Lonny Love

Hello. It's always good to see you. Did you know the September issue of Lonny came out yesterday? We suggest you hop over there for a little visit.

Is anyone else swooning over Vicente Wolf's Montauk home? Just putting it out to the universe that we would make fantastic housesitters.

Etsy 101

Dear You + Me*,

You guys find such great stuff on Etsy!  I love the idea of supporting small artists and want to shop using Etsy, but it's so overwhelming. Do you have any tips for an Etsy newbie like myself?
Thanks!

J.

Dear J.,

No, thank you!  We try to find things that you'll enjoy, and we're glad you like what we come up with!  We have to agree that Etsy is overwhelming; it's like shopping at the world's largest flea market.  There are tons of amazing things to find, but you also have to know where to look so you're not sorting through piles of one-eyed dolls and clothespins with little bonnets on them. Here are a few tips for making your trip through Etsy enjoyable and rewarding.

If you know what you're looking for...

1. Search, search, search.    

You can use the search bar at the top to search for "clipboard" or "statement jewelry" or "letterpress."  Using the drop down menu on the left, you can search "Handmade," "Vintage," "Supplies," "All Items," or "Sellers."  

2. Use the Categories.  You can use "Categories" to find what you are looking for because after you choose the category that you want, you can narrow it down, and then search within that.  For example, say I am looking for some striped burp cloths for a pregnant friend who loves stripes. I can chose "Children" then "Baby" then "Burp Cloth", and finally I can search within "Burp Cloth" to narrow it down to stripes.

Once I do, look what's the second item that comes up: 

Lines Organic Cotton Burp Cloth (set of 2) from Organic Quilt Company

Ta-Da!  Five minutes and maybe 5 clicks later, I have just what I am looking for--cute striped burp cloths that are organic to boot!  

If you are just browsing...

3. Use the Treasury, Editor's Picks, and Featured Sellers features.  Some folks are so intimidated by Etsy that they never scroll down.  Etsy has so many ways to find what you're looking for that to just browse by category is akin to buying an iPhone and only using it to make phone calls.  If you scroll down a bit on the home page, on the left, there is a navigation box that has a bunch of ways to sort through everything that's on Etsy.  I love to use the Treasury, Editors' Picks, and Featured Sellers to see what other folks are digging on.  

4. See who hearts your favorite shop.  Etsy has a feature where you can see who likes the items in a shop. For example, I have Dutch Door's CA and NY birds and blooms prints, and they make me happy Every. Single. Time. that I pass by them. Here is the CA one:

California from Dutch Door Press

Maybe I would like to buy something from a seller who also loves Dutch Door's aesthetic.  

By thumbing through the sellers who like Dutch Door, I found this ring:

Silver Constellation Ring from Tider Design

Pretty, right?  And maybe not something that I would have found otherwise.

We hope these 4 tips help and will make Etsy seem less intimidating.  Thanks for writing in, and happy shopping!

xo,

ME*

Office Goodies to Make You Grin

Unless you're lucky enough to have an entire room dedicated to work endeavors, you're probably resigned to being productive in a spot that is in at least partial view from the non-work areas in your home. Maybe your home decor style can aptly be described as Staples chic, but if not, you may be seeking office supplies that don't beg for fluorescent lights and tinny renditions of soft rock classics. Here are some to consider:

Clockwise from top left: Miniature Ceramic Rainbow Factory by PearsonMaron; Dream Big by JohnWGoldman; Iphone/Ipod Docking Station by LichenWoods; You Are Here Now by Farouche

Clockwise from top left: Wooden Tape Dispenser and Japanese Masking Tape by UGUiSU; Paper Wrapped Pencils by missisaau; Vintage Erasers at deathmachine; Coccoina Glue Sticks (they're non-toxic and smell like almonds!) at littlepinkstudio

Clockwise from top left: Clipboard and File Folders by Urban Posture; Sticky Notes by MichelleBrusegaard; Recycle Bin Letter Book by erinzam via Poppytalk's Back to School Marketplace; Pencil/Schedule Pocket by presentandcorrect; Manifesto Word Series Notebook by roughdrAftbooks via Poppytalk's Back to School Marketplace

Giveaway Winners!

All of you!  That's right!  Since all of you took the time to comment, we'll send you each a garland for your spaces.  Shoot us a quick email (youplusmestyling[at]gmail[dot]com) with your address, and we'll put them in the mail for you next week. 
xo!

Happy Friday!

this was too pretty to save for another time. we hope everyone enjoys their weekend!
{via design for mankind}

Baby (Mama) Jewelry

It's such a cruel paradox: right after you've had a baby, you have the most need to feel pretty and wear something special, but you can't put on your favorite necklace/earrings/bracelet to get you out of your post-partum sartorial doldrums because a) you're afraid you'll scratch or somehow maim the baby, b) you're afraid the baby will choke on your Grandma Pearl's locket, and/or c) you'd like the holes in your ears to remain intact. If you know a new mom who has a birthday/anniversary/Wednesday coming up and you would like to get her something that she can wear right now, fortunately for you, there are some options for jewelry out there if you get creative enough. Repeat after me: smooth, short, and durable. Nothing sharp, nothing hangy, and nothing delicate. Observe:

If you're giving a new mom earrings, unless she specifically tells you not to, get her studs. Here are 2 selections that say "I'm still hip even though I have 3 coats of vomit on my shirt."

Left: Mix & Match Studs by Wendy Nichol; Right: Geometric Shield Earrings by Hash and Cheese

Rings are almost never a bad idea for new moms (unless they're sharp or protrude too much). I am loving the rough feel of these beauties:

Left: Diamond Slice Ring by Priyanka Sodhi; Right: Rose Cut London Blue Topaz Ring by Janish Jewels (do you hear that? It's the sound of me coveting this ring.)

Normally, I wouldn't advise getting a necklace for someone with a baby, but these fabric beauties are an exception.

Left: Natural with Black Stripe Necklush; Right: Snake Corset Fabric Necklace by Thief and Bandit (this may not be great if she has a kid who is prone to heavy pulling due to the metal chain and clasp, but it is so pretty that maybe she could wear it while her baby naps)

If she's into whimsy, look no further:

Left: Crayon Rings by Timothy Liles at the Curiosity Shoppe (especially good if she has an older kid who she wants to keep entertained while she's attending to the new baby); Right: Classic Vanishing Timex Watch (those naps aren't going to schedule themselves!)

Also, let's talk about these two beauties from A Alicia. They're hand-knitted, gorgeous, and perfect for any new mom. I had finished this post and was saw A Alicia's work in N.E.E.T. magazine (http://www.neetmagazine.com/), and I couldn't stop myself from coming back and adding them.

Left: Six Cord Knitted Necklace; and Right: Plait Necklace in Knitted Cord and Vintage Chain (I am so into this, I may have to pick up my knitting needles and needle-nosed pliers...), both by A Alicia

See? Smooth, short, and durable. Now that you've got the hang of it, go out there and make a new mom's day!

Coconut Almond Granola

I know there are people who don't enjoy breakfast, but I can't pretend to understand what that would be like. It might be my favorite thing I eat all day. My enthusiasm would probably lead one to believe that I'm talking about light fluffy omelets, belgian waffles overflowing with berries and maple syrup, or maybe a huge pile of huevos rancheros. I enjoy all of those things on occasion, but it's a simple joy that gets me out of bed most mornings: oats (oh, and coffee with a huge layer of frothed milk, but that's a story for another day). I happily scoop up oatmeal for breakfast day after day for approximately 8 months out of the year. The other four months, the hot months, I like my oats baked into crunchy granola goodness.

This is my current go-to recipe, but it can be tweaked in a million different ways. You don't have chia seeds? See below for other suggestions. You hate almonds, but love pecans/walnuts/some other nut? Use the nut you enjoy. You don't have coconut oil? Melted butter or another light oil will work just fine. You like your granola to have a little spice? Cinnamon and ginger are tasty additions.

You'll notice that I don't add any dried fruit to this at the end. Here is my reasoning: Dried fruit makes homemade granola soggy if it is unrefrigerated. If you refrigerate the granola with the fruit, the dried fruit gets hard and sticks to your teeth when you eat it. Instead, just add the dried fruit when you fix your morning bowl. It will be perfect every time and you can change the fruits around to suit your whims. In the summer I usually forgo dried fruit altogether and luxuriate in the bounty of peaches, nectarines, and berries on my kitchen counter. Mixing the granola with freshly shredded apple and plain yogurt (a la traditional muesli) is also one of the best breakfasts around.

Coconut Almond Granola

Ingredients:
5 cups rolled oats
2 cups sliced almonds
1.5 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut
1 cup chia seeds (flax seeds, wheat germ, or rinsed and drained quinoa all taste delicious as well)
3/4 cup real maple syrup
1/4 cup virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.

Combine first four ingredients in a large bowl. Warm the maple syrup and coconut oil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and salt. Pour the maple syrup mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until the oats seem evenly coated.

Spread the mixture across two rimmed baking sheets and bake for about 30 minutes, making sure to stir and rotate the pans every 7-10 minutes. Your kitchen should smell mouthwateringly delicious right about now. Remove the pans from the oven and allow the granola to cool. Since this recipe makes a large batch, you'll want to store the granola in an airtight container in your refrigerator. Or you could get yourself a friendship promotion by doling it out everyone you encounter this weekend.

Enjoy!

Don't forget to enter our giveaway for 10 yards of handmade garland!  Just visit yesterday's post for details.

D.I.Y. Garland + Little Giveaway

When we wanted to add some visual interest to a family portrait, we thought immediately of something hanging in the background. But what? Buntings are a little..ahem, overdone. Not that we don't still love them. But. Mobiles require trees or ceilings from which to hang, which this family's location didn't have. We came up with this garland that still has the fun festive feel of a bunting, but is a little different. They're going to make their own in various sizes in their color scheme, and hang them along vintage oars stuck in the sand behind them. Even if you're short on oars, make one today and hang it from your light fixture above your dining room table to make your weeknight dinner feel like a party, in your backyard (or on your fire escape) for a little added color (but take them down if it looks like rain!), or in your baby's room as a summery mobile. You, like the folks aforementioned, can even make them in varying sizes and hang them in multiples to add interest!

Materials:
string of some sort
tissue paper in various colors
something round to trace, like a glass or a mixing bowl
a pencil
a glue stick
scissors

Make it!
Step 1: Trace your round object, and cut out circles in various colors. We like to keep the paper folded over on itself, and cut out multiple circles at once.

Step 2: Fold your circles in half around your string, and glue in place. Use a ruler if that helps you keep even spacing between your circles. Hang and enjoy!

Can't/Don't want to D.I.Y.? Win it! Just leave a comment here by 12:00PM (noon) EST on Friday, August 6 telling us where you would hang this, and we'll pick one of you to win 10 yards of this garland in the colors shown.

Away We Go

Dear YOU + ME*,

I am getting ready for a trip to Italy and am having the hardest time finding good shoes for the amount of walking that we are going to do and a purse/bag (preferably a crossbody bag even though it is not my favorite style). Tennis shoes for 10 days sounds miserable, so I need some cute alternatives that won't give me blisters after 2 hours. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
G.

Dear G.,

First of all, let's just establish that we're green with envy over your upcoming travels to Italy. Do gorge yourself on pasta and red wine and get your exercise by pretending to chase down a swarthy gladiator in the Colosseum for us, ok?

Now back to your question. We've seen those impeccably dressed Italian women just oozing chic on the Sartorialist. No need to compete with them, at least not on your daytime sightseeing adventures. We would never suggest tromping through Milan in your workout shoes wearing a fanny pack and talking VERY LOUDLY to anyone who didn't seem to understand English, but it's safe to say that the Italian women in their four inch heels aren't spending eight hours of their day stomping across the city. If you plan on walking around all day, you may as well be cute, blister-free, and unencumbered by a handbag that constantly slips off your shoulder. Here are our suggestions:

These Tretorn Mia Mesh flats are my absolute favorites for walking around New York all day long. Although they've logged some serious hours doing everything from hours of errands across town to chasing my daughter on the playground, my feet have never complained. They go with absolutely everything and I've gotten loads of compliments every time I've worn them. I'm pretty sure they're discontinued, but lucky for you, that means you can snap them up for practically nothing right here.

Bensimon sneakers (top row) are to Europe what Converse are to the States, so although they're sneakers, you'll still look cool wearing them. Wearing moccasins always puts a little spring in my step (maybe it's the jaunty little bow, but they make me smile every time I look at my feet). The bottom left moccasins by Darlingtonia are simple and cute (I think I've seen them on A Cup of Jo), as are the Alex Camp moccasins by Frye (in leather here and in suede here).

When it comes to cross-body purses, you have tons of options. Valhalla Brooklyn's purses come in a wide range of styles and colors, plus they have removable cross body straps (in case you would rather go back to your usual style when you return home). It's a little thing, but it makes me oh so happy: you also get to pick the lining! Clockwise from top: Okinawa bag in putty, Willow bag in graphite, and Larch bag in cement.

Good old J. Crew has also come through with a great looking cross body bag (love the zippers!). This is the new Exhibitor tote in beechwood.

Finally, if I could be a handbag this is the one I'd be. Ah, the simplicity of Clare Vivier's messenger tote. DId you hear that? It was me sighing with adoration.

Ciao!

YOU + ME*

Beyond Reusable Totes

At this point reusable totes have become a way of life for most of us. I keep a couple in each of my purses for unexpected errands and have found them surprisingly useful on vacations when we decide to go on an impromptu picnic or end up needing an extra beach bag. Of course the place we all probably use them most is at the grocery store. The part that always drove me crazy about that was that I used to use paper grocery bags for recycling or art projects, so I never felt like I was wasting them. It was those plastic bags full of produce and bulk bin items that just got tossed every time. Add in ziploc bags used for food storage or snacks and that's a whole lot of wasted plastic bags (sure, you can rinse and reuse a ziploc, but they start to get pretty weak after a couple times).

All of that is why I started to explore the world beyond the reusable tote. And guess what? Most of these bags are actually better suited to their purposes and more convenient (not to mention prettier) than the plastic bags you're used to. Here are a few to consider:

Produce bags by Love for Earth and Baggu. These are ideal produce bags because the checker can easily identify what you have without opening the bag.

Bulk bin bags by Chow Chow, Elly Bags, and Wonder Thunder.

Sandwich bags by Love for Earth. These are easy to shake out or rinse out for cleaning and some are even insulated.

Snack bags by Evelyn Fields. These are great for one day use, but you wouldn't want to store food in them overnight because it will go stale.