Using Etsy's "Pounce" To Discover Fresh Shops.

On Monday, we mentioned Etsy's "Pounce" feature and how cool of a navigational tool it is--especially when looking for undiscovered shops (i.e. shops without a sale). Today, we did a little pouncing ourselves. Here's what we found:

Crochet number poster, from The Crochet Factory.

Illustration print, from Julia Staite.

"Opening" photograph, from Elemental Eye Photo.

"Simplify" embroidery, from Soul Seeds.

Orange Fall Blitz.

Today's finds were featured in one of Jody's recent Etsy treasuries. I like the subtle orange touch--easier on the eyes than the typical all-out pumpkin bonanza. Mostly though, I like the fact that her treasury was titled, "Mod Pumpkin". That's just plain cute!

Candy corn dress, from Little Ticket.

Geometric pillow, from Mazizmuse.

Bicycle photo print, from Raceytay.

"Spectrum Series" print, from Atomic Lodge.

Theme Of The Week: Back To School.

August is here and the summer is dwindling. Last-minute vacations are in the works. School supplies are stockpiled on the living room table. New outfits are being planned (and re-planned). In short, the end is near...

Art print, from Mommy Makes.

But fear not, jaded youth! All this week, we're bringing you the biggest, brightest and bestest "Back To School" finds!  It'll be so awesome, you'll be itching to get back in that classroom...we promise!

Color Study: Phlox.

"Emberglow" and "orchid hush" are two of the more melodic hues mentioned in Pantone's Fall Color Report. But we're in love with "phlox"--a deep orchid with enough confidence to live up to its bold namesake.

Shoulder bag, from Ikabags.

Necklace, from Pole Star.

Photograph, from Raceytay.

Vintage jean shorts, from Dotto.

Collection of stamps, from Quilrdil.

3-Day Weekend.

Station wagon photograph, from Jessi Retro.

It's a 3-day weekend, ya'll. The sun is officially out. Time to get outta town, soak up the rays and reset your brain. So take a camping trip, shop in a nearby town, go to the pool--in short, do something relaxing this weekend!

Where It Starts And Ends.

"Sunset Through Weeds" photograph, from Jude McConkey.

From Past To Presents.

Antique photographs, set of 5, from Sadie Olive.

We love the sweet, honest nature of antique photographs and how they remind us of the "good 'ol days". In fact, we think a stroll down memory lane would make a fantastic Mother's Day gift.

This weekend, ask your mom about her childhood. Where did she grow up? What did she do as a kid? Did she have a dog? Where did she live? Find out more about that special lady in your life.

To break the ice (and get the dialogue moving in the right direction), we suggest visiting Sadie Olive's Etsy shop for a slew of vintage gift-giving ideas. Make this Mother's Day one to remember!

Part of our "Gifts For Mom" series--more finds later today!

Room For Two, Please.

"Texas Motel" photograph, from Katya Laroche Photography.

Just discovered Katya Laroche's shop on Etsy. Lots of wonderful, road-inspired photographs to gawk at. I absolutely love staying at motels along the outskirts of small towns. A lot of times, the per night rate ends up being cheaper than what I pay in rent for my apartment! And at least at the motel I get cable...

Part of our extended "Road Trip" series. More finds (and memories) from the road, all this week!

Counting The Street Lights.

"Lost Highway" photo print, from Catherine Nunnally.

Hand-painted, vintage train case, from Get Ready Set Go.

Map coasters, from Hands Workshop.

"Farewells Are Difficult" collage, from Living Feral.

As a kid, many of my memories from road trips past were the sights I saw while laying down in the back seat--tree tops, clouds, rain on the windshield, or even the occasional pattern of passing street lights. I wonder how many miles passed as I stared out the back window...

Part of our extended "Road Trip" series. More finds (and memories) from the road, all this week!

An Ode To The Road.

"I Come From Nowhere" photograph, from Humboldt Street.

"America's Mother Road" photograph, from Eleven 12 Design.

"Yellow Line" photograph, from Camera Queen Photo.

"The Long and Winding Road" photograph, from Terra Holcomb.

Part of our week long "Road Trip" series. More finds from the road, all this week!

Theme Of The Week: Road Trip.

Custom candy heart LA map photo print, from Capow.

St. Louis skyline notecards, from Architette Studios.

Route 66 postcard, from Un Petit Monde.

Brooklyn print, from Claudia Pearson.

Road trip. Two words that get the blood pumping. A chance to get out of town and get lost. A random adventure with the ultimate goal of discovery. 15-hour car rides. Cheap hotels. Roadside hamburger joints. Kitschy tourist traps. Wrong turns. Listening to your best mix tape. The pinnacle of adolescence. Your fondest memory...or a dream in the making. America, at its small town finest.

This week, we'll discover handmade and vintage finds that capture the spirit of the great American road trip. And we'll even share some of our own photos and experiences of road trips past. So buckle your seat belts, pop in the mix tape, put the map in the glove compartment, don your sunglasses and get ready for a week of adventure. Road trip, baby, road trip!

Jump.

"Kitty Pants" photograph, from Hocus.

Puff.

"I Dreamed of a Cloud" photograph, from Lucy Snowe Photography.

Distance.

"Snow Squall" photograph, from Raceytay.

Wings.

Macaw photograph, from The Animal Print Shop (Shraon Montrose).