Whenever I'm on the hunt for something specific (like the perfect skinny belt or an adorable shrug), it seems like I always find exactly what I'm looking for on someone's Etsy shop.

Above and beyond there existing inventory of product, many Etsy sellers (including OrangeBeautiful) are both willing + extremely happy to do custom work, or even customize an existing product.

Just last week, I found the perfect little zipper pencil case in the bhive's Etsy shop :: a Skinny Mini Roll. I was thrilled.

But then, when I found out that Korina will make one just for you with your choices of fabrics + zippers, I was ecstatic!

I chose grey & silver cordura for the outside... with a wine zipper + orange pulls. Then the liner inside is teal - colorful, while still dark enough that it won't show pen marks!

It's so great to have a place for my Sharpie pen, my mechanical pencils, a couple erasers, my Princess Leia flash drive and my teflon bonefolder!

Check out all of the goods in the bhive's shop
+plus your customization options towards the bottom of this page.

I always save images of furnishings and home accessories that I'm drawn to, even if I can't quite visualize them working together with what I already have. After going through my "home imagery" file today, I would love to build a room around these 5 pieces. The peach, gold and silver with the indigo velvet feels luxurious yet playful, and the birch adds a warm, earthy appeal.

Foil Pillow, Urban Outfitters; Birch cube trunk (as a side table), Trunk Outlet; Chevron throw, HSN; Birch boxes, CB2; Hutton sofa, Room & Board.

To say that I can't wait for the newest issue of UPPERCASE is a huge understatement.

After just the first three issues, I'm completely hooked... and this next issue looks like it's chock full of awesome articles, interviews + eye candy. Just like every issue!

If you don't have a subscription yet, I encourage you to get one now!

Check out the full preview of Issue No. 4 here.

This iphone/itouch case from Beautiful Skin is a piece of art all by itself.

Check out more leather goods from Beautiful Skin here...
I've got my eye on this awesome cuff wallet wristband!

This ain't your grandma's bakers twine (although, it certainly could be)... whisker graphics has taken this simple + trendy wrapping material and amped it up with refreshing colors (Orange, Lemon, Aqua, Licorice and Green Apple) and earth-friendly production. Unlike traditional twines, divine twine is made in the USA from 100% cotton & is completely biodegradable.

I ordered up a full spool of the Orange (of course) - only $15.00 for 240 yards. That's a whole lotta gifts I can wrap!

Check out all of the divine twine here and then browse the rest of the whisker graphics shop for labels, prints, stationery + more!

images c/o whisker graphics

I kept up with all your responses to my bridesmaid accessory dilemma over the weekend and, per many of your suggestions, chose the Nine West shoes-and-necklace-that-I-already-own combination. The feather was feeling too big for me and I got a new, multi-layered haircut that would make the headband kind of silly-looking. Instead I'll probably get a smaller decorative hairpin to pull back some loose strands from an "undone" up-do.

Thank you again for all your opinions and advice. You really made the decision easy and fun!

My own necklace. Fuschia suede slingbacks, Piperlime.

My sister's wedding is coming up in just a few more weeks, and I need to choose my shoes and accessories to go with the J.Crew bridesmaid dress. I already have a pair of shoes (see look #4) and a huge, chunky stone necklace (looks #1 and 2) to fall back on, but I had fun putting together a few additional options - which do you like the best?

My own necklace. Patterned slingback pump, Victoria's Secret.

Kristen purposefully decided to let the bridesmaids choose our own accessories so we could create individualized looks around the same neutral pale peach dress. She loves the idea of a bright shoe with it. I also like the idea of a crazily patterned, Missoni-esque shoe (above) to fit the funky Palm Springs vibe.

Fancy feather headband, Forever 21. Strappy platform sandals, Zappos.

They're four very different looks, so what are your thoughts? If you have any other great shoes or necklaces you think might work that I should know about, please alert me in the comments...and thank you so much for your amazing eye and opinion!

Braided Nobility bracelet, Banana Republic. Strappy kitten heel sandal, Piperlime.

I forgot to post pics of the little favors I made for a bridal shower we threw for my future sister-in-law, Amy. Inspired by her wedding colors (brown + spring green) and armed with the intention of making something useful, I found these inexpensive plain kraft notebooks at Pat Catans and spruced them up with circle-punched printed lokta paper (leftover from lining my sister's invitation envelopes) and tied each book with a double-faced satin bow.

Some shower guests have told me that they keep the notebooks with them in their handbags, which was exactly what I had in mind. I always have at least one little jotter on hand just in case...

Images by me.

Hey you lovely people! theSCOOP has been nominated for Favorite Handmade Artist's Blog over at poppytalk...

Pretty please take a moment to go vote for us! RIGHT HERE - we're three from the bottom of the list...

AND while you're there, check out the other poppies - especially Favorite Affordable Art Artist, where you can vote for one of our favs, Dolan Geiman! Voting ends for this category TODAY at NOON!

VOTE THE SCOOP!
Voting ends for our category at NOON on Friday, the 29th!

Giving new meaning to reusable bag, David Shock Designs brings us these great Ornj totes, made from recycled construction fencing.

With four different designs to choose from & a great orange color - which you know I love! - +plus the option of a recycled sweatshirt liner (for the Ornj Tote Swing, pictured here) and a price tag of $40.00 and under, well, I'm sure I'll be getting at least one of these!

p.s. My name is Emily, and I'm a bag-aholic.

Check out all four styles on the David Shock Designs Etsy shop!
via NOTCOT

Brooklyn-based company, i am dorkas is part jewelry, part textiles and all awesome. Drawing influence from Finnish, Indonesian and Portuguese cultures, i am dorkas creates everything from carved wooden rings & clock hands turned earrings to handmade aprons & some of the most beautiful napkins I've ever seen.

Beijo, red cedar ring, $75.00 by i am dorkas.

Sirkus napkins 2pk, $30.00 // Time Span clock hand earrings, $25.00.

All of the pieces come out of the collaborative efforts of Marianna Dorkas Jamadi, her boyfriend, Armando, and Mari's mother - all of whom bring their own visions, experiences & skills to the table.

Creating alongside others is always incredibly inspiring, and definitely helps to keep your ideas and designs fresh... well, and working in a space like Mari & Armando's Brooklyn apartment (slash i am dorkas headquarters, below) doesn't hurt either! ::

Be sure to check out more about i am dorkas and browse their shop -
If you're anything like me, you'll probably want one of everything!

images c/o i am dorkas.

Remember Domino magazine's "Outfit to Room" feature? Kind of a silly concept in theory, but so fun to interpret in practice. Recently I learned of the adorable children's blog Kenziepoo, which regularly turns interiors into outfits - for the baby and toddler set. Check out these three spot-on versions below, and view all of Kenziepoo's Room Into Outfit exercises here.

Admittedly, I had so much fun browsing through the gallery that I had to try it myself. Below, my Room Into Outfit version based on a favorite old image from Domino - incorporating a soft but interesting mix of pale colors and textures, with a bit of metallic and contrasting materials. (I want the entire outfit for Catherine, by the way.)

J.Crew Crewcuts flower headband; Gap Kids harem pants; Payless basket weave mary janes; Gap Kids dandelion shift dress.

Top three images from Kenziepoo. Last image: layout by me, room image from Domino (photographer unknown).

They're baaaacckkk!

For my sister's upcoming wedding, we took a cue from the setting at The Parker Palm Springs to create invitations for the event. The hotel's retro-luxe vibe (courtesy of Jonathan Adler) combines wild colors with desert-y whites and tans, layered with multiple patterns and textures.

The inspiration piece was the multi-hued chevron marbled paper, which we used to back the invitation cards (printed in a makeup-y peach tone on pearlescent opal paper).

The reply cards were the inverse of the invitation: knockout type against the makeup-y peach, backed with gold-and-natural marbled paper. The reply envelope and mailing envelope were the same heavy, richly textured "Luxe" paper in both blush and fino cream. The mailing envelopes were hand-lined with gold mums paper. The mini travel card was printed in gray on simple translucent paper.

We hope the invitation gives a visual and tactile sense of the wedding's unique setting. I have always wanted to visit Palm Springs and stay at The Parker, which makes the anticipation of Kristen and Jon Paul's celebration even sweeter...

First three images by me. Fouth and fifth images from The Parker Palm Springs.

One year ago, actor (and fashion trendsetter?), Patrick McGoohan passed away. In our house, McGoohan's most notable role is certainly as Number Six on the 60's "spy-fi" TV series, The Prisoner. Jw loves the psychological intrigue and mind-bending storylines. And well, I, true-to-form, love that jacket he wears...

This black blazer with white contrasting trim has been replicated many times... and even very recently, it seems to be making a comeback. J.Crew has the stunning wool herringbone professor blazer (first image; now on sale!).

And on a recent episode of Tabatha's Salon Takeover on Bravo, I saw Tabatha wearing a similar B&W blazer (above). (P.S. all you business owners out there - this is an excellent show to watch, even if you're not a salon owner. Much like Peter Perfect - which I also love - it's hosted by a no-nonsense, business-minded entrepreneur who genuinely wants the people they're helping to succeed. Entertaining and educational.)

If you're not in the market for splurging on a full-fledged jacket, maybe this is more your speed ;)

images (top to bottom) from J.Crew; Boxtree Ltd., publisher; Adrian Mesko, photographer; and BravoTV.

This print, entitled Living Room, aptly describes the feeling of our living room post-Christmas and post-birthday. The remnants of our pre-parenting life, combined with a smattering of colorful toys and activities, make for a warm and happy buzz in our household. I also adore Expect the Unexpected, below, because the toddler pictured quite strongly resembles my newly-turned-two-year-old and captures the wonder she expresses when experiencing new things.

Both are available at Moomah, NYC's unique child-centered cafe, gallery and workshop space (founded by John Stewart's wife, Tracey). Even design lovers who don't have kids will appreciate the space's pleasing aesthetics and commitment to nurturing creativity while "discovering a world of delight in a quiet moment".

Images from Moomah.

1. metal trunks, $49.95-$69.95 // 2. desktop chalkboard, $14.95 // 3. contact stool, $129.00 // 4. hopscotch rug, $199.00 // 5. abacus, $149.00.

Check out these back-to-school inspired items from CB2. What a great way to fill your home with stylish reminders of being a kid... you can change up the numbers on your wall-sized abacus and then jump a little hopscotch on your way out the door!

images c/o CB2

I'm in love with these new adidas Princess Leia sneakers. I know that it's mostly nostalgia, but regardless of that, they are really cute shoes. The colors are great and the little serpent detail on the ankles is just perfect.

I wasn't ever saucy enough to go full-out and do the Leia slave costume that these shoes are designed after, but that's not to say that there wsan't a shortage of Star Wars Halloween costumes when I was growing up.

Here's me in my Princess Leia costume - made totally by hand by my grandma - complete with a braided yarn wig fashioned out of a pair of earmuffs! ::

Pre-order your pair of Leia sneaks now... it looks like they're actually selling out already!

images c/o adidas;
except for that last one, which I'm pretty sure my dad took!

Doesn't this Canary Dress (from Holly Stalder's Etsy shop) make you crazy for spring to arrive?

The dress is gorgeous, the color is sublime, and even the photo styling makes me long for sultry warm nights & icy cool margaritas.

Sounds like it's time for a tropical vacation...

Check out all of Holly Stalder's beautifully romantic pieces here -
especially this piece, which makes me wish I was planning a wedding!

The latest issue of METROPOLIS Magazine arrived at our house last week, and I knew I was in for a treat when Jw said ::

The next time we go to New York, we should stay here...

I think the first words out of my mouth were something like, "hubba, hubba"... but not only is the new Crosby Street Hotel filled with amazing & eclectic interior design (c/o owners + designers, Tim and Kit Kemp), it's also a study in environmental sensitivity & neighborhood cooperation.

The Crosby will be LEED-certified and includes other eco-friendly perks like a rooftop garden that supplies produce to the kitchen. The Kemps also paid special attention to the needs of the surrounding community by regulating the placement and open hours of the outdoor spaces in the hotel, so as to not bother their SoHo neighbors.

All in all, it sounds (and looks) like an amazing place to stay... and I especially love this quote from Kit at the end of the article ::

If you’re traveling and you get homesick, or feel a bit lonely or down, you want an atmosphere that makes you feel happier. Often color and texture can do that.

I totally agree.

all images by Simon Brown; except for 1st image, by Sarah Palmer.