I melt every time I see the chic, romantic designs from the Etsy shop, The First Snow. 

I simply adore the custom cake toppers but The First Snow really knows how to do chalkboard with perfection. LOVE their signage.

Everything is hand-painted then digitally converted for printing. The attention to detail and ability to use custom colors to match your celebration makes for the most charming accents.

Super sweet yet a touch vintage...and a touch rustic.

Cheers!

Photo credit: The First Snow via Etsy

Labor. Art. Ingenuity.

Inspired by the American Dream, Wisconsin artist, Alisa Toninato has created the coolest hand-crafted iron skillets on the planet.

With my strong Midwest roots, I am always partial to anyone who has had residency in Minnesota or Wisconsin, and Alisa and FeLion Studios is no exception.

I love her notion of utility art and her connection to DIY scene, hometown culture and American optimism. I love that she built her own small operation iron art foundry. I love that she uses old-school techniques of wood patterns and two-part sand moulds to pour her cast-iron skillets.

I just flat out love these pans. (And so does Martha Stewart. Alisa was recently named a 2012 Craft Honoree for the American Made Awards.)

Okay, so I can't stop dreaming about these pans. Envision the ultimate Wisconsin grilled cheese made to perfection in one of these seasoned skillets. 

Some of the original pans are for sale but I was excited to learn that she contracted with a Twin Cities foundry to manufacture the "Cook with Pride" Wisconsin skillet - with Minnesota and other states to soon follow!

Made in America. (Quite beautifully, I might add...)

Cheers!

Photo credit: FeLion Studios

Love at first sight.

That was truly how I felt when I first laid eyes on Ila Handbags. Nothing short of stunning.

The husband and wife duo that make up Ila Handbags share strong backgrounds in design and branding. Started in 2010 and based in Minneapolis, each of clutch is impeccably handcrafted and a testament to vintage + modern perfection.

Box. Kisslock. Framed. Envelope.

 

 

  

While I'm completely enamored with the chic ready-to-wear designs, my favorite option is the custom clutch. The suggestion of taking your mother's wedding dress, father's shirt or grandmother's sari and creating a truly heirloom piece is genius (and SO meaningful.)

Cheers!

Photo credit: Ila Handbags

Happy Friday!

And how happy are these hand-painted bowls. I am so excited about my discovery of The Bocket Store on Etsy! What a great way to end the week...

Sometimes there's nothing better than creating a modern, new look for a vintage piece. Each dot is hand painted with love, no doubt. So fresh and cool. I want one...or two!

Dot. Dot. Dot.

What's old is new again...beautifully.

Cheers!

Photo credit: The Bocket Store via Etsy

Another great clutch discovery over at Allisa Jacob's shop on Etsy! Love. Love. Love.

I am smitten with these petite cosmetic bags - and the hand embroidery is divine. All of the charming details -from the fabric to the structure to the impeccable stitching. Adorable.

Allisa Jacobs' shop features custom wedding collections with oodles of colors and variations to choose from...so cute that you are guaranteed a bridesmaid bear hug and a grateful shriek of joy (at least that's what I would do!).

I love that many of the bags are made of fabric that Allisa has designed herself! So cool. So happy to have found Allisa Jacobs on Etsy!

Cheers!

Photo credit: Allisa Jacobs via Etsy