Miss Modish- Mojo Maker

The Cat's Meow

{image from Picocat}

June is almost over (wha?) so I figured it's high time for the Cat's Meow list this month (yay!) Some things that have been ringing my bell lately:

These adorable plush kitty friends from new (PDX based) shop Rad Cat would make cute couch companions! Made from vintage and reclaimed fabric so they're eco-friendly too.

I've been eyeing these awesome Ray-bans for a few weeks and they just went on sale. Come to momma! via Sage & Style

These fantastic notecards with colorful retro designs by Pie Bird Press would make excellent additions to my thank-you card collection. Via Eat, Drink, Chic.

And I love the new canvas + leather line of bags by Portlander, Entermodal- a sneak peek from photog Sweet Ronit!

This Let's Move to the Mountains print by In Haus Press speaks to my heaving mountain girl heart. Via Design Crush

Love these gorgeous tours of creative people in their spaces by another local photog, Carlie Armstrong, for her ongoing project, work.place.

And these are a bright idea for a different kind of watch and so so cute! From Aussie brand So Little Time. Via All the Mountains

The Piccola Mag premeire issue was just released and I have a little article in it 'bout shopping local- it's free and pretty, check it out!

These funky-fantastic bracelets made with antique African beads by Vanessa Mooney, at Cameo Noveau

And the talented miss Mati Rose let me know about her new venture with her artist friends Stefanie & Tiffany, The Teahouse Studio! It's an inviting creative art studio and workshop space in Berkeley, CA and I wanna gooo! They have lots of inspiring workshops up ahead- check em out!

And Michele at Tierra Verde sent me a way too generous thank you gift for a project I did for her (thanks again Michele!) and I am addicted to her soaps now. I love them all, including the felted one! My favorite tho is the Green Earth Gardener's Soap- it has tiny little scrubba dubba elements that feel sooo good on your hands and it's super foamy and smells fresh and yummy!

Eco-Friendly Find: Megan Leone

Megan Leone is a lovely lady from Newburyport, MA, running a one-lovely-lady company crafting gorgeous accessories from vintage and reclaimed materials. Her motto: "fashion from the ashes : recycled - reimagined" pretty much says it all.

I thought I'd give Megan a special shout-out today, because through the end of the month (you've got 3 shopping days left, people!) she's donating 25% of all sales from her Etsy shop to a very good cause. I'm quite partial to her line of reclaimed leather earrings, but there's lots of loveliness in that shop, from bracelet clutches to chunky rock rings, and more. Go, shop, and help Megan help a lady in need.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Eco-Friendly Find: Mohop

This is my first year living in Portland, and it began in November. I came prepared for winter. For rain. I came totally unprepared for how looooooooooong of a wait it would be for summer. Friends back East are taking shelter in the a/c, and I've barely turned off the heat! And my toes are dreaming about sandal weather. Super, super cute, mohop sandal weather.

With soles handmade from sustainably sourced wood, and a neat elastic loop system that allows you to change out the ribbon ties—for infinite color and style combinations in one sweet pair of shoes—how can you go wrong? Find them on Etsy and the lovely mohop site.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

The Cat's Meow

:: image source, by Lynn 

Making me purr this week...(seems I've got the springtime itch alright)

These adorable little DIY donuts from a tutorial over at ikat bag- they look good enought to eat!

These Scotch Naturals polishes are intriguing me, and 10% off at Beautorium right now- anyone tried them? Supposedly no base or top coat needed!

These needlepoint loafers are the stuff my granny-chic dreams are made of.

This cats of the world poster by Gemma Correll is TOO. CUTE! Over at L'Affiche Moderne.

This chickadee doormat might bring all the neighborood kitties to your door, from Modcloth

This gorgeous necklace from Asian iCandy, inspired by traditional Maio techniques

This spring-tastic new Blossom Pop collection from Bonbi Forest- makes me think of bubblegum and rollerskates and longer days.

This delicious bouquet full of sunshine and cheer-up juice, by Emerson Merrick.

These so simple and pretty ceramic milk bottle vases, at Canvas

And, this hanging human nest pod of awesomeness by Dedon {via Going Home to Roost!}

My gardening fingers are really itching now after seeing those flowers. Please Portland weather, let me dig in the dirt this weekend- pleeeease!

http://shop.canvashomestore.com/collections/ceramics/products/morandi-hand-made-bottle-vases

The Cat's Meow

:: image from the State Library of NSW

A shorter but hopefully still sweet list of what's making me purr this week...

These crazy vintage moccasin style oxfords that I wish were my size, from Action Vintage

Man oh man, these gorgeous ombre tights by KronKron, at Olive Shoppe, are just begging to become my springtime legs. If only they were begging a little less expensively!

This gorgeous original oil painting by Maria Kitano, found via Rachel B!

This amazing vintage clock from The Vintage Cabin. What's that clock? You think you'd look really awesome in our bedroom on a side table? Ooh, I agree clock, I agree!

These "shriner's fez" necklaces with pretty agates and brass tassles by We Never Sleep

This Slow Breathing print by Samantha French- ahh, sun, water, floating...I want it all.

This pretty "passenger bag" by Sketchbook, love the blue wool and leather combo

And this cute tricks & magic set over at House 8810, because I totally had a magic kit when I was little and it was so much fun!

The dork in me also has to let you know I'm really digging the new Firefox- are you using it yet? It's faster, friendlier and now has a little thing called TAB GROUPS (pictured above)- serious life changer.

Eco-Friendly Find: SigniCASE

Despite being a web designer and occasional blogger / web entrepreneur, I am remarkably behind when it comes to tech gadgets. My phone is pretty sorry—definitely not "smart" and absolutely not an iPhone. But if it were an iPhone, you can be sure I'd be picking up one of these awesome cases from SigniCASE.

Etched from natural woods, including bamboo, these cases are eye-catching, functional, and super-fun. Hold up one of these to snap a picture and I think you'll be sure to get some smiles.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

Eco-Friendly Find: Hoakon + Helga

In just two short days I'll be heading off for a much-needed sunny, warm weekend in Florida. And how I wish I had a Hoakon + Helga duffel to pack for the trip...

The current line of bags from Canadian designer Andi—the talent behind Hoakon + Helga—incorporates vintage leather coats into its designs, pairing the sustainablility of reclaimed materials with the unique character of each worn and loved jacket to make some truly lovely luggage.

Liz Grotyohann is a co-founder of cosa verde, a marketplace for handmade, environmentally-conscious goods.

The Cat's Meow

:: photo source

Making me purr this week:

These cute little vintage bug plates, perfect for holding little trinkets, from Monki Vintage

These perfumes by D.S. & Durga sound awfully enticing- anyone ever tried them? I think the "cowgirl grass" scent sounds like it would smell like my childhood home out in the high desert.

These gorgeous and simple little antique stud earrings from Erica Weiner

This stunning mixed media piece (all her work) by Sarajo Frieden, via my Get Your Paint On class!

These gorge eyeshadow colors from Lumiere Et Alouette

These pretty porcelain rings that spell "LOVE" in braille, by MaaP Studio

This springy vintage umbrella from brand new shop, Scout & Smith Vintage

This pretty vintage tote with hand-embroidered flowers and supple caramel leather, at Spool 72

This cute little handmade doggie planter by Miriam Brugmann

The new Radiohead album, which I've had on repeat for days

This sweet trio droplet necklace by MIni Cyn

And this is the Holiday Hair Studio! The newest and cutest little cart on the block, only this one is an adorable salon. I got my haircut there this past weekend and it's the first cut I've gotten in over 3 years by someone other than myself! I haven't trusted anyone with my curls in a long long time, but Robin did an amazing job- I love it! She gave me just what I wanted and sculpted my curls, more than cut them. She's a painter too and I can tell her artistic eye is put to good use with hair too- it looks awesome! Thanks Robin! 

Own+Adore: My LF Rainboots

For Christmas, the mister and I decided to just buy ourselves one thing we've really been wanting for awhile as our main "gift". So, my Christmas present was to finally get a pair of the Loeffler Randall Rain Booties I had been coveting for months on end. And you know what? I think I've worn them everyday since! 

Small confession: This is the first time I've spent over $100 on any pair of shoes. I didn't even for my wedding! I have been living so thrifty for so many years, building up an ever rotating wardrobe full of cute and cheap second-hand things, that I just couldn't even consider spending that much on any ONE thing. But now that I have them, I think they're worth every penny! 

I can wear them with my funny 90's peg leg jeans or skinny pants or big wide leggers and they look great with it all- worth it! And I love how they fit! Typical rainboots are just too wide for my skinny ankles and calves and make my feet feel like they're floating around in aerospace- these hug my feet and keep them warm with wooly socks and they don't even look like rainboots- worth it! Plus they're comfy to walk around in for hours and I can jump in puddles and splash the mister- so worth it!

So, the moral of the story is, sometimes quality is worth a little (affordable for you) splurge. I think I'm definitely going to be incorporating more quality staples into my wardrobe this year to complement my thrifted finds because it's nice to have a little of both worlds!

And you know what else is worth it? 

Pedicures in the middle of winter! (ok, maybe not- but look, I have little flowers on my toes! :)

The Cat's Meow

:: photo source

Making me purr this week... 

This diy constellation embroidery kit from Miniature Rhino

This overnight bag made from a vintage leather jacket, by Hoakon Helga 

This pretty crop top from Planet Blue, to maybe wear with... 

These so cute spring trousers from Steven Alan

These gorgeous ocean jasper earrings, by Catherine Chandler

The infused sugar how-to in the new issue of Joie magazine

These stunning silk photo scarves by Maria Alexandra Vettese- they'd look as beautiful up on a wall as wrapped around your neck! Available at cheilliswilson.com

This beautiful cosmic mantra print by Ana Montiel, love the pastels- from Little Paper Planes

This pretty little "wearable planter" (it's a necklace!) by Colleen Jordan

This pretty ceremony necklace by Thief and Bandit- love the color combination

These iceberg studies by Jeremy Miranda- they're all original paintings, so pretty! 

These handmade cork jars by Paula Lopez-Otero- I've been wanting one for so long to hold our coffee grounds!

These swimsuits from Mara Hoffman, at Bona Drag (I also really like this one but it's sold out) 

My friend Ronit is swimsuit shopping for an upcoming trip to Hawaii and it made me realize, I haven't gotten a new swimsuit in over 5 years! And the ones I do have are too tiny-iny for my, how do you say, growing body. hah! I think it's high time for a new one, and then to find a swimmin' hole this summer to use it in, hmm...