Trends: Unexpected Electric Florals

You know spring is really here when you see the tulips and other cool weather bulbs pushing out their leaves and bursting into color. It’s no wonder then that designers find it hard to resist the allure of bright colors and floral motifs in their own work. Every which way you turn you’ll be confronted with electric hues in flowery blooms. 

From home goods to fashion pieces – the trend is truly contagious. And for good reason! Who doesn’t want some color in their life after a long and grey winter?! To help inspire you in how to harness the brilliant and happy power of neon florals – I’ve curated the following items from some of my favorite Etsy vendors. Enjoy!

Unexpected Electric Florals: Design Trends

1. Chickens Love Tattoos art print by  Corella Design

2. Fantasy Floral vintage textile art by April Awakening

3. Cushion Covers in Floral A. Fluro pink by Aqua Door Designs

4. Floral Bird Spring illustration by Laurel Howells

5. Floral Print Heeled Shoes with Socks printable art by Didi Fox

6. Vintage Flower Power T-shirt from Pierogi Picnic

7. Neon Floral Backpack by Shaun Design

8. Sunset Cat art print by Teva Gallery

9. Spring Geometric Statement Necklace by Boo and Boo Factory

10. Vintage Tribal Embroidered Textile from Woman Shops World

11. Floral Printed Watercolor Leggings by Mess Queen New York

12. Neon Triangle Statement Necklace by Fable and Lore

13. Chrysanthemum Serious original art by Jess Hartridge

A Touch of Spring

I love love love playing up each season in my home using knick knacks and materials that are already strewn about our place.

So when  curating the look of my home for Easter and spring, I thought it would be fun to put a creative twist on the traditional symbols of the season.

Can you spot the themes?

pierogi picnic a touch of spring (3)

For this fun and vivid display I collected all the bird-like objects that I had dispersed throughout our apartment and brought them together on a runner of bright green moss.  Compiling items with a similar shape, theme, color, texture or size is a great way to make an  “instant collection” with pieces you already own. Not a dime spent here!

pierogi picnic a touch of spring (6)

I’ve been obsessed with brass vintage figurines this past year. Having found a set of bunny statues a couple years back – I have found myself moving them around the apartment at the shift of each season. But with it being spring – they are front and center on my side tables.

pierogi picnic a touch of spring (5)Feathers feathers feathers! They’re so easy to find and there are endless ways of using them! Whether collected in vases or strewn across the fireplace mantle with twine and washi tape – these natural (and trendy!) wonders add an airy texture to any space.

pierogi picnic a touch of spring (4)

These pillows! I just couldn’t stop myself when they appeared in an email newsletter from fab.com. These unique animal plushies are created when artist Kristin Loffer Theiss draws out the image using thread. She then scans and prints the design onto the fabric and stuffs each with filling and love! The result is a collection of unbearably adorable pillows! Here I’ve collected several of the more spring-like animals together to sit upon my re-upholstered vintage chair. Continue reading

Sale: Spring Cleaning Bonanza!

spring sale

It doesn’t feel like spring in Chicago quite yet – but despite what my weather app may say – the season is officially here! So to celebrate the beginning of longer days and soon-to-be warmer temps, I’m having a one-day-only Spring Cleaning Bonanza sale!

From now until midnight you can take 40% off any ready-made or vintage items in my Etsy shop by using the following coupon code during checkout: springbonanza03

Sound crazy? It is! 

Whether you’ve had your heart set on a new design or a vintage find – now’s the perfect time to scoop things up! There won’t be another sale like this one for months and months to come – so go ahead – and take advantage of this great deal. 

Designs: Awesome Aqua

Pierogi Picnic: Spring + Summer 2013 handmade eco clothing aqua theme

I had quite the night Wednesday as I hosted a Pierogi Picnic photo shoot for the Spring + Summer 2013 collection!

Somewhat overdue, three beautiful ladies braved the cold to come out and dress up in my latest creations. With a click here and a pop there – we flew through over 30 outfits in just over an hour!

As I sit later in the night reviewing the 300+ photos we had snapped – I noticed a theme: aqua. Lots and lots of aqua! It’s funny how certain colors become prevalent with or without intention. I had planned to focus the next few month’s worth of pieces on blacks, whites, mints and pops of red. That was the idea at least! So it’s fun to see where my sub-conscious creativity really leads – and in this case – it’s to the most wonderful of bluish-green hues. 

For a sneak peek at our shoot – check out the Facebook album here

Finds: Monochromes + Mint

grey, white and mint etsy finds

Perhaps it’s the recent snow dump that’s rubbing off on me – but I have been so drawn to monochromatic color schemes of late. I’ve found myself pinning and hearting things that are black, white and grey for weeks! Thank goodness spring is on the horizon – and as it nears – I’m hoping more pops of color will creep into my creative landscape.

  1. Animal Fox original painting by Celine
  2. Mint Green earring studs by Dariami
  3. Insect Specimen No. 1 by Tina Tarnoff
  4. At the Window Garden Ledge pillow cover by Linda McMaster
  5. Large Mountain necklace by Meghann Rader
  6. Sitting Deer statue by Mahzer & Vee

Designs: Take A Bow

Pierogi Picnic: Handmade eco-friendly sweater cowl

I know I know – the end of winter is at hand so what business do I have making more cold weather gear? Well, I don’t know about you, but as far as I’m concerned the layering will continue for at least another couple of months as the current season wanes and spring takes hold. So as I was laying out my design plans for the coming days, I decided to throw caution to the wind and make more cozy layerables that can be stacked over sweaters and raincoats. And so “Take a Bow” was born.

Handcrafted from knitted, itch-free, vintage sweaters, these adorable chunky cowls are both utilitarian and fashion-forward. Creating a warm loop around the neck, these fun accessories have a pinched front to create an over-sized bow shape when worn. Great for wearing indoors or out – I predict that this new design will be a fan favorite in no time!