh

I've recently gained a new appreciation for the colour mint green - soft, fresh, and calming, it immediately brings to mind delicate vintage touches and days gone by. 

Adorable vintage button earrings, framed in gold, pair as well with jeans and ballet flats as they do with a retro inspired sundress.  

via Etsy

A lovely mint green belt with white stitching is modern and fresh - the skinny width adds a vintage touch.

via Etsy

I absolutely love these vintage measuring spoons and as a kitchen tools you can never have enough.

via Etsy

This vintage Savoy camera is too cute, slung over a shoulder as you bike down the street to meet your best friends, is there any better way to capture precious childhood memories?

via Etsy

Beautiful cucumber mint sugar cubes will look adorable in a vintage bowl in the bathroom - my skin is tingling already!

via Etsy

This lovely mid-century club chair makes me want to prep the garage and re-paint/re-upholster my own little cane chairs.

via Etsy

Isn't mint lovely? However I have to admit that my favorite way to enjoy it is in an ice cold mojito on a sunny patio.

Enjoy!

Calli

Have A Heart

Yeah, Yeah... I missed Valentine's Day - at least here in blog land. Sue me. 

Sorry, that came out a bit more sour than intended. It's not that I don't not like Valentine's Day, it's just that I don't care enough to put in the effort - get dressed up, go out, buy gifts, write down how I feel...

Although, I should be honest and say that my heart melted a bit when I got home from work to some lovely red roses. Oh, and I like the chocolate part of the day. 

Always the one to jump on the bandwagon at the very last possible moment, here are some lovely Valentine's-esque ideas. 

Quite possible the absolute best thing I've seen on Pinterest in awhile, these cheesecakes are mirrored after those adorable little message candies!

via Hungry Happenings

Perfect size, fun shape, great colour combo, and quirky graphic element, this ring has it all if you ask me - plus it would look great with almost anything. 

via Etsy

This heart shaped rock collection is so lovely - what a neat idea. I can only imagine the story behind each individual rock.

via Completely Costal

Every ounce of childhood wonder I still have has me asking - how'd they do that? This shell pendant is gorgeous, and the heart detail adds the perfect touch of whimsy! 

via Etsy

Easily DIY-able with some scissors or a heart shaped punch, I love this simple Valentine's Day card. Imagine using patterned, printed, or embossed paper for the little hearts!

via Etsy

Well there you have it - oh, and Happy Belated Valentine's Day.

Enjoy!

Calli

So Bee-utiful!

I've started to notice the humble little bumblebee online more and more as of late. I'm a fan. 

Not to be confused with wasps, yellowjackets, or hornets, bumblebees are friendly, plant pollinating, honey producing, and now, ridiculously cool and cute!

Don't believe me? Check out these adorable bee-inspired finds!

via Etsy

I love the honeycomb detail in the pocket-watch styled pendant (above) as well as these great magnetic spice jars (below).

via Etsy

I've shared these little china cups before but can't resist bringing them back again. The robin's egg blue and bee detail are so cute!

via Etsy

This adorable case may be designed for carrying pencils and other miscellaneous school supplies but would double equally well as a makeup bag.

via Etsy

via Etsy

These silver necklaces are so pretty and feminine - I'd probably get more use out of the pendant (above), although I love, love, love the detail in the larger locket (below).

via Etsy

Wouldn't you just love to receive an adorable card like this for Valentine's Day? It's the one day of the year I'm willing to cast my sarcasm aside in support of silly puns.

via Etsy

Unfortunately bumblebees are struggling right now; it's a shame as they play such a significant role in our food supply. There are a lot of things you can do to help - plant a garden, limit pesticide use - and sporting a bee-themed necklace or pencil case like this could just help break the ice in spreading the word about bees!

Enjoy!

Calli

Etsy Picks 01.31.2012

Etsy is one of my favorite ways to waste time. It can be a little overwhelming at first, there is a ton of stuff for sale out there, but once you find the search method that works for you* it's easy to lose track of time.

My friend Jen (remember Jen?) recently found her way to Etsy and has quickly risen to iconic shopper status - if only such thing existed - I swear she knows all the best Etsy shops.

In fact, it was Jen that turned me onto Vintage Dutch Girl - have you heard of her? If not, you really must visit her shop, she makes the loveliest infinity scarves out of fabulous printed cotton. The fabric holds its shape like a dream, it sits and stays exactly where you tell it to.

After spotting Jen in one of these exquisite scarfs a couple months back- and telling her flat out how wonderful it was, she tipped me off** that there was a houndstooth version currently for sale. I immediately started stalking it online and, one night plainly asked  by boyfriend "Are you going to buy this for me for Christmas or should I just get it right now?".

I'll admit I set him up, know he knew how badly I wanted the scarf and there really wasn't anything he could do but get it for me. I continued to stalk the little beauty until one day it wasn't there anymore, and a little piece of my heart broke thinking that perhaps someone else had acted faster than him. 

Then, a couple days before Christmas, I met a friend for drinks and guess what she had wrapped around her neck? I tried to keep my cool as my voice went up an octave or two... "is that my Vintage Dutch Girl houndstooth scarf that you knew I wanted so bad and are flaunting in-front of my face!?!!"

Well surprise, surprise, I'm a fool. Because, on Christmas morning I opened up a box containing my very own amazing Vintage Dutch Girl houndstooth scarf! I guess she had two in stock or something, it's not important. The only thing that matters is I look fabulous in it, and it's soft and lovely, and currently smells really good due to some perfume I sampled at Anthropologie on the weekend...

The problem is, like all good things, one is really never enough. 

Enjoy!

Calli

*I like to use the Treasury, where people make their own little wish lists, as a starting point.

**Aren't friends who know your favorite patterns and enable your addictions just the best?