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Shopping blog featuring products made by people not factories.

Happy Spring!

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There is not much better than that first warm day that signals Spring, especially after a really long and snowy winter. We get days like these, here in the NorthEast, in early March, but officially Spring begins on March 21st. Spring catches me off guard every year. It seems to come out of nowhere. All of a sudden you realize that it’s 6:00pm and the sun is just setting. Or you’re waking up and the sun has already risen—it’s 6:30 am and doesn’t look like 3 in the morning. There is a slower progression in the Fall, it seems, but Spring always seems to come out of nowhere. Sunshine wall art from J Bell Design.

Along with longer, sunnier days, another indicator of Spring are the birds. You hear them chirping away, and see them filling the trees. After a chirp-free winter, the sound always sounds so happy. Like it’s a big, loud, happy family reunion—one where everyone is talking at once. (Robin’s eggs are from The Broken House)

Flowers are a big part of Spring, adding splashes of color to what has been a pretty dreary landscape. Although we don’t actually see flowers growing till April, there are signs of life everywhere. You’ll see new Spring wreaths adding color, like this one from Itz Fitz.

Another sure indicator of Spring is shedding of winter down coats, scarves, hats, and gloves. Besides cutting time-out-the-door in half, it allows us to wear new outfits and new accessories, like this fun necklace from Flora Bond.

Every March 21st, the first day of Spring, I send a quick e-mail or card, to my friend Debbie, who is an absolute Spring fanatic. I’m a firm believer that the first day of a new season should be marked with something a little bit special, or at least acknowledge. After all, it’s a whole new season—new weather, new clothes, new activities—all great reasons to celebrate. Happy Spring!

What's Inside Your Beach Bag?

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Grab your beach bag. It’s time to hit the Beach!

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer. There’s nothing like that first day, after a long winter, where you dig your chair into the sand, throw down your new beach bag crammed full of beach-day necessities, and lounge away. This nautical stripe bag from Banyan Hippo is a great summertime accessory.

Coastal Living, one of my all-time favorite magazines, has a monthly column that spotlights a celebrity’s beach bag. Recently they looked inside the bags of Tory Burch and Michael Kors. It’s not just what’s inside a bag that makes a great beach bag, but the bag itself makes a statement.

This got me thinking, about my beach bag. I grew up at the Jersey Shore, where my friends and I spent all summer on the beach. I bought beach bags like other people bought shoes. Was it a Palm Beach kind of beach day (coral and green cabana-striped bag) or did I feel more Nantucket-y (Wicker with navy blue gingham lining.) Of course, it didn’t matter what bag I used, the contents I would stuff inside all remained the same. All the things I needed to keep me blissfully beach bound for the day—a book, a magazine, a notebook (for when I felt like making lists), sunscreen, snacks, and water.

This journal from Three by Sea is the perfect size for jotting down sea side.

A food bag from Bebeloosh Mini will keep snacks sand-free.

What more could you want in a day sitting sea-side? After, I’ll shake out my towel and hang my bag up (ideally on a hook like this one from Monkey and Squirrel)

I might not lounge endlessly anymore, but I still hit the beach when I can, and all my favorite necessities come with me.

Grad Gift Ideas

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Graduating from college is a big event in one’s life. At the time it’s happening you realize it’s important, but it’s not till 10-15 years down the line do you fully appreciate what was being left behind, and what opportunities and life experiences you have ahead of you. And just like no two college experiences are exactly the same, neither are the grads, and the gifts you give them to celebrate the special event should showcase who they are now, and what they want to be when they grow up.

Many grads take the ‘summer off’ and travel. Whether its backpacking through Europe, driving cross-country, or volunteering in Africa, your grad will love this travel journal to record all the once-in-a-lifetime experiences they’re about to have.

Less sentimental, and more practical is this passport cover. It’s an easy and organized way to help them keep track of perhaps the single most important thing accompanying them on their trip.

Maybe your grad isn’t taking any time off and is going straight into the real world–suit, office, commuting and all. If that’s the case, an inspirational coffee mug to get their day started right is something they’ll use daily. This one can be customized with any text you want, the grad’s name, inspirational quote, or even an inside joke.

Get your grad in the habit of sending handwritten notes. A personal, monogrammed note card set like this simple, sophisticated one can be used for any occasion, including thanking a potential employer for an interview.

Of course, jewelry is a big hit with most grads. Make it special by personalizing it with her name, graduation date, or birthstone. This necklace can house all three in a charm-like design.

Whatever your grad does or doesn’t do after college, be sure to praise them for how far they’ve come. It’s an accomplishment worth savoring before continuing the ride.

Oh Baby! It's a …

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It seems to be the season for celebrations: graduations, weddings, and babies. I myself have babies on the brain. Not because I have one, or am having one, but because my sister-in-law is. Baby Isabella is due in July and is already the most spoiled child on earth. The baby on the brain part comes from the baby shower happening this Sunday…so of course, there’s a lot of baby talk about things like cribs and rocking chairs, diapers, diaper bags, and toy chests.

This unique, handmade toy chest from MomModFurntiture can be passed down from generation to generation.

There are so many ridiculously cute items to be found online. The creative community thrives on handmade baby items for all types of moms and all types of babies. After all, isn’t your favorite childhood item something someone made for you–a blanket, hat, stuffed animal? It’s a shame we all too often fall into the trap of last-minute gift-giving and simply go with what we know (in my case, a registry gift from Pottery Barn Kids).

This growth chart from Giraffes And Stuff is a fun, unique gift that can be added to the nursery.

And don’t forget mom-to-be wouldn’t mind a gift or two that was a little bit about her as well. This bud vase from Red Hot Pottery is a perfect gesture.

When it comes to gift-giving, think outside the box, or crib as it may be.

Coffee To Go

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cupcozy-1

I love coffee.  I love the flavor, the smell, the warmth and I love to drink it several times a day. I also like it best when it’s piping hot.  (Piping hot coffee is something you don’t do, according to coffee-purists, but I don’t care because that’s how I like it.) Because of my need for heat, though, I have been known to double up the coffee cup when no sleeve is available. I know it’s wasteful but this is my coffee we’re talking about.  This is why, when I stumbled upon these coffee cup cozies from Atelier de Soyun and Bagel Creations, I was immediately thrilled.

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Who knew? Ok. You might have, but this is a BIG revelation for me. There are hundreds of handmade variations online.

I’ll need 2 to 3 cozies and they’ll have to be machine-washable. I get places by walking mostly– I live right outside NYC–so the convenience of  throwing a cozy in one of the many bags I’m schlepping with me is a great solution. I no longer have to double up on cups and sleeves, saving trees and the environment and keeping my coffee piping hot.

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For the random days I do drive, a travel mug is my cup of choice. This ceramic coffee mug, from  A Piece By Denise, would do the trick. Because it’s ceramic it feels like a regular mug I can curl my fingers around; however, it has the lid so when it’s time to go, I can pour what’s left in my coffee pot, snap on the lid, and run out the door.

coffee-canister

Of course, I need a cute, coffee-inspired  canister to store my beans. And this one from Whitewash Sundries is ideal. I love the glass etching, and size. It can sit on my countertop. And because it’s glass and simply designed, it goes well in my kitchen, as I imagine it can fit well in many decors. You can also change ribbon upon request.