With a name that means “global citizen,” Apolis are purveyors of simple, yet jaw-droppingly beautiful goods with a conscience. I first stumbled upon the LA-based boutique during my last trip to California and immediately became enamored with their powerful message of intelligently sourcing goods and enabling artisans in impoverished nations.
For example, this market bag is made of woven jute produced in Bangladesh and provides 220 days of work for 21 people. By harnessing the power of a local handicraft, Apolis is able to help provide literacy courses, training on nutrition, and education awareness for Bangladeshi women. You can see more about the impact of the Bangladesh Project here.
{all images via Apolis}
Learning about the Link Collective led me to one of their retailers, Brunswick shop Mr. Kitly. I love finding shops that introduce me to artists and products, and in that category, Mr. Kitly is a stand out. I spent hours looking through the endless pages of ceramics, beautiful garden products, and tableware. While the shop brings together artists from all over the world, a five-year stint in Japan helped shape the owners’ aesthetic and appreciation for artisanal skills. They hope everything they sell will be “well-used and kept forever.” I’m pretty sure if I were able to add any of these items to my home, they’d be just that.
{Images via Mr. Kitly from top Tom Dixon Form Bowls,
Bridget Bodenham Nutcracker, Tara Shackell Place Vase,
Stampell Fassett Wooden Vase, Bridget Bodenham Gold Handle Cup}
After a weekend of dog-sitting this glorious pug, I realized that our fuzzy friends rarely get much love on this blog … And it’s high time to change that! I spent much of my life as a cat lady, but have recently discovered a deep love of large, drooling, slightly simple-minded dogs. There’s something so wholly satisfying about a good game of tug followed by a cozy nap. While I’m not quite settled down enough just yet for my own pooch friend, I do take the time every week to volunteer at a local animal shelter here in Philadelphia called Operation Ava to get my dog fix. (If you live in the Philadelphia area, I highly recommend checking out this shelter!) I like to think of it as practice for when I am ready to make the commitment!
Some of the most darling pet accessories are the ones that personify the animal. I adore a dapper dog, particularly when clad in a bow tie! Silly Buddy has a great selection of bow tie-adorned collars and matchings leashes in a variety of prints and fabrics. Hello, springtime stripes!
And when it’s time for a bit of rough-housing, nothing is better than this rope toy from Domestic Beast. It pulls double duty by also holding a piece of elk antler, perfect for maintaining your dog’s pearly whites and keeping your shoes safe.
Don’t worry, though, I am still a cat lady at heart! A bit more delicate in nature, I think this darling knitted mouse toy from Mungo & Maud is purr-fect for any feline. I know my Georgette would have a field day chasing it all around my apartment!
Lastly, if your cat is like mine and loves to hide, this printed cat tipi from Free People is the stylish alternative to shoeboxes strewn across the floor.
{top image via Free People}
Joanna’s recent post about the perfect packaging for Mother’s Day gifts reminded me of The Link Collective, which produces beautiful furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloths). The Link Collective was started by two friends living on opposite ends of the world; one in Japan and one in the US. They’ve invited other designers to participate in the collective as well, and the online network of women has come up with a handful of elegant, modern designs.
While their collective is very 21st-century, the methods they use to produce their products have stayed true to traditional Japanese techniques. Each furoshiki is hand printed by a family of craftsmen in Japan who’ve dedicated themselves to keeping their art alive. The Link Collective recently put together an online tour of the printing facility and the pictures and story are really lovely. While you could use one of these furoshiki to wrap a gift this Mother’s Day, I think it would make an excellent gift on its own!
{Images via The Link Collective}
Much to my husband’s chagrin, I am always on the lookout for great wallpaper designs—even if I don’t actually have a place in mind for them yet. My latest obsession? Hygge Cooperative. It’s the brainchild of Christiana Coop and Aimee Lagos, the duo behind Ferm Living US and Hygge & West.
Hygge Cooperative specializes in wallcoverings from designers that are usually hard to source in the US. I love that every product description includes the story behind the pattern. There are so many beautiful options! I’m particularly fond of the hand-printed wallpapers by Lake August, such as the above Flock in Flight. One of the designs shown here is definitely going up in my house soon.
Garden Wall
Highland Cable
{ All photos via Lake August }
