misosouper, a shopping blog

Granted, what’s local for me probably isn’t local for you; but the Orlando-area shop Luxe & Liberty is deserving of your attention, even if you have to order online instead of popping in to pick out a few choice gifts.  Organized around goods made in America, L&L stocks lines both little and big, from neighborhood artisans to well-known names like Calphalon, Amenity Home, and Pangea Organics.  (See?  I told you they were good.)

Here are my picks:

1.  Skinny Fish Artisan Stationary–produced in small batches by artist Shawn Laughlin; 2.  Leather Photo Album, in prismatic colors; 3.  Kalender Platter, trimmed in platinum and gold; 4.  Herb Bowl with Mezzaluna Chopper–one of those tools you didn’t even know you needed; 5.  Endangered Parrots of the World Chess Set–prohibitively expensive, outrageously fun; 6.  Crocus Rocks Glasses with 22K Accents–hello, hostess; 7.  Chiller Pitcher with Lid–a closed carafe that will keep al fresco flies out; 8.  Chick Chair; 9.  Balustrade Napkins–round and round the table they go; 10.  Aptos Collection Pebble Pendant; 11.  Amber Dard Hunter Rose Thermometer & Clock–outdoor temperature gauges are so underrated; 12.  Teco Art Pottery Orb Vase–lovely lines, from an exactingly reproduced historical collection.

Hurry!  Go!  Misosouper readers can enter LUXE09 at checkout to receive 20% off their first purchase.

Three years ago as I planned my daughter’s nursery, I longed for a shopping site that would fulfill my modern fantasies of what her room should be. The online shop fawn&forest, whose wares are as committed to good design as they are to kid-friendliness and eco-sensibility, had yet to launch, so we cobbled together pieces from all over the internet, cursing the fact that we couldn’t combine shipping.

These days, similarly minded parents can take advantage of fawn&forest’s amazing taste, choosing from their inventory of sleek cribs, rocking rockers, graphic bedding, and wooden toys. One of the things I love most about fawn&forest is the fact that their pieces can be used throughout your home.  As in: whose sofa wouldn’t look good crowned by this Binth pillow?  And:  plunk this glider (it’s 50% off!)  in your living room, and guess which seat guests will fight over when they come for cocktails.  (I speak from experience; we have a very similar chair in our house, and our friends have been forced to take turns sitting in it.)

Got some ideas?  Good.  To keep track of all your design plans, fawn&forest and misosouper are giving away a copy of Nikki McClure’s gorgeous journal Things To Make and Do.  Filled with graphic, inspirational woodcuts, this little book nudges you toward action with charming reminders–Make Mistakes!–and blank space for Plans, Wishes, Dreams, Build, Explore, Learn, Make, Grow, Give and Find.  (Need more inspiration?  Check out this tour of fawn&forest mastermind (and total dear) Summer’s home.

Simply leave a comment on this post, telling us which fawn&forest product(s) you love.  One lucky winner will be chosen at random.

the fine print

Comments will be closed and entries will not be accepted after 11:59 pm EST on Sunday, March 22, 2009. The winner will be selected on Monday, March 23, 2009, and notified by e-mail. Results of the giveaway will be announced on Monday, March 23, 2009.  Misosouper, a shopping blog reserves the right to disqualify entries that are incomplete, inaccurate, or considered spam.