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!

Polished

Painted my nails yesterday cause I'm feeling springy, and then today I noticed that the colors are almost the same colors as the cosmos I just got.

I must have flowers on the brain. Happy Monday!

{colors: Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in Chartruese Chase & Raspberry Race and Deborah Lippmann's Constant Craving}

ps: please disregard the sad looking state of a few of those cosmos- I haven't planted them yet- they'll be fine! ;)

The Cat's Meow

:: image source, by Lynn 

Making me purr this week...(seems I've got the springtime itch alright)

These adorable little DIY donuts from a tutorial over at ikat bag- they look good enought to eat!

These Scotch Naturals polishes are intriguing me, and 10% off at Beautorium right now- anyone tried them? Supposedly no base or top coat needed!

These needlepoint loafers are the stuff my granny-chic dreams are made of.

This cats of the world poster by Gemma Correll is TOO. CUTE! Over at L'Affiche Moderne.

This chickadee doormat might bring all the neighborood kitties to your door, from Modcloth

This gorgeous necklace from Asian iCandy, inspired by traditional Maio techniques

This spring-tastic new Blossom Pop collection from Bonbi Forest- makes me think of bubblegum and rollerskates and longer days.

This delicious bouquet full of sunshine and cheer-up juice, by Emerson Merrick.

These so simple and pretty ceramic milk bottle vases, at Canvas

And, this hanging human nest pod of awesomeness by Dedon {via Going Home to Roost!}

My gardening fingers are really itching now after seeing those flowers. Please Portland weather, let me dig in the dirt this weekend- pleeeease!

http://shop.canvashomestore.com/collections/ceramics/products/morandi-hand-made-bottle-vases

The Cat's Meow

:: photo source

Making me purr this week:

These cute little vintage bug plates, perfect for holding little trinkets, from Monki Vintage

These perfumes by D.S. & Durga sound awfully enticing- anyone ever tried them? I think the "cowgirl grass" scent sounds like it would smell like my childhood home out in the high desert.

These gorgeous and simple little antique stud earrings from Erica Weiner

This stunning mixed media piece (all her work) by Sarajo Frieden, via my Get Your Paint On class!

These gorge eyeshadow colors from Lumiere Et Alouette

These pretty porcelain rings that spell "LOVE" in braille, by MaaP Studio

This springy vintage umbrella from brand new shop, Scout & Smith Vintage

This pretty vintage tote with hand-embroidered flowers and supple caramel leather, at Spool 72

This cute little handmade doggie planter by Miriam Brugmann

The new Radiohead album, which I've had on repeat for days

This sweet trio droplet necklace by MIni Cyn

And this is the Holiday Hair Studio! The newest and cutest little cart on the block, only this one is an adorable salon. I got my haircut there this past weekend and it's the first cut I've gotten in over 3 years by someone other than myself! I haven't trusted anyone with my curls in a long long time, but Robin did an amazing job- I love it! She gave me just what I wanted and sculpted my curls, more than cut them. She's a painter too and I can tell her artistic eye is put to good use with hair too- it looks awesome! Thanks Robin! 

The Cat's Meow

:: photo source

Making me purr this week: 

This bright Pendleton print shirt from Lazy Oaf 

These Morning Mountain and Night Mountain prints by Tabitha Bianca Brown 

These orangey-peachy polishes from priti- fireglow, september charm, festival gitana

This true colors dress by Cristina Pires

These beautiful hand-woven belts from the Andean Collection (via ecouterre)

This set of gocco prints by Beci Orpin, from the Art 4 Heart auction (all proceeds from the sale of these, and other art items, go to benefit the Queensland flooding disaster relief)

This adorable whale tissue holder by Sparkly Pony

This mint & brass necklace by Kim Dulaney

This pretty handmade feathered headdress by Headmistress (as modeled by pretty ginger blogger, Jacklyn)

These beaded barettes from General Store

These great pouches by Scout & Catalogue

These gorgeous balloon shakers by Masayuki Kurokawa, at Merchant 4 

Have any favorites? I really want to try one of those nail polishes, but hmm, which one first?

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...

:: photo source

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

Polished

Oh I am love, love, loving this super sparkly teal- it's perfect for Christmas, very festive! Neko kitty likes it too (the bottle at least.)

My poor fingers and nails have been dry as a bone lately. My nails were chipping and peeling and I haven't painted them in a month or so to give them a break. But then I found some vitamin e oil and I've been using it everyday on my cuticles/nails and WOW- it really helps! They feel strong and healthy again. I think the cold weather + re-circulated indoor heat = dead nails, so if you're experiencing the same thing- oil up, ladies!

Mr. Modish: Style

Now introducing, the Mr. Modish column! I'll be doing some guy's style finds from time to time and every month, the real Mr. Modish will pop in with a music-mix for you, because I love his taste in music and it's super eclectic- hopefully you'll discover something you've never heard before. And who knows, he might join me for an outfitted or two in the new year too (hmm, mr. mister?)

Hickoree's Hard Goods has a clean, classic aesthetic with clothes/shoes/accessories that could look good on lots of different kinds of guys. I love their mix of both pratical and playful things (like a slinky!) And they carry toiletries from Portland General store like shaving cream, lotion and cologne, scented like whiskey and wood- that sure sounds yummy to me!

Polished...

I was going for a fall look with this deep red, but the red alone seemed too bright, so I added gold sparkles just to the upper half and now I feel like a Hollywod starlett from the 60's. Or a hooker. Or a Christmas elf.

Nailed it

While searching the sephora site this weekend to stock back up on my make-up and moisturizer usuals, I found myself a little distracted in the nail polish section. It was the gold sparkle top coat that did it. I haven't painted my nails since high school probably, but I used to love it. I always had colorful nails. And now I have depressed and ignored oh so plain nails. I think they need a little pick me up.

So, I ordered some polish. Ya know, just a few shades. I went a little crazy because I started to rationalize how I really should paint my nails for the wedding. And it'd be fun to have painted nails for my outfitted posts. And I stare at my hands all day working on this laptop and I deserve to stare at something a little more colorful, uh, right? Apparently I'm so deserving that I needed 7 shades to start with: 

Teal We Meet Again, Only Gold for Me top coat, Dating the Drummer, Meet for Drinks, Sample Sale, 1st Night, Going Nude, Eh?

Going Nude, Eh? Does it really need the "eh?" at the end? All these names are just awful, ugh. Despite that, I think this is the start of a new obsession. 

What are your nail polish favorites so far for fall?

For Strange Women

If this shop was made for strange women, than consider me strange because I am very drawn to it. Carrying notions and potions handmade from high quality, natural ingredients, this shop can speed you on your vision quest or fulfill your absinthe cravings any time of day.

Filled with stunningly photographed perfumes, lip balm, bath salts and much more, the only thing missing from the shop experience is that musty, rosy, yummy witchy scent- but I guess I'll just have to order something to get that!

Eco-Friendly Find: Mrs. Jones' Soapbox

I don't know about you, but I feel like the majority of the things I drool over online are unnecessary items... another necklace, another scarf... beautiful, but do I really need them? So when I come across something that is both beautiful and functional, or, even better, someone who has taken something so everyday that it's usually overlooked and made it beautiful, I get excited.

Mrs. Jones' Soapbox does just that. She hand-crafts natural household cleaners like laundry detergent, tile scrub and all-purpose spray, and packages them herself in beautiful refillable, reusable and upcycled packaging. Each package is simple because the ingredients are simple, and I know a little simple beauty would brighten up any dreary laundry day of mine.

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

Honeycombs

note: as I was finishing editing this post I saw a little tweet from Heart Handmade about the honey inspired picks she just posted- doh! Great minds... I thought of scrapping this post, but since I had already spent a bunch of time editing it and our selections are totally different, I decided to go ahead with it- but be sure to check out Heart Handmade's sweet picks too!

1 :: sweets for the sweet necklace by Rachel Ann Designs
2 :: honeycomb modern wall clock by Pilot Design
3 :: queen bee earrings by Red Heart 13
4 :: Karl Von Frisch purse no.3 by The Sea Within
5 :: tilly necklace by Stone & Honey
6 :: honeycomb necklace by Brevity
7 :: honey ginger soap by Aniselle

Thank you!

Just wanted to give a special thank you to Allison from Rocklove jewelry who sent me a special holiday treat- a wonderful gift box filled with handmade goodies galore!  My favorite items from what I received:

Rosemary and lavender infused soap from Anderson Soap Company :: little bean sprout earrings from Nova Design :: silver and copper hoop earrings from Discomedusa :: and a mineral makeup kit from Pink Quartz Minerals (which came complete with a little kabuki brush that I was really excited to use, but discovered the next day mysteriously broken and chewed and ickied and slobbered upon...strange...I wonder who could've done such a thing?)

Thanks everyone!  And thanks Allison for putting it all together!

Cupcakes!

It's my birthday and I love me some cupcakes, so I hope you'll join in the festivities with these awesome (unfortunately inedible but still adorable) cupcake themed goodies:

1 :: pink cupcake, original watercolor painting by Something Different!
2 :: Cuppington the Cupcake necklace by Metal Sugar
3 :: raspberry flowers glass cupcake by  Malmsey's
4 :: faux very cherry pink cupcake by Jenni B Originals
5 :: handmade soap cupcakes by Soap Store
6 :: cuppie and armadillo original watercolor painting by Cakespy

For the Mums: Gardening goodies

This last Mother's Day gift idea post is inspired by my own mama, an avid gardener and bird lover who would surely enjoy any of the gifts below- in fact, I bought her the bird feeder for Christmas last year!  For your own flower pickin' mamas, hopefully some of these suggestions will hit home:

1. Egg bird feeder by Jim Schatz (beautiful! My mom loves hers!)- $135
2. Birdhouse stakes made from salvaged house parts, by Dryads Dancing- $42/set of 3
3. English garden rose dream (made from polymer clay! wow!) at Petal by Petal- $80
4. Flowers for mom vase by Beth Mueller at Uncommon Goods- $32
5. Campy planters by Perch Design- $72
6. Garden organizer by Milk Pail- $27
7. Purple tit print by Bird Nerd- $20
8. "Suprise Mi!" deluxe spa set (for after a long day of gardening!) by mi SPA- $125

Scrub-a-dub-dub

Nettie Davis, Los Angeles based celebrity manicurist, has been questioned for years on the secret scrub she uses- it smells delectable, it dissolves completely, it exfoliates yet leaves your skin feeling moisturized and supple- what is this good stuff??  Why, it's Nettie Scrub! 

Handmade by her, this all natural sugar scrub lives up to its claims and is a new welcome addition to my weekly shower routine.  I have the lemon flavor made from sugar, grape seed oil and pure lemon essential oil- it smells like a lemon drop, is not too rough for sensitive skin, and leaves me without the need to slather on lotion once I'm out of the shower.  It's good stuff.  Read more about it on the Nettie Scrub site, which is still a bit under construction but you'll be able to find shops where you can purchase it, including the Nettie Scrub etsy shop!

Treat yourself

There's nothing better than lathering up with a delectably yummy smelling, luxurious body wash, like the one I've had the pleasure to try out recently by bobe:

It's a bath mousse, which is something I've never seen before (I'm used to bath gels and soap) but I like the change- it's light and airy and lathers up on a loofah just like gel body wash and leaves a light scent on your skin, along with a nice layer of moisture.  It also works well as a shaving cream!  And the scent is just delightfully chocolatey- I got "After 6."  Whether your aim is to invigorate and awaken, or calm and relax yourself, you can find the perfect scent for yourself, from Apricot Creme to Chocolova' to Lemon Biscotti- there's tons to choose from!  Check out all the goodies and find your favorite at bobe bath essentials!

Modish Trendwatch: Geodes!

Geodes, geodes, it's all about geodes- what are geodes exactly?  In short, they're crystal formations or banding that occurs naturally within geological rock.  In the long term, they're sparkly, shiny, immensely beautiful gifts from nature that have hit it big time in the design world this season- from jewelry to housewares, geodes are making a comeback (they were also super cool for awhile when I was a kid!) and there's no reason to wait until the big box stores catch on- you can support indie designers and shop geodes the modish way!   

{Geode necklaces, handpicked in Uruguay, by Natural Historie}

{Agate photo frames and Coaster Set by Anna Rabinowicz at Uncommon Goods}

{Geode Link Necklace and Sword and Stone Necklace by Erica Weiner}

{Hand carved agate druzy rings by Zula Surfing}

{Burlap Geode Jerkin by Heir Apparel}

{Agate Slice Necklaces by Piebell}

{Glycerin Soap rocks by Soap Creations}

{Geode earrings by Ampersand by Ali}

{Living in a Material World necklace by Erin Gotz}

So there's a little sampling of geode goodness from the indie world to keep you stylin' this fall.  Do you make geode jewelry?  Know of a cool handmade geode creation?  Share them with us in the comments below!  Nothing's better than nature and hands coming together to form beautiful creations like these!

Salve yourself!

Looking for some luscious smelling, yummy tasting, lip moisturizer to get you through a long gossip talking day?  Look no further than Frost Fish Cove Soaps! 
Made from a blend of natural oils, shea and cocoa butter, beeswax, lanolin and vitamin E, these lip balms are not only yummy, they're nourishing as well!  Plus, they contain absolutely NO artificial sweeteners- they're naturally delicious!  I received the strawberry cream scent and it smells so good, I find myself reapplying it all day long just for a little aromatherapy pick me up!  Find your favorite scent, along with lots of other delectable products, at Frost Fish Cove Soaps!