Melissa Loves

An announcment!

**Here is a direct link for you friends: here  **

& if you think of it, you could update your feeds and links! :)

** This former space will remain up for a month to redirect any visitors! ** 

xo

Melis

Melissa loves: Kristybee

Hello lovely friends, 

               Happy Friday! I am so happy to have  the lovely Kristy from Kristybee be a part of this series. So many beautiful photographs to see, in her shop and on her flickr page. This one is SO gorgeous, and this and this. *sigh* I asked Kristy about the inspiration behind this particular piece and here was her adorable answer. 

"Well..this is easy to answer. My inspiration..lovely pink tulips in my cold winter home..lol. I went to Whole Foods and was completely enthralled by these gorgeous tulips. I brought them home and spent about two hours photographing them, with many different cameras, instead of going to the gym that day..lol. True story.
It captures a change in light in my home..which means spring is coming. And, well..that makes me feel extremely excited and happy :-) "

1~beautiful tea pot here

2~adorable chair here

3~lovely bag here

4~ pretty,pretty clutch here

5~ gorgeous necklace here

6~ awesome birch "log" pillow here

Kristy, thank you so much for taking part in this series and I am so excited to see what inspires you next! 

Have a wonderful weekend all! 

xo

Melis

The little things: A thoughtful gesture.....

Hello sweet friends! 

               Good morning and happy Thursday! Yesterday was one of those days where I was busy, busy, busy but, enjoying every moment. You know those days? I was busy being a mom and right in the middle of my day I receive an email from my sweet friend(whom I have never met) Traci French( who lives on the other side of the country from me) with a photo and a note. The photo is below, taken by the lovely Mr. French, as Traci and their little "B" were snuggling, giggling and reading stories. 

< ~ sweet photo by MR. French....(that's right, MR. :)>

But, unwittingly Mr. French also took the best action shot of my "Andrea" ring. One I could never get, believe me I tried! And that is why Traci sent it to me, she said she was thinking of me and that the sentiment on the ring matched the moment perfectly. *sigh* Well, I cannot tell you how much that made my day. My little ole ring, way over there, on sweet Traci's finger, enjoying a precious moment. I kind of can't believe it and that IS exactly why I wanted to begin making my jewelry to begin with. So, this was a little thing that I am treasuring today...and I thought I would share it with you all. And I also sought out some other lovely rings to share, because there are SO many out there, just on etsy alone. Whew! Take a gander and enjoy

~ Pearl ring here 

~silver & gold ring here

~gold stacking rings here

~ rose cut diamond ring here

~ tin & silver ring here

~flower ring here 

Thank you again dear Traci & Mr. French....

What are you treasuring today? I would really love to know! 

xo

Melis

(ps don't forget to check out the info down below about Marichelle's fabulous 

etsy event )

Not to be missed! :)

Hello sweet friends! 

              You don't want to miss this! 

In Marichelle's own words: 

"Thirty products from 30 different artists, handpicked by me! Each artist has provided at least one listing/item specially priced for this 30-Minute SHOP LIVE sale event. Registered users can save up to 25% on regular prices and free shipping on select items. Some of the artists are even having all day sales in celebration of the event - stay tuned for details, I'll be posting about their special deals tomorrow morning so you can get your shop on early!"

Be sure to hop on over to Heart Handmade to read more details about this awesome event and see the full list of  the artists who are participating. I can't wait, I think it is going to be so much fun! 

Stay tuned for a new" little things" post coming up! 

xo

Melis

Tea & Talk: Kate Towers

Happy Wednesday friends!  

                   I am so happy to see you all here today and so happy for today's installment of Tea & Talk! Today's artist is an incredibly talented clothing designer, Kate Towers. Perhaps you have fallen in love with one of Kate's gorgeous creations( "all made by hand piece by piece") before or perhaps you are just about  to fall in love for the first time, Whichever it may be, be sure to get comfortable, grab your cup of comfort and settle in.....it is my pleasure to welcome lovely Kate! 

Melis's questions:

1. 3 living things you treasure

family

friends

nature

2. 3 non-living things that you treasure

sewing machine

studio space ( just a small room in my house but all mine!)

dunno what else

3. favorite time of the year and why

September, fall. i was born in September. just a magical time. air gets crisp, sun is still out. golden colors. there is just something nostalgic and romantic about the fall. not to hot or too cold. woolly sweaters and boots, apple picking. i get so energized and inspired this time of year. 

4. favorite things to wear

something old with something new

good jeans and beat up tees

dresses when i get a chance

5. are you a perfume wearer ? If yes, which one? / top 3 favorite smells

not really but i like the smell of cake baking, fresh cut grass, grapefruit

6. favorite animal

unicorn

7. top three events in your life(so far)

having a baby

owning/ running a store for 8 years

traveling with my husband

8. top three favorite small pleasures

swimming in warm water

time to myself

laughing as hard as you can with good friends 

9. top 3 favorite places in the world( you have visited or would like to visit)

Basel, Amsterdam, Nice

some day i really want to take a barge along the canals and rivers of France! I'd also like to visit Iceland, Scotland, many other places

10. top 3 favorite sounds

my baby laughing - her deep belly laugh

the ice cream truck going down the street

band practice in the basement while the baby sleeps and i sew- i just like the energy in the house when there are various creative things going on all at once. 

11. top 3 favorite things to eat

okay, i generally eat really healthy but if i'm going to indulge:

ice cream

good bread with good butter

anything sweet!

12. 3 small ways someone has made your day lately

husband watched the baby yesterday so i could go to a movie with a friend! 

husband made home made pizza for dinner with friends AND cleaned everything up!

ANY time someone makes an effort to email me or let me know they really like my work - that makes my day!

13. 3 small habits/quirks you have that make you specifically you!

i talk way too fast- just trying to keep up with all my crazy thoughts!

i like stale pretzels

i'm a francophile

Ez's Questions:

14.-Describe your life using 6 words maximum (for each time frame).

PAST: interesting, good, hard, fun, charmed, 

PRESENT: insane, new, hard, insane, amazing, indescribable

FUTURE: busy, exciting, fantastic, surprising, special, peaceful

15. You are truly passionate about indie and handmade goods, tell us how that interest was formed:

i've always made things with my hands for as long as i can remember. i can't imagine life without art - making art. i never would have survived high school or life without it so i can really appreciate when others feel the same and are trying to make a living with their art. it's not easy and we all need to support each other, keep it alive. i ran a clothing store for 8 years where we sold local hand made clothing, really amazing one of a kind pieces. it was really special. 

16 .Name 3 words that you can't stand, and 3 that you love:

so hard to choose only 3!

hate - ointment, sustainable, creations

love- champers ( code for champagne), lollipop , poop 

17. What are a few of the goals you have for your future and how do you plan on making them a reality?

keep on working on my line, evolving, fine tuning my craftsmanship - really, just continuing to experiment as i do now.

illustrate a children's book - maybe when i need a break from sewing. 

and have another baby -use your imagination

18. What is the best piece of advice you've ever heard?

i can't imagine there is one best piece of advice but my husband is always telling me "don't sweat the small stuff" which of course i tend to do all the time. there really is no use worrying over petty little things that you can't even change anyway! 

19. what is your favorite quote and why? ya know, i just don't have one. not a quote having kind of girl. 

Kate, thank you SO much for being a part of this series, it was an honor to have you. Your work is so absolutely beautiful and I, for one, am so looking forward to all you create in the future. All the very best, it was a pleasure!

(ps~ don't forget to check out Kate's etsy shop too, and keep checking back. Although empty right now, Kate promises to have more things in the future! ) 

xo

Melis & Ez

Cheap & Chic: Mother's day!

Hello sweet friends! 

               Happy Tuesday! I want to say thank you for all of your incredibly sweet comments about the Cookie post yesterday, it really means a lot to me. Truly. Ready for another installment of C & C ? Well, today we have a request from the lovely Tess who wanted something that would double as a pretty outfit for Mother's day but, also would be appropriate for becoming a godmother to her new little niece! 

"I'd like something pretty, comfortable and fresh. I love dresses, skirts and cardigans with sweet little flats so I can chase after my 2 year old and carry my 7 month old at the same time." 

I think this outfit would fit the bill...comfortable, fresh, and pretty! Also, perhaps some of these items could be mother's day gift ideas(the gorgeous silhouette necklace and the beautiful ring). I sure hope you like it Tess and I hope you have a wonderful day! Don't miss Ez's look too, right here. 

cardigan here ~ $22.50

versatile dress here~ $59.50

wonderful silhouette necklace here~$20.00 ( perhaps you received this as a gift for Mother's day?)  

sweet green sandals here~ $19.95 

awesome bag here ~$44.99 

beautiful ring here~ $74.00 ( and this...:)

Total~ $240.94

xo

Melis

Just in case....

Hello lovely friends...

                Just popping in to say that lovely Ez interviewed me for a little tour of our house on Cookie mag's 

Nesting feature. So, just in case you would like to check it out...here it is! 

See you back here tomorrow and have a great rest of your monday! 

xo

Melis

ps that is my littlest one snoozing up there in the photo....Ez took it when she was visiting and I do love it so......thank you so much hun! 

Monday: soft and romantic

Hello sweet friends,

                  I hope you all had wonderful weekends....we played and enjoyed the beautiful weather(on sunday at least). It is back to drizzly today but, it is too late. Spring really seeped into my bones yesterday and I am not letting go! I was so inspired by this beautiful photograph by the  lovely Mrs. French this weekend. So soft, feminine and yet, I do love the the little fuzzy branches bringing in a touch of  reality. So, I picked some soft yet, grounded things to go along with it and I sure hope you like them. 

Have a wonderful monday my dears!  

~lovely slip/dress here

~romantic lampshade here

~wonderful stack of rings here

~Traci's beautiful photograph here ( Thank you my friend) :)

xo

Melis

Melissa loves: Kale Primitifs

Hello sweet friends! 

                    Happy Friday! I am thrilled to have lovely Karena from Kale Primitifs here with us today! Karena's shop is new to me but, I am already so far gone on this bracelet(above) and this necklace(I can think of 10 friends whom I would love to give this to) and this. Just absolutely lovely, with a wonderful vintage feel but, completely fresh. I asked Karena what the inspiration behind this particular piece was and she had this to say: 

" I found these bronze charms while pondering over the little dishes of odds and ends in my studio. I had wanted to create a charm bracelet for some time, and the botanical pieces were just waiting to a part of something! Of course nature is my greatest inspiration, so it's incorporated into almost everything I do.

 I love the weight of the bracelet, and I like to look at each and every charm. I'm happy that I was able to feature all of the plants in one piece, since I have so many... and so many more odds and ends in little dishes... : ) "

~1 gorgeous bag here

~2 beautiful dress here 

~3 sweet pillow here

~4 lovely bag here

~5 excellent idea here ! 

~6 sweet leaves here

I, for one ,am so glad that Karena has many more "odds & ends" in little dishes! That means, there are many more beautiful pieces to come! Thank you so much sweet Karena! I am so happy to know of you and so happy to have you be a part of this series! 

xo

Melis

(happy weekend everyone!)

The little things: green

Hi sweet friends...

               I am sure it is because we are all waiting for spring around here....with baited breath. Or perhaps because I am constantly drawn to all things green, in all of it's forms. Or perhaps it is because I just saw this painting the other day and was so captivated. Whatever the reason, I am grateful for green....

~ gorgeous print here

~ the BEST bag here

~ beautiful earrings here

~ vibrant original painting here 

~ romantic dress here

~ lovely earrings here

What are you grateful for today? I would love to know! 

xo

Melis