just hatched

I happend to glance at Etsy's featured seller this week and was completely thrilled with the work by Just Hatched, a shop filled with beautifully and safely constructed wooden toys for little peeps. Many of these toys would be considered "open-ended toys", which imply that they foster creativity and have the potential to be different every time a child uses them. In other words, your letting the child assign meaning to the toy, not vice versa, which is a big deal in terms of development. 

 I adore this puzzle. What a great way to encourage your child to begin learning about nature at an early age. Also, how great are those animals? It wasn't until I saw those that I realized how most, if not all animal toys are creatures that don't live in our natural environment. Why not have a toy squirrel, raccoon, skunk etc...? After all, your child's more apt to see one of those than an estranged hippopotamus meandering around town.

These are toy created with purpose and intention, promoting education and imagination at an early age. I love it. So pretty, too.  A job well done Amanda and Joel!

new finds

So those of you who have seen me this past weekend will probably smile when reading this but I had to post a little something about this new clutch I recently purchased on Etsy. I've never been a clutch lover and have always thought them to be far too small and impractical however, these past few days have been glorious now that I have a place to fit my keys, wallet and cell in one handheld pocket. Even though I don't purchase on Etsy often, I love to support artist and designers that have remarkable craftsmanship, so here's to you {drika.b}!

Although I've posted quite a few picnic photos already I just had to include ones from this photo shoot of a provencal summer picnic found on design*sponge. Who doesn't love an elaborate picnic?

etsy trading

Every few days I try to scroll through Etsiers that have "hearted" my Etsy shop while taking note of shops and sellers I admire. Over the past month I have initiated a few trades that I have been so happy with and I'm just super excited to share them with you.

Etsy Shop Name: TomGirl
Item: Yellow and Gun Metal Leather Garland Earrings

Etsy Shop: Polarity

Item: Violet Floral Recycled Cedar Record Frame Magnet Board, Mini Purple passion Recycled Magnetic Locket Set

Check out her blog too, where you'll also find a give away of my garland featured in this season's Martha Stewart Weddings.

Etsy Shop: Jewlswashere

Item: Green Peppermint, Evelyn,  Blue Rose, Rachel, Zoe, Jentrie

You can check out her blog, here. 

Etsy Shop: StrandRedesign

Item: Hen Plush Decoration

You can check out her blog, here.