wellies

The Hunter Wellie is the original handmade rubber boot otherwise known as a gum boot in the UK. They are quite comfortable and quite practical (do I sound UK-ish?) and I suggest wearing yours for a walk on a Scottish moor, when hacking weeds in your backyard, taking in the patio furniture in a torrential downpour, wearing them in the mud at the Bonnaroo Music Festival or just out shopping in a cute skirt to make a fashion statement.

"bonus items"

The Anna Corinna City Tote is smoking hot and way out of my price range therefore it shall be added to my "bonus items" list. This is the list that I create every year in anticipation of my December bonus. I put some in savings and then I treat myself and purchase one item I have coveted all year. The problem is the list has grown very large this year. So far I have this bag, a pair of Alberto Fermani boots, a new Jonathan Adler piece, plus practical items such as new patio doors for our house and a new coffee table to replace my BusVans for Bargains-early-20's-first-apartment coffee table. The hubs jokes that the bonus gets bigger and bigger in my imagination every year.

your lovely lady

Men, you cannot go wrong with giving jewelry this Christmas. I don't know a lady out there that would not want a little sparkle in her stocking. These GORGEOUS jewels by Anna Sportun for Sundance would be perfect. So dig deep into that wallet and make your lovely lady's dreams come true.

i'm speechless

These handmade vases and bowls are the most beautiful designs I have seen in awhile, they literally took my breathe away. Swedish ceramic maker Karin Erikkson has become really hot lately with her little flower decals on her delicate plates, teacups and bowls. They remind me of little dollhouse teacups or my grandmother's fine china. Lucky for me my birthday is coming up so maybe just maybe I'll be gifted one of her precious creations for my ceramic collection.

bunny art

Kozyndan are a husband and wife illustrator team, Dan is American and Kozy is Japanese and together they create really cool surreal landscapes with a whimiscal spin. I have always been a fan of japanese woodblock illustrations and you can see how these two were influenced by one of the most famous illustrators Katsushika Hokusai but they added their own bunny twist. In Japanese culture they believe that the dark spots on the moon represent a bunny on tiptoes. I wonder if that has anything to do with their mini bunny obsession? I couldn't resist I had to add another image of their's, I really dig their panoramic surreal-scapes.

marimekko

This is a really cool idea for inexpensive artwork, framed fabric panels. Textile Arts has come up with a kit that provides everything you need to stretch fabric on a frame and hang. They sell the kits with some of Marimekko's fabrics but you can use any fabric you love. You could create a little series of small panels on your wall or go crazy and cover a whole wall with one of these tree fabrics. I love the Mod faces one, I saw it in November's Domino magazine as a headboard, sweet idea.

the carrotbox ring collection

The prices cannot be beat for these adorable lucite, glass and stone rings from $10-$16 on The Carrotbox. If you are a ring collector or just a jewelry lover you will appreciate this cool alternative to the metal ring. Check out the Kimono Ring with real bits of kimono under the lucite and these poufy flower rings, I think the temptation to chew on these rings might be too much for me!
Check out her blog as well for links to many other great ring designers.

for britt

My oldest sister Britt was the first one to turn me on to preppy brands starting with her love of Laura Ashley in the 80's and Lilly Pulitzer in the 90's so it's no surprise that she is a big fan of Hadley Pollet belts. Hadley's most popular belt is her zinnia design and all her belts are reversible so you get 2 belts for the price of one! Or at least that's what I tell myself to justify a $100 belt.

She also has some cute purses only available from her website.

rainy ramey

The rain is back, but lucky for me the rain had a purpose! I re-connected with an old friend, Ramey Griffin Caulkins, who happens to have her own line of rain jackets, Rainy Ramey!

Ramey (isn't that the coolest name?) was one of the best dressed girls in High School and I was always very impressed by her fashion sense and sophisticated tastes even as a teenager. Lucky for us she is now spreading her great taste throughout the land with her adorable rain coats. They are available short or long in green, blue and black with different color toggles.

hippy-prep

As my Mom would say "How stinkin' cute are these bags!?". They appeal to my love of vintage fabrics , vintage shapes and their hippy-prep style (or at least that's what I call it). Made by designer Meleana who was born and raised in Hawaii she uses fabrics found throughout Hawaii, the States and her families collection. You can find them on her website where you can view other fabric choices or on the adorable website Nest.

its raining in san francisco

Well its November and the rainy season has officially started. These neat-o umbrella's by Tray-6 should make it bearable.

more tiny artwork

New to Velocity Art & Design, limited edition, hand-made, collages by Lorena Siminovich. I would love the little "Yummy Apple" collage to go along with my Amy Ruppel bird painting, I will add them to the rest of my kid-art series (as my hubs likes to call it). Actually these would look pretty cute in a kids room.

jeanine payer

"If you find out the truth about yourself and discover your own source, this is all that is required."~Ramana Maharshi

“Beyond all reason, I have been found,”

Jeanine Payer is a local San Francisco jewelry artist who's specialty is engraving bits of poetry, philosophy and prose on her delicate designs. I first heard of Jeanine from my friend Kerry who used to work at her beautiful little boutique on Market Street in San Francisco. If you can, visit the store, but if you can't you can buy her work from her website or the amazing Sundance catalog.

"We have circled and circled till we have arrived home again, we two." - Whitman

verdigris gallery

My lovely friend Mary Mar Keenan is an accomplished ceramic artist and co-owner of Verdigris Gallery here in San Francisco. Her style is whimsical and colorful and with each piece you get a little bit of Mary Mar's childlike spirit. You can see her work at Verdigris at the Cannery in SF or order from her website directly. I love her little bud vases and the lovely little teapots.

Verdigris carries many other talented artists as well, don't miss it!