Nonpareil

I just returned from a trip to St. Charles, Illinois with my daughter, Ella. It’s about a 40 minute drive from our house…through some pretty serious countryside. We were invited to an open house for an adorable shop called Lola B’s Boutique. The owner, Kasey, is a fellow California native {she hates the Illinois winters as much as I do!}. She has a fantastic 100 year old home {photos here}, which is the perfect setting for her anthropologie-ish goodies! Until her next open house, or if you’re not in the area, you can find her things at her online shop, or check out her really lovely blog!

I met the gals from Wonder Kids a couple of years ago at a craft show in Evanston, Illinois. It was great to see them once again at our show this past weekend!! I bought one of their plush, and adorable super-hero towels for my niece. She loved it. The towels are really well made, with extra-thick terry, and have a little button closure on the front. You can place an order by phone or email via their site…you are sure to get great service!

My business partner and I did a small craft show to benefit a local school this past weekend. I’m sick of doing craft shows. I’ll just come right out and say it. Schlepping our stock {paper is HEAVY}, and display {iron…seriously, what were we thinking…an IRON cart!!}, putting everything up, taking it all down. I get really cranky. Especially when it’s in the snow. Hmm…maybe it’s just the snow that’s making me cranky….

Anyhow, the one thing that I like about doing shows, is that we meet some fantastic artists and crafty people.  I just LOVE that! This past weekend we were lucky enough to be see a favorite vendor from a show we did two years ago {more about that in my next post}, and someone new! Her name is Karyn, and her shop is Den-10 Studio. I’m totally in love with her little prints! I think I have to have the thermos print for my kitchen….and how adorable is her bff print?! So sweet! You can buy all of her prints at her Etsy shop.

I just discovered San Francisco based Nola Bella jewelry this week, and couldn’t wait to post about it right away. I especially love the tangly chains, and wide chain-y bracelets. OOH!! Top of my list is the clover pendant {above, center}. A little bit edgy, but still sophisticated…LOVE!!

I’m loving the cool belts, wrist cuffs and other metal goods from Indianapolis based Fosterweld. They have great styles for both boys and girls, as well as for your casa. I especially like the roughed-up hot pink buckle {above, left}…and those MIRRORS! Love. I want a set of 3. They sell stuff on their site, as well as on Etsy.