Chalk writing

I'm a great fan of these school board stickers. There's none in my house yet, but I think it should. It's so much fun to write down your ideas, hunches or reminders the old fashioned way, with chalk. And if not for you, I'm sure the children will enjoy this reindeer where they can write and draw on. This reindeer is for sale at Dutch web shop Sooo, but there are many more to find with google.

Mongolian craftsmen ship

I must be in a felt mood, because these winter coats are made of that material. Yesterday I was longing for spring and I still am, but I also found a reason to embrace winter a little longer; these fair-trade winter coats. They are manufactured in Mongolia by local craftsmen and I love the pretty detailing and the roses on the shoulder. There are more felt products for sale at Dutch web shop Engii.

Longing for spring

While walking in the woods yesterday I discovered the first buds between a carpet of dark brown leaves. After a closer inspection it turned out they were snow clocks rising from the earth. I took it as a first sign of the turning of the season. The euphoric moment soon past when I came home with rather frozen feet. So to keep on to the good 'spring won't be long now'-mood I decided to post this old time favorite carpet of mine by the Dutch Jo Meesters. It's called 'My secret Garden' and a real explosion of colours, cheer and beauty, designed in 2006.

Robin necklace

I desperately want to have this piece of jewelry. My bird obsession still didn't fade and the image of these robins on the vintage necklace is just a lust for sore eyes. Or at least a lust for my eyes. It's created by For The Cross Jewelry Designs who sell beautiful vintage inspired jewels. I saw this necklace first on someone else's blog, but can't remember where. If you are reading this let me know and I'll link to your blog.

Green shopping

Nowadays it's all about consciousness and taking responsibility for your part on this earth. That means that grocery shopping isn't done with plastic bags, but with your own re-usable one. Being green, doesn't mean you have to carry around ugly shoppers. These fabulous linen bags with botanical prints by Sadie Olive offer a stylish solution.

Natural vases

While working on a magazine article I came across these beautiful felted vases by Dutch creative Erica Hogenbirk. She studied fashion design and specialized in knitting techniques. It shows, because the vases, stools and bags look gorgeous. As do the patterns she chooses. They are inspired by nature, tattoos and even maps of churches. The material used is 100% natural. To see more of her work please visit her website.

Surreal landscapes

copyright©Scarlett Hooft Graafland
I adore these surreal artworks work by Dutch artist Scarlett Hooft Graafland. She studied sculptures and that's how she looks at her photographs, sculpted. While taking photograps she installs objects into the landscapes inspired by local legends, customs and nature with amazing results. These were taken in Bolivia. The international art scene has noticed her and her work was on show in London, Toronto and China. This year in June there will be an exposition of her work until the end of August at Huis Marseille in Amsterdam.

Tree watering can

On Mondays I seem to post more practical items than on other days of the week. After all the weekend is gone and it's back to work for most of us, but I love to combine work and play. In the category 'chores' I found this funky tree watering can from Invotis design. It's affordable and comes in three colours. To order or have a closer look click here.

Dark fairytales

These illustrations by Liza Falzon are a bit dark and haunting, but have the sweetest ingredients. It's a great contradiction and I wouldn't mind owning one of the pocket mirrors she sells. The titles given to the art works are just as special. What to think of 'secret lovers', where the wolf and red riding hood are having a secret affair? And does Snow white trust the woodsman? Check out more of her art by clicking this link.

Bird on a wire

These pegs are the perfect gift for all those who aren't taken by doing daily chores. Instead of taking a big sigh while hanging up your freshly washed clothes it might actually become fun. For one it gives a pretty picture from a distance. And who knows, it might even seduce the children and your husband to hang up the washing for you. A box contains 25 pegs and you can order them at Scandivis.

Coloured vases

Pretty amazing pictures of this artwork by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius. The vases are currently on show in Rotterdam museum Booijmans van Beuningen as part of the exhibition Misfit. For this exhibition Jongerius experimented with colour, using a combination of old mineral based paints used in the old days and mixing them with newer, sometimes even industrial colours. Unfortunately you won't find the vases looking like on the pictures anymore, because forty of the three hundred vases were broken when a visitor accidently fell on the ceramics last month.

H&M goes botanical

The H&M Home spring collection is in stores now. Inspiration seems to come from classic botanical prints as used for these cushions and bed linen made from biological cotton. I also saw a lot of flowers and tea towels with an old fashioned look.

Leaf print tables

I find them stunning, these pliny end tables created by artists Pamela Holmes and Brad Wilson. Each is handmade and unique with prints of sage, banana leafs and Eucalyptus among other things. These are inspired by the ancient book Naturalis Historia, written during the Classical period and one of the first works examining natural objects. To see more of their beautiful furniture visit their website.

The art of wrapping

I know. We've just wrapped hundreds of presents for Christmas and probably had enough of it for the rest of the year. But birthday presents can look just as fine and why not invest in a 'wrapping collection'. I adore this sticky tape by Heart Zeena, a shop ran by a textile designer from London who sells the loveliest hand printed articles. As for the tape. It will soon be added to my collection.

Spirit of the birds

I just recently came across the beautiful illustration work of Yee Von Chan, a 26-year old born and raised in Malaysia with a degree in art. The images have a dreamy, magical feel about them and the forest and the animals are obviously her sources of inspiration. Her artworks show trees, unicorns and birds among other things. In her shop you can purchase prints, but there are much more goodies to choose from like cards, bags (via her envelop shop) and bookmark clips. To visit her website, click here.

Wood & word

I'm in love with these soft coloured signs by Wood & Wool Stool. The lettertype, the colours chosen, the used wood... I think it's fabulous and has a great 'I need'-factor. And also nice to know: owner Ingrid Jansen will custom make them for you. The Dutch creative started her company two years ago and her material of choice is always recycled wood. She began with the stools with the crocheted slipcovers, but there is much more to her collection. Please check out her website here.

Retro owl rug

If I wouldn't know better, I'd think this was a shot straight out of a room in the sixties. Company Mini Moderns is specialized in the vintage look. The print designs are retro with a modern touch. They are inspired by textile designs of the 1950’s to vintage toys and games. Next to this lovely owl rug, they also sell a great range of wallpapers.

The frozen world

copyright©Vincent Munier
After all the festivities the last couple of weeks I always fall in a 'hole' called January. It's still several months before trees and plants start blossoming and winter seems endless. These cold shots leave me in awe however. They show the incredible beauty and serenity of the winter season. The photographs are made by French wildlife photographer Vincent Munier who is specialized in cold weather photography and won several awards for his work. If you can't get enough of his work, you can purchase his book 'White Nature' here. It contains beautiful images of the silent and frozen world.

Counting the days

A new year, new chances and a new calendar of course. I usually don't 'do' calendars since I enjoy living by the day and just looking out of the window to see where we are at, but for this gorgeous one from The Wild Unknown I'll happily make an exception. The feather prints are amazing and so are the colours used. The 'years of feathers' calender is silkscreened, hand-watercoloured, signed and numbered. Go on. Give yourself a treat at the start of 2011.