Miss Modish- Mojo Maker

The Cat's Meow

{image from Picocat}

June is almost over (wha?) so I figured it's high time for the Cat's Meow list this month (yay!) Some things that have been ringing my bell lately:

These adorable plush kitty friends from new (PDX based) shop Rad Cat would make cute couch companions! Made from vintage and reclaimed fabric so they're eco-friendly too.

I've been eyeing these awesome Ray-bans for a few weeks and they just went on sale. Come to momma! via Sage & Style

These fantastic notecards with colorful retro designs by Pie Bird Press would make excellent additions to my thank-you card collection. Via Eat, Drink, Chic.

And I love the new canvas + leather line of bags by Portlander, Entermodal- a sneak peek from photog Sweet Ronit!

This Let's Move to the Mountains print by In Haus Press speaks to my heaving mountain girl heart. Via Design Crush

Love these gorgeous tours of creative people in their spaces by another local photog, Carlie Armstrong, for her ongoing project, work.place.

And these are a bright idea for a different kind of watch and so so cute! From Aussie brand So Little Time. Via All the Mountains

The Piccola Mag premeire issue was just released and I have a little article in it 'bout shopping local- it's free and pretty, check it out!

These funky-fantastic bracelets made with antique African beads by Vanessa Mooney, at Cameo Noveau

And the talented miss Mati Rose let me know about her new venture with her artist friends Stefanie & Tiffany, The Teahouse Studio! It's an inviting creative art studio and workshop space in Berkeley, CA and I wanna gooo! They have lots of inspiring workshops up ahead- check em out!

And Michele at Tierra Verde sent me a way too generous thank you gift for a project I did for her (thanks again Michele!) and I am addicted to her soaps now. I love them all, including the felted one! My favorite tho is the Green Earth Gardener's Soap- it has tiny little scrubba dubba elements that feel sooo good on your hands and it's super foamy and smells fresh and yummy!

The Cat's Meow

Ah, I haven't done one of these posts in awhile. I think these will be once-a-month or so posts from here on out, so let's call these my picks for May! Oh yeah!

I love these new mixed media pieces by Cori Kindred, inspired by vintage rock collections! She hand-picked each stone and instead of labeling them with their scientific names, she chose words inspired by their shapes and colors. Beauties! A couple left in her shop or see them in person at the West Elm pop up shop this Saturday here in Portland

And speaking of crystals, uh...woah! From five and two

I think our ears need something sparkly too, like these great sparkle post earrings from Tiny Galaxies (via Jillian Frances' blog!)

Or let's just paint our whole body in glitter, inspired by this beautiful photo shoot in the new Papercut mag. They just celebrated their one year anniversary- congrats Papercut!

Also love these summery hobo bags by Della in gorgeous authentic West African textiles. The whole line is made by local seamstresses in Ghana and working with Della gives them steady income, education in micro-financing and training in entrueprenuership. Style for a good cause!

This watercolor whale makes me happy, but would be great for a kid's room too! From Brooklyn artist, My Zoetrope

And gotta love these adorable espadrilles from Spanish shop Gaimo. I haven't a clue the price but they're darn cute. Thanks lovely reader Michelle from El Salvador for the tip!

I would be happy with any of these colors from essie's latest polish collection

This is my dream chair beyond all dream chairs from Sit & Read, upholstered with a super soft vintage blanket! (via Will from Bright Bazaar)

And I love these assymetrical, funky combo beaded bracelets by The Dull Diamond

And this little scallop skirt by Floremark out of Sweden- it's organic cotton and oh so adorable in navy!

And last but not least, this cut paper work by Sara Burgess is pretty dang incredible. And look at what that is, way up in the sky there? A bee! ;)

Happy Thursday ya'll. The weekend is so close, I can taste it!

The Cat's Meow

:: image source from the New South Wales State Library

So, I do consignment at a little shop here (selling off some leftover clothes from Miss Modish vintage!) and what I make there is just side income that I've decided I'm allowed to spend on whatever I want- hah! Last month I made about $80 bucks so lookie lookie what I spoiled myself with: 

Ooh...it's a 1930's Talisman necklace from Jean Jean Vintage. I LOVE it. The word talisman got me, plus the shape, plus that sweet amber gem. Pretty!

This necklace helped inspire all my picks for today's cat's meow list, in one way or another:

This gorgeous Rachel Comey silk blouse, on sale! at Frances May

These stunning paintings by Mamma Andersson {via The Anthology blog}

These pretty vintage Zuni Sun Bonnet earrings, at Erstwhile Vintage

This fat little bud vase by DiTerra {via Mr Mudpuppy's etsy faves} 

These pretty pretty watercolor butterfly wings by Amber Alexander

This dress from the Yigal Azrouël show as captured by Jamie of From Me To You. I just love the way it ripples as she moves...  

This vintage brass kitty ring holder! from Austria Brass

This adorable handmade "tie top bather" by Minnow Bathers {via Alison's etsy faves}

This cute, colorful desert fox print by inaluxe

This gorgeous antique Turkish kilim rug, from the Rugstore, for the bedroom that currently only resides in my dreams {inspired by Kate's recent find}

This vintage brass wolf shot glass at bellalulu- pretty clever!

Another only in my dreams find, but man- isn't it gorgeous? A convertible backback/tote that could last you a lifetime. Handmade here in Portland by Vanport Outfitters, available at Le Train Bleu. 

The Cat's Meow

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Making me purr this week: 

This gooorgeous of Amanda Blake painting. I love it so much, I can't stand it.

These cute vintage granny boots over at Moxie

These stunning fashion/painting match-ups by Miss Moss- she's so good!

This crazy quilted pencil case by Enhabiten
This so pretty Victorian signet ring, from the late 1800s. At Erie Basin

This vintage granny blankie over at Funkey Finds

This pretty little mug by Clam Lab

This gorgeous range of porcelain jewelry with hand-drawn details by Goldenink, via Bloesem

These pop-up wild bird cards, from cute Australian shop Upon a Fold

These pretty and suprisingly inexpensive totes from Fabric & Handle, via Seesaw Designs

These glowing watercolor flowers by Leanne Shapton

These incredible cabochons from Silurian Era, found via Wolf & Willow. I could stare at them all day.

The Cat's Meow

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Making me purr this week:

This gorgeous silk blouse from TopShop- love the hem and pockets, am dying for this peachy color

This new line of necklaces from A Alicia made with vintage kimono fabric and handmade ceramic beads. Ugh- want! (the one on the right would go great with the peach blouse, hmm?)

This Photo Booth book by Babbette Hines, recommended by a reader from yesterday's post (thanks Shelley!) I ordered it!

This beautiful pleated bag from Quote. Canvas + leather = ooo

These tightrope walker necklaces by Klimbim, a brand new brand from Berlin. So unique, instantly loveable. 

Bella Figura asked me to pick my favorites from their new invitation designs and this beauty is one of them!

This vintage sweater in pretty dusty rose, from Capricious Traveler

Paintings by Becca Statdtlander (all of them really)- inspiring for my painting class! {via wolf and willow}

These s/s 2011 looks from Chris Benz and their perfect "subtle 70's" vibe

This Spaces book from the editors of Frankie- ordered this too.

This Earth & Sky necklace, a collaborative effort from Stone & Honey and Satsuma press. So pretty + comes with a "birds of a feather" letterpress card.

Baked kale chips from Smitten Kitchen (her photo)- I made these this past weekend and dang! We scarfed them down like potato chips, so yummy. 

Hey, what's going on in this post? I think my aching for spring has officially begun.

The Cat's Meow

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Making me purr this week:

This chunky faceted ring by Orno Jewelry

Cat Alphabet! from Jamie Shelman

The Olivia Cowl from Taylor House (& hurry- she's closing up shop on Jan 20th to go study abroad!)

These antique kilim pillow covers by Sukan

These artist designed iphone cases by Deanne Cheuk, Cinda B & Hannah Stouffer

These gorgeous wool blankets from Mexchic (via All the Mountains' guest curator post)

This brass wolfie necklace from Beatrice Collection

These gorgeous totes by infusion

These pointed black brogues from Kate Kanzier

This handmade black pyramid ring by mirta

The Cat's Meow

Since I'm trying to post less frequently, and more personally, I'm afraid that might mean less opportunities to feature great goodies that I love. But that doesn't mean I'm coveting stuff any less, oh no. So I thought I needed a new feature to showcase lots of my favorite things all at once. So, introducing...

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Making me purr lately:

These black velvet booties from Osborn (all their shoes really, uh-mazing, and handmade) 

This pretty pretty moon chart, from Agent Gallery Chicago

These gorgeous earrings by Fay Andrada, at Spartan. I want to wear them with a bun in my hair.

The new Scout bag by Beesnetta, butterscotch yummimess.

This cute cosmic ice-cream necklace from Apres Ski

And actual ice cream from Three Twins. The "mocha difference" flavor is OMG good.

This "I declare" hand-screened print by Kin Ship Press- love her red dress and minty skin

These "air/water" and "earth/fire" crest necklaces from Yellow Owl Workshop

This gorgeous aqua and yellow world map by These Are Things

This pretty, sexy three-way blouse by Frances Watson. I need more white in my wardrobe.

This Voluspa three wick candle in Massakar Ebony & Peach- smells musky & sweet

This "cat on a hot tin roof" ring from Verameat- I like that it's a feisty kitty!

Butter London polish in British Racing Green (I got this as a present from Ronit, love it!) 

edited to add: these shoes, because I had to, because just look at them! And the style is appropriately called the Meow. I can't decide which color I like best tho- maybe I need one for summer, one for fall (I wish!) :: via Down & Out Chic

Spool 72 (with a special deal for you!)

Spool 72 is celebrating their brand new beautiful site with a brand new holiday collection! And it's gorge, of course. If you find something that catches your eye, which undoubtedly you will, use code "Modish" at checkout to take 15% off your order. That's good site wide, new stuff and vintage stuff included. I'd use it toward one of their vintage bags- they're all so amazing!

One bag...

...in 4 colorways. All cute (especially the all cream one and orange/natural one, me thinks) From Ira Grant's eco-shop!

Flower on the Wall Vintage

Taking a cue from Liz, I'm sticking with the back to school theme for the day... What I'm really wanting this fall is more boots and bags. And flower on the wall vintage has plenty of both! And these are actual vintage, one-of-a-kind pieces scoured from around South Dakota. They even have some good shoe picks for hard to find too-big-for-vintage-feetsies like mine (size 10) Yippee!

Eco-Friendly Find: Back to School

I haven't gone "back to school" in the fall for a number of years (got a reunion coming up, hmmm), but one of my favorite things about this time of year was always starting fresh with a new big, roomy, stylin' bag.

Here are a few of my eco-friendly favorites up for grabs on Etsy right now: (clockwise from top left) vegan granny tote bag from blissthings; leather hobo bag with vintage fabric from panbeh; natural linen tote with recycled leather straps from arva; repurposed vintage tweed coat tote from woodroots.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Cut Out And Collect

I am beginning to become somewhat of a purse collector. I never used to understand why women would want to have more than one purse. I couldn't get having to move over all my stuff from one to another. But now I have two that I use back and forth quite and bit, and ok- I get it. And I'm looking to add to the repertoire. 

Any of these bags from Cut Out And Collect could serve me well on the shop-hopping days, the going out for brunch days, the picnic in the park days. Casual enough for every day, and unique enough to hear compliments all day long.

Eco-Friendly Find: Flipside Hats

Oh, summer. Being reasonably fair-skinned, my two summer necessities are sunscreen and a good hat. Which I generally lose almost immediately. (Seriously. I seem to be making it a personal goal to lose a hat over every major body of water in the world.) But if I had one of these awesome salvaged material hats from Flipside Hats, I'd hold onto it a bit more carefully.

Not only are the hats handcrafted from reclaimed fabric, but they are reversible too! How perfect is that?

I found Flipside through the Trillium Artisans Etsy Shop. If you're not familiar with the group, Trillium Artisans is a collective of crafters in Portland, OR, all working in recycled materials. There's a lot of talent in the group, and a lot of lovelies in the shop. And a lot of super cute hats.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Eco-Friendly Find: VintageChase

Summertime for me means travel on my mind... and the need for a really big bag to tote along with me on my adventures. Which is what I love about the repurposed totes from VintageChase.

Each bag is crafted from vintage leather and cloth rescued from clothes headed to the landfill. And the bags are wonderfully big—just right for a summer weekend away!

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Bagatelles & Co

I love the shapes of these pretty clutches and purses by Bagatelles & Co- so pillowy and feminine, ready for all your everyday necessities. Available in the most luscious fabric options, they're handmade in London and sold in limited edition. They seem so dainty and sweet- I'd feel like a total girl carrying one (instead of like the clumsy dork I really am.)

Eco-Friendly Find: ThingsBuilt

A few years ago, I decided to make traveling a priority in my life. Since then, my husband and I have simplified a bit (new tv or vacation, hmm...) and we attempt to visit a new country each year, and to get off the beaten path a bit when we do.

Mexico was one of the places that really got under my skin, and these amazing bags from ThingsBuilt take a look that takes me back to the little, dusty towns we visited and combines it with an urban aesthetic that preys on my feminine weakness for a really cool bag.

The duffels and backpacks are upcycled from the ubiquitous mesh shopping bags found all over Mexico, emblazoned with iconic imagery like Frida Kahlo and lucha libres. The mesh is combined with some found fabric, leather or straps made from bicycle tire tubes (!) to create fabulously unique, lightweight bags with just the right amount of kitsch to be cool.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Honey'd Designs

Honey'd Designs is home to a great selection of handmade bags in beautiful fabrics (many of which are on sale at the moment!) You'll also find cute accessories and home decor in the shop. Thanks for supporting Modish, Sahnda! {SHOP}

Bees'netta

Who says spring has to be all about cotton candy colors? I'm loving these rich, deep jewel tones from the spring Bees'netta collection. All the new styles are a little more refined and classic than before, but they still have that same indescribable dose of somethin special. This day-laborer bag just might have to be my excuse to take this laptop of mine for a walk to the nearest cafe to work. (Any and all coffee milkshakes and pieces of pie consumed by me while I'm at said cafe shall be hereby blamed on the bag.)

Color me Happy in Teal

Oh teal, you've stolen my heart. And my wall. I love you the most in your deepest, darkest moments...even then, you still seem to glow. 

blue velvet hairpiece by ban.do

canvas tote by Kinies

raindrop cannonballs print by Slide Sideways

hand dyed bamboo wrap by Riordan Roache

tiger lily moccasins by darlingtonia

feather earrings by Still Tree

frosted glass necklace by Rock Fern Designs

Eco-Friendly Find: Pansy Maiden

I have been a fan of Pansy Maiden's bags for quite a long time, what with the fact that they are both beautiful and sustainable, so I was pretty excited when Laura sent me some photos of her new line...

Like all Pansy Maiden's bags, these pretties are vegan, organic and built to last. The lovely new Lady Day bag (love this one!) is constructed from a hemp/tencel blend or bamboo denim, while the new messenger design is organic twill. Laura says her mission is "to create simple, durable, ecofriendly, animal-free bags that are urban, pretty, and practical. And fun. Really, really fun." I'd say she has succeeded, how about you?

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.