Gotta have it: Becky OH! Handbags

A don't miss giveaway

and one fab online shop

   

Becky OH! makes one hell of a handbag. Her one-of-a-kind creations are available in a number of different styles; each with thoughtful details like bamboo handles, contrast zippers, and punchy pattern pairings. Recently interviewed as part of the ambitious and well curated The Bright Side Project--and currently participating in a mighty fine giveaway--Becky O. settled in New Hampshire where she lives with her husband, after traveling five of the seven seas. 

{a chance to win} Read an interview with Becky and enter her giveaway @ The Bright Side Project. 

{shop online} Be sure to stop by the Becky OH! website and shop the full line of purses, clutches, cosmetic bags, and other products.

All photos c/o Becky OH! and The Bright Side Project.

Uncluttered stainless fridge door no more, grocery lists come out of hiding

I love stainless fridges - but all those cool magnet and magnet-backed products don't work on stainless surfaces. So I was excited when last year at The National Stationery Show I came across the colorful and unique Happeez product line of clips, notepads, + frames. 

On my fridge: a doodle "teddies like breakfasts", a cloth-covered frame with a photo of me and my eldest brother, and a notepad for jotting down notes and grocery lists.  

The Happeez products will gladly stick to stainless, tile, glass, and just about anything else without a lick of residue. From their website: "Revolutionary material grips to slick surfaces, including stainless steel refrigerators, with no residue. Stick and restick again and again." How does it grip to all those surfaces? I have not idea! It is such amazing stuff that it is patent pending. I love my set in the Mod Dot pattern and I made fast fans of the recipients (and jealous friends) of the Happeez products I have gifted. Rid yourself of empty fridge door syndrome - get your own Happeez products.

Springtime: feathers in your hair, butterflies whispering in your ear, favorite charms around your neck..

Delicate jewelry and showstopping-yet-demure hair accessories - the TenThings store is a delight.

I am sticking my big toe into spring and I'm ready to jump in! Are you ready for some new favorites? Come meet Kerri J!

There are a bounty of items from TenThings that are a perfect compliment to a breezy spring day. Long neglected, some of my lonely vintage dresses will get a new feathered friend in the form of a fine headband. For kicking around town during the day you can't beat the voodoo heart necklace charm! Visit TenThings and the companion store Tulle on Etsy and read the Blah Blah Blah Blahg.

{inspiration} I discovered TenThings when I was lucky enough to have her win Crow & Canary's Twitter giveaway for my gnome bookmark. Follow @Ten10Things on Twitter!

:: red :: pops everywhere

It's undeniable, the color red is no wallflower. Poppies, fire, strawberries and stop signs- red is the old standby to add an "exclamation point" to just about anything. Red creates icons with a shade of lipstick or on upholstered chair. 

Buy this super cute apple necklace @etsy.

Lately I've been noticing vibrant red popping up everywhere, from Oscars dresses to interior design. Why not paired with library-cool frocks & leathers (ala Prada) or neutrals (C. Kane)? Not ready for an all red kitchen, well then maybe take a chance on the retro styled mixer. Be brave with red.

{red in my life} 

on my wall: painting by Ian Nicholas

on my wrist: perky vintage bracelet

in my hood: red cargo van

{my inspiration}

I happened upon this vintage coffee press for sale in The Estate Store's virtual storefront. I started to collect a folder of bookmarks titled 'red' to keep ideas organized for this post. 

credits & links for main graphic: clockwise from boots: 

1-4 Prada Fall 2009 coverage @style.com | 5 Nanette Lepore Spring 2009 @style.com | 6 Snow White's apple necklace - shop gjentagelsen @etsy.com | 7 Nanette Lepore Spring 2009 @style.com | 8 Christopher Kane Spring 2009 @style.com | 9 Kitchenaid Stand Mixer @Macy's.com (on sale!) | 10 Ikea kitchen @ikea.com | 11 Red Velvet Cupcakes recipes @foodtv.com 

The ultimate party favor - Cupcake Soaps by MadeByMe

I happened upon this hard-to-pass-up gift item in the MadeByMe store. Precious cupcake soaps.

Available in a variety of tempting scents, these soaps look just like your favorite indulgence without the guilt. I can see them as part of a place-setting at a birthday or bridal/baby shower, or maybe packaged in cute little cupcake boxes and stacked in a tower as wedding favors (oooh with a monogramed sticker on the box, natch.) These delightful faux-treats can even be glittered on special request. (And you know I love me some glitter.) Scents:
Peanut Butter Fudge, Strawberry, Watermelon, Tea Rose, Sugar Cookie, Pumpkin Pie, Toasted Marshmallow, Baby Powder, Orange Blossom, Lavender, Sandalwood, Wisteria, Jasmine, Plumeria, Patchouli

Lust After Munki Munki Gnome Pajamas

I have been a huge fan of the Munki Munki line of pajamas for some time. Their products have the most clever vignette patterns by illustrator great Heather Ross

. 

Their adorable gnome poplin pajamas are currently on sale in The Horizontal Life online store. Many other patterns to choose from, but the gnome pattern is definitely a fave. If I were to pick one gift I would reallly like for Valentine's Day it would be this pajama set. I can see myself curling up to watch a movie or reading my current book addiction, eating some milk and cookies. Not to mention the gnomes would pair well with the fuzzy-slipper-boot-socks I bought elsewhere on sale recently for $4. Steal!

BRING THE LOVE: Gnome items from MultiplePersonality

Continuing Gnome week here on the Owen Says Blog. I adore this Gnome Girl Plush and Gnomes Print (edition of 50) from the Kansas City artist Sara's MultiplePersonality store on Etsy. The most darling little girl illustration available in a few different colors. I'm partial to the green. This is one of those items that I would buy as a gift for a friend and end up keeping for myself. Bring the love!

GNOME & MUSHROOM PRINT now available

Visit the Owen Says Store for new products not found anywhere else. First up, two Gnome & Mushroom items to coincide with the free desktop wallpaper posted here on the blog earlier this week. 

Fine Art Print

 

Desk Calendar

 

two page downloadable and printable

Celebrity Stationery Shopping

There is nothing more fun than cruising the aisles of the stationery store, looking for that special card or invitation for that certain someone or event. I love my job and I like to imagine all of the special moments that my little pieces of artwork have witnessed. Sentiments shared, thank you's made... And it is no secret that I love me some good celebrity scoop while simultaneously thrilled that there are no photogs following me around to get my morning makeup-free-hair-crazy-pillow-creased-face-coffee-run on film and then plaster it all up on the internet. I am thankful it is a part of someone else's job.

In the spirit of celebrity voyerism, I give you the first entry of Celebrity Stationery Shopping. This is a special edition, with both celebs shopping in stores where my line, Owen Says Paper & Gifts, is carried.

Hally Berry @ Kate's Paperie
in New York City on May 31, 2006. (source)



A then-pregnant Katie Holmes @ Soolip Paperie
in West Hollywood on April 07, 2006. (source)

(click image for larger view)

Crafty Wonderland - what I did this sunday in Portland

Today I visited Crafty Wonderland @ the Doug Fir in Portland, Oregon. A monthly showcase of kickin artists and crafters.

I coveted these gorgeous layered resin pendants made by a really talented lady by the name of Faryn Davis from Seattle. Check out her website Fernworks to see her very special jewelry and artwork. They are definately one of my next purchases. I love the new colorful hand painted layered bird and grass themes. (not shown)

Unfortunately I spent all my loot yesterday on mother's day gifts (retro black and lime travel umbrella, special no-sweat garden gloves and a chocolate cupcake) and the most beautiful pair of shoes I just had to own, an unusual occurance for this very picky and usually cheap girl.

My mad-money budget being only $5, I decided on the 3 hand painted button pins made by painter Madoka Ito. She also had some really great original artwork on display in the style shown  here.

Today I will also visit Post Secret -- an online art blog project that intended to be temporary, but instead has spawned art shows, books, and a cult following. Always facinating and updated every Sunday.

plush cuteness abounds

i love the site called mypapercrane.com with crafts by heidi kennedy. 

she creates some of the cutest things in the world. seriously, how can your mood not be improved by plush donuts and cupcakes? it is almost like huggable prozac. check out her store and blog by linking through her main website!