monday sunshine

cute styling over at castle makes me pine for summer! those polka dot pillow cases get me every time.

kaufmann mercantile

I've been quietly obsessing about Kaufmann Mercantile since before Christmas, when I ordered the everyday carry pry bar and the tube wringer intending to gift them over the holidays. But I'll let you in on a secret: I kept them for myself.

I've always wanted a little hardware store that sold only quality, well made, practical goods that would last forever. Kaufmann Mercantile is my dream shop! Every item is simple, thoughtful and useful from companies that have been doing it right for years. The Juniper Ridge soaps are all-natural and made with sustainable practices by "Northern Californians from their own great outdoors." Three Stars is a German company that has been making chalk since 1870 and 130 years later it's still a family business. The tube wringer is made in Oregon and it really does work. A quality investment (and my favorite new gadget)! Here are a few more of my favorites:

Heavy duty canvas tool bag: I'd use it for everything.

Steep Ravine soap by Juniper Ridge: Bay laurel, oak moss and redwood.

Duluth Pack Canvas Backpack in green (made with real "Midwestern leather"!)

Chalk made from natural calcium carbonate deposits from Champagne, France.

Solid beech wood shaving bowl (I'd keep little things in it instead).

Enamelware storage container set available in white, grey and red.

All-brass pen case by  Japanese stationery company Midori.

Solid brass numbered clips would make organizing that much more satisfying.

great packaging: pearlfisher

fantastic packaging design by pearlfisher for jamie oliver. of course, i love the hand drawn type.

[via the dieline]

facets under your feet

completely blown away by these wooden textiles by elisa strozyk. small wood pieces attached to rugs, carpet and textiles lend "a new tactile experience" to everyday living. the colored rugs are my favorite. how beautiful, when they are crunched up you can see all the facets.

[via man make home]

kilim me softly, vol. 2

only a handful of many gorgeous pillows made from vintage kilims at organic shine society. gorgeous pop of pattern and color from these transformed Turkish rugs. (the top one is on my wish list).

besotted brand

ellen turned me on to besotted brand and of course i'm in love. great rubber stamps, custom options and the cutest save the dates. wouldn't a custom monogram or calligraphy stamp be a perfect gift for your valentine? (hinthint, nudgenudge.)

kilim me softly

i'm keeping my eyes peeled for an ethnic wool kilim or southwestern bag these days. i particularly like the one above from deargolden, for the graphic pattern and the versatile strap. here are a few other specimens i'd like over my shoulder:

claudedonoho

ikahn

maslinda

toatsmcgoats

myfavoritevintage

santokivintage

xobruno

sunday calendar: meowy christmas!

it really is the cat's pajamas: the dancing cat 2012 calendar by jamie shelman.

the vamoose

i don't normally post about jewelry, but these pieces from the vamoose are so intriguing. using natural stone like marble, chrysoprase, quartz, riverstone, feldspar, lava stone and jaspar with metal and brass, kathryn blackmore makes her collections for the vamoose by hand. the geometric marble necklace is particularly lovely without being too delicate.

[via destined to design]