Urban Scarlet

A few months ago, I got a nice little email from a Nordic shop, Little Studio, that specializes in great bold print. They primarily started in posters. However, after a great response from their playful and cheerful design, they quickly expanded into pillowcases, trays and cutting boards. How can you NOT love them? They are all so colorful, and fun! I love their use of geometric shapes in their design.

“We try to create designs that with the aid of imagination, color and shape conveys a special feeling.”

xoxo

and for those who’ve asked – my sweet proposal story coming on thursday! :)

It’s no secret that I’m a lover of beautiful stationary — And now, there is a one stop shop that houses all of the pretty! You will fall in love! Mercier Beaucoup is a cute little stationary shop that has some of the best of the best unique, one-of-a-kind greeting cards, exclusively picked from the BEST stationary designers and artists out there such as Rifle Paper Co., Wit & Whistle, Egg Press and more.

Here are a few of my fave:

Hello everyone! Today I have a treat for you — I am spotlighting a wonderful Southern California shop beautifully named Olmay. Founded by Christina Nickerson, Olmay is derived from the spirit of creativity and inspiration. With materials from some of the most beautiful countries in the world, Christina incorporates her natural, organic style with everyday, functional products for your home.

1) What inspired the name “Olmay” and what does it mean?
Olmay is a mixture of my two daughters names. Olivia and Maya.

2) Describe your unique style and how it reflects in your products.
My style is flexible. It’s high and low and hard to describe. I guess when it comes down to it, it’s all earthy. I like things that are multi functional and I want my customers to know that my products can be used for multiple purposes. For example: My hamman towels can be used for bath towels, beach towels, scarves, sarongs, table cloth. My pottery can be a dinner setting as well as serving dishes. My baskets can be used as market baskets as well as storage baskets etc. Some of my products are high in price but they will last you for many many years. Last but not least almost everything I carry is either organic or fair trade or both.

3) Where do you see your shop in the next few years; What do you want to accomplish?
I hope I will be able to design more and have most products made locally. This is my goal. There are so many talented American craft people that are now out of jobs. (mainly because everything is being made in China) I want to use our local wood makers, glass blowers, potterers, embroiderers, etc. to continue to make my products in the future.

4) You mentioned that you were born in Norway and traveled throughout Europe — Which city impacted and inspired you the most?
I think the Middle East inspired me the most. The beautiful colors in the desert. The amazing tents and rugs of the Nomads. Living there for almost 3 years brought out the painter, photographer and artist in me. I wanted to design after I moved there. Very inspiring.

5) How do you balance running your business with having a family?
You have to make a decision about what you want before you start I think. I never wanted to work and have a nanny raise my children. My husband travels a lot and I have to be here for my kids. I work after I drop them off at school. I pick them up and try to give them the attention they deserve. I think here in America they glamorize working long long hours. I don’t believe you will loose a customer if you ship the next day. Of course instead of reading a good book I am often doing research on the computer instead, after putting the kids down for the night. Hmmm. not sure if that is a good thing. Of course I am lucky that I don’t have to depend on a certain income to survive and I am very grateful for that.

6) Any advice for those who are interested in starting a business?
My advice is this: Do something that you really love. I think there is a saying that goes like this. ” Success does’t make you happy but happiness makes you successful”. I told my self that after being a stay at home mom for 9 years I wanted to do something that I really liked. It’s almost like a hobby. I only carry items that I want in my home. I understand it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but I love it.

Please support Christina by checking out her shop and showing her some love :)

I can’t believe it’s been over a month since my last blog post — A lot has happened since then. Summer is dwindling down & now I can finally pencil in some time for a little big of blogging here and there :) I told B a few weeks ago that I kind of lost inspiration, which is sad, but ultimately true. Sometimes you just have to take a step back to realize what you really love… whether that be someone or something. Now that I’m slowly rekindling my romance for blogging + finding things that inspire me, I hope I’ll be here a little longer.

And to name a few things that have been going on:

1) The Urban Scarlet shop was featured on Every Day With Rachel Ray Magazine (September Issue) — WHAT AN AMAZING HONOR & ACCOMPLISHMENT. To think that my shop is less than a year old & getting this national recognition is beyond me. Thank you to the editorial staff for featuring my shop as your every day fun faves :)

2) I moved out with B a week and a half ago to a nice little apartment in Middletown of San Diego to Loft 2015 — Right on the outskirts of downtown which is perfect for the both of us. I love our little place. We are slowly but surely making it our own. B’s classic furniture looks perfect in the modern space… we just need to add a few more art work and it’ll be complete!

3) Last but not least, I am being featured on Oh, Hello Friend’s blog for their Good Cheer Deal! I’m so excited! Purchase a $15 voucher for $30 worth of goodies… I am hoping to add and replenish more goodies in the store, but need to get sell what’s left :) Now is a good time to get your hands on some of my favorite things. There is only 20 vouchers available… so get ‘em while it lasts!

Wooooo… lot’s of good stuff eh? Well, I’ll be back for more! :)

Hey all — SORRY for my non-existance on the blog as of late! I am in the middle of the busiest season at work right now which means putting in 10-12 hour days in meetings & in front of the computer. Why would I want to come home & stare at the screen all night, too? Yeah, no thanks :) I hope things start to mellow down soon. Thank you ALL for checking in time to time. I really appreciate it. Once I get my first summer down at my new job, I think I’ll be smooth sailing from here…

Well, since I’ve been spending most of my days at work, I thought I would share a few of my favorite & inspiring office spaces.

Bright. Well organized. Functional. ‘Nough said.

I can’t wait to catch up with you all again soon :)

xoxo

Image Credit: ONE | TWO | THREE | FOUR