Modish

I'm im-pressed!

You'd be hard pressed to find a more simple yet stunning card collection than that from Letter Pressed.  Featuring modern, minimalist design, they have cards for every occasion.  I particularly like these ones just called "CARD" because of the awesome deep red that they're printed on.
Sometimes a simple sentiment is all you need, and the hip design is more adequate in this case than some cheesy, "I love you more today than yesterday and will forever love you more everyday" type of line (see, I just made that up on the fly, not hard to be ooey gooey hallmarky.)  Plus, with just a plain "CARD" you can use it for any occasion!  Happy birthday, thank you for dinner, I love you more today than yesterday...you get the drift.  These come in a set of two cards in each foil color (white, blue, orange and pink) with matching v-fold envelopes.  Find them along with other contemporary card designs at Letter Pressed! 

Where do bluebirds fly?

Where do bluebirds fly?  Think back to the answer you'd give if you were six years old and had just watched Wizard of Oz....somewhere over the rainbow, of course!  Why then, oh why can't you fly over the rainbow too?  Well, now you can, figuratively speaking at least, with this pretty art piece by Dream of Stars called Over the Rainbow.
Designed by graphic artist Emily St. Clair who's a recent Portland transplant (a girl after my own heart) and obviously very talented, this piece can become a 12x14 inch wall hanging for your bedroom or an awesome 3x3 foot screen print or fabric applique piece for your living room.  You can choose how to print it, how big to print it and what color background to print it on- I know how y'all like choices.  Check out this piece and other very lovely lady designs at Dream of Stars!

Site of the Week: Chearrings

I have long since adored Chearrings' jewelry which is feminine and flirty, alluring and antique inspired.  As a jewelry designer I've always been inspired by Olga's work, and as a jewelry buyer, I find myself in constant drool mode.  I'm not the only one who feels this way; Chearrings has been seen adorning the lobes of LC from Laguna Beach (which, yes, I do watch and just bought the second season of on dvd, shhh...) gracing the pages of magazines and was given Editor's Choice for best jewelry designer in Style Bakery's 2005 On the Rise Awards.  With one look at the jewelry, you'll see why!

From the luxurious designs of the new Suvine collection: 

To the sweet, flirty designs of fall:

And the romantic designs of spring:

The hand-designed, high-quality jewelry at Chearrings is sure to whet your whistle.  Check out all the lovely collections in their entirety on the site, and use code "SUVINE" for 10% off your purchase! 

Howl at the Moon

I feel like some spirit has taken over me as I've suddenly developed a thirst for blood!  MoonblooD that is, ooowwwwwwww! (that's supposed to be a wolf howl sound, if you couldn't catch the drift. ahem.)  This incredible line of tees features hand-drawn designs that are hand screen-printed onto sustainable Alternative Apparel blanks.  They're good for the planet, good for the soul and even better for your closet!  Check out this White Dancing shirt por ejemplo:
Featuring a totemic design printed onto super soft cotton/poly burnout fabric, (think the thinnest of the thin, most perfect thrift store shirt kind of material) this slim fit tee is stylish, sexy and evocative.  A tee with a tale.  As are all of MoonblooD's designs which feature Native American & Egyptian inspired artwork.  Take a look at all the incredible choices at MoonblooD.  You may find yourself a howlin' deal!  (I couldn't resist the pun. I'm very sorry, really.)

Faux is Mo'

Jade is so pretty, but so expensive (yes, the stone and the awful Top Model contestant from last season both apply to this definition. I can't be the only one who watches that show. Uh, right?)  That's why I actually kinda prefer the fake stuff.  I mean, who really knows the difference, and who on earth cares?!  Costume jewelry is fun, inexpensive and when it's vintage, it becomes totally unique.  That's why I love this faux jade vintage ring from Bella's Jewelry Box!
Not only is the deep green rockin, but the black rhinestones surrounding it add that special touch that says, yeah, it may be fake, but it's vintage and it's special and it rocks!  I can imagine this ring on a hand holding a scotch on the rocks or a cigar or something else frightfully debonair.  I may have to snatch it up if someone else doesn't beat me to it (please help! I can't stop buying stuff!!!)  Check out more loverly rings and other vintage jewelry at Bella's Jewelry Box.  And be sure to take a peek at the great sale page while you're there! 

Another thing to add...

A late but much welcome addition to the goodie box just came in- a pretty pink and white mini-juxtapose necklace from Art School Dropout!  Hurray!  With that, plus another item that I forgot to figure into the pricing, the goodie box is worth $450 worth of stuff!  Woah momma!  If you haven't signed up to win yet, now's your chance!

Don't zoom without Zaum!

Alright, I've been all wrapped up in the giveaway trying to spread word of that around all day that I forgot I need to actually post something!  So, here goes.  I've been waiting with baited breath for these folks to get back from vacation so that I could feature them.  Ready for it?  Zaum.  Just like Cher, like Madonna, they're just Zaum, and they're rad!  I love this travel case they call the Biglietto.    
It's handmade from pretty beige vinyl and lined with a cool retro print fabric.  The perfect size to keep your passport, airline tickets and other travel essentials handy, it makes me want to hop on a plane and jet outta here!  (That could be easier said than done, I suppose.)  Well, dream of a vacation is always on the horizon, or perhaps this will make the perfect gift for someone who does have the opportunity to escape.  Check out the full line of purses, messenger bags and more on Zaum!

August Giveaway Goodies!

The first indie goodie box goodies are in and, I tell you wut, this giveaway is already better than I ever could have expected!  25 independent businesses have donated goods for this first giveaway totaling $450 worth of stuff!  Say again?  Yup, you have a chance to win $450 worth of wonderful handmade goods!  Including a hand embellished brooch all the way from Estonia, gorgeous screen-printed stationery, wonderful handbags, original art, pretty jewelry, yummy bath goodies and so much more!  Just take a look! (click pic for full size)
Here's what's included:
Krista Raak- brooch
Stiletto Heights- art piece
Valentina Designs- necklace
Young & WithIt- notecard set
Starchildcrafts- handbag & wallet
Shades of Violet- stationery set
Designs by Lisa- anklet & earrings
Yndigo Designs- bookmark
Olilo Designs- triple decker pouch
A Planet 4 Creation- earrings
Lushbox- body frosting, spray & bath salts
Whimsy Wool- felted purse
Binding Twine- necklace
Art2ArtColorado- 11x14 art print
Jewel Street Designs- bracelet
Bond Girl- tote bag & handkerchief
Prairie Luxe- perfume
Blissful- business card wallet
Muah Creations- felted bracelet & window cling
dear monday- birthday card
The Wing Thing- earrings
Shattered Glass- cabochon
White Stone Stitchery- mini bags
Lauren Goessling Designs- personalized stationery
Art School Dropout- necklace
+ samples/promos from other great indie businesses.

That's a whole lotta indie goodness!  Please check out the sites of the contributors to get a better look at all they have to offer. 

Interested in having a chance to win all this stuff?  Just sign up for the Modish newsletter!  Easy peasy!  One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, Aug 25th from the list of newsletter subscribers to win it all, and once confirmed, will be announced next week!  So, sign up now, and hey, if you don't win this time, you'll be automatically entered each month as long as you're a newsletter subscriber.  Tell your friends to sign up!  Who knows?  If they win, they just might share! =)  Good luck!  I wish I could keep everything!!  (muah hah hah...)

(thank you thank you thank you to all the indie businesses who donated!! you rock!)

It's spreading...

The indie word, the indie fixation, it's catching, it's spreading and more people want to talk about it.  The handmade movement hath fury, my friends!!  I've recently discovered three, count 'em three new blogs that are focusing on indie designers and handmade goods in their own way.  So, in hopes to spread the love and spread the word about independent goods even further, I'd like to introduce you to them.  There's lots of amazing indie designers that deserve to be featured, so it's a welcome surprise to see three other ladies taking on the endeavor:

Indie Fixx- brought to you by Jen of Tilting Swiftly, this blog is a "celebration of the creativity, tenacity, and general spunky goodness that is the indie design movement."

Miss Malaprop- Miss Mallory of Dismantled Designs, a 23 year old craft enthusiast, created a blog to showcase indie products and support her hometown NOLA artists.

Handmade + Totally Awesome- Long since the slogan of Taryn's consignment shop MY MY, she created a new blog with the same name to feature things that are just that, handmade and totally awesome!

*new addition: Indie Obsession- Brandy, behind Oblivious Designs, brings you her own growing list of indie obsessions to help support independent businesses like her own! (thanks Jen!)

Each of these blogs are in their fledgling phase but are sure to become valuable supporters to the indie community.  So go on, click, search, and buy handmade!

L is for Likey

I like innovation, I like education and when you put the two together, cool things can happen, like these Mid-Century Modern Alphabet flashcards.  As a nerdy little only child I was addicted to flashcards and found it fun to quiz myself (not like there was anyone else around to quiz me, but that's another lonely little tale.)  I had math cards, alphabet cards, spelling and vocabulary cards.  They were fun, really, I swear.  Just like writing this blog is fun now, finding myself constantly on the brink of learning something new was exciting and always fulfilling.  That's why I found myself drawn to these awesome flashcards by Greg Chinn of Jargon Boy.  Created as an early art education for his 3 year old daughter, Greg designed these flashcards that can help educate children and adults alike, and are just plain cool to look at.
Aside from the fact that I think M should be for Modish (ahem), these flashcards are a great 26 step introduction of modern art and design.  Check out each letter at Jargon Boy.  Who knows?  You may just learn something.