Tesoros Trading Company: Little Gifts on the Cheap

I love giving gifts, but as I've grown older and accumulated more acquaintences, co-workers, and social networks, it has become harder and harder to always come up with something creative and thoughful for the various occasions that arise. I've come to appreciate the act of giving "little" gifts -- gifts under $10. I'm not talking about an anniversary or Christmas with the family, but rather, events like housewarmings, birthdays, dinner parties, etc. I try to consider the personality of the recipient [unless I don't know them well, and then I always just give wine], and I try to give something slightly off-kilter or unique...so when the person looks at or uses the gift [albeit small], they will remember me!

I discovered Tesoros Trading Co. while living in Austin, and their website is chock full of great little imported oddities under $10. I often order 10 or more items, so I have cool stuff stocked away when I need to grab a gift and go...

Mermaid purse mirror, Peru. $5.00.


Lucha Karate Toy, Peru. $8.50.


Heart Milagro cards, Nepal. $2.00

Floral Oven Mitt, Vietnam. $8.00.

Floral coin purse, Guatemala. $8.00.

Copper Heart, Peru. $6.00.

Sequined multi-color orn, Bangladesh. $5.00.

Floral Wrapping paper, Vietnam. $8.00


I love the oilcloth-print floral paper with a little black ribbon:

Happy Halloween To Everyone!!

Halloween is Every Day

Halloween is Every Day by Nothing Elegant

All items are from: fitzsu.com
Citizen Kite, Falco, $58.
All Black Playing Cards, $15
Crucifix Clothes Brush, $95
Animal Shot Glass, $28
Ballistic Nylon Rose Corsage, $175
Gorilla Ash Tray, $38

Eiko Ishioka's Horror Aesthetic

[Thanks for bearing with me on my Halloween/Horror obsession; I know not everyone is quite as fascinated by it as me. Only three days to go...!!]

Ever since Coppola's Dracula came out in 1992, I have been intrigued by designer Eiko Ishioka's creepy imagination -- she won an Academy award for her design work on that film, and she also designed costumes for The Cell and The Fall. She has worked on numerous stage productions, as well as Cirque de Soleil, and Bjork's more-eerie-than-usual video for "Cocoon." Here is a sampling of her work so far...hopefully there is more to come.

The designer herself:


From The Cell:


From Bjork's "Cocoon":


Costume designs from The Fall (2006):


Some of her own designs:

From Dracula:

Princess Ozma of Oz

My favorite books growing up were from the Oz series by L. Frank Baum. Dorothy was wonderful, but Ozma always fascinated me -- she is the quintessential Art Nouveau girl (and a definite inspiration for Princess Leia, don't you think?). I don't know why I have never dressed up as Ozma for Halloween!? Probably because it is complicated and would entail me being crafty. I just really want her flowery crown...

Art Deco and Art Nouveau Packaging

A gift for me, a gift for you...beautiful goodies for well-stocked vanity.


Art Deco and Art Nouveau Packaging by Nothing Elegant


1. L'Aromarine Vanille Eau de Toilette, 1.6 oz., $19. Amazon.com
2. Claus Porto 12.3 oz. Grapefruit and Tuberose soaps, $16. Amazon.com
3. Rachel Perry Lip lovers in Vanilla and Grape, $3.95. Drugstore.com.
4. Perfumeria Gal Balms, $6. Bellasugar.com.
5. Hot and Flashy lip balm in Pear, $5.99. BlueQ.com.
6. Roger and Gallet Sandalwood soap set, $16. Amazon.com.

Hel Looks, Looking Good

I'm always impressed with the street styles on Hel Looks, because the main focus is on truly unique, personal style. That said, I often admire many of the ensembles, but can rarely imagine myself pulling them off...

This beautiful lady is one exception -- she manages to embody my version of perfect style so much better than me (a little goth + a little cowgirl + a little cozy and disheveled) .

Home is Where Your Stuff Is...

A few people have made the comment that they would like to see some more personal stuff on my blog. I'm not really big on the whole posting pictures of myself in my clothes...unless I'm just feeling really confident that day...or have on a spiffy outfit (which isn't often, because all I do lately is study...). I enjoy it when you lovely fashion bloggers post pictures of your amazing clothes, but it is also fun to see your rooms, your favorite objects, your decorating efforts, etc. I took a picture of my huge piles of library books (because I thought it was funny and ridiculous and wanted the evidence for posterity), and then I just started snapping pics of other stuff around my humble abode. I thought it was fitting, since in my previous post I talked about how much I like home decor. So, here is the infamous book pile...and some not very professional photos of my little, setimental items (some passed down, some gifts)...and some more books thrown in for good measure. Can you tell I'm an English major? I would love for other bloggers to take some photos of their spaces -- what are some favorite little spots in your house? Do you group your beloved items together, or spread them around different areas of the house? Are you a collector, or do you like simplicity? Please share!

Etsy Week, Day 4: Home Decor

Well, I wish I had the time to do 7 full days of Etsy goodies, but until I'm no longer entrenched in my studies, 4 days will have to do! I love to spend hours looking through the pages and pages of seller's items and imagining that I have endless funds to buy all of the stuff I lust after. But for now, lusting will have to suffice. I hope you've enjoyed the products I've found so far -- I feel like I've become an Etsy-search-expert.

**Let me know if there is a specific type of Etsy item you would like to see featured in the future -- I take requests (not everyone likes to waste hours away doing this as much as I do!).

Some people call them knick-knacks, some call them tchochkes, I call them an addiction. I love cool little useless things, like bowls, pottery, sculptures, candle holders, figurines...the list goes on. I am almost as obsessed with decorating as I am with fashion, so for my last Etsy day I wanted to share some home decor items currently on my radar. I have cut back on my knick-knack purchases since moving from a house to a smaller apartment, but I still can't resist that perfect little something when I see it. Here are a few irresistible items that I'm sure I could find a place for...somewhere...

I love organic shapes --Heather knight's Element Clay Studio specializes in ceramic sculptures in natural shapes that seem fragile and rare...

Large chartreuse Sea Urchin Bowl, $80.


Micro Sculpture Pollen, $50.

I've got to respect anyone who gives my home state of Oklahoma some much-needed love; Haunted Housewares, a Texas-based crafter, creates cozy plaid pillows in the shape of your favorite state (if they don't have your state featured, they take special requests).

Oklahoma plaid pillow, $34.


Texas plaid pillow, $34.

I've recently become obsessed with pit-fired clay and horsehair pottery, it feels so rugged and ancient. Drexel Earthforms is known for their primitive firing techniques and unique forms.

Medium-large pitfire centerpiece bowl, $95


Tinted Horsehair Urn, $190.

I love the idea of a terrarium -- a tiny little world inside a glass jar. Not to mention, you rarely have to water them (a plus for a black thumb like me). Made by Mavis creates moss terrariums and even sells little gnome homes to decorate your little green world.

Mini Moss Terrariums, $45.


Large Moss Terrarium, $33.


Colorful, glazed pottery is a weakness of mine, particularly something with a vintage feel. Whitney Smith's pottery has 1920's vibe that I love, and the colors are perfection!

Creamer and Sugar set, $88.


Moss Pomegranate Pottery, $64.