Miniature Animal Beauties

I have fallen head-over-heels, completely, utterly,

in  love  

with these gorgeous little clay figurines by Danielle Pedersen. 

You must stop by her etsy shop, and see for yourself how ridiculously cute hand-molded clay can be.

So very life-like in their expressions, true to the essence of each animal. Yet informal; comical without being stylized.

Unbelievably adorable.  

All images from HandyMaiden.

Basket stuffers

Brer Rabbit molasses

Annie's bunny-shaped snacks

Celestial Seasonings' Gen Mai Cha

Brar Rabbit lid

Dark Dishes & Other Ethereal Things

I have been obsessed with dark dishes lately, specifically glazed and floral, Japanese-inspired, with dark blue backgrounds.  Chalk it up to the produce I lean toward this time of year - blueberries, blackberries, plums.

 It's the reason I am in love with Cost Plus World Market's Cherry Blossom plates:

Not until very recently have I been interested in dishes.  I now know what my mother went through around my age: the act of preparing for a nest of ones own.  I used to roll my eyes at it.  But no more.

I am also pining for a tea set - not the fussy, English type - the Asian kind; the ones that have no handles on lovely little cups.  Tea is a favorite drink of choice, so it's only natural, I suppose, to eventually want a tea set to serve it in.