The Mary Tyler Moore Show is SO The Mary Tyler Moore Show that I find myself referencing specific situations on other sitcoms, specific characters on other sitcoms, even specific jokes that were used on other sitcoms as being SO Mary Tyler Moore, even going so far as to relate to it in the casual vernacular of a knowing fan, despite having never even SEEN a single episode of The Mary Tyler Moore show.


(It is high on my list of Things to See) though, for what it's worth.)

This is the latest fruit of my fingers. They are all brooches with pins sewn snugly to their backsides. Felt, felt, more felt, upholstery, vintage fabric, vintage lace, many endless lengths of embroidery floss. That sort of thing.

The New York Times has recently published a seven page article on my favorite band and I've yet to read it because its mere existence makes me weep. I guess I'm one of those snobs after all. Or perhaps just an only child.

On a more mainstream note, please appreciate some Mariah-fu, courtesy of BFP, whose blog I read religiously and who makes the world a better place every day. And who occasionally reminds everyone to dance.



Meanwhile, silence springs eternal on all personal fronts. It's better that way, love, it always is.

xo.

Labels: accessories, music, the wistful republic

Hello anyone who might still be reading this blog! I have not updated in a very long time. I'm going to be using this blog again, most likely in my dependably sporadic fashion, though the format is going to undergo some alterations. I still intend to post about all the pretty things I unearth during my endless hours spent wistfully window shopping on the internet for things I most likely will never buy but continue using to decorate the interior of my mind's imaginary Dream Home. So that won't be changing, yay!

The newness comes in right about here. I'm also going to post about the things I'm working on, crafty things, attempts at artwork, maybe even the occasional tutorial interspersed with a smattering of pretty things of the miscellaneous variety.

So! That said, let me tell you about the ball of fur in the photo and the round thing in front of her. My husband convinced me to watch a Monty Python movie at two in the morning and while it was on, I decided to finally getting around to making catnip-filled toys for our cats, which I'd been planning to do for a few weeks. I took some of my less favored felt, a stack I found while cleaning, cut out a few circles and started stitching. I'm reasonably happy with the design and the stitching on the top but the stitching around the perimeter didn't go as well as I'd hoped it would. It's alright though -- while I spent about two hours putting this together, our two cats spent a collective two minutes playing with it before completely losing interest. Tangerine, (pictured) decided that it was nowhere near as interesting as falling asleep on top of a plastic bag while Chloe (not pictured), who wakes up in a brand new world every five seconds, has ceased to acknowledge its existence. See, this is why I used the crappy pile of felt.

Hello, dear Flaundie. I have been horribly remiss in showing you new and beautiful things these past few days and I am terribly sorry for that. To make it up to you, here is something unbearably lovely.

Annie and Olive is the work of Bethany Fields, creator of exquisitely beautiful things. Her shop is full of quaint little felt hearts and curious little hand-sculpted mushrooms (and more!) in a variety of extraordinary colors. Her product photos are soft and dreamy, lending an extra-special touch of whimsy to each of her sweet creations.

My favorite item in her shop has to be this dear little pink-topped mushroom. This wee little creation measures just one inch tall and can be yours for $7. Available here.

Hey there Flaundie followers! Did you know that today is Blog Action Day? Well, it is! Today bloggers around the world unite to post about our pal the environment.

There are a ton of earth-conscious artists and crafters out there making snazzy items out of recycled materials. For instance, we have the fabulously-named SkullKnocker. SkullKnocker features charming Naugahyde wild things described as "skeptical two limbed creatures that inhabit small corners of living space across the northeast. prone to hugs and murderous looks." They are made from a combo of new and recycled materials that are stuffed not with polyfil but with T-shirt scraps.

The sleepy-eyed kitchen beaver can be yours for $77. Find him over hereabouts.

Alright, it's official. I am calling it. The hedgehogs have it. I am making my prediction as to the Next Big Thing In Animals and, believe it or not, it is our darling friend the hedgehog. He is starting to crop up everywhere: art, apparel, buttons, brooches...you name it, Hedgie is on it.

Above is a sampling of the best of the best as determined, of course, by me.

(a) Little Odd Forest is the quirky, colorific brainchild of one Ms. Lynda Lye, the Singaporean designer extraordinaire who runs the show. Her products are full of bright, happy colors and frolicking animals. I cannot peruse her shop unless I have money to spend. Green rebel hedgehog 1" pinback button, $1.50, available here.

(b) Kookii:Kooky is another shop full of playful, vibrant colors and an extraordinary dose of whimsy. The Merry Porcupines clutch (yes, yes, porcupines and hedgehogs are not the same thing, but I'm personally deeming that cute little critter a hedgehog so there!) is one such example of the gleeful marriage of cute and color that exists at Kookii:Kooky. Merry Porcupines wrist clutch, $26, available here.

(c) Marmee Craft is one of my favorite finds on etsy.com, featuring whimsical, dreamy color palettes and a plethora of strange and mythical beings. Exploring these works allows passage to a completely different world, a world of misty-eyed, long-necked ladies with flowers for hair and chimerical half-human half-deer hybrids. Not to mention plump little hedgehogs sitting down for a nice cup of tea. Monsieur Hedgehog print, $13, available here.

(d) Last, but certainly not least, is the dear Ms Emily Martin, the lovely lady behind The Black Apple. Emily Martin's work features delicate woodland creatures and quaint but curious little girls with dark hair and big, soulful eyes; girls who seem to have many a secret up their pretty sleeves. I personally own three of her prints (and want desperately to make room on my walls for more). My new favorite might just be the Hedgehog Family print featuring a playful family of hedgehogs in snazzy hedehog-approved garb. This little cupcake is just $13, available here.


Oh, and just in case I haven't quite managed to kill you with cute yet, I invite you to click this link.

Long live the hedgehog!

Smeeta's Etsy shop is home to a lovely assortment of precious little felt items. Whether you fancy cheeky monkeys, cute and colorful birdies, or a crunchy little apple, Smeeta's got the goods.

This little treat is made of felt with applique and embroidered details and a pin sewn to the back so you can clip it neatly to your shirt or bag.

Vitamin-fortified and yours for just $8. Find it here.

Bernadette Sipkes, the ingenuous illustrator behind Sugarloop, offers up whimsical works that make extraordinary use of negative space. Her delicate creatures come to life in exquisite bursts of color as they perch triumphantly atop the playful geometric shapes that betray an obvious love for vintage patterns and retro design. Prints are screenprinted by hand and are available in limited edition.

Red Branches and Bird print, $25. Available here (limited edition of 120 prints).

Nut and Bee may just be the most darling destination on the web. Annette Lauder, the lady behind it all, offers up a cornucopia of sweet, memorable characters in a dreamy, muted color palette. Her lively characters find their way onto a wide array of products: buttons, notepads, stickers, gift tags, and more.

Especially charming are her bookplates. Bookplates are a delightful throwback to a time when the idea of a private library was not unheard of and hopefully these cute little adornments will help to reawaken the librarian within. Who wouldn't want to open their copy of A Brief History of Time to find a pair of tapirs rocking out?

There are currently 7 different bookplate designs available in the Nut and Bee shop, all of which are unspeakably charming and affordably priced. Set of 8 self-adhesive bookplates, $4.20. Available here

Imogen's Etsy shop features a colorful, dreamy assortment of bite-sized pendants featuring color-saturated landscapes, floral motifs, sweet little creatures and more.

If pressed, I would have to say that Blue Squidy here is my favorite of the bunch with his peachy tones and wispy tentacles, though picking a favorite is no easy task. These whimsical pendants are made from a mix of resins and plastics and measure just under an inch. They are affordably priced at just $8 a piece.

Blue Squidy is available here.

Vinyl Wall Art offers a gorgeous, varied collection of original illustrations by Holly Jones in what is certainly an underrepresented medium: vinyl. These charming decals come in a rainbow of contemporary colors and can be applied to any smooth, non-porous surface.

Holly Jones displays a whimsical, charming style and an impressive stylistic range that manages to be wide in scope without losing focus, resulting in a cohesive line suitable for practically every decor.

Owl decal is available here and comes in three sizes and sixteen different colors!

Ashley Alexander, the genius behind I'm Smitten, has put together a truly moving and enchanting collection of artwork to amaze and inspire. Her work speaks to the curious, dreaming child in all of us with cotton candy hues and animal-human hybrids that have tea and fly kites and allow birds to take solace in their antlers.

Antler Girl has perhaps become the most recognized of Ashley Alexander's creations, appearing on buttons, mirrors, tote bags, stationery, and apparel. T-shirt available here in two sizes and three different colors for $25 each. Printed on American Apparel t-shirts.

Today is my birthday! To celebrate, I am posting about one of my dream purchases. This crisp, modern screenprinted duvet cover by Pata Pri is a dream come true. Pata Pri's shop is a contemporary dream of sleek shapes and pristine color palettes. Their line is cohesive, vibrant, and affordably priced, with products ranging from $14-$180.

Apple Duvet Cover and shams are silkscreened by hand on 100% cotton. Size: Queen. Available for $180 here.

These decadent cards have been on my wishlist for over a year now, but I just can't imagine putting them to use. I'd be far too busy staring at them and sighing.

The Paper Princess is a shop full of the wonder and glee that can only present itself when someone is truly in love with their craft. Rich, dreamy color palettes, skillful collage, candy-colored illustrations - you name it, it's there, and it's gorgeous.

Oh Deer! card set includes 10 cards and 10 matching envelopes. Yours for $13! Available here.

The world's fascination with these doe-eyed dolls is definitely not waning, especially now that so many talented people are making such fashionable clothes for Ms. Blythe. Despite possessing none of these ladies myself, I love to look at them decked out in stylish outfits. Le Petit Boutique is my favorite designer of teeny, tiny fashion thus far.

Featuring machine sewn clothing with darling hand-sewn details, these little outfits are cohesive, cute and runway-ready. This complete outfit features a jumper, a pumpkin-colored t-shirt with matching legwarmers, and a yummy chocolate skirt. Yours for only $32. Available on Etsy here.

One of my secrets is my intense love of fashion, so I was completely elated to stumble across this darling artwork. Fifi Lapin is a lovely little bunny who seems to love fashion even more than I do. In this unique and innovative Etsy shop you will find many whimsical drawings of Fifi wearing the latest fashions, right off the runway. Each listing features a photo from the runway so that you can gleefully compare the original to the delicate artistic rendering.

Fifi Lapin decked out in Salvatore Ferragamo can be yours for just $30! You better snatch her up before I beat you to it. Available here.

This charming print comes from A to Z Designed and Made, Their work features inviting color palettes, clean lines and a flawless marriage of retro and modern design. Their products include art prints, cards and stationery, bags and accessories, as well as lovely items for the home.

This print measures 8.5 x 11 inches and is a steal at $14. Available on Etsy here.

Art School Dropout is home to a stunning collection of unique jewelry. They seem to have found that ever-elusive "signature style" and it is certainly working for them. Their works feature striking color combinations and an overall feel that is simultaneously modern and retro. Most items are available in limited quantities (or are completely one-of-a-kind).

$40, available here

This unbearably adorable magnet set comes from detailsstore @ etsy.com. Everything in their shop is so unbearably cute. There is certainly no shortage of dreamy color palettes and sweet little faces.

This magnet set is $7 and you can find it right here.

These unbearably darling creatures are the work of a lady named Voz Perkins, the mastermind behind Fishcakes. You can find all kinds of fun things in her store from stuffed creatures to stickers to patches and more! The site is easy to navigate, cute, and full of delightful descriptions.

Stuffed piggy can be yours for $15! Find it here.
Stuffed guinea pig is also just $15! Find it here.