Esty Favorites: Suite One Studio

Oval Platter in Emerald

 

Suite One Studio Ceramics, based in Greensboro, NC, is a modern, handmade tableware line made by Lindsay Emery. Each piece of pottery is made by hand from start to finish without the use of molds, making each piece completely original. Simple and sophisticated, Suite One Studio pottery compliments simple dished or recipes, bringing handmade chic to every meal.

Thrown on the wheel and altered into subtly off-round forms these modern pots are paired with brightly colored handmade glazes. The interiors feature a wide range of glazes, which are also handmade in the studio from original glaze formulas. The surfaces of the glazes range in texture from satin matte to high gloss, which are paired with a range of clays to create a unique collection.

 

Follow Suite One Studio on Instagram and Twitter.

Nautical Notions

You Anchor Me created by Nan Lawson Illustration

 

Sailing Ship at Night Sea by Vladimir Mesheryakov

Friday Favorites

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"If I Die in Raleigh" Burlap Throw Pillow created by tootyb. If you live in North Carolina, especially Raleigh, you need to have this pillow featuring Old Crow Medicine Show lyrics on your couch.

 

Yesterday was the first annual OUr Day, which is a day to celebrate the fact that you're an Ohio University alumnus—and part of the Bobcat Nation! I would love to show my Bobcat pride by wearing these amazing Ohio University Bobcats Toms Shoes created by Custom Toms Shoes by JC.

Identity-Based Habits: How to Actually Stick to Your Goals by James Clear. This is an article posted on Quora, so if you don't have an account you may not be able to read it, but I recommend that you sing up for an account. It's free and the articles are great!

We were given a NutriBullet at our wedding shower last month and I am LOVING it! I have been using fresh greens and fresh apples from our local NC State Farmers Market mixed with frozen berries and almond milk every morning to make a NutriBlast. I feel energized, my skin is completely clear, and I have already lost a little bit of weight over the past 2 weeks. I love this thing! I will post a few of my favorite recipes soon!

I know everyone is probably focusing on the events that are happening in Boston this morning. I hope that everything goes well and no one else gets hurt. 

Despite the rain storms in the forecast, Aaron and I are planning on going to a Shabbat cookout tonight with the Raleigh Tribe. Hope you have a good weekend!

Hanukkah Card Round-Up

December, how did you get here so quickly?

I have seen so many blog posts already written by bloggers who are excited for Christmas. My Bloglovin' feed is filled with posts about advent calendars, Christmas wreaths, and lists of Christmas traditions. 

Don't get me wrong - I love Christmas, but where are all of the crafty, lifestyle bloggers who get excited to make their own beeswax Hanukkah candles, whip up a batch of cake pop dreidels, or pop their DIY menorah on the mantle?

Even though Hanukkah is not really a major holiday, it is still nice to spend a little time setting the mood. I have created a list of beautiful Hanukkah cards that I found on Etsy that represent the annual traditions that we share during the festival of lights.. 

I especially like the mid-century design of card #2, it is very Jonathan Adler. 

1. Warmth and Love - Letterpress Hanukkah Card from Cardamom Press

2. Happy Hanukkah Letterpress Card // 1537 from Anemone Letterpress

3. Happy Hanukkah Card - Set of Six from Byvik Ink

4. 6 Pack Letterpress Hanukkah Card from Concrete Lace

Take the Yelp Shops Local Pledge!

Yelp has teamed up with the Etsy NC Triangle Street Team to support locally based online shops filled with amazing art, handmade accessories, vintage housewares, and more!

I have signed up for my Etsy shop, Three Ponds Vintage, to be part of Yelp's Cyber Specials Etsy Week (Dec. 3 - Dec. 9). Even though I haven't had much time to spend working on my shop and adding new merch, I still think it's important and I was honored to be asked to be part in this.

My offer is 10% off purchase, plus combined shipping on more than one item, with the code: TPVlovesYELP

Happy shopping!

Wedding Wednesday: A Bridal Party Surprise

On the day after Aaron and I got engaged we were driving back to Raleigh from our weekend in Maryland and we had some time to start thinking about our wedding. We talked about some of the basic details that we both wanted such as the location, reception music, and who we wanted in our wedding party. 

It didn't take us long to come up with our list of 8 bridesmaids and groomsmen. We talked about when and how we should ask them to be in our wedding party.

I was inspired by the surprise package trend that has popped up in the past two years so I decided to send out surprise packages to ask my friends to be my brides maids. I wanted to fill each box with useful and meaningful items that would represent me and our wedding with an emphasis on handmade items from Etsy.

My bridesmaids are... Dana (MOH), Lissan, Kristin, and Iris! I wanted to show my love for these wonderful ladies
 
 Each surprise package included:

• A note card with an Instax photo and a personal "Will you be my brides maid?" message for each lady
• Bridal Party Buttons from One Plus One Design
• 2 Mini felted heart shaped soaps from SoFino in mint green and navy blue (our wedding colors!) in a burlap zip pouch from Target
• White, navy blue, and green felted wool acorns from Magpie Jane to represent Raleigh (the city of oaks)
• A bag of candy corn and pumpkins for something sweet that represents getting married in October
• A cute initial stamp for each

I am so happy that they all said yes! I love them all so much! I can't wait to celebrate together and share so many happy memories over the next year! <3

Technology in the Field of Obsolescence

I spotted this video in my Facebook feed this morning and knew that I wanted to repost it on my blog today. I am always a big fan of the videos that Etsy puts out and this one especially spoke to me.

Handmade Portraits: USB Typewriter from Etsy on Vimeo

Also, the Hive76 company motto, "Make things awesome by making awesome things" is brilliant.  Click here to read the post that goes along with the video on Etsy.

I really like the message in this video about how technology will no longer be passed down in the way that it once was. As a lover of both technology and collecting vintage treasures, I can see the importance of transforming old technology and bringing it together with new technology so it might carry on into future generations. 

This message about obsolescence rings true especially with the announcement of the iPhone 5 yesterday. As I watched the live feed of the Apple conference in San Fransisco in real time on theverge.com, I thought about how quickly technology changes and we must constantly keep upgrading our skills and understanding.

I work at a web design company, which means technology is essential. We discuss tech trends and changes every day and how it affects our business. When the internet doesn't work, our hands are tied. When the GoDaddy servers went down earlier this week, we almost had to call it a day since we couldn't access most of our client websites. So much of our business is based on uncontrollable outside factors, so we have to stay on top of everything!

Anyway, now I am going to watch the first 2 episodes of The New Normal, play catch with the kitten and get ready for my morning eye appointment and then work. Ciao!

Friday Favorites

This will be my baby! This little gem showed up in a mermaid costumes collection in a weekly Etsy email and I literally squealed! I might have to start hoarding collecting cute baby stuff starting with this Crochet Baby Mermaid Outfit created by Warm Fuzzy Boutique (don't tell Aaron). 

I am a big fan of the Modcloth "Be the Buyer" program and this coat that I voted on months ago was just picked! The Not a Cloud in Sight Coat is now available for sale on the website!!! Can I have a wedding registry on Modcloth...?

  The Evergreen color on the ceiling of this porch! I really like how it looks against the clean white of the walls and the woodsy background. Sunny Autumn afternoons with a cup of tea would be so pleasant in this space!

These might be the more perfect pair of classic loafers that I have ever laid eyes on. This shoe combines my favorite styles - nautical, classic, feminine and a little quirky. Beatnik Baby Striped Loafers by Shelly's on Ruche, please go on sale!

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The Many Muted Tones of Wes Anderson

Hope you have a good weekend! We are going to look at a few potential wedding venues, maybe see an afternoon screening of Celeste and Forever and possibly going downtown tonight for First Friday!

Friday Favorites

Birthday meals! I have been treated to two meals this week in honor of my 25th birthday! Tuesday night was dinner with the Maslow ladies (they co-wrote and performed a birthday rap for me on the spot!) at Poole's Diner, and yesterday my boss, Julie, treated me to lunch at PieBird! Scrumptious food, even better company, and as always, a growing love for Raleigh.

The return of my bangs. I heard Oprah once say that women should change their hair style every year to look updated and trendy. Not me, I need my bangs, forever and always. I let them grow out since my last haircut in May, just out of sheer laziness and it got a little crazy. Finally on Tuesday before work I stopped into the salon for a trim, and now the bangs are back! Happiness.

This Konica C35 Camera Lamp  handmade by Texas based designer, Milan Bender. You can find more of these awesome lamps in his Etsy shop, Retro Bender.

Catching up on season 8 of Weeds. Aaron and I sat down and watched the past 5 episodes that we missed, and we were pleasantly surprised. We have been big fans of the show from the beginning, but it was taken many different plot paths and questionable turns. The opening credits for Season 8 pay homage to that, and the writers have brought it back to being a compelling show. Also, hot Rabbi this season? Yes please.

 

My amazingly talented, kindhearted, and beautiful friend, Dana L. has created a smartphone app called Ramah365. Now, I never went to Camp Ramah (my heart belongs to Camp Louise and 21719) so I personally can't connect with anyone through this app, but it doesn't matter. I am so proud of her! Click here to read more information about the app and a bio about Dana. 

Aaron and I are packing up and getting ready to drive up to MD for the weekend, I can't wait! Hope you have a good one!

Hammock Pack Review: August

Some of you may know that I spent six months working for a surprise package company, but never saw the fruits of that labor. After reading reviews of many different surprise package companies on blogs, I finally decided to purchase subscription to Hammock Pack starting in August since it is my birthmonth! What better time to treat yourself?

I chose Hammock Pack because each box is filled with not just food or beauty products, but a variety of artisan items, many of which can be found on Etsy. Each box fits under the umbrella on a monthly theme. Their website states,

 "Every month, you'll receive a surprise pack filled with everything you need to take a much needed getaway without even leaving your home. Whether it’s as simple as a movie night or mementos from that exotic vacation you can’t find the time to take. So relax and let a little “me time” come to you."

The theme of the August box is Bed & Breakfast. The box was beautifully wrapped in starry night tissue paper with a craft paper coffee cup cut out label tied on with raffia. Also included was a well designed card with a note from Hammock Pack owner, Erin and a listing of each item with a description, a photo, and a web link. The box included a Paradise Bath Boutique travel-size Summer Peach bath collection, two Mamas Baby Love handmade washcloths, two Keep It Sweet Desserts chocolate chip cookies, a Ferris Wheels eye pillow, 2oz. of Apropos Roasters small-batch coffee, and two Folktory granola bars.

I am so happy that Bed & Breakfast was my first box! I adore this theme. The washcloths and eye pillow are my favorite items in the box so far. They are so soft! Originally I was only going to subscribe for 1 month, but I am so happy with this box, I am going to keep my subscription going.

Have you ever signed up for a surprise subscription service?

P.S. Did you spot my curious kitten?

Friday Favorites

This print that I found on Etsy by searching "Raleigh Art" needs to find a spot on one of our many (still) empty walls. It was created by Dapper Paper Co., a graphic design shop here in Raleigh. Not only does this spiffy company create typographically handsome art prints, they also create logos and packaging designs for local businesses like Slingshot Coffee Co. and Kindred Boutique.

Our new Vintage 1970's nightstands from Circa Furniture. I bought the pair this week for our guest bedroom. I wrote about my experience in finding these pieces in my review on Yelp. Skwisgaar has already discovered that they make very good hiding spots.

This beautiful 8x10 Farmers Market Print created by Katie Daisy. You can find it in her Etsy shop, The Wheatfield. There are so many other beautiful prints in her shop, but I think this one would look perfect hanging in our kitchen.

Hope you had a good week!

Friday Favorites

Chocolate! Local chocolate to be specific. Between attending the Yelp event at the Videri Chocolate Factory, and my stop at Escazú Artisan Chocolates on North Blount Street yesterday, it has been a chocolatey week!

 

Catching up on TrueBlood! I havn't been able to watch the new episodes for the past few Sundays since we have been so busy since we moved. I have been saving them up. I finally had some time before and after work yesterday to watch the past 5 episodes that I missed. It is so good! The Pam and Tara relationship is my favorite aspect of this season so far.

My new Mossimo dress that I picked up on sale this week at Target. The listing for the dress on the Target website says that it is a floral print, but it's really not. It is totally a beautiful galaxy print on an asymmetrical overlay and it's fully lined. It's my favorite new dress! There are a few other patterns that are perfect for fall and they are still on sale in store and online.

This beautiful chair from Circa Furniture in Raleigh. I read on the Yelp Talk message boards that they might be opening a brick and mortar shop soon! There are a few other local vintage shops that we haven't check out yet, hopefully we will get to them soon! We are still in search for a desk, book cases and nightstands for the guest bedroom.

 

Also found on Etsy this week, this beatiful 13 x 19 large print entitled, Married to the Sea by Clare Elsaesser. It is for sale in her Etsy shop, Tastes Orangey. I love the beautiful colors and how it features a lady in the sea, but you can't be sure if it is a mermaid or not.

Skwisgaar and I are cleaning, scrubbing, and putting away laundry this morning in preparation for Aaron's family to visit us this weekend! I am so excited to take them downtown, try a few new restaurants, go to the NC Museum of Natural Sciences,  and maybe even take a trip to the Durham farmers market! Hopefully we won't have thunderstorms all weekend long!

Hope you have a good weekend!

Etsy Favorites

Oh, how I miss my Etsy shop! Since we moved Three Ponds Vintage has been in vacation mode because everything is still packed up in boxes. I need to do some restocking, but until I figure out where all the best thrift stores are in Raleigh, I'm going to keep the shop in limbo. Hopefully I will be able to re-open shop in the fall. 

Here are 5 items from my Etsy favorites list that I currently have my eye on.

1. Recycled Glass Tabletop Diamond by Meg A. Myers Designs

2. Atomic Age Vintage Melcor Tile Trivet from Mod Apple

3. Long Enid Necklace from Freckled Nest Handmade

4. Mint Green Heart Earrings from Dariami's Handmade

5. Distressed Wood Wine Riddling Rack from Wood4Decor