Helping Orphans, One Fab Wall at a Time

Carly Margolis, a wallpaper designer and co-founder of NY-based Cavern Home traveled to the Casa de Milagros orphanage in Peru and helped the children create designs that she then incorporated into a wallpaper print. Even the repeated geometric symbol in the wallpaper is taken from the kids' drawings--it's called the "Chakana," a spiritual Peruvian symbol. I love how all of the kids' images peek out in unexpected places from the pattern - a perfect pick-me-up for a drab bathroom! Best of all, proceeds of wallpaper purchases go directly to the orphanage. Buy here in olive, turquoise, and brown for $155/roll.

Cuteness Overload: Baby Shoes!

The only thing sweeter than a pair of super cute baby shoes is a pair of super cute baby shoes that support a great cause. These vegan Hydra Heart shoes are sold on online at buildanest.com, a nonprofit "microbartering" organization dedicated to supporting female artisans in developing countries. If your kiddo will stay still long enough to have his or her tootsies measured, Molly Puzo of Hydra Heart will make a pair of custom kicks just for junior.
Pssst -- There are some sweet adult styles too!

Mmmmm....Snack Time!

I would love to say that it's only since becoming a mom that I've been reacquainted with the delightful period of the day that is snack time, but let's be honest: I was enjoying snack time for years before Finley was even a twinkle in my eye. It's not just for kids!
Whether you have bambinos or, like me, you're just a dedicated grazer, the reusable snack bags from PB Green are going to be right up your alley. There's no BPA or phthalates to worry about, just good ol' machine washable cotton in prints so cute you'll be tempted to use your new snack trap as a clutch.
Remember, it's always snack time somewhere... so why not snack in style?

Finley's Nursery Tour: DIY and BIY (Buy It Yourself) Art!

If you'll be so kind as to turn around now, you'll see the other half of Finley's nursery. Oh, here we are. Using the leftover no-VOC Natura paint from the tree mural, I painted the two canvases above Finley's changing table. My favorite animals? Ponies and puppies. One of the many wonderful things about being a parent of a not-yet-talking child is that you get to make all of your favorite things be your baby's favorite things too. So far, so good. Finley loves her ponies and puppies paintings. No word yet on dance movies, flip flops, and vodka tonics.

Listen up! I can not take credit for anything about these paintings other than the fact that I am a decent forger. After spending weeks on the Avalisa website, drooling over the crisp, colorful, funky animal prints and lamenting the fact that I could not afford them, I finally studied a couple of the designs closely and then painted my own. You should not do this. You should buy from Avalisa. Seriously. Get over there now. (Then come back.)
I bought the lovely custom family tree print above from the talented Karen Yi's Almost Sunday Etsy shop. It's a steal at $38. Since my busted camera can't do the print justice, check out the sample print from her shop below. Super pretty, right?
The final piece of art in the room is the fab Finley ABC print from Jennifer Ramos of MadeByGirl.com. I majorly heart it.

This is where it lives:

Tomorrow? All the miscellaneous details! Pillow, rugs, and tables...oh my!

Letterpress Love: Smock

I know that I've babbled here before (ok, more than once) about my deep and lasting love for letterpress stationary, but don't think I'm anywhere near finished yet. Does the world need yet another letterpress line? Oh, YES, PLEASE! Smock to the rescue. Designed by Amy Graham Stigler (founder of Snow & Graham), Smock is the first print shop in the US to offer printing on bamboo paper. Plus they're run with wind power and donate 1% of sales to environmental causes!
I tried my very best to pick out a couple of Smock's many social, holiday, and wedding designs to share here...but as you can see, I fell in love with too many to pick just a few. These are my faves, but they're just the tip of the iceberg. Check out the site for goodness galore.

Amenity and Branch Home Sales!

I've raved before about the great organic and hemp linens that Amenity offers...now you can get 30% off the entire site (including sale items!). Enter 2009 at checkout. Expires 2/1/09.

Need other sustainably made goodies for your home? Get 25% off at Branch by entering DCBRANCH at checkout. Excludes furniture and sale items.

Amenity: Your Wallet's New Best Friend

Need some sassy new accessories for your home or nursery? Feelin' the effects of belt-tightening? Amenity Home to the rescue! They're offering SSTW readers 30% off the entire site through March 15! Just use code "sunshine" at checkout.

Orange You Glad It's On Sale?

Just spotted this snazzy modern duo over at Sprig, and I'm in luuuuuv! I'm really into the idea of a neutral room with a big ol' pop of orange. Maybe it's because we're almost in October (?!?) and I'm getting all pumpkin-brained. The Monroe Lounge Chair and Ottoman, available at Eco-Furniture.com, are made with sustainably harvested wood and they're 30% off right now ($455 for the pair).

Happy Friday! Xo, Finley (and her Hanna Anderssons)

That's a wrap on Finley's nursery tour! Thanks so much for taking a peek.
Here's Fi wishing you all a very happy Friday. She's chillin' in her 100% organic cotton Hanna Andersson outfit, courtesy of a friend who introduced us to the awesome brand. Not only are Hanna Andersson clothes extra soft and planet friendly, they also grows with your babe...two rows of snaps on this onesie mean Fi will be wearing it until she's walking! Plus, the pants have pockets -- super critical for a little lady who won't roll out the door without her wallet, keys, and pacifier.