Unique Gift Ideas with UncommonGoods

I am so excited to be working with UncommonGoods, sharing some picks from their amazing gift guides (like the Bedside Smartphone Vase, above).  You might remember I collaborated with them a couple of years ago.  I still love and use both of my UncommonGoods finds, especially that turquoise woven basket with a handy lid!  You might have spotted it in my office makeover; it's where I stash paperwork with incriminating details that needs to be destroyed.  I love it so much that I even purchased the same style of basket without a lid for pet toys (you can spot it in this post about how I keep my house clean with two pups).  I feel good about supporting UncommonGoods because of their commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship.  As a company, they support a community of artisans, designers, and creative thinkers.  They share stories behind the products and makers.  Plus they carefully curate a beautiful selection of home accessories, jewelry, and just plain fun pieces - no need to wade through a million listings to find that one piece.  EVERYTHING carried by UncommonGoods will have you clicking "add to cart".  And for my Canadian friends - they ship to Canada with prices in CAD and duties/taxes calculated at checkout, which means no hidden costs.     

Online shopping can be overwhelming, so I appreciate the carefully chosen selection of beautiful, practical, and unique items that UncommonGoods offers.  From casual work buddies to BFFs, from gardening enthusiasts to style mavens, you'll literally find something for everyone - even those impossible to buy for loved ones!  You can even find a personalized or customized gift idea or shop by interest to really find that special gift.   

Here is a sampling of my favorite finds:

This Molten Sculptural Bowl tops my shortlist because of the modern, coastal vibe.

Speaking of beachy, I love the coastal vibe of this Beach Glass Marble Pendant. I love jewelry as a gift because you don't need to worry about sizes, it can easily be mailed - or tucked nicely into a stocking - and, if worse comes to worse, it's easily re-gifted (guilty).

For the reasons above, this Waterfall Stairway Pendant also caught my eye - look at that enticing rough cut of the stones.

If anyone has, ahem, me on their list this year, I'd love this Aquamarine Pendant!  So, so pretty and my favorite color.  I promise I wouldn't re-gift...

You're going to think UncommonGoods only carries jewelry with the way I'm drooling over their necklaces.  That is just the tip of the iceberg for small gifts you can tuck into a stocking.

For the knitter in your life, this Create Yarn Bowl is such a thoughtful gift that shows you care about their favorite hobby.

Whenever I am stuck on a gift idea for someone, I give tea!  I used to work in a local tea shop and now I'm a tea snob, so I like to treat anyone I can to some fancy loose leaf teas.  This Green Herbal Tea Kit is so perfect and has such a nice presentation.

Another gift idea that is beautiful without having to worry about sizes or fit: a dreamy Hand Dyed Scarf!  It has such soft, pretty colors.

This Stoneware Match Striker is so versatile because everyone keeps matches in their homes, whether they're lighting a fire at night or just a few candles, and I'm sure everyone on your list would like to upgrade from the grubby box in which their matches currently reside.

A BRASS Plant Mister for your friend with the greenest thumb on your list - so practical but pretty enough to leave out, it sure beats the $1 plastic water can so many of us hide under the sink... If your friends are plant killers like me, don't worry, there are so many unique ideas for gifts you can give your friends to show how much they mean to you all year long.

I need this waterproof Drifter Action Speaker in my life!  This is perfect for anyone who has a cottage or loves to spend time on the beach.



This White Sailing Ship Kite is so cute, you'll be tempted to keep it and hang it as a mobile in your home.

So clearly I just created a list of things I want, with my not-so-subtle beachy/modern/turquoise theme here...  If you're trying to track down that perfect, unique, meaningful, practical yet beautiful, can't-find-it-in-stores gift, take a peek at UncommonGoods.  Happy shopping!

Picks from Target's Project 62 Line

I have to admit that I kind of ignored the news about Target's Project 62 Line until I was shopping for an ottoman for my Mom and realized Target had a gorgeous one with a mid-century modern vibe.  After that, my interest was piqued and I tumbled down the rabbit hole, flagging a bunch of finds - all with that vintage vibe I covet.  Although I'll always love vintage, it's great that Target is making a similar aesthetic more accessible.  Not everyone can find - or afford - vintage, so it's nice to have the option to buy new every now and then.  Plus with some thing (sheets! towels!), I just like new anyway.      

Here are my favorites from the Project 62 collection:

These dusty blue Holmdel Mid-Century Dining Chairs would look so amazing in the lakehouse with their sleek shape and pretty blue hue (although they come in other gorgeous colors too) - I love them more than my current chairs, for sure (although I'm sure they'd pick up dog hair the way mine do)!  There's a matching stool, too.

This Large Enamel Tray looks like a vintage score, especially with its navy sheen.  I love trays for corralling dish soap and sponges by the kitchen sink, or in the bathroom to protect the counter from any leaky bottles.

P.S. If you love my Krenit bowls - but not the typical price - this piece from Target has a different shape but such a similar style.  

This Framed Abstract does not have that usual "I bought this from the same place I bought windshield washer fluid" look you'd expect from mass produced art.  I love the colors and it looks like it's framed really nicely too.  The whole vignette is perfect.

Years ago I was trying to find the perfect chunky pillar candle holder with a mid-century modern vibe for a friend's mantle decor - to no avail.  This Walnut Pillar Candle Holder would have been perfect.  There's a taller mango wood taper candle holder that's really beautiful too, with a light, Scandi-inspired vibe. 

Aqua Plush Shag Rug ???  I'm not a huge fan of rugs, but now I need a smaller version for the bathroom.

Here's the ottoman (the Farewell Oval Ottoman) that caught my eye.  I'm still searching for something that's round, but with storage.  This one is perfect for an entryway though, as a great spot to sit and tie shoes.  The gold caps on the legs look so mid-century - I love that little detail.  Of course this teal blue ottoman obviously makes my list as well.  I almost bought this ottoman but I'd really, really like square or round for the space.  But it's so good! 

A mid-century inspired dining table for only $200 USD - the Amherst Mid-Century Dining Table is such a sweet deal for anyone just starting out because it fits small budget but still looks so chic.  I spent way more on my first table at a vintage shop and it wasn't half as nice as this!  And if you have the real-deal mid-century teak or walnut table, you'll appreciate these beautiful acacia wood coasters (or these marble and wood coasters) for protecting those easy-to-stain surfaces... 

For on the table, I'm so happy to be seeing silver in home decor again!   This stainless 20pc Silverware Set has such a delicate, elegant vibe - it definitely looks mid-century, the designers captured the aesthetic so well.

This Hillside Console Table is heavily inspired by a vintage piece I have pinned somewhere in the 30,000 pins I'm hoarding on Pinterest.  It just looks SO familiar (although it looks really different in the light grey/white version - much more coastal)!  I've always envisioned it filled with houseplants, basking in that one, perfect sunny spot where all plants love and refuse to live elsewhere.  I can't be the only person that has ONE place all plants want to be...

Rooms in my house are never "finished" because I am so slow choosing the perfect pieces.  I hate replacing things.  I like to make design decisions that will last and sometimes that requires patience - and an ongoing mental list of pieces for which I'm still searching.  On that list right now: reading lamp and, if it weren't for the brass, this Coulee Floor Lamp would be perfect!

I have had a wood stool in my front entry for years and it's so indispensable!  I don't really have a proper entryway, just a minuscule little hall and then - BOOM - you're in my house.  I don't have room for a console table or bench, just a little wood stool but it's the perfect spot to set my purse or tie my shoes.  This Ryder Accent Stool would be similarly handy, but it also makes the perfect versatile side table in a spare, refined space.  Those clean lines are so striking!

  
So many of the bedrooms I pin have a beachy vibe and that's definitely the direction my lakehouse decor is taking: beachy meets mid-century.  But my own bedroom is the least beachy room is the least beach space in the house - save for my beach glass inspired closet doors.  My mid-century posters define the space and I'd never part with those three (I am considering selling the forth, though!), but I do still ogle a beachy bedroom when I see one.  This Green Dot Woven Bedding looks so great in this bedroom, and it's only one or two accessories away from capturing that vintage beachy look.

These are just some of my favorites.  Have you purchased anything from Project 62?  I noticed a few things I put in my shopping cart online sold out before I could commit - oops...Target is really on fire with this line - even the way the rooms are styled is so inspiring. 

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8 Modern Dog Bowl Stands (Shop Stylish Raised Feeders)

Because Szuka's bowls are always out (she eats and drinks whenever she feels like it throughout the day, which is so convenient), I wanted her raised bowl stand to complement our decor, but there really wasn't much on the market at the time - so Hubby and I made her a sweet mid-century inspired raised feeder.  The three of us still love it!  So then we made a pink raised bowl stand on gold hairpin legs for my Mom's place too.  Now there are definitely a slew of really great modern dog bowls and bowl stands on the market, so I rounded up 8 favorites for anyone who wants a stylish raised feeder for their pup without having to bust out the jigsaw.  (Don't forget to chat with your vet to make sure a raised feeder is right for your four legged pal). 

This wood elevated pet food dish with white bowls look so beautiful, I'm not convinced they aren't meant for humans.  I love the warmth of the wood, which would really blend in beautifully with mid-tone wood floors for a dog bowl stand that disappears, visually.  It reminds me of the solid walnut tray on legs we made my Mom, so this has potential to serve as DIY inspiration, too...

For a change of pace, this acrylic dog bowl stand (which comes with TEAL bowls) made my heart skip a beat and I almost ordered it.  The price tag had another effect on my heart but, really, if this lasts a long time then the cost of use is next to nothing!  It would look so perfect in an ultra modern, minimalist home.

For a much more affordable dog bowl stand with a similar "lucite" look, this acrylic base with stainless bowls is a great alternative - although I do love the colored bowls of the previous stand.

This simple chrome dog bowl stand is a chameleon, working well in a mid-century modern inspired space or contemporary digs.  It's versatile and a great price.

This resin dog bowl stand is lower to the ground and comes in such summery colors.  Of course I love the turquoise, but the pink is adorable too.  The design is so clever for messy eaters!

Did someone say mint?  These mint-colored dog bowls look so perfect in a matte black bowl stand - I love the retro vibe (it comes in other colors, like purple, and different sizes too). 

I love the simple, modern look of this elevated dog bowl stand and I really appreciate that it comes in different heights to ensure a good match with a pup's size.  Plus, like all of my favorites, it would work really well with mid-century modern inspired decor. 

You know I'm not a huge fan of gold in my home, but even I cannot resist this gold dog bowl - it looks like a hunk of pyrite and I am a huge fan of rocks.  It's SO glamorous!
There you go: some of my favorite modern and stylish raised dog bowl feeders, plus some DIY ideas!  If you happened to score (or make!) a really cool dog bowl stand I'd love for you to share a link in the comments.

P.S. With hot weather on the horizon, don't forget to check out my post for tips on how to keep your dog cool in the summer months. 

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20 Gorgeous Turquoise Kitchen Accessories to Love

Clearly, I love turquoise.

I've always loved turquoise, but it wasn't until moving lakeside that I felt liberated enough to really embrace the color.  In the townhouse I really played it safe because I was so concerned with resale.  My style, as you've seen, is actually much bolder when I'm not constrained by trying to create a space everyone will love.  I'm the gal who once painted my car lime green - I'm drawn to color.

After painting my kitchen cabinets turquoise, and realizing how HAPPY the room made me, I started to play pretty fast and loose with the color, peppering in some vintage blues and shades of green so it's not all aqua, all the time.  There's even a little bright orange here and there.  It's been almost three years since we moved to the lakehouse and Hubby and I both agree that our house feels happy and uplifting - and very "us". 

If you've been wanting to add a dash of aqua to your kitchen, without going all in like we did, I've rounded up my favorite cheery - and practical! - turquoise kitchen accessories.   There's tons of aqua kitchen accessories out there, from cutting boards to kitchens tools, but these are my favorites because they have that perfect mix of modern-retro I love.

Turquoise Bread Box:
Could this retro-inspired turquoise bread box be any cuter?  The shape reminds me of an Airstream trailer.

Turquoise Bakery Box:
If you don't have room for a breadbox - or want a matching set - this bakery box is too cute!   I'm eyeing it up for storing cookie cutters or kitchen odds and ends.

Kate Spade All in Good Taste Turquoise Kettle:
I love the retro look of this Kate Spade kettle and that soft turquoise hue is pretty perfect.  However, this turquoise kettle from Amazon is pretty cute too - its handle is even turquoise.

Turquoise Coffee Maker:
I still use my old porcelain Melitta pour-over brewer, but I'm tempted by automatic coffee machines.  I drink so little coffee at home (I'm an avid tea drinker at home, an insatiable coffee drinker when I'm out), but I'd be tempted with a beauty like this on the counter.  P.S. Keurig makes a cute turquoise coffee maker too.

Turquoise Pyrex 100 Year Anniversary Measuring Cup:
Don't laugh at me, but when Hubby and I drove to Minneapolis MN one year, getting this cup from Target was definitely one of my main objectives!  I also picked up a turquoise colander at the same time.

Turquoise Oven Mitt Set:
My oven mitts are so old and - SHOCKER - not aqua.  They're about the give up the ghost so I'm already casually shopping for another set and this seems like a good deal - 5 pieces for under $18!  This set of turquoise tea towels is pretty too.

Turquoise Metal Colander:
Perfect for instagram-worthy photos of freshly picked strawberries ;)

Turquoise Kitchen Canisters:
I found a second set of turquoise metal canisters, if plastic isn't your jam.  I am obsessed with keeping food in sealed jars because I'm terrified of pantry moths! 

Turquoise Slow Cooker:
How adorable is this turquoise slow cooker (also this smaller turquoise slow cooker)?  When I bought one I had just moved cities and was moving into my first apartment with Hubby.  I was so overwhelmed with the ginormous list of things I still needed to buy, I hurriedly bought a huge white slow cooker with a farmhouse kind of vibe.  Much to my chagrin, it's one of the few appliances I haven't had to replace.  I hate it so, but it does work really well.  If you're thinking about a slow cooker DO IT - they make life so easy and there are some really fabulous gourmet slow cooker recipes out there.  Just invest in a cuter one than I did, because these things seems to last forever...

Turquoise Kitchen Timer:
Our kitchen timer just up and died one day - and I almost burned the Shepherd's Pie!  It was an awesome magnetic timer with multiple hours and two separate timers, which we used everyday.  I cannot find its replacement and I'm so bummed, but this turquoise kitchen timer might help me deal with the loss.

Turquoise Wall Clock with Timer:
This retro turquoise clock with timer is SO similar (I love how more of the aqua shows) but they're both cute, frankly! With a built-in kitchen timer - that's handy!

Turquoise KitchenAid Stand Mixer:
They position the candy-colored stand mixers right by the entrance of my local Canadian Tire and I stop to ogle them every. single. time.  I have a perfectly good turquoise hand mixer and a million bowls so I really can't justify this purchase but maybe when we renovate our kitchen and there's far less aqua, I'll splurge because it would look so good out on the counter.

Turquoise Pots and Pans:
I am still loving my turquoise Kate Spade non-stick pots (here's the sauce pan) and non-stick pans.  When I first used them I still used a little oil, but these days I barely use any - usually none - which has been fabulous because I liked being able to control the amount of cooking oil/fat I consume.  They are just so cheery and they look great on the stove top.  I swear, they make cooking more enjoyable!  Plus they wash up easily and seem to be great quality.

But this Urban Outfitters turquoise cookware set looks like a great deal too, and Rachel Ray has a great turquoise pot set as well.  Wow - I didn't realize until now how abundant turquoise pots and pans are!

Turquoise Blender:
I have a ridiculous number of blenders: three, to be exact.  My turquoise blender, another cheap blender from Costco when it looked like my turquoise one had failed (we fixed it!!), and a magic bullet for when I'm making smoothies solo.  We love a good protein smoothie around here, so I devote precious cabinet space to two of my three blenders.

Mint/Sofa Turquoise Toaster:
I used to love a toaster oven but when ours failed, my Mummu gave me a four slice toaster she got for free.  It's worth something like $200 and darn it if it isn't the best quality toaster I've ever used!  If it ever bits the dust, this turquoise toaster will be my first choice. I don't think I'll ever have the cash for a Smeg fridge, so I love the idea of getting one of these cuties at least, to capture that retro vibe.  Who else is craving waffles now?

Turquoise Toaster/Countertop Oven:
This countertop oven is pretty darn amazing. I wonder if I could somehow use it in the boat...

Kate Spade Turquoise & Wood Kitchen Tool Set:
I have recently added a mix of worn wooden spoons to my chrome and turquoise KitchenAid tools (which I store in a clear glass vase on the counter).  I've added a few wood accents all over the kitchen, actually, and I love how they've warmed up my turquoise kitchen without adding another color and breaking my mostly monochromatic palette. 

For just solid turquoise kitchen utensils like mine, this set is a good buy.  Mine are KitchenAid, which I bought piece by piece to replace my utensils that had worn out.  I didn't buy everything in the set, because it was already kind of expensive with shipping.  Now some of the prices are really high because it's discontinued but I get asked, from time to time, where I got my kitchen tools so here's what available: turquoise can opener, turquoise pizza cutter, turquoise whisk, turquoise slotted turner, turquoise short turner, turquoise spatula, turquoise vegetable peeler, turquoise kitchen shears, turquoise measuring spoons, turquoise mesh strainer, turquoise basting brush, turquoise tongs, turquoise ice scream scoop,

Turquoise + Bamboo Cutting Board:
Another way to pair up wood and turquoise: this sweet "dipped" bamboo cutting board!

Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Magnets:
Even though we can tell whether the dishwasher is clean or not because usually the little dishwasher puck caps flips when it's freshly washed, Hubby and I still ask each other, "is the dishwasher clean or dirty?" about three times a day.  We need one of these magnets!

Turquoise Kid's Play Kitchen:
I love this retro aqua kid's play kitchen SO much, it would be the best kitchen accessory of all time for a family with littles... Plus, it's under $100 with free shipping right now!


There are quite a few things on this list I'd love to add to my turquoise kitchen.  Have you found any cute kitchen accessories lately? 

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