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For My Darling is a wonderful shop full of upcycled goodies.  I love the felted wool owls stuffed with lamb wool.  I am amazed at how someone can take something old and make it into something new and fashionable like the linen bags and wool cuffs.  Absolutely wonderful!

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Handmade Puppet Dreams is a selection of short puppet films by independent artists.  These artists/puppeteers are extremely creative and you just have to watch some of these videos to see what I am talking about.  I’m hooked!

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Tim Lagasse – Sammy & Sofa!

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Laura Heit – Mary Anning and Her Monsters

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I have been reading this book Design Your Self: Rethinking the Way You Live, Love, Work, and Play and on some level I find Karim Rashid’s perspective on design and life in general interesting.  Much of the book is actually common sense and yet it’s a great reminder of how design in any shape and form can make your life more meaningful and definitely more exciting.  Of course, there is a chapter on fashion and in bold lettering he writes “Dump the brands” so people can express their individuality.  Sound familiar?  He also writes “to be individual and creative is far more important than being hip”.  Smart man.  If his ideas aren’t inspiring then the book layout itself might be.  I do love the bold colors used to reinforce his written words.

I have always loved Hello Kitty!  Actually, anything Sanrio makes.  Sign up for Hello Kitty’s Sweet Happy News and get 15 FREE Hello Kitty emoticons.  These emoticons will bring a smile to anyone’s face.  And then maybe you will be motivated to design your own emoticons.

You need to check out these new bracelets in gold and silver at Freshie & Zero.  All affordable at $38 each.  My favorite is Peace and Love.

1.  Nova

2.  Peace and Love

3.  Tiny Hearts

4.  Dwell Pink

5.  Dwell Golden

6.  Cartwheel

And if you are interested in finding out what it means to be an entrepeneur, Freshie & Zero have also added a wonderful and informational post to their blog called Lessons For Entrepeneurs.

These prints from the Vintage Pink Collection by Skippy Designs are so adorable.  Now all I need is more wall space.

I want one. I have no idea how to surf and frankly, I don’t care to learn.  Whatever. I still want one because it’s pretty and will look good leaning up against or hung on the wall.

These custom surf boards are by Naoki.  You can read about the artist and gyotaku here.  I wanted to buy an original print when I was last in Hawaii but didn’t know how carry it on the plane.  Shipping would probably cost more than the print so we decided to go without.  One day I will have one.  Oh, yes, one day I will.