meta name="p:domain_verify" content="83432fc69a1d6df071f49df584f9d839 Laurl Designs: December 2013

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

a good home...

I'm always glad to think that my vintage finds are finding a good home. This week one of my favorite items is heading home... it's original home. How do I know this? Well, the charming toile cup and saucer below is from Judson College.


Made by Wedgwood, this sweet set was dedicated as a Memorial to Margaret Brown Dean of Women 1908-1931 at Judson College. 

The buyer works at Judson College, which is a charming women's college in Alabama. 


I had the pleasure of visiting Judson in my undergrad program at Samford and it is a truly lovely place deep in the heart of the Old South which empowerment the women who attend. I saw that in the artwork on display in the campus art gallery.

I am on a personal hunt for china made for the University of Montevallo,
Alabama College-Pink pattern by Wedgwood China

and I love the fact that I could find some for Judson College and that it is going back!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

a week-ness of tea

custom travel tumblers from yevgenia
This week I have vowed to drink more tea. Green, white, black, if it's tea, I'm drinking it.
So, in honor of a week of tea and weakness for tea, I am sharing my fave tea accessories- some I have, some I want. All you need!
Hand painted ceramic travel mug by Yevgenia
The above mug is my mug that my thoughtful sister had custom made for me because I love lavender. She requested the custom design and Yevgenia obliged and added the design to the collection. Yevgenia doesn't currently have this in her line, but she has many lovely designs. The cup is double walled ceramics, glazed on the inside and matte on the outside. Lovely, lovely work... and keeps your tea warm. I used a desk image so you could see the back design reflected in a planter on my desk.

Tea Cozy GIFT CERTIFICATE from Flock of Tea Cosy  - 42 US plus shipping

Small Modern Tea Cozy in Brite Red Wool Felt "Classic Clean"
Tea cozy from Flock of Tea Cosy
I am more than a little obsessed with these tea cozies. I love the thick wool felt, the simple elegant design and that they look like a biretta hat.

Tea infuser from Dunkfish 
These tea infusers for loose teas are fantastic and definitely should be on your Christmas list. I love that they were design in the US and funded by crowd sourcing. Such great ideas coming out of this company, including a honey wand that would be a nice accompaniment to a Dunkfish. I love honey in tea!

When I worked in publishing, a friend brought me a shortbread cookie... an lavender shortbread cookie to be exact... from taste testing. I was fantastic, but doesn't seem to have been published. So, instead proving that recipe, I will link you to a slide show of tested recipes for shortbread cookies from my friends at Southern Progress.

Butter Shortbread
lovely shortbread cookies
With or without a shortbread cookie, cheese straw, or tiny sandwich, hot tea is a treat and you should treat yourself daily!


Thursday, December 5, 2013

Shop local, shop Staffordshire!

Today I hit three local antique/ vintage stores and noticed a variety of Staffordshires- dogs, cats, lions, and one fake lion. I am personally not into them. It is the human eyebrows on the figures that gets me.
However, I am in the minority. And Hanna Antiques was thick with Staffordshire figures. Here's a collection of what I found!



Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Brown paper packages tied up with string...


These are a few of my favorite gift wrapping things! And, I happen to sell them in my Etsy store (www.owlandthistle.etsy.com).


The brown paper is flying out of the store!Kraft wrapping paper- 30 foot roll - great for wrapping gifts - 24 inches by 30 feet



The string comes in a variety of options!

Pink Bakers Twine - 25 yards of each color - 75 total
Baker's twine in shades of pink.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Back in stock- great vintage finds

I love finding items that people love, even better when I can restock!  Here are some of my hot sellers that I have been able to restock!
Mid Century Modern Brass candle holders, set of 7, eames era

Mid Century Modern Brass candle holders, set of 7, Eames era

Brass Pineapple candle holder. box. large size. vintage mid-century modern. Christmas gift

Brass Pineapple candle holder. box. large size. vintage mid-century modern. 

Glass Christmas tree- Christmas Decor- crystal blue

I have also had requests from International media/magazines for images of the brass pineapple candle holder box as well as the brass pineapple bookends below for Spring publications. I'm calling the Brass Pineapple trend for 2014!

Brass Pineapple Bookend- great Hollywood Regency style

Brass Pineapple Bookend- great Hollywood Regency style

Brass Pineapple Bookends- great Hollywood Regency style, from Virginia Metalcrafters

Brass Pineapple Bookends- great Hollywood Regency style, from Virginia Metalcrafters