How perfect are these chocolate bees from Burdicks? We sent them to Mom for Mother’s Day and they were a big hit.

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I’m still under the weather (boring! so many fun-er things I’d rather be doing besides being under the weather!). This sweet embroidered underwater “specimen” seems calming and reminds me of sun, sand, and having a tan. Available at the always fun Curiosity Shoppe. I originally came across this via Etsy seller Jpolka’s Wunderkammer Shop and then this great blog.

I say: Bears are the next hot design icon.

Check out Sandra Healy ’s Etsy Shop for 249 other species.

I’m super pleased to introduce P.O.S.H (the Chicago based home & table decor company) as Abbey Goes Design Scouting’s first sponsor! I first discovered P.O.S.H a couple of months ago and was so flattered when they then contacted me and inquired about becoming a sponsor. I love their fantastic vintage aesthetic and mix of vintage and vintage inspired items like this set of four “Love and Happiness” glasses.

These are a perfect bridal shower gift, right? All the right sentiments. And, at $40, a nice price point too. Of course, I’m well past my bridal shower, and would still love them, so maybe I’ll broaden the statement to these are just a lovely gift for someone you wish all the love and happiness in the world to.

In any case, I’m happy to have them on board and hope that you’ll enjoy discovering them as much as I have.

I just bought this rad Italian ribbon from Etsy seller angelaliguori ($8 each!).

I’m delighted to announce that I’m participating in this month’s Poppytalk Handmade Market! Jan at Poppytalk is the organizing genius behind the market and she and Earl are truly a pleasure to work with. There are so many talented participants, and so many lovely spring themed items! I particularly impressed with the stationary of “Things are better with a parrott”. I love her custom stationary ($40 for a set of 25 cards)!

I’m loving this love apothecary jar (I think apothecary is one of my favorite words) from Jonathan Adler ($65).

Check out this shadow box/curio box I spied on Jessica’s great site The Shiny Squirrel (its not for sale, but the funky decals are….). I actually have some little bottle just like these (complete with the red and white labels).

I’m not a dog person but these handmade dog outfits from Etsy seller Design For Dinky Dogs make me smile and smile and smile.

I got a nice email from the folks over at objects de carte announcing some new cards and I especially liked these cocktail Sudoku cards. It’s friday and I’m ready for the weekend!

I thought this star card was graphic and fun, a nice departure from the normal holiday cards.

Have a good weekend, Abbey

Zipper pulls ($2.95 each)

MaryInk Votive holder ($9)

Cute as a button ladybug band-aids ($ 8.50)

The gifts for sisters, bff, and that co-worker “you tell everything to, but only see at work” can be the toughest. These are the people that you are supposed to “know”, right?

Teaposy Garden Gift Set ($59.95, Sur La Table)

Delicious, beautifully packaged Burdick’s Chocolates ($14-$32)

Stonewall Kitchen Olive Tree ($79.00)

Funky Fabric Covered Hair Clip ($28)

Cake Ribbon from Cooper-Hewitt Museum Shop ($13.00)

Letterpress Calendar (perfect for cubicle dwellers), ($20, Ilee Etsy Shop)

The impossible ones are the toughest — it could be your father, best friend, husband, godmother. They insist they don’t want anything, but what they really want is something perfect.

Fortnum & Mason Gift Basket, $85

Life size dog topiary ($74.95, Gardeners.com)

“Banana Bowl” from Cooper-Hewitt gift shop ($150)

Recycled Aluminum Bark Vases ($110, Viva Terra)

Gifts for boyfriends, sons, husbands, fathers, bosses, the occasional doorman, personal trainer…

Digital video camera ($180, Amazon.com)

Julia Child “The French Chef” DVD set $39.95, Sur La Table

“Monsters of Winnepeg Folklore” from Cooper-Hewitt Musuem ($21)

St. Andrew’s Lithograph (for the inevitable golfer in your life) from Source Perrier $325

J.K Adams “Basic” cutting boards (you really can’t have too many) $20

I meant to post this first installment of the gift guide last week, but life intervened. Here is a selection of gifts for moms, aunts, grandmothers and mentors. More to come, Abbey

Angels Papercut by Pamela Dalton ($175)

Source Perrier’s La Mer Soaps ($32)

Gump’s Tulipiere ($45)

Charming Bird Village ($14.95)

Sweet Perpetual Calendar ($29.95)

Bleeding Heart Ornaments (set of 7, $14.95)