Wicked good.

Ever since my husband took me to see Wicked for our anniversary, I've had a new appreciation for all things emerald. Here are some of the green things I'm newly coveting...

Chrysoprase Silver Ring, $62.50

Stella Wardrobe, $715Pratt & Lambert "Clover" wall paint

Accommodating Maillot, $188

A billboard hit.

My Earth Day/birthday weekend is off to a good start! (In case you're wondering, I'm younger than Earth Day but old enough to remember Woodsy Owl.)


I got my first present in the mail yesterday from my aunt -- and she did good! I've got a new, green place to keep my green. I've been coveting her Vy & Elle wallet for some time now, so she picked up on my not-so-subtle signals and got me one. I love repurposed products that don't look repurposed. In this case, if you aren't already familiar with Vy & Elle, you'd have no idea that their line of eco-urban bags are made from recycled billboard vinyl. Because no part of a billboard can be used twice, each one is different. Mine is red, yellow, black and white -- very rock n' roll.




You can buy them online at Greenloop, and I found this one on sale for only $16 through the Vy & Elle website, which appears to have merged with a company called Blowfish.

I speak from the receiving end of personal experience when I say that this is a great gift for that eco-conscious, fashion forward gal pal. Could even be a cool bridesmaids' gift!

Bugs!

When my mom asked what I wanted for my birthday last month, I didn't have to think very hard -- I just sent her a long list of potential suggestions from my Etsy favorites. And then promptly forgot what I'd sent, until this came in the mail:

Blue Mountain Butterfly Display, $40

Isn't it gorgeous? It's a perfectly captured Blue Mountain Butterfly, framed by Biologist/Entomologist Kevin Clarke of Bug Under Glass. He only uses farm-raised insects, and each piece has a replica vintage museum label (signed and numbered) on the back with detailed info about the species, so you can feel like a true collector.

I can't stop admiring my little butterfly, and I already have my eye on a few more to add to my collection: the Charles Darwin Callithea, or maybe the Yellow Migrant Sea Monster.

Love Affair: Mid-Century Modern

I lurrrve the look of mid-century modern furniture. It's everywhere these days, especially in the blogosphere, but unless you stumble upon a great deal when you're thrift shopping or cruising Craigslist, it's hard to find mod pieces that don't break the bank.

Which is why I squealed--loudly--when I found these mod-looking pieces from Urban Outfitters.

Danish Modern Side Table, $130.

Mid-Century Modern Rocker, $288. (Free shipping!)

Truman Coffee Table, $198.

Ooh la la!

Mini Eiffel Tower Grater, $15.

Somehow I think grating cheese would be a lot more fun if I used this.

Yum.

I have been somewhat obsessed with miso soup since I first tried it years and years ago. It's a staple on my "comfort foods" list, because it's warm, it's delicious, and it's easy on the tummy. I order it every single time I have sushi, and thanks to one of my new co-workers, I now have a delicious non-restaurant version that I keep stocked at my desk for working lunches.

I could eat this stuff every. single. day.

Annie Chun's Miso Soup Bowl, $3.49

I buy mine by the cart-full at Trader Joe's, where you can get it even cheaper, and it won't go bad--just add water and toss in the microwave for a little taste of Asian food heaven. But the best part is that it comes in a sturdy, biodegradable bowl, which makes it yummy AND good for the environment. Win!

A nice piece of grass.

Since we've started our son on solids, feeding him and the maintenance of all of the gear that comes with the territory takes up a pretty large collective chunk of my day. I actually prefer paying three times as much for the WeeGo glass baby bottles because they have fewer parts than the Dr. Brown's bottles, which means they take less time to wash (plus, they're so pretty!).

I'm always on the lookout for any products that make "have-to's" feel more like "want-to's" and the latest addition to this genre is the Grass Countertop Drying Rack from Boon. It's way easier on the eyes than its white plastic counterparts (pun intended). And I actually look forward to washing Jed's bottles and spoons because it's fun to plant them into the grass like croquet wickets.



I found mine at Target but you can buy it online through Land of Nod (one of my all-time favorite site for kids' stuff) or directly from the Boon Inc. website ($19.99 at all three places). It also makes a great shower gift. The recipient might not realize right away that it's a drying rack, but that's pretty much the whole point, isn't it?

Woven art.

Now that I'm a homeowner again (yay!), I'm slowly making my way through our house, painting the walls (I couldn't stand that our entire house was beige--I need color!), and trying to thoughtfully choose where we're going to hang our favorite things. Lately, though, I'm hoping to get rid of (donate or sell) some of the old prints that we've had since college, which has left me with some open wall space--and has sent me on the hunt for some new pieces to adorn my naked walls.

Here's one recent discovery: Tina's Baskets. Her huge, woven wallhangings are pretty mesmerizing and have great texture.