Mother's Day (again!)

Mother's Day is this Sunday! For today only, I'm offering 20% off any succulent terrarium through my Etsy shop. What a perfect Mother's Day present! Use coupon code 'MOTHERSDAY'.

xx

http://www.etsy.com/shop/madamewanderlust

Mother's Day Gifts!!!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and don't you agree that a perfect gift would be a little miniature hanging terrarium? I thought so. Thank god I happen to sell those! :) We're setting up a booth at Venice beach this weekend to sell as much inventory as possible, so be quick like a bunny and buy one today! xx

http://www.etsy.com/shop/madamewanderlust

Big Changes

I've been working like crazy (aside from my day job where I also work like crazy) to finally create my own Etsy store, and thanks to help from friends I'm hoping to have it up and running tomorrow! 

And special thanks to my friend Aaron Spransy http://www.canarycoalmine.com/ - due to his creative amazingness I even have a fancy business logo! 

Wish me luck, and please stop by when you have a chance! 

New Wardrobe = $500

It's true, one of my guilty pleasures is Lucky magazine. Of all of my guilty pleasures (trust me, I have many) this is perhaps number one on the list. The March issue features an article on how to buy a new wardrobe for $500, and shows you 90 different outfits that you can assemble from those wardrobe pieces. If you're not a Lucky subscriber, you can check out a video that captures the same information and wardrobe pieces that are featured in the article. Now if only I had an extra $500 laying around....

Link to the video below

http://www.luckymag.com/video?videoID=773276911001

the street is in the house

It's true, my brain is consumed with the idea of the new loft. As a result I'm always on the hunt for unique/interesting ways to repurpose furniture, and today I came across the link for artist Carlo Sampietro while visiting poetic home's website. His pieces are awesomely 'industrial chic'. I can't believe I just used those two descriptive words together, but how else can one adequately describe this furniture?

http://www.poetichome.com/2011/02/06/new-york-city-trash-repurposed-into-industrial-chicness-2/

or for the direct link to the artist's website you can click here....http://www.thestreetisinthehouse.com/



Another day, another dollar

Oh good....somehow despite the fact that I'm really, really trying to focus my internet research on finding ways to EARN money, it turns out that I'm (still) more successful at finding ways to SPEND money. Case in point....this awesome wesbite that I discovered today. It's a great resource for unique items for the home as well as gifts for anyone and everyone you know. The best part is that there are plenty of options, regardless of your budget.

http://www.highfashionhome.com/

Two of my favorite items are picture below...



wall decor - climbing army men! $79.95




origami post-it notes $4.95



Let's Hear it for Milwaukee!

First of all, this website, http://www.atomicbooks.com/ is amazing! They have an enormous collection of interesting books and music. The book that happened to catch my eye (today) is Graphic USA. And guess what....one of the featured cities is MILWAUKEE!!!! Way to be cool, Mil-town.

Abundantly illustrated and lovingly laid out, Graphic USA is like having hip, insightful chaperones in multiple cities across the United States: graphic designers living in 25 metropolises (from capitals of cool like New York, Portland, Miami and L.A. to less predictable locales such as Anchorage, Charleston, St. Louis and Phoenix) were invited to write and illustrate mini-guides to their stomping grounds. With listings for places to stay, bars, restaurants, galleries and clubs, the book gives readers everything they need to live it up like natives in the know. From the blue-collar dive bar that serves tumblers of local whiskey to the slick hotel designed by the hippest architect in town, or the weird restaurant in the strip mall that makes the best breakfast burrito this side of the border--the designer-contributors to Graphic USA have got you covered. All this user-friendly information is accompanied by brilliantly vivid illustrations that reflect the designers' experiences of their cities.
A beautiful object as well as a useful guide, this volume offers a truly unique insight into the heart of American culture. The cities included in this book are: Anchorage, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charleston, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, Mineappolis, New Orleans, New York City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, Providence, San Francisco, Seattle, St Louis and Washington D.C.



BUY HERE!





The efficient thrifter...

There are few things I enjoy more then shopping at thrift stores - if you're willing to be patient I promise you will find something that you will cherish forever.  But thrifting is truly an art form - something that can be perfected. If I don't walk into the store with a clear goal/list of items that I am seeking I usually get overwhelmed and leave empty-handed. I was so happy to see this post from bluebird vintage about thrfting tips and techniques from a pro. Check it out -

http://candimandi.typepad.com/heres_lookin_at_me_kid/2011/01/miss-james-of-.html

Christmas shopping (still)......

This has got to be hands down, one of the coolest gifts ever. It comes with everything you need, including the plant! All for $33! Go ahead, buy one for someone on your Christmas list. While you're at it, grab one for me too, ok? Thanks. 

buy at http://www.dwell.com

Affordable Art!

This is such a great website to purchase unique, affordable art. For only $20 you can add some truly amazing art to your abode! Photography, painting, graphic design - they've got it all.

http://www.20x200.com/

rent a living christmas tree....

Growing up we always had a fresh Christmas tree, and as an adult, despite my numerous moves from city to city I've somehow managed to pull myself together enough to purchase a REAL Christmas tree, every single year. This year is admittedly my first year to have purchased a living Christmas tree (a potted tree that can be replanted), and as it turns out, there is an even more environmentally friendly option....rent a Christmas tree! 

http://livingchristmas.com/info/environmental_init.php

The Perfect Holiday Dress?

This dress from Urban Outifitters rules the holidays this year! It could be the perfect dress for Christmas parties and/or (shhhhh, I won't tell if you wear it to both) New Years Eve! I love it. Now I just need a party to attend.....

perfect holiday dress



Mustache for your car?

I can't believe that an entire company can be based around a product such as a mustache for cars, but I kinda like it. 

http://www.carstache.com/

A+R Store: Great for buying gifts!

I love this store! I think it's the perfect site to find a gift for that person who already has it all - from cookware, to clothing, to decorative items for the home, you're guaranteed to find something here. Check it out! 

A + R store

koi pond stickers

indoor/outdoor plant wall

message bean

Etsy for Christmas, too

Check out this amazing artist on Etsy.

VOL25

Her paintings are so whimsical and dreamy - I want them all!



Unique AND affordable jewelry

I know I've mentioned this store before, but http://needsupply.com/ is really the coolest website. Typically I spend most of my time checking out their clothing, but their accessories are to die for as well! And their price range varies quite a bit, so regardless of your budget you'll be able to find something amazing - trust me. Check out a few of my favorite jewelry selections below!

horse ring $200

gold lions ring $140

gear bangles $63

tangerine ring $72

sharktooth necklace $72



DIY Christmas gift idea - for the cook!

I'm sure you have at least one person in your family who loves to cook, right? Here are a few suggestions for a customizable DIY gift basket...

- Excellent quality spices (perhaps from Penzeys?)

- A cute OR masculine apron (check out the cupcake apron on wrapables.com!)

- A unique cooking gadget based on what the individual enjoys cooking the most (Sur la Table has THE most unique cooking gadgets - trust me!)

- And finally, for the greatest touch of personalization, include a DIY cookbook. Add recipes you love to make, and/or ask family member(s)/friends for their favorite recipes. Based on how much time you are able/willing to devote to this project you could either print the recipes on 3x5 recipes cards and purchase an inexpensive photo album to keep them neat and tidy, or buy a blank journal/book and hand write them yourself! Maybe even add your own illustrations? Even if you're not exactly an artist, I'm guessing adding your own little doodles would make anyone smile.

Coolest ceramic giftware around!

Check out this link to the online ceramic store 'Perch'. They certainly don't have an enormous selection, but what they do have is so amazing and unique. I put a few of my favorite pieces up here! 

PERCH CERAMICS

Sparkles for you and me

Sparkles always help me get into the holiday spirit - I met a chica who was wearing this nail polish and had to get a bottle of my own. Trust me, if you like sparkles, this is the COOLEST nail polish! It has a bunch of different sized glitter in it so it ends up looking like a super fancy nail job. 

Just trust me....buy it! 

http://sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P273905&categoryId=S10701&shouldPaginate=true 

who wears short shorts?

Seriously. Sequin, lace, and suede??? Madewell continues to taunt me with their incredibly styled shorts. Sure, sequin shorts may not be ALL that practical, but dang it all IWILLFINDAREASONTOWEARTHEM!!!

Sequin Shorts

http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/PANTSSHORTS/shorts/PRDOVR~34734/34734.jsp

Lace Shorts

http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/PANTSSHORTS/shorts/PRDOVR~35209/35209.jsp

Suede Shorts

http://www.madewell.com/madewell_category/PANTSSHORTS/shorts/PRDOVR~34992/34992.jsp