I haven't been as much in love with a pair of shoes as I am right now with these for a long time. Metallic leather, great cut, handmade (!) and gorgeous. Must have. From EleHandmade.
February 17, 2012
February 05, 2012
Cupid's Corner
Are you ready for the big day of love yet? I have some arrows at this pop up shop in Austin this weekend. If you're in the area, stop by, it's sure to be full of great Valentine's gifts and a few things that you'll want for yourself too!
January 26, 2012
Homesteading Design Land
I'm not much of a graphic designer, but I did take a class or two in college on it and my work at the letterpress shop has definitely taught me a love for a good font. Like these new free fonts from Smashing Magazine. Each one is so perfect! Found via Benign Objects.
January 24, 2012
Caught my eye
Top left, clockwise: Gold Bar Necklace, Headress Image by Flora Debrah, Arrowhead Earrings, Tribal Rug
January 21, 2012
Arrows & Birds
I recently came across Kaye Blegvad's work and love it! She requested a single arrow from my shop and I suggested we trade a set of them for a pair of her darling hand cast arrow earrings. I can't wait to get them! Browsing through her illustrations, I found a few to share with you that either made me laugh or caught my eye. I also enjoyed her Something Happened Here photo series and Cat Encounters, where she is attempting to photograph every cat that crosses her path. I highly suggest a little side trip over to her portfolio!
Native
Please excuse the mess right now, you may have noticed that I've changed my shop and blog name. The store used to be called Verla Ivans, after my grandparents and I really liked it, but I've been itching to change and to brand everything the same, so I started thinking up names a couple months ago. Plus, no one can say my old name right, as evidenced by the godaddy hosting rep who called me this morning and said verlaivans (pronouncing it verlayvans), which I assume is how everyone has been reading it all this time. Even with capitalizing VerlaIvans, in some fonts, like a url font, it still read verlayvans. The blog name, Love Independent, was a weird combination of a Wilco song I was listening to, as I drove by a German Independent car repair shop late at night a long time ago when I was living in LA and my state of mind during a crushing (but for the best) breakup. I've been wanting to change that name forever. So, on to the new, pronounceable and hopefully memorable, Native.
My friend that I talked to last night about the name change says I am milking all I can out of the 1/8 bit of Cherokee blood in me, which is pretty much true, but I really love the new name! I'm still working out the kinks, as you can probably see on my blog header right now. You may also need to adjust your reader to my new home: www.nativeshopblog.com I apologize in advance for the extra clicking around I'm asking you to do!
January 16, 2012
Mini Treasury: Cobalt + Sunshine
Illustration by White Octopus, Screen Printed + Hand Dyed Cardigan by Karina Manarin, Hand Painted Silk Blouse by xsilk, Limited Edition Print by Eloise Renouf
January 14, 2012
Geodes and Old Hotels
You may have noticed that I have a tendency to like pretty much anything that's sparkly. I admit it, shimmer a bit and I'm yours. Like this geode wooden ornament by Michelle Hartney (via Design Crush), found a little too late, since I took the Christmas tree down last night. I know, I know. But James likes the tree up until his birthday and that was just a few days ago. For his birthday, I surprised him with an overnight stay at the darling Peery Hotel downtown. We have a bit of a thing for old hotels and since that visit, I also now have a major crush on his and her sinks. Nice rectangular ones with pedestals and big, flat edges.
January 05, 2012
January 04, 2012
New Year New
Welcome to the New Year! My first day back at the job job was a busy one and also unfortunately full of grumpy people and a coworker who sings - a lot, poorly and songs that I would rather not have stuck in my head (Barbie Girl...really?) But then I got off work, had a great dinner, spent some time relaxing and then was productive all evening. James even picked up the place before I got home, extra treat!
We spent the past weekend at a condo with a bunch of friends and had a great time. Lots of laughing, lots of laziness and lots of good food. My friends can cook! We had homemade falafel, annual black bean soup, best blueberry muffins from scratch ever and baked oatmeal all in one weekend. I also finished off this book that my dear friend (who got a pixie haircut for the first time and looks stunning!) recommended to me and quite enjoyed it.
I say it's all a great start to 2012, welcome, new year, welcome!
