EVE Team Review: Best Shops of the Week

Vintage Shop of the Week: Oh Dear Violet

What catches my eye about Oh Dear Violet is the way that the owner, Kathi, has created a special glow about her shop. The soft lighting and minimal photo settings allow for a leisurely browse through her vintage finds, inspired by the Victorian and Edwardian eras.  

From left to right: Vintage millinery bouquet, papier maché egg, porcelain figurine. 

 Handmade Shop of the Week: Beau Miracle For You

This cool Bulgarian shop is co-operated by three friends. According to their profile, each friend has a special talent: Dori sews, Deni knits and Dessy helps with finishing touches. Not only are their products on trend but these three ladies have managed to create a cohesive experience for the shopper. Plus, the animal costumes are priceless!

From left to right: infinity scarf, bridesmaid wedding clutch, child's bunny costume.

Newbie Shop of the Week: Ghost Penny

Owner Ryan is an artist and film maker in Montreal. Imagination, movement, adventure, joy and laughter come to mind while meandering through his shop. Each sculpture seems to capture a moment in time that has me wondering, "What happens next?"

From left to right: hanging sculpture, standing sculpture, wall hook.

EVE Team Finds: The Springing of the Year

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;

And give us not to think so far away

As the uncertain harvest; keep us here

All simply in the springing of the year.

- from "A Prayer In Spring" by Robert Frost

Featured shops: 1) Pink sugar goat's milk soap, Sakura Bath & Body; 2) Custom engraved pencils, The Carbon Crusader; 3) Melmac cup set, Housing Authority; 4) Pink hand mixer, Coco & Bear; 5) Easter egg sugar cookies, Dolce Bella By Erin; 6) Inspirational art print, Shadetree Photography; 7) Floral photo print, My Monography; 8) Personalized leather dog collar, Saluki Feathers; 9) Set of 4 recycled hemp napkins, Tina Produce; 10) Handmade doorknob, Chocolate Creative ; 11) Blueberry photo print, Lily Shih Photo.

Written by Jaime of Hound Dog Digs Vintage. Jaime lives in Mississauga, ON with her husband and their rescue dog, Maple. She writes for Examiner.com and in her free time can be found at Yankee games, taking photographs, scouring rummage sales or reading classic literature.

EVE Team Review: Best Shops of the Week

Vintage Shop of the Week: Bellalulu Vintage

 Every now and then I run across a shop on Etsy and I think, "Oh my gosh, where do they find these and can I have all of them?" Bellalulu Vintage is that sort of shop. Every item seems to call my name. Jill, the owner, has a degree in interior design which shows in the staging of her photographs. Get ready to drool, envy, covet and admire - and just maybe, grab something!

From left to right: Vintage file drawers, carnival sign, moon globe bank.

Handmade Shop of the Week: Chasing The Crayon

Subtle with a sense of humor, owner Tracey is a freelance illustrator living in the UK. The inspiration for her artwork comes from poems, stories and tall tales. Using a combination of pencil, watercolor and collage, she captures a playful and mischievous part of ourselves with her quirky images.

From left to right: Dog Hat print, Red Riding Hood print, Deer Boy print

 Newbie Shop of the Week: Asymmetree

Get ready to swoon over this unique shop! Anja opened her laser cutting shop in February of this year. She is an architect in the Netherlands with a flair for the delicate and dramatic, finding inspiration for her pieces in both nature and science.

From left to right: Pisces necklace, cherry blossom mobile, wall clock.

EVE Team Finds: Springtime Sparkle

Few things say 'light & feminine' like glitter, and even fewer things say 'warm weather' like brilliant blue ocean water. So it only makes sense that ULTA's Beauty Trends for Spring/Summer 2013 mix shimmer with a nautical vibe. Pamper yourself this season with these great finds from Etsy:

Featured Shops:

1) Blue glitter iPhone case, In Case iPhones; 2) Gold mini crown, Janine Basil; 3) Vintage glass bead necklace, Zhivana Designs; 4) Gold mountain glitter necklace, The Whirlwind; 5) Vintage cat-eye glasses, Oliver & Alexa; 6) Vintage topaz ring, Love Always Galicia; 7) Shimmer washi tape & twine set, Once Upon Supplies; 8) Sparkly stickers/envelope seals, Ramble Craft; 9) Glitter crown charm, Amazing Mae Charms; 10) Scallop garland, Le Petite Fest; 11) Vintage silver glitter heels, Marjiew; 12) Baby shower wish cards, Shabby Pea Designs; 13) 'Tiara' silver glitter, CALLA Cosmetics; 14) Blown glass necklace, The Studio 8; 15) Custom printable invitation, The Parchment Place; 16) 'Deep Sea' nail polish, I Love NP

Written by Jaime of Hound Dog Digs Vintage. Jaime lives in Mississauga, ON with her husband and their rescue dog, Maple. She writes for Examiner.com and in her free time can be found at Yankee games, taking photographs, scouring rummage sales or reading classic literature.

Holiday Recipe: Irish Soda Bread

Saint Patrick's day is almost here, so let's celebrate it with a traditional recipe with a modern twise!

Irish Soda Bread {with a twist}
Source: Food Network

Ingredients

4 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for currants

4 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 3/4 cups cold buttermilk, shaken

1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon grated orange zest

1 cup dried currants

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

With a fork, lightly beat the buttermilk, egg, and orange zest together in a measuring cup. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk mixture to the flour mixture. Combine the currants with 1 tablespoon of flour and mix into the dough. It will be very wet.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and knead it a few times into a round loaf. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread with a serrated knife. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. When you tap the loaf, it will have a hollow sound.

Eve Team Get-Away: London Calling

Who wouldn't want to get away to London? To visit the Victoria & Albert Museum, have a pub lunch, and wander through an antique arcade? Well, make yourself a spot of tea, put your feet up, and let Etsy whet your appetite. Here are some fun picks to inspire the traveler in you. Cheers!

Population: 8,000,000+

Area: 606.2 sq miles (1,570 km²)

Founded: 43 A.D.

Originally named : Londinium (by the Romans)

Featured shops: 1)  18th century silver teapot, NachoKitty; 2) Queen Elizabeth print, The Art of Byrd; 3) "London Calling" art print, Sacred & Profane; 4)  Vintage bobby figurine, Vintage Curiosity Shop; 5)  London Tube Map 1938, Miss Quite Contrary; 6)  Double-decker bus tote, Ceridwen Design; 7)  Abbey Road iPhone case, Arete; 8)  Charles Bowler hat lights, Mr J Designs Co; 9) British-themed cupcake toppers, Paper Gravy Store; 10) Charm bracelet, OOAK Resin Designs; 11) Telephone booth sign, Life Unscripted

EVE Team Review: Best Shops of the Week

Vintage Shop of the Week: Found It Great

What makes your heart skip a beat? If you're anything like me, it's probably not running to the mall for the mid-year sales. Forget about off-the-rack, I'm all about vintage clothing! This awesome shop, Found It Great, has it all - unique pieces with style, flair and sophistication. It's vintage with a twist, as some garments have been altered, and others are in original condition. Either way, if you're a fan of vintage clothing, this shop will rock your world!

From left to right: vintage pleated skirt, leather jacket, maxi dress.

  

 Handmade Shop of the Week: Cla Contemporary

So sweet and all the way from Scotland, these ceramic jewelry pieces are perfect for spring. Featuring combinations of soft colors and delicate beauty, they are perfect for the jewelry lover who appreciates simplicity and understated elegance.

From left to right: Ceramic ovals necklace, ceramic ring, porcelain bar necklace.

Newbie Shop of the Week: Lulu + Hasil

One of the best things about Etsy is that it's a community whose members support one another. Finding new and interesting shops to promote is part of the fun! Lulu + Hasil opened in January of this year as an art shop that features original drawings, paintings and embroidery by Isabel. Funky geometric shapes and rich color combinations are present in almost everything for sale in this shop. and give it a cool,  contemporary, graphic appeal.

From left to right: Embroidery hoop art, original drawing, block print on chipboard.

   

EVE Team finds: Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Who doesn't love the Wizard of Oz? A girl's transition from a dreary world of black & white to a land full of astonishing color and whimsy (only to find that there's no place like home)? Classic! If the movies, books and stage musicals aren't enough, you can get your Oz fix on Etsy with these fun finds: 

Featured shops:

1) Wizard of Oz art print, Rose Hill Design Studio 

2) Vintage felted wool hat, Ginny & Harriot

3) Red sparkle leash, Restowe

4) Vintage picnic basket, 86Home

5) Vintage lion door knocker, Chokko Vintage

6) Vintage button collection, Elizabeth Wren Vintage

7) Yellow road photography, Photo By Simone

8) Wicked Witch bookmark, My Bookmark

9) Scottish terrier pendant necklace, Skye Juice

10) Vintage funnels, Anna Lou Vintage

11) Vintage rhinestone ring, Blue Sparrow Vintage

12) Vintage wood arrow, Bella Lulu

Retro Recipe: Vintage Cocktails

Although there is evidence of the existence of the cocktail since the Bronze Age, the first recorded use of the word in the United States dates to the 1800s. Cocktails became increasingly popular throughout the 20th century, particularly around the mid-century.

Here are four popular cocktail recipes from the 50s & 60s, perfect for the upcoming warmer months!

Interested in more vintage cocktails? Here are some great reads:

Vintage Cocktails - Retro Recipes for the Home Mixologist

Vintage Cocktails

Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails

Cocktails images and recipes: Mad Men

Book cover images: Amazon

EVE Team Finds: The Rainbow Connection

If you're hungry for new kitchen decor, Etsy has everything you need to satisfy your craving with a kaleidoscope of colors to brighten your space for Spring!

Featured shops:
1) Wood stacking bowls, Bright Life Toys
2) Concrete fruit bowl/egg crate display, Culinarium
3) Donut photo art, September Wren
4) Mason jar tags, Todo Papel
5) Felt apple coasters, Made By Meg Too
6) Personalized Easter eggs, HC Wood Craft
7) Vintage recipe box set, Chaps & Rascal