February Features: Cactus Kits | Spalted Home

I featured this artist last year, but since then she's come up with another fun product that I absolutely love - her mini cactus kits. They are selling like hotcakes and it's easy to see why. They are precious and one of a kind, perfect as a gift. I spent an afternoon shadowing her entire process and it gave me such a greater appreciation for handmade goods. Even something as small as this takes hours to create - from the shaping to carving to glazing to stuffing...it's a process!

Website
Instagram

All things mini,

- SJW

February Features: Lifestyle Consultant | Whitney Leigh Morris

Our family resides about 1.5 miles north of downtown Seattle. I cherish our walk-ability and easy access to fun places like Pioneer Square, Pike Place Market, Belltown restaurants, and South Lake Union. My regular walks with Ebony and NLW take us a variety of places - up Queen Anne, over to Myrtle Edwards, or often, near the footsteps of the Space Needle in Seattle Center. While we live in a stellar location, we've made a sacrifice in our amount of living space. For almost seven years we've lived in just 600 square feet, curating our possessions, finessing our use of vertical storage, and limiting the items we bring into our home. It's an ongoing and evolving process, and I welcome creative and inspiring ideas.
Website
Blog
Instagram

For Christmas this year, my sister-in-law gifted me the book, Small Space Style: Because you Don't Need to Live Large to Live Beautifully by Whitney Leigh Morris. I like her intentional efforts to re-purpose spaces and keep areas multi-functional.

"Most of my belonging need to serve at least two purposes."

"Living out of a suitcase can be a pain, but it can also be very eye-opening when it comes to assessing material clutter."

"In a small space, it helps to make the bed every morning so there's a large surface on which to drop items like handbags, filing baskets, and laundry"

What really stands out to me is her beautiful use of their outdoor space. Granted, she lives in southern California and has much sunnier weather than we do. But nevertheless, I'd love to spruce up our own patio and deck, both for midday sunshine time with NLW on a play mat or quilt and for evening al fresco dinners with friends.

Blueprints and green thumbs,

- SJW

February Features: Artist | Ruth Chou Simons

I recently saw a friend post about the devotional book, Gracelaced by Ruth Chou Simons. So naturally, I reserved it from the library so I could take a peek for myself. In these pages I found stunning drawings of flora and fauna entwined with words from scripture. It's truly gorgeous - penmanship, watercolors, and encouraging reminders of truth. There's eight entries per season with opportunities to delve deeper and respond. I'd like to go through it with a few ladies to memorize verses and share reflections and thoughts together. For now I'm content to flip through for simple meditations and inspiration!
Website
Instagram

You don't have to be blooming to be growing,

- SJW

February Features: Photographer | Olling Studio

There are lots of wonderful photographers creating lovely images, but some are just a step above the rest. My friend Maddie has a knack of capturing stunning images in a way that makes you want to meet the people, eat the food, or go to the places, in her photographs! She has an eye for seeing the beauty in the everyday and I'm a solid fan of her Instagram feed. I'd grab coffee or do a weekend trip with her any day!
Website
Instagram

More adventures, please,

- SJW

February Features: Doula | Dear Cardamom

Four months ago we welcomed NLW to the world and welcomed India Posner into our lives! We hired India as our doula during the third trimester of my pregnancy and she supported us with information and resources, emotional support, and physical relief during labor.
Website
Instagram

India is wonderful and has a unique ability to be both calming and energizing - we liked her immediately from the initial interview. Her warmth, positivity, insight, and encouragement reassured us as first-time parents and helped Mr. Fleece be more confident and present with me. She was the one that suggested the "Miles Circuit" that helped speed up my stalled-out labor(!) and came to our house to help me through some late-night contractions. We loved having her as part of our team in celebrating the arrival of NLW.

Nothing more precious than a wee little babe,

SJW

February Features: Small-batch Syrups | Seattle Elderberry

Every year I stumble across another friend or acquaintance that's started their own business. As someone who doesn't have a strong entrepreneurial spirit myself, I'm always impressed by the innovative ideas, hard-working dedication, and sheer gumption these small business owners display. I recently discovered Seattle Elderberry, featuring handmade organic syrups, founded and owned by a woman from my church.
Website
Instagram

Elderberries are meant to be a good immune booster and help lessen the severity and duration of both colds and flu. We started off with the Maple variety and plan to take a daily spoonful in hopes of warding off sickness. You can also use them in mocktails!

Spoons out,

SJW

February Feature: Jewelrymaker | Falling Whale Designs

A gal from my church makes fun Disney inspired necklaces. They remind me of these minimalist posters because it's a bit of a test on if you know the movie well enough.

 I love the creativity and nostalgia of her pieces! Here's what she says on her site: Perfect for subtly displaying your Disney side! Wear it at the office or while you are exploring the Parks. Let it accessorize you Disneybound or accent your stay-at-home outfit. Whatever you pair it with it will be sure to add a little magic to your day!

Shop 

Instagram

Mary Poppins Returns

Sleeping Beauty

Moana

Robin Hood

The Little Mermaid

Zootopia

Aladdin

Beauty and the Beast

Alice in Wonderland

Peter Pan

Willy Wonka

Have you heard about this remake and this one too!

Makes me want to break out those VHS tapes,

-SJW