food for thought

I just discovered Brooklyn-based illustrator Claudia Pearson yesterday via decor8, and I have completely fallen in love with her 2010 seasonal produce calendars! I still haven't gotten a pretty new calendar for this year (yes, I'm a slacker) but, I think I've found the one for me.

These lovelies encourage you to buy local, with beautiful illustrations showcasing the produce in season during the months -- helping you change up your fruit & veggie intake, get the freshest ingredients available and perhaps keep you on track with those resolutions to eat better. Cute and practical. Love!

She makes three different versions - 6x9" printed, tea towel and poster - all available in her sweet shop. Check out her blog for recipes that coincide with her featured produce, too!

stick me!

Have you seen these amazing Stick Me! collaborative sticker books put together by graphic designer Yael Frankel? Not only do they feature her own adorable designs but, the works of other artists and designers from across the Flickr community, and they're just fantastic! Little pieces of art that you can use to brighten up your office accouterments, day planner, electronic gadgets, mood board or anything else they'll stick to.

I just bought myself the Stick Me Valentines (above), which include stickers from some of my favorite Etsy artists, like Laura Berger and Geninne Zlatkis. I have big plans for these little cuties!

You can check out all the awesome Stick Me books, collaborative coloring books, prints, rub-on decals and lots more cute stuff in Yael's shop. Enjoy darlings!

shop o' the week: naoko's stoop

Heya! Its Shop O' the Week time and do I have a special one for ya! Grab a cup of something warm to drink and pull up a chair, won't you?

{Left: Feels Like Yesterday, Right: Follow the Wind No. 4}

Today I'm beyond happy to share Naoko's Stoop with ya'll. Naoko - born in Tokyo and now residing in Brooklyn - is a self-taught illustrator who creates her wonderful renderings in her own loft studio. Inspired by her Big Apple neighborhood and childhood whimsy, her work exudes a unique brand of sweetness that I just *love*.

{Left: Moon Talk No. 2, Right: Oak Reading Room}

Her Red Knit Cap Girl series is just darling -- I love the adventures with her little animal entourage and of course, her signature red cap. I think I need to snag one of those hats...

{Left: Serene Night Story No. 4, Right: Bird in a Cage (green)}

{Left: Cardinal, Right: Happy Birthday}

Naoko's Brown Paper Bag collection is quite impressive -- inspired by a variety of used papers like vintage books and envelopes, she used brown paper grocery bags as the base for all of her artwork in this series. I think the repurposed materials make these works all the more charming, don't you?

{Left: Holiday Tree, Right: Making a Friend}

She also has several holiday-themed pieces, which are oh-so-cute and festive. Naoko offers several different notecard sets and all sorts of prints that would be great for giving to someone special this holiday season. I just bought the Winter Trio set of cards last month, and I love 'em so much that I've decided to keep and frame them for myself! (Merry Christmas to me :P )

So go take a peek at Naoko's work in her lovely shop and website, and get some of this cuteness for yourself!

xxx,

Mrs. M

monday, monday...

Hi friends. Yes, its Monday already. *sigh*

Lovely leaves. Left: Recurrent 3, Right: Moderate.

Just popping in to fuel my watercolor obsession and share these beautiful nature-inspired prints by Seattle-area artist, Janelle Lile. I *love* the combination of her diagram style of drawing with those vivid splashes of color. Check her out on Etsy, flickr, her website and her blog (busy lady!).

xxx,
Mrs. M

oh deer

Hello darlings and happy November to all! I hope you enjoyed Halloween and ate way too much candy. Life is too short not to!

I know its barely November but, I can't help thinking about the upcoming holidays. I love the time from Thanksgiving until New Years-- lots of anniversaries and birthdays and family gatherings over slow-cooked food. There's nothing better in my book.

I thought I would touch on a seasonal motif that I'm really loving: deer! These guys have been popping up everywhere and I just love them. I think they're great for winter decor; they are festive without being too holiday-specific. Plus as symbols of peace and tranquility in many cultures, they are perfect for adorning your home, no matter what you celebrate.

Bring some woodland whimsy into your home for the holidays (clockwise from top left):

*Bucky cardboard deer trophy by Cardboard Safari (they make wreathes & trees too!)

*Deer delight vintage ceramic deer by 2 Vintage Sisters

*Rustic deer hanger by Monkey & Squirrel

*Woodland deer vinyl wall decals by Tweet Heart Wall Art

Graceful and irresistibly cute, they make wonderful subjects for artwork (to give OR keep):

*Winter Tale print by Naoko Stoop

*Ceramic deer figurine (in celadon) by Fruit Fly Pie

*Deer in a Snowfall original watercolor by Renee Nault

*Doe print by Berkley Illustration

Of course, they make adorable cards and gifts as well:

*Deer ring by Mark Poulin Enamel Jewelry

*Tan deer printable stationary set by Ali Design (includes gift tags, folded notecards, flat notecards & envelopes)

*Deer in the Headlights necklace by Molly & Bumble

*Recycled Christmas card by Your Crafty Friends

Holy cuteness overload, Batman! Now I'm feeling inspired to get some wee deers to inhabit our apartment this winter. Hope you like.

xxx,

Mrs. M

gimme more: Geninne

Hey there darlings!

Back today to share some loveliness from artist Geninne Zlatkis with you. The work in her amazing Etsy shop caught my eye ages ago and has been nestled safely in my favorites pages for at least a year. I'm thinkin' its finally time to make a purchase.

Clockwise from top left: White Bird; Don Matias; Three little birds; Lovebirds.

I adore this exquisite Collection.

From Geninne's Collage Birds series, clockwise from top left: No. 8; No. 31; No. 5; No. 15.

I'm a sucker for bird prints and watercolors, and Geninne takes them both to a whole new level. I especially love the white ink detailing-- and she even shows you how to achieve this look in her fabulous blog! I recently discovered this gem of a blog and I am totally impressed- so much wonderful stuff! Between her hand-carved stamp tutorials, how-to painting videos and glimpses of her gorgeous Mexican home and studio, I am completely inspired.

You bet your behind that I'm gonna try my hand at those stamps to create some amazing wrapping paper and personalized stationary this holiday season-- such great ideas! I highly suggest checking out her blog, shop and Flickr photostream if you're in the need of some inspiration.


xxx,
Mrs. M