Avril Loreti | Modern Home

I stopped what I was doing when I spotted these from avrilloreti on Etsy. Why is it that I keep finding things for the kitchen that I *must* have, months before we embark on a kitchen reno? ;) Adding this to my must buy list for when we finish (heck, let's just start) the kitchen reno. Oh and bonus for me, she's in Toronto. Anyhow, just a fun shopping find! [Ps., I would even frame these as art, not just use them as towels!] 

Lattice Tea Towel, $25.00 & Spin Wheel Tea Towel $25.00

Searching for Accessories

I've been trying to find a blue & white vase, much like my Mother has in her house - I've been searching vintage shops, antique stores, online, etsy - with no luck. (Or if I did find something, it was super expensive)A friend reminded me to check out Chinatown here in Toronto, and so yesterday afternoon we three took a quick trip to a store I like, Tap Phong Trading Company. Have you been? You must! Here is the trick - You have to go into the store and picture certain things out of the context of a packed store mixed with the weird and the wonderful. I spotted a lovely blue & white vase in the clutter of the store & looked like nothing special but once home, I think it fits right in. And it was $8.99. Awesome. :) I'll post some more pictures of other little finds later but I had to post this beauty.

Here are some shots of our jaunt over to the area. Don't you love exploring your own city? Playing tourist for the day? Anyhow, if you're in Toronto don't forget to check down in Chinatown for the best accessories. Again, picturing things out of the context of clutter is the key to finding treasures. :)

Lovely Tea Towels

I'm choosing a white kitchen I can have beautiful tea towels like these. Wouldn't they be that gorgeous pop of fun colour? Etsy Seller Helen Rawlinson makes these beautiful printed towels that would be oh so perfect in our home but I think that they would be equally as lovely turned into pillows. Anyhow, just some Etsy love for today. I'm much behind on e-mail replies and business picked up over last week - although juggling it all sometimes seems like too much, life has been making my heart feel heavy these days, and keeping busy is keeping me somewhat sane. I try to remember the wise words that my Father tells me, a quote from Winston Churchill - "KBO". And on that note, I sign off  and encourage you to do some retail therapy as I have been doing. ;)

Art from Etsy

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I'm a sucker for original art - paintings to be exact. I see lovely paintings in higher end shops, but the price is very limiting. A week ago I installed the Etsy app on my iphone and I have had the best time finding art as I lie in bed. :) Here are some pieces that I enjoy. Vintage and new, and oh so lovely. (And I may have bought one or two that you see above)

Etsy Night at West Elm

Last night was the Etsy evening at West Elm that my shop was invited to participate in and by the nights end I was bursting at the seams with how awesome it was. First of all, West Elm was so kind and welcoming. Every single staff memeber was fantastic, which made me feel right at home.

But the reason why my night was amazing wasn't because of the sales I did or the exposure for my company through an event like this (although, that was nice) I truthfully had the most amazing night because of who I met. I was absolutely amazed at how many of you read my blog and came to say hello. It made my night to meet people who like my silly ramblings that I do and, the fact that you came to lend support.

My little brother, Peter, came to lend me a hand last night (and do a Starbucks run for me), some of my favourite bloggers came by to say hello, and some amazing women from my neighbourhood came by as well. And when the evening was done I dined at Mildred's Temple with friends (Their burger is the BEST). My cheeks are still hurting from smiling so much. I felt surrounded by amazing people, so if you and I talked - I really loved meeting you. You made my night.

West Elm + Etsy Night with yours truly

The lovely folks at ETSY e-mailed me awhile back to let me know that West Elm had picked my shop* to be a part of the Holiday Handmade Night at the Toronto West Elm. Apart from the fact that I will be there, it sounds like a really fun night of shopping. If you do come, I hope you say hello! xo
*My 13x19 Prints are sold exclusively in my Etsy Shop Here www.PennyPeople.Etsy.com

Etsy Obsessions This Week

Just some fun shopping finds this week. Number three is a repeat, I've posted about this bag many times because I'm obsessed with it. Are you starting to compile your gift list for people yet? I've been collecting gifts for a number of months because I get SO flustered come the Holidays. I think I'm going to be buying online this year. I'm not putting myself through the madness of the mall, with maybe the exception of once - to get into the Christmas spirit. :)

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Etsy Shop: Pigeon Toe Ceramics

I've been browsing Etsy a lot lately. It's like your own personal "One of a Kind Show" online. I love buying unique quality items with the click of a button. The downside to Etsy is that there are so many shops which makes it hard sometimes to find the good stuff. One way I find new shops is that I rely on the "Suggested Shops" feature in my Etsy account. They provide me a list of shops that they think I may like, based on my favourites already.

One little shop that just came on my radar is Pigeon Toe Ceramic. I hearted about 5 things in a matter of 1 minute. I've been collecting ideas for gifts for birthdays and the Holidays coming up. The simplicity of the white ceramic with the burst of colour on the inside is classic -yet modern.

Items: Top Photo, Clockwise from Top Left: Scan Birdhouse, $120,  Rope Birdfeeder $72, Folder Salt & Pepper Cellars,  Mini Creamer $20  Bottom Photo: Mason Jar Votive Lantern, $36

Friday Etsy Shopping

Happy Friday. Here are some of my favorite Etsy finds over the past little bit. Can you tell I'm itching for spring and an infusion of colour? ;) Have a great weekend! xo

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Etsy Vintage Shopping, Brass Deer

If you follow me on twitter you may have seen a late night post a while ago confessing to some late night Etsy Shopping and the impulse buy of some Brass Deer from Haven Vintage.  So, it was $40 for the two deer + $30 shipping to Canada (they are brass, therefore expensive to ship) I thought it was actually quite well priced, and sucked up the shipping cost. A few days later (yes, it was that quick) I got a knock at the door and a HUGE box was on my porch. It couldn't be the deer. But it was. They were about 3 times bigger than I had anticipated. (Late night shopping = not reading the product description fully) And I was in loooove. I think some red bows around their necks will be next!