ReadyMade

Discovered some cool stuff in this issue of ReadyMade...


No more worries over lost baby mittens!


These simple ceramics by rae dunn make me smile.


Party dress platter.


Knock on wood plate.

West Elm or Bust

Last Tuesday I woke up with a wild hair to drive to San Antonio and pick up two of these Step Side Tables from West Elm (brown ones):



I called my friend Lynn, who's from San Antonio. She was fully on board with the idea of a spontaneous road trip, so I headed over to her house to pick her up.

When I arrived at Lynn's at 10 am, I went ahead and gave the store a call so they could set aside the two tables for me. Wouldn't you know, they did have the two tables...but someone else had already paid for them.

Shoot.

Well, we were all buffed and puffed and in the mood for a field trip, so we decided to just go anyway for fun. And boy, was it fun. That was one of the nicest shopping experiences I've had in a long, long time.

I've always been a fan of their merchandise (although I did discover their seating isn't comfortable to me) but the store itself is just a pleasure to be in. It was very spacious and well-designed, very light and airy. Very California. I could've stayed in there for hours.

I highly recommend the excursion...and if you go, be sure to save some time to hit the McNay art museum, as we did. They have such an incredible collection, it made me feel closer to my old haunts in NYC.

Cool Toys

If kiddos are on your shopping list this holiday season, check out this line of stylishly simple wood toys by Plan Toys. If they made all toys (and judging by their product line, they soon will), it wouldn't be so nauseating to hang out in the playroom. Oops...is my anti-Disney-Princess showing?

Home Consignment

In case you're unfamiliar with Home Consignment, up north in the Arbor Walk shopping center, it's proven to be an invaluable resource. Between 50-75% of what you see in the store has come from model homes, so this is your opportunity to get brand-new furniture and accessories for rock-bottom prices.

A few pieces I spied during a visit Wednesday night:

This metal table is sure to be a hit with those of you who want to live inside the pages of Domino magazine, and at $149, it packs a lot of style punch for very little money.

Bring this cafe set home to your patio (or breakfast nook), serve fresh French pastries and piping hot coffee, and your staycation feels more like vacation. The table and four chairs are a steal at $499.

I love the color of these chests...flanking the bed with silver sage paint on the wall behind? Gorgeous. $169 each.

A pair of these wood-topped bronze tables would be great in a small space and are scary inexpensive. $69 each! Can you just die?


Yes, I'm still in lurv with orange, and this chaise--with the tags still on, mind you--is priced shockingly low. $599!

This $199 abstract just needs to live with the orange leather chaise, no?

Home Consignment is at MoPac and 360,
in the Arbor Walk shopping center.
(A second location is in Bee Caves, at 71/620.)

10515 N MoPac Expy, Austin - (512) 346-2900

Fave Fabrics at Fanny's

If you know me at all, you know my favorite place to shop for fabrics is at Fanny's, down on South Lamar (and Treadwell). It's the only place in town where you'll find a funky mix of traditional textiles as well as mid-century modern designs you won't find anywhere else. The people there are awesome and go the extra mile to help out their customers. You also won't find a better selection of trims and I'm in love with their square wooden buttons. Very cool.


Here are some of the fabrics at Fanny's that I'm itching to use:

Tingari in Suede, $14/yd.

Interlocked Gold, on sale for $9.80/yd.

Majolica Plates, $14/yd.

I am dying to do a girl's room with this pair!

TOP: Location in Horizon, on sale for $8.40/yd.
BOTTOM: Snowflake in Olive, $14/yd.

Fanny's Fabrics is on S. Lamar, near Treadwell,
in the same shopping center as Alamo Drafthouse South.

1150 S. Lamar
Austin, TX 78704
512-442-8255

Local Etsy Goodies

I thought I'd take a look at what local artists and craftspeople are selling on Etsy. Curiously, on the day I was browsing there wasn't a lot to offer in terms of art. I did find some standouts in jewelry and fashion though. Some of my favorites from the Lone Star State:

I would love a dozen or so of these adorable tops for the summer. The fabric is from Amy Butler, one of my favorite textile designers, and this Dallas designer will custom fit your top if you send a few measurements!

I love the slightly different neckline on these T's, and the imagery reminds me of wall graphics.

The 3D effect created by sandwiching art between various glass layers in this pendant is so interesting.

These drop earrings are great for dressing up or down.

I adore the simple design of these delicately interlocked circles. This would make a fantastically symbollic anniversary present.

Wearable art to go, this necklace will pop if you pair it with a crisp, white tee for summer.