Monday, February 21, 2011

Sohum Sure Isn't So Ho Hum

Check out the beautiful packaging and products from the Australian cosmetics company, Sohum. Candles, soaps and perfumes directly from down under.



Sunday, February 20, 2011

Ch... Ch... Changes!!!


After LOTS of changes, I'm happy to be back to By Gosh By Golly!

In a nutshell, it took me a long time to recover with that bout of flu in 2009. Granted, it was only about 2 weeks (not a year and a half), but it really through me off.

Since then, I've bought a house, remodeled that house, fallen in love, had my heart broken, closed my store, moved into that remodeled house and started a new business! Needless to say, I was delighted to say goodbye to 2009-2010 and elated to say hello to 2011!

My blog hasn't changed much... just my life. I'll still be posting about what interests me, what jobs I'm working on (HINT: interiors) and fun products that I find along the way.

I hope you'll stay tuned.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

I've Been Struck...

... with the dreaded flu so I'm off the blog for the next few days.


Be kind to yourselves. Stay well.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Les Mondial de Nathalie Lete

You might recall that I went to Boston recently. I posted a few pics of what I saw, but failed to mention a trip to Anthropologie that catapulted me into a frenzy of research. A brief account into my investigative reporting follows...

While in Anthropologie, my sis found these adorable pink hand towels with the Eiffel Tower on them. We both scurried to find larger ones, but to no avail. They weren't made. She still got them for her girls' bathroom.

"Chat Chien" is at the bottom of the design, but the label is in Japanese. A search on Google didn't bring up anything with the information we had, so I knew there must have been something we were missing.

I was back in San Antonio, my sis in Boston, but I couldn't stop thinking about these towels. A visit to my local Anthropologie proved fortuitous as they had one remaining Eiffel Tower hand towel. I immediately purchased it, as well as a bird design. An adorable Paris plate that I couldn't resist (perfect for cookies) also found it's way into my bag. Upon further investigation, I discovered that they were all by the same designer!

After much searching (and subsequent purchasing), I am pleased to tell you about Nathalie Lete. Though she is new to me, I was, admittedly, slightly disappointed to find that she is no newcomer to the design scene. (I thought I had come upon an undiscovered gem! Design*Sponge and Decor8 are among the many that have already written about her.) Nonetheless, I felt a sense of accomplishment for having tracked her down.


Lete lives and works in Paris (oh to live and work in Paris). With the City of Light as her backdrop, she's got an endless amount of inspiration, but also looks to her travels and vintage toys (which she also collects).

Check out some shots of her workshop. It's like a craftster paradise.


She works in several different mediums including illustration, ceramics, textiles and paintings and from what I can tell, her creativity doesn't stop. I'd love to live in les modial (the world) of Nathalie Lete!

Enough words. Her work speaks for itself. (All images via Nathalie Lete unless otherwise indicated.)

Octopus via Apartment Therapy


And I couldn't leave you without an image of the towels! Here they are in my store bathroom. It's hard to believe that those little things were responsible for such a flurry of activity. (I suppose that's my designer/retailer/researcher heart coming out!)

Click image to enlarge.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Viva la France!

To start us off....

I thought this postcard set from Yellow Owl Workshop was rather festive and fun. I like how it feels slightly traditional - a bit like "old school" France - but still manages to pull off a fresh execution of images such as Joan of Arc and the crests.

Bonjour, Mon Ami

As you can tell from my blog, there are several things that make my heart go pitter-patter. But if I had to narrow it down to my Top 5 - only including the things that make my heart really sing - Paris would certainly be included on that list.

I think about Paris all the time. How wonderful it would be to live there. To work there. To vacation there (often). Unfortunately, the likelihood of any of the aforementioned coming true doesn't seem realistic at this point in my life but I can still dream (sigh).

That said, I was fortunate enough to have visited a couple of years ago. Despite the time lapse, my trip still seems so fresh. The Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Pompidou, the Seine, museums, quaint cafes, Montmartre, the Left Bank - heck, the Right Bank. And walking. Just walking.

A similar love affair with Paris is shared by so many. That's why I thought I'd bring you some of Paris, France and all things French. So, this week, you can look forward to blurbs about French designers/artists, French companies or just things that look or feel French. Obviously, with only 5 days in a week, I won't even be skimming the surface, but hopefully I'll bring you something that's interesting and enw to you. I'd better hurry, though. (It's already Monday!)


Photo of Eiffel Tower on Bastille Day (July 14, 2009)

Friday, July 17, 2009

{Fashion Friday} Staying A-head

What happens when two stylists from LA come together? Well, I suppose a lot can happen, but in this case, I'm referring to a pair who is - shall we say - ahead of the game.

In 2008, friends and co-workers Jen and Jamie started ban.do. Inspired by vintage pieces and girly touches, they use feathers, rhinestones, brooches and ribbon to create masterpieces for the head.

Because of their immediate success with their head bands, they now offer several different styles for other feminine areas of your body including your neck (collars), chest (corsages) and waist (belts). And with funny names like "she likes drama" or "pink hotness" (a personal favorite), they are hard to resist.


If you are a pending bride, make sure and check out their bridal selection. Otherwise, throw one on for a night on the town. I imagine you'll be turning a few - ahem - heads.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Pop Goes the Placemat

I love all things pop up. I actually collect pop up books, a hobby which started not too long ago with one of Robert Sabuda's Christmas treasures. I must have 25 or so pop up books now, none of which are terribly old, but I'm still proud of my growing collection.

That's one reason why I'm also a huge fan of Publique Living's pop up placemats. Yes, you heard me. Placemats! I first saw them last year, but was thrilled to see their beautiful, new designs.


Dinner will never be the same.


Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Pouf!

These have been in style for a couple of years, but I never grow tired of looking at them or dreaming about having one. Moroccan poufs make a nice design statement, provide extra seating (for a hiney or a pair of feet) and don't take up too much room. (They come in various materials, sizes and prices so make sure and do your research before purchasing one.)



Found here on ebay

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Take A Dip

When we were kids, my grandmother would swim laps at Barton Springs in Austin, Texas during the summer. (Barton's is a famous pool fed from under ground springs. It averages 68 degrees year round and attracts all sorts, the likes of which include conservative legislators as well as old hippies who prefer to sunbathe in the buff.)

In her better years, Tootie would get her big-bosomed, petite figure in the frigid water to do her exercise. Her large, white, teased, bubble hairdo (pinned in the back with black bobbie pins, but still round and ever visible on top) would bob up and down as she scooted length to length doing the breast stroke. She was careful never to get her hair fully wet as this would require an additional trip to the beauty parlor (where she was already a faithful patron once a week).

I was reminded of my grandmother when I saw these images. Despite having no facial features, these women (and girl) all appear to feel comfortably relaxed and happy, much like my grandmother did when she came out of the water.




Images found on etsy by Kiki and Polly.