7.30.2017

flea market - vintage section

I'm a huge fan of anything made from wood, but animals - they have a special place in my heart!

I am a life-long collector of things, I started going to flea markets at the age of 20 - so that's over 30 years of experience and it takes experience, I can tell because my husband is a bit of a greenhorn at it. He picks up things that I know are out there - it takes experience to find the things that are NOT out there, I call them treasures and I share them with you so you can also get some vintage finds without searching... just click here to view my vintage items. I bring my kids with me now that they are older because I think it's a bit of an education, it gives them meaning to all the things that have fallen to the way-side. And from time to time they pick something up and treasure it more then their cell phones - now THAT's worth it!
funny muslin viking

So while I don't really want to brag - I am going to claim bragging rights to say that I know what I'm doing out there, the only problem is you have to have a similar aesthetic as me to like it too! That's why flea marketing, antiquing, estate sale-ing is so fascinating. It's amazing to see what people go for! In the case of estate sales it's a bit sad and I do break out a tear from time to time to see people rifling through other peoples things - it's like vultures - but you have to realize that these things would go into the big garbage dump if this wasn't so interesting to us folks who care about it. And guess what, it all becomes a treasure to me... I clean them up, shine and bright, I fix any holes, and they have a new life - maybe it's even a better life than the old one, because now it's a treasure! I use all my old things, yes you might have to be more delicate but hey that teaches your kids an appreciation for things that they would not normally have.

new (old) 1970's sofa

We just got a new sofa from, probably the 1970's, it's amazing! But my kids want to crawl all over like they did with our durable Ligne Roset TOGO sofa (indestructible what we did to that thing!).  It's a way for me to draw the line and they know it's drawn.... This wonderful sofa that you love so much is as OLD AS ME so treat it nicely. It's amazing really the arm rest's pop-up in this ingenious way, they just don't make them like this anymore. I wish I know who to attribute it to, I couldn't find anything but I love it all the same! TREASURE...

vintage sterling silver

Lately, I have been looking for some nice vintage silver jewelry, I'm looking forward to my road trip where I am sure I will find some treasures along the way and no matter how packed my car is I am sure I can fit some jewerly in there at the VERY least. If you want to drive with me - shoot me an email... departing Denver on August 8th.

Shop our Vintage items here

7.29.2017

crystal meanings... there's an app for that!



So is there a fantastical app for those of us design freaks who also love crystals. You know what I mean, well designed, simple, gorgeous graphics - you're all set with STONE. With this app you can look up your favorite crystal and find it's the crystal app to bring a little light to your modern life (just like my netted crystal necklaces!). See, it's not only me who thinks everyone should be wearing a crystal these days, it's these guys at STONE too (designed by Jack Flintermann)

It carries this lovely description
STONE has:
- Elegant design and intuitive functionality
- Beautifully captured crystal specimens
- Short-and-sweet descriptions of crystals and their super powers—written just for you

An always-on, easy-to-access manual of minerals for your back pocket or the bottom of your Birkin bag, STONE is the perfect companion for the uninitiated and crystal cognoscenti alike.

Please enjoy with an open mind.

Follow us on IG: @stoneproject
And on the web: stoneproject.co

Disclaimer: This mobile app is intended for informational, educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not, and is not intended, for use in the diagnosis of any mental health conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of depression, anxiety, or disease.



So in case I forget to include the description of your stone when I send it to you (it can happen to the best of us) you can check your app. A lot of people want to buy a crystal for a friend, this would be a good place to do a little research and see what you want to get them - then I can net you a crystal of your choice!

Good vibes all around... am I right!? (thanks Laura Forst for turning me onto this one!)

It wasn't easy for me to find the app (maybe it's just me...) so here's the link!
find STONE here

7.27.2017

Young Explorers


Just wondering what little kids would do all day if they wandered around alone? I think that's what the creators of this beautiful story were thinking. Jacob Krupnick followed these kids on a beautiful silent journey as they walk around their neighborhood. The kids are so natural in their habitat and I could just watch this all day long...

I think more stories will be added over time.

click here to watch Bejla and Tristan make their way around the town.

7.26.2017

South Hampton :: interiors


Through July 31st get yourself to see the interiors project by R & Company (another mailing list you might want to get your name onto) They have this fun instillation with works by The Haas Brothers, Wendell Castle, Rogan Gregory, Carlo Hauner, Greta Magnusson Grossman, Joaquim Tenreiro and Jeff Zimmerman at Jeff Lincoln Art + Design. It looks fun and should be filled with wonderful inspiration.

Jeff Lincoln
200 North Sea Road
South Hampton, NY

7.25.2017

renovating a mobile home

renovated Winnie!

I know I am not the only one with this dream, does your heart jump when you drive by a sweet looking Winnie? Who cares about a Porche when you can have an Airstream? Well if these are your dreams as well take a look at this 1982 Winnebago that was renovated by a young couple and they did a pretty bang-up job! Just gives you an idea what a little imagination and a bit of elbow grease can get you. And your days of touring the USA could be just a hearbeat away!

add your own personal touch with handmade handles etc...

this image gives you a full view
This renovation took them a bit longer than they thought but the result is so comfortable and just like HOME. These two quit their jobs and set out on a cross country trip for a year - time to find a new place to call home, maybe it's the open road!

The story was in an online Dwell magazine article - see the full article here.
It will give you all the details and quite a few BEFORE/AFTER images that will knock your socks off!

LET'S HIT THE ROAD....

7.22.2017

zenbunni - new moon: rabbit report


I don't know about you but the newsletters I choose to get have become a slim group of lovely happy emails that I am actually excited to get... I look forward to them - some for their graphic beauty and some for their delightful information. ZenBunni is a bit of both, this is a youthful couple who always enlighten me about things be it - biodynamic chocolate or the moon phases (I think they have a lot to do with each other...) - and I also just like who they are and how the move in the world. If you have a friend that is going to California I have one suggestion, ask them to bring you back some of their chocolate! Or you can sign up for their chocolate club (yes, you heard me right there's a club for chocolate and why are you not ALREADY part of this club you may ask!) I have been trying to bring their chocolate into the shop for a while now, but haven't gotten around to it, I promise to try to make it a priority! But for now sign up for the CHOCOLATE CLUB: 


On each Full Moon you'll receive a variety of ZenBunni chocolate goodies not available in shops + other delights ranging from Biodynamic Seeds and Teas, the highest quality skin care products, hand crafted art pieces, and endless more collaborations with Makers and Earth Friends.


Now, doesn't that sound delightful! It's $39per full moon cycle and so wonderful. Don't miss signing up for their new moon rabbit report, it's a check-in and for instance the one I got today reminded me to check-in with natures cycle. I think the summer is a very busy time for everyone, carting our kids from camp to sleepovers, etc... and we rarely take the time to give to ourselves, slow down, walk into the garden and find the wonder that is growing in our back yards. We ask our kids to do it, but sometimes we forget to do it ourselves. They reminded me to take a nap in the afternoon, which I shall do tomorrow just because they told me to - they used the term "self-nourishment" and I like that term!

enjoy and I hope you sign up for their newsletter! (and I HOPE you have signed up for mine too!)

click here to visit their blog
or
click here to visit their website


7.19.2017

IRENE PEUKES


racer top tied to reveal a burst of color and beautiful back of top

I know it's late in the season but Irene Peukes works on her own calendar and I respect that - besides I love these pieces all year round. I know they are not for deep winter but I'm telling you will use these pieces for just about anything and travel - just fold them up and throw in your bag and you are ready for anything!

gorgeously fitting with a racerback shape
Irene Peukes takes a different approach to fashion, and I like her approach. She works together with weavers to create these beautiful pieces, crafted and created on the loom. Each piece a work of art in it's own, so much so that each piece has the mark of the weaver on the bottom hem of the garment where their signature is stitched. These garments don't hang like a sac, they have folds and pleats, she adds a tie here and there so that you can leave it open or tie for another shaping of the top or dress.


Gorgeous pieces for a womans body.

shop on the website here


7.15.2017

What the future looks like for Nonchalantmom - hint: it's sunny and bright!


I think some people think that being a shop owner is one of those jobs that doesn't really count, maybe it's a job that is just a bunch of fun or maybe there isn't a lot of talent involved.... you know what I mean. I've always been a bit "shy" when I'm at a party and everyone is talking about what they do for a living and I do my best to keep my name out of the conversation. But really these days I feel like it takes so darn much talent that I'm proud of myself that I am still in the game, when so many have fallen by the wayside, I'm still here. It is not easy to navigate the retail landscape, and these days, well... it's just not what it used to be - there was a formula, buy wholesale bring it into your shop and get as many people in to see said wholesale item and sell it, wait 90 days and put whatever is left on sale, it was followed and we were all fine. But not anymore!

I should take some credit here as I was one of the first to internet-tise the local shop, but the absolute upside down of retail these days is so very hard to understand, much less try to make a living at it! For a couple of years now, I have been in - "what the heck is going on" and "what are we going to do?" mode and I must say that we tried it all - but I do know this... it's not about the S A L E, that's the beginning of the end, it might be hard for you the consumer to hear that because the consumer has been reaping the benefits of all the retailers not knowing what else to do so just go on sale and then maybe you will be able to pay your rent. I watch, I listen and I hear what's going on - with my closest friends also shop owners we are all having the conversation about what and where do we go next.

I am still not sure where it is we will go, but I do know this - it's changing. And these are the things that I am thinking about:

- I know where I want to spend my money, I know WHO I want to give my hard-earned money to and I know what their face looks like - I want to know the person who made it, designed it, had the idea, sewed it, polished it, found it, pieced it together - yes, that person who MADE it.

- I want to go to my local grocery store and find things on the shelves that are well-designed, have less ingredients (and I can READ them), and I now will be good for me - I don't have to question that very basic thing that makes it a FOOD. And the only place I can do this is the Farmers market, my local co-op or Whole Foods (lucky you if you have other options in your area).

- If a company is making something somewhere else, they are being socially responsible about it. They are spending time in that place and helping the people realize that what they are making are appreciated by consumers and sharing that benefit. But, I am always checking to make sure there is sincerity in this outreach and it's good to do your research here and know the people you are dealing with on food, clothing and home items.

And most of all there is no place for greed in this bright new world, that's the world that I want to help create with my business and it's what I want to foster and grow. It's the people I want to be with, these are the people that I want to walk into my shop and I want to spend time with them. Because otherwise this project is just not so much fun or meaningful.

So back to my shop, because things ARE changing. You are not going to see my shop full of Fall 2017 collections, my vision is that you are probably going to get a few new things for yourself in the next season and I hope to have those things for you. I am going to focus on more seasonless clothing, wear-now clothing, less is more and special pieces are yes... special! I will have just a few, I am in it to sell through it and move on. Since I am not going deep into clothing I will have other special items that I think you will like and peek your interest. Slowly introducing incense to make your room more enveloping and luxurious. Oils and scents that will help you move through your day in a calm and awakened state. Jewelry that will make you feel like you are your own person, a unique individual even if you are wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Things for your whole family so that they can be proud of what they wear. I hope to teach you to mend your things that are broken, make your current clothing more YOU and maybe even make some of your own jewelry. And if that all works out we will add lots of exciting things that will bring a smile to your face and make your body heal itself.

I do feel that second had has a place in this landscape, I have always been a huge fan of second hand - - one persons trash is another persons treasure! It's so terrific to give life to what might otherwise be thrown away and since I have a lifetime of experience at this I am pretty choosy and I think I am pretty fair about how to price things. I hope you find treasures for yourself in the flea market section of my shop.

I am going to continue to deepen and make more jewelry, pottery and some other projects that I can't wait to get my hands into, I want half of my shop to be things that I have made myself (that's a long term goal!) and surround that with vintage, talented makers and designers, and things I find along life's journey. Because we are all in this together and I can't wait for the next chapter to unfold. Now that I have created my own website I am so much more flexible to move and change on a whim. I am sure that some of you have ideas for me and I am always happy to hear from you, it's been so special to meet so many of you in my shop, many people that I have known by name for 14 years and now getting to know with your once a year visit to beautiful Rhode Island.

now THAT'S the future!

7.14.2017

Jao :: PATIO OIL


Recently, sitting outside at a party, I was reminded to put my Patio Oil into my summer handbag - you know, just in case... I heard that this summer there will be a bumper crop of nasty mosquitoes so you can be the hero of any party if you bring your Patio Oil! It smells delightful, more nature than buy spray. And nothing makes me more irritated than someone pulling out a horrible bug spray and letting it float all over the party! GREAT FOR KIDS!

Keep bugs away with lemon eucalyptus soybean and other essential oils. Enough said right...

Plus like it says on the bottle, it cools as it refreshes and moisturizes skin with chamomile, calendule, hemp and jojoba oils.

get yours here