Latest Finds from Etsy and Beyond

I just love the internet, don't you? I love that if someone is creative or artistic, they can start a business selling their goods. I love that there's something out there for everyone, and I love that no matter how many hours upon hours I spend surfing around, there's always something new to see. 

Today I'm bringing you a few of my latest finds from Etsy and beyond. Whether it's gifts for someone else or gifts for yourself, I hope you see something unique here today! 

Succulent Treasures: Succulents are still having a moment, and since they thrive indoors, they're a great gift for just about anyone. Succulent Treasures has gift boxes full of gorgeous succulents for any occasion. 

Sequins and Lipstick Paper Co.: I found this company on Instagram, and when I saw the owner was from Atlanta, I loved her even more. I'm especially smitten by her housewarming cups with your house number on them. 

Susan Gordon Pottery: Susan Gordon's Pottery is HUGE in my neighboring state, Alabama. I just visited her booth this past weekend during my trip to Birmingham, and I picked up a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings. Her bowls, ring dishes, and jewelry are all handmade and glazed in 22K gold luster.  

The Birds Words Boutique: These oversized beads had me at hello. I love something that adds a little punch to an outfit, and this boutique filled with wooden bead necklaces definitely packs some punch.

Dear Keaton: I still can't get enough of all of the fabulous things at Dear Keaton. This shop is filled to the brim with gifts, artwork, furniture, and more. This tray would be perfect for kicking off tailgating season this weekend! 

Monday Macarons

Don't mind if I do. Happy Monday!

{print available here}

Pink House Press

What do southern values, Ray Charles, and Carolina blue have in common? They’re all a part of Carolann Belk’s Pink House Press. Pink House Press houses some of the most adorable (and affordable!) prints and drink holders around...all laced in southern hospitality.

I had the pleasure of spending a few hours with Carolann, the owner and operator of Pink House Press, on an unseasonably warm February afternoon after several days of Atlanta snow. Stick around and learn more about this charming belle and her southern pride prints. 

  

Why did you decide to focus your shop and designs on the spirit of the south?

I moved to New York City after graduating from UNC, and I became re-obsessed with everything southern. I missed it so much here. I think that reinvigorated me to be inspired by everything southern. Even when I moved to Atlanta, I found myself constantly looking up southern things on Etsy and everywhere else. That’s how Pink House Press came to be. 

What is your favorite product that you sell?

It has to be my original Carolina print because it is an homage to my alma mater, and it was the first thing I ever made, so it was the most exciting product, too. 

Tell me your definition of "southern hospitality"?

For guys, treating ladies with chivalry and having the “old” manners; being respectful towards women. For girls, putting on a smile even when you don’t want to…to everyone you meet…and if you really don’t like someone, “bless their heart.”

Fill in the blank: one thing every home should have is...

Photos or some type of art that means something to you.

What is your favorite southern dish? Pecan pie or key lime pie?

It’s a tie between my mom's fried okra her cheese grits; she makes the best cheese grits. Better yet: fried okra with cheese grits. Definitely pe-can pie! 

What was the last book you read?

I don’t read a ton of books, but Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is the last book I read start to finish and actually enjoyed; it made me want to move to Savannah. 

Want to read more about Carolann and get to know the story of Pink House Press even better? Head over to Mainly Southern for the full interview! In the meantime, Carolann is offering 20% off of her shop right now with the code "DOTS20".  AND! She's offering you a chance to win a print & drink holder combo of your choice.

To Enter:

Visit Pink House Press and leave a comment below telling me what your favorite drink holder & print combination is. Don't forget to include your email, so I know how to reach you if you're the big winner!

For an extra entry like Probably Polka Dots on Facebook and leave another comment below stating that you did.
(If you already like my page, simply leave an additional comment that you do!)

For even more entries, follow Pink House Press on Instagram and leave another comment below!

This giveaway will end at 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, March 19th and is open to US residents only. Winner will be notified via email.

Gertie & Baxter + a Giveaway

Knits, bows, and ikat...what's not to be completely smitten by? Those things are exactly what you'll find in the Gertie & Baxter shop. Hailing from LA, Jen and Julie are interior designers who say that they noticed remnant pieces here and there in their studio and decided to start making unique women's fashion out of them. Now, their shop and Etsy store houses some of the most creative accessories on the market. Their feminine bows and colors as well as their product versatility will surely keep ladies shopping with them for years to come.

I gifted my bridesmaids & house party their grosgrain ribbon bags, and I wear one of their knit headbands to every 6 AM Pure Barre class that I drag myself out of bed for. Today, you have a chance to win a navy knit headband of your own!

To Enter:

Leave a comment below!

For an extra entry like Probably Polka Dots on Facebook and leave another comment below stating that you did. (If you already like my page, simply leave a comment that you do!)

Please leave a contact email in one of your comments.

This giveaway will end at 11:00 PM EST on Sunday, February 23rd and is open to US residents only. Winner will be notified via email

UPDATE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Funny Valentine's Day Cards

When searching for a card for my Valentine, I always try to find one that is just the tiniest bit humorous. Thank GOODNESS for etsy and its endless amount of stationary shops to fit this need of mine. Check out these funny cards and snag one just in time for your sweetie! 

ron weasley

cute dinosaur 

pick up line

i'm gonna love ya

you know...

Etsy Co. You Should Know

I am thrilled to share this shop with you, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Allow me to direct your attention to Lily & Val, a custom chalkboard art company. Ladies, this is not your typical chalk drawing; it's artistic and beautiful. Shop owner and lady behind the scenes, Valerie McKeehan, creates unique hand-chalked posters and prints that are preserved with paint. They are fantastic, and I hope I can snag at least one soon!

I read this poem, "Annabell Lee", every year with my students. I'd love to incorporate it into our wedding day somehow!

Scoutmob is currently running a deal for Lily & Val, so hop on over and check them out. It would make a great last minute Mother's Day gift: Pair this one with a cute coffee mug, and you're set!

I know that everyone loves a good Etsy find, so this may or may not be a new series here on PPD.  What do you guys think?

 

Perfectly Paired Prints III

Cocktail week was such a fun topic that I can't let it go just yet. So, I'm giving y'all one more day of it! There is nothing I love more than a themed gift. With Mother's Day on the horizon, graduation parties galore, and wedding season in full swing, we're all in the market for some easy gift ideas. 

Amanda Helmer of Amanda Catherine Designs recently released a new collection of her prints: The Bar Cart Collection! Here are a few ideas for pairing one of her prints with a bar accessories to create the perfect gift:

ACD Make Mine a Double + C.WONDER enamel bar set 

ACD Saturday Mornings + ANTHROPOLOGIE dotted napkins 

ACD She loves + C.WONDER gold chevron glasses

 

Perfectly Paired II

When I posted this post back in November, it was such a hit that I knew I'd have to resurrect the concept again later. Well ladies, we've reached later! I love the idea of matching art with jewels, and what better way to do that than pairing them with lovely baubles from Charles Emerson Designs & prints from Stephanie Creekmur?

Don't forget you'll get 10% off of Charles Emerson jewels & accessories with the code "PARTYWITHPOLKADOTS" this week only! Go treat yourself!

Oh My Heavens / The Olive necklace / The Susie earrings / You Butter My Biscuit / Well Pick My Peas / The Tilda necklace & earrings

I'm linking up with Shanna from Because Shanna Said So today for Random Wednesdays. Go over there and get some new reads!

I'm also linking up with Lauren from Stylelixir for Style Sessions. Be sure to take a peek at this stylish blog for some extra style advice from some very stylish ladies!

Four Favorites: Valentine's Day Edition

I'm trying a new link-up this week, and I couldn't be more excited. Now, y'all know I love my girl Shanna, and my new friend Lauren, but you also know how blogger-block can happen...and it hit me HARD when I was planning for this post. A new link-up gave me just the inspiration and spark I needed. Let's get started, shall we?

This link-up is with Ashlyn of Let It Be Beautiful & Kristin from Fancy Things and is called 4 Favorites. Last week, the theme was Valentine's Day, and I'm so sad that I missed it that I decided to play catch up. Here are my four favorites for the season of love:

WAITING ON MARTHA love sparkler wands / CAMILLE'S CLOSET polish / STEPHANIE CREEKMUR oh my darlin' card / WAITING ON MARTHA pink cake stand

Spot on & Notable: Stephanie Creekmur

Y'all. You're going to love this latest installment of Spot on & Notable. I recently ran across this awesomely adorable and sweetly southern shop, Stephanie Creekmur, and I had to share it with you. Stephanie is a graphic designer with a good eye for design and a soft spot for a hand-written note. She's taken many of our favorite southern sayings and turned them in to cards and prints fit for any southern home. Take a look for yourself: 

I think these prints and cards would be a perfect gift for a special someone for Valentine's Day, don't you? I am especially smitten by the gold foil Talk Southern to Me series. They're too good to pass up!

As a special for Probably Polka Dot readers, Stephanie is offering 20% off of the items in her shop with the code "HOORAY". Be sure to take advantage of this great offer! 

By the way, on her personal blog, Stephanie has a great post about blogging dos and don'ts. I promptly put one of her suggestions to use in this very post, and I already like it (justifying text). Who knew it would make such a difference?!

Be sure to look for Stephanie on etsy, twitter, facebook, and pinterest!

Spot on & Notable: Seeker of Happiness

If there's one thing I love, it's stumbling across clever, unique, and useful products. I was thrilled to discover Carrie's adorable shop, Seeker of Happiness on Etsy. Coming from a family of screen printers, Carrie uses her shop as a creative outlet, and boy are her tote bags creatively done. They feature our favorite Mean Girls' quotes, popular catch-phrases, and iconic designs. Fill a tote with goodies and some colorful tissue paper, and you have yourself a uniquely wrapped gift for a friend!

Carrie says her vision for Seeker of Happiness is "to grow into a shop where people can find weirdly specific bags that make them say: "How did this girl know I love that?" I want the tote bags to be simple designs that represent a variety of ideas and identities."

And, I think she's well on her way to doing just that.

Shop the totes here! 

Perfectly Paired Packages: Prints & Baubles

Everyone knows the power of Etsy. The site has an abundance of affordable prints for just about any occasion, but I am always especially drawn to Amanda Catherine Designs' classy, cute, and preppy prints. Why not match one with an equally affordable piece of jewelry for one power-house present? With the holidays right around the corner, these pairings would be a fun gift for any lovely lady on your list.

Perfect French & Gumball Earrings / Wear Sequins & Chevron Strand 

 Paris & Green Glitz  / Confetti & Bow

To Do Lists

Lately, I have been feeling a little swamped. Between work, grad school, and having social needs (not commitments, they're NEEDS, people), I'm finding myself making lists of things to do everywhere. Lists are my favorite way to make sure I get things done, and if I have to make a list, I want it to be on pretty paper! These are all perfect for note taking:

Rifle Paper Company / Design Darling / Silhouette Blue

DIY Arm Party Pt. 1

I teased about this DIY way back in August, but now I'm officially ready to share it with you all. I became infatuated with the J.Crew pave link bracelet during the summer. It's simple, gorgeous, and a perfect addition to a bracelet stack. However, at $125 a pop, I knew it wasn't going to happen. Enter Etsy my go-to shop for all things hand made. I quickly found some textured gold link chain and ordered it. I love how my bracelet turned out, and I get compliments all the time! It's not the real deal, but it's a close second. Here's the step by step:

Step 1: Gather supplies. You'll need textured gold link chain, 2 connecting rings (sold in packs @ Michael's for about $1.99), a large lobster clasp (sold in packs for about $2.99 @ Michael's), and a pair of jewelry pliers (the manly household ones work fine, too!).

Step 2: Measure your wrist. I like my bracelets a little loose, and I don't mind eye-balling. Feel free to bust out the measuring tape for a little more accurate measure. This method works fine, though. Remember to make it a little smaller to leave room for the clasp & rings.

Step 3: Separate your links from the remaining chain, and put the extra aside. You might want to use a second pair of pliers for a grip, but be careful not to pull so hard that you wear off some of the gold finish on the chain. If you do, though, no worries. Just remove that link!

Step 4: Open your 1st connector ring, loop it through the end of one of the gold links. Close the clasp using jewelry pliers.

Step 5: Open your 2nd connector ring, add your lobster clasp, and loop it through the end of the other gold link. Close the clasp using jewelry pliers.

Step 6: Observe, adorn, and brag about your finished product! Here is my favorite way to wear mine:

Totally Tunics

I've been eying the tunic trend wanting to get in on it all summer. The cute hemlines and the vibrant colors are tempting. While tunic style dresses are hot right now, don't leave out their blouse counterparts. They can be equally as summery and stunning, don't you think?

tunic / jeans / sunglasses / bracelet / sandals

earrings

4th of July Style

If I could snap my fingers and put together a perfect 4th of July outfit, this is what I'd choose:

dress / wedge / necklace / clutch / coozie / studs

Summer & Skulls

As you all know, Halloween is my most favorite holiday of the year. In fact, I look forward to the day for the entire month of October. Recently, however, I've noticed some Halloween-esque style sneaking into the pages of magazines and the pictures on blogs - skulls!

I first noticed skulls becoming a part of accessorizing on Made by Girl. Jen's skull-laden wrists have been seen multiple times on her blog. She has that je ne sais quois style that girls long for - the bracelets just topped it off.

But, the more I spent some quality time in blogland (what's a teacher to do in the summer?), the more I found this stylish little face popping up all over. Bracelets look great as part of a stacked group or daintily alone. And rings & earrings are another way to subtly sport this trend. Here are a few of my favorite skull pieces:

Coral & Sparkly Skull

Brass Noggins

Colorful Cranium

A Dainty Version

picking up this one for myself

Tiny Earrings

Stackable Rings