Found Furnishings

Again I ask your pardon after a long absence. Aside from my very active toddler, who makes the entire concept of "free time" laughable, I have been keeping busy with other endeavors. I'm teaching print & digital publications at the local community college, I'm doing a bit more freelance graphic design, and last but not least, I bought a furniture shop.

Wait, what?



Yes, you read that correctly. After 10+ years of what-ifs and lofty dreams, my mother and I, along with my aunt Sari, now co-own the coolest furniture and home decor shop in West Texas.

Souvenirs from New Zealand

Retro Funk Vintage shop in Oamaru

New Zealand and Australia are loaded with souvenir shops. There are good ones and there are bad ones, and my least favorite ones are the ones packed with cheesy, cheaply made imported junk. If I could only bring back one thing from New Zealand, why would it be made somewhere else? Because someone stamped New Zealand on it? Because it's in the shape of a kiwifruit?

My idea of a good souvenir is something made in the country, preferably by an artisan or a local factory. In New Zealand, all sorts of things used to be made domestically, before it was easier and cheaper to import. During many of my thrift store wanderings, I have come across many vintage garments, homewares and toys made in New Zealand. Here are a few of the great things Sam and I have collected in New Zealand.

Family Reunion, Covington edition

Despite my woeful absence of late, I have not abandoned the blog! This post is extra long to make up for lost time. We just returned to Texas after nearly a month long visit to the east coast. This was my longest visit to Charleston so far, and we had a wonderful time catching up with Sam's family.

Goodbye Oamaru

Sookie at rest

Dear Oamaru, thanks for the great company, our first penguin sightings, my first attempt to learn poker, whisky tastings, cute dogs & cats, and all the good moustache spotting.

Animal Illustration by Charley Harper

You might recognize Charley Harper's style, as I do, from old Golden Books. I most prefer his simplified illustrations when jumbled in a collage, how about you?

The Shiny World of Leah Giberson

Desert Camper 2

Leah Giberson's work has always fascinated me. Her distinct style is as memorable as her subject matter of vintage houses, caravans and objects. In her work, mundane suburban objects are painted in harsh light, with their surroundings pared down until they appear otherworldly.

Inspired: Vintage Photorealism

If you know me, you know how I feel about vintage, classic cars and antiques. Something about the colors and shapes of old things draw me in, along with the patina and charm they have acquired over their long life. On top of that I'm a sucker for photorealism, so when I saw Christopher Stott's oil paintings, I knew I had to share them here.

Occupy Etsy

I've been thinking a lot about the upcoming holidays.  Sam and I don't know where we'll be yet, only that we'll be somewhere in the South Island of New Zealand, celebrating our first Christmas in the height of summer.  It will be a frugal year for us, and our first Christmas away from our families. 

Obviously Christmas is not just about presents, but if you're in the giving mood, I recommend buying from local or independent artists and craftspeople.  Not only does the recipient get a nice gift, but it's a perfect way to give back to small businesses and neighbors at the same time.

I haven't been on Etsy much in the past few months, mainly because I don't want to be tempted, but I went there today and saw a few things that caught my attention.  First, these vintage ornaments from Hindsvik in Canada.  They remind me of a few ornaments we have from my dad's childhood: fragile, glass and brightly colored like candy.  I love those ornaments and I would love to have some more like them one day.

Treasured: Take Me Away

I created a new treasury on Etsy and I thought I should share it here!

You can see my older treasuries here.