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waysideviolet - cozy, lovely things

interview: super duper things

September 2, 2010 il_fullxfull.165538389

One of my favorite things about Etsy, actually maybe my favorite thing, is that no matter how much time I spend trolling it’s pages for handmade gold I’m always finding new and beautiful little shops. Thankfully there are lots of other eyes and blog friends exploring and posting about new finds.

Just a few days ago I found the dreamy Etsy shop Super Duper Things because of Amanda’s post.  The shop’s owner was sweet enough to make time for a little interview. Thank you Louise!

Louise and lovely work area

Louise and her lovely work area

Q. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
My name is Louise and I’m a Graphic Design graduate living and working in the UK. I make jewellery, accessories and sometimes homewares mostly from found and recycled bits and bobs.

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pretty things

September 1, 2010 18knxc

Today and this whole week really has been kind of crazy. But now it’s a wonderful, rainy evening and I get to spend it watching silly movies and snacking on gummi bears, yay! It’s feels good to have all the errands and chores done and now relaxing is at the top of the to do list. Well relaxing and showing you some pretty things!

Joel’s office went downtown yesterday and took an architecture boat tour of the city as an office bonding sort of thing. He took so many great photos but this house is my favorite…

Chicago Architecture

It looks like kind of place that would have all kinds of wonderful nooks and surprises. I think this bookcase staircase would be a perfect fit.

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happy september!

September 1, 2010 4102256032_887de8db17

Hurray! September is here and that means my favorite season is just around the corner!

I love pretty much everything about Fall: that special crispy autumn smell, wearing scarves and sweaters again, candied apples, collecting pretty leaves on our walks, and baking and eating lots of pies!

fall is coming!

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This September I want to explore new coffee shops, get lost in good books, wear layers, and take lots of photos! We have tons of fall birthdays in my family and I want to make each one a little extra special this year. Time to get brainstorming!

*front page photo (that’s my puppy!) credit


handmade clothes

August 31, 2010 lonie mae for red velvet art

Just in time for the still too hot for comfort weather that has been hanging around Chicago these days, Elsie‘s shop, Red Velvet Art, started carrying a brand new clothing line, Lonie Mae. It looks so perfect for this left over summer heat!

Each piece is one of a kind and handmade by one crafty girl named Kendra. My favorites are the soft blues and dovey grays. All the pieces have a beautiful drape and perfect details!

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music monday

August 31, 2010 4596177248_24f1b8e6a9_z_large

I’m sneaking in a late Music Monday this morning because these two are just too good! Our friend Andre has a remix company called RAC and they just released a remix they did for Ra Ra Riot. I kind of love it!

You can listen to it for yourself over here and check out more RAC remix tunes over there.

ra ra riot

ra ra riot

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always, sometimes, never

August 30, 2010 always, sometimes, never

Hello! I hope Monday is treating you nicely!

I think this photo is so perfect for a Monday. Sitting outside with pretty flowers and breezes sounds lovely and kind of perfect to me right now!

click photo for credit

Amanda from Here Comes The Sun posted a little “Always, Sometimes, Never” over the weekend. I thought looked fun so I thought I’d play along:

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odds and ends

August 29, 2010 odds and ends

Oh my goodness! I can’t believe that the weekend is almost over! Friday night we went out for a little sushi and shopping. Saturday we drove all the way down to southern Illinois for a friend’s wedding. It was lovely and absolutely wonderful to get to spend an evening with our old college pals, but manalive, so much driving! So before the weekend is officially over, I thought I’d show you a few of the random things I’ve been thinking about/doing this weekend.

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pretty things

August 25, 2010 4926369826_e20f1a4f4e

The power went out at work today so we got to go home a little early. It feels a like a holiday and I have all kinds of little projects to finish up tonight. I’m so excited to started on them, but before I go here are some pretty things that I just love!

I’m so glad I saw Bryn’s post on The Sketchbook Project. I love their tagline, “It’s like a concert tour but with sketchbooks.” Each participant signs up pays the $25 fee and receives a brown moleskin book and a theme and they fill their book with drawings, paintings, etc. And then the books go on tour!  I’ve always wanted to join in and I think I will for sure this year, just need to order my book!

the sketchbook project

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autumn wishlist

August 24, 2010 autumn wishlist

Since classes are starting at the university I work at  it truly feels like Fall is just around the corner! It’s chilly enough in my office for lattes and hot chocolates year round, but I can’t wait for the weather to catch up and make my daily sweaters and long sleeves seem a little more appropriate.

pretty leaves
click photo for credit

My wardrobe could use a little sprucing up so I did a bit of window shopping this evening. Want to see what’s in my imaginary shop bag? Oh good, because I’m dying to show you! I like this pretty printed dress and scarf combination from Anthropologie

scarf, dress, and coin purse

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music monday

August 23, 2010 Sufjan+Stevens+Wings

Today’s Music Monday is in honor of Sufjan Stevens just because we were talking about him at my “lunch table” last week at work, wondering what he’s been doing and then Friday he released an eight song EP, All Delighted People. $5 for eight songs!

I got to see Sufjan at Mississippi Nights in St. Louis (before it became a parking lot) my sophomore year of college with a great group of friends. That night was a stop on the Illinoise tour and it was such a good show!

sufjan stevens and the noise makers

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