back patio soiree

Some shots from yesterday's bon voyage BBQ that I threw to send off Andrea before he returns to Italy...

made with love by hand

Today I want to profile four designers/crafters and their wares. As someone with design and crafting skills, I endlessly appreciate unique, handmade, well constructed things. I also understand even those without such talents long for lovingly crafted treasures. The people you will get to know here I originally stumbled upon through Instagram and I must admit it was their photography skills that originally grabbed my attention. After being baited, I took a moment or two to look into their posted websites. By doing so I happily discovered small companies and entrepreneurs bursting with wonderful goods for sale.

Herriott Grace
If you are anything like me you may gravitate towards handmade things carved out of natural materials, most especially wood. This is a company you will love. Herriott Grace was founded by father (Lance) and daughter (Nikole) living clear across the continent from one another in Canada. Along with hand carved wooden spoons, trays and cutting boards they just recently started producing a line of porcelain dishware and beeswax candles and salves. Indulge yourself here.

Folk FIbers
Maura Grace Ambrose comes from a background in Textile and Fiber Design. She somehow effortlessly combines her talent with her loves of travel, farming and working with young children and came up with Folk Fibers. She produces the most exquisite natural, hand-dyed, hand-sewn quilts and moccasins creating cherished one-of-a-kind gifts and heirlooms. She also has been known to tour around the U.S. in a vintage VW bus. Check her out here.

Up The Wooden Hills

I have a a real penchant for calico and ditzy florals and if you are anything like me in that department then say hello to Lisa Marie Andersson of Gothenburg, Sweden. She is designing and producing the sweetest line of well constructed, feminine and timeless garments. I find her frocks are not too girly or too trendy and they are always cut in 100% cotton. What more could you ask for? Maybe that they were a little easier to find. Until then you can find them online or possibly at a small boutique near you. Look here to read more and see about availability.

Forestbound

On the hunt for a serious travel bag? A handbag that will be with you for life? A small satchel to throw your bits and pieces in before dashing out the door each day? Look no further. Alice Saunders personally breathes new life into old duffle bags, feed bags, mail bags and odd leather goods. Based out of Boston, Forestbound just added custom brass keychains to their line of one-off, incredible bags. Get into it here.

quiet morning

Today I was up early after a rough night of fitful sleep laced with bad dreams. I find those are somehow always difficult mornings to face. Though I felt physically worn out, I forced myself from the bed, watered my lettuce garden and headed into the kitchen to grind the coffee beans. Somewhere along the way I was inspired to make a second attempt at bread making, specifically French baguette making. My first go at it was whole-hearted and in the end the loaves may have looked right but there was a density problem and in just mere hours these long golden rolls had seized up into little league baseball bats. This time I can already tell by the dough's texture and rising capabilities that I am on a different track. Hopefully the right one. As I type, the yeast is working it's magic on the second of three rising times. I aim to have something warm and crusty to accompany a late lunch. Speaking of the mid-day meal, today I received my first CSA delivery from Suburban Organics. After immediately tearing into a banana I can tell you everything looks wonderful and tastes good too. What a pleasant day so far!

capturing a mood

Today Google celebrates Robert Doisneau's 100th birth anniversary. I've posted on him before and wanted to share some of my favorite images that he captured.

getting outside

This week I have been doing a lot outdoors; walking through the city, cleaning up the patio, re-potting plants, bring the outdoors in. It's always so reinvigorating to me to be out and about when spring is in bloom. I did spend sometime indoors working on a home project that I will hopefully be sharing with you soon and also a future post on shopping with some lovely small businesses that I dying to share. Look for more news on both of those topics next week. There may have been a few chilly days this past week, with wind stirring up copious amounts of pollen, but I think the we may be out of woods as far as cold temps go. We may even see 80 degree weather here next week! Tonight I am meeting a friend for dinner and drinks and hope to soaking up the sunset al fresco. Happy weekend!!

faded & worn

3 images by Francesca Woodman, a photographer of recent interest for me.

There is currently an exhibit at the Guggenheim in New York City. It is the first major American exhibition of her work in more than two decades, and the first comprehensive survey of her brief but extraordinary career to be seen in the United States. The retrospective continues until June 13th.

sky, sand & sea

My photographic week in review. Twas a fine one. Life is good.