After spending our third straight Saturday watching it snow, and the fact that it is now March, I am getting antsy for all of the spring flowers that are surely close to revealing themselves to us. I can't wait to get my hands dirty in my flowerpots and unpack the cute sundresses and sandals. And speaking of cute dresses... 

 

 

 

 

 

I am so smitten with these dresses I spotted on etsy created using a collection of vintage textiles. Soho Mode is the sweet company created by Louise Hedley. Born and raised in England, Louise developed a love for old world glamor in her teens. Due to a very modest childhood, she was taken with vintage fabrics and the way a dress could transform her self confidence. In 1998, she moved to NYC, met and fell in love with her husband, and with his encouragement, she began sewing. Soon, she was selling her clothing created from her treasure trove of fabrics at the Chelsea Flea.

With her collected vintage fabrics, Louise and her team offer a huge selection in their etsy store or they can create one-of-a-kind dresses, cinched belts, ties, and skirts. In 2004, Barney's began to sell her tea dress collection and since then, many brides have embraced using her dresses in their weddings. I just love the eclectic charm of the combination of the vintage dress patterns with the cotton floral.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Like Louise, I too have quite a collection of vintage fabrics, tablecloths, pillowcases and tea towels that I have sewn into little dresses for Maris. As a matter of fact, I am quite certain that some of the fabrics pictured were also hanging in my childhood closet {or as sheets on my bed!}. Browsing Soho Made's collection of online fabrics, I am flooded with sweet childhood memories of the dresses my mom and grandmother used to sew for me as a little girl, many of which I still have packed away.  

 

 

 

 

 

 I got to take a trip up the mountain on Monday to visit a client, as well as check-in on an upcoming project. After my visits, I had time to stop in to one of my very favorite Cashiers stores, White Rabbit Botanicals. Shopping in the small house turned garden wonderland is a little like Anthropologie meets Terrain meets fantastic.  

Kris Nelson is the petite owner/designer of White Rabbit Botanicals. But, don't let the name fool you. Yes, it's full of lovely living green and interesting garden decor, but Kris' ever changing curated vignettes are also filled with antiques, jewelry, stationary, candles and home accessories.  

 

As a child, Kris was smitten with the world of 'Alice in Wonderland' and especially the white rabbit that Alice followed down the rabbit hole. This may help explain the wonderful little worlds she recreates with miniature mushrooms, birds, and woodland creatures. Along with the shop dog, Miles, the white rabbit shows up often throughout the store.  

 

 

Kris was encouraged to open a store after landscaping clients encouraged her to showcase her talents and wares 6 years ago. She recently outgrew her original space and moved less than a mile down the road to her current location. She still landscapes for a lucky few on days that she is away from the store. And, clients continue to bring in a creative assortment of vessels for Kris to plant.      

 

My favorite thing in the store currently, are the handmade porcelain head planters by California artist, Cindy Teyro. Cindy describes her collection as 'Alice in Wonderland meets Dr. Suess'. Pretty fitting for White Rabbit, wouldn't you say?! Cindy uses a majolica technique and each planter is completely unique since no molds are used. They are embellished with little leaves, nests, flowers or their own tiny tray. swoon.

 

 

 

 

 Everyone is welcome and lives happily in Kris' whimsical terrariums, bowls, and lamps. There are lots of birds... 

Those with partial bodies...

And those with no bodies...

 

Just one of the reasons why I love this quirky gal! {and I use quirky in the absolute best possible way!}

 

 

 

{'Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think'} 

A vintage open book acts as a placemat and flattened silverware becomes stamped garden markers.

If you have visited the Cashiers Showhouse in the last several years, you have seen some of Kris' pretty porch spaces. This one was from 2009 {thanks to the great photographer, Gil Stose}  

If you are ever in Cashiers, do yourself a favor and stop in to enjoy this sweet shop. Once you walk through, you will need to turn around and walk through again, possibly many times, because there is just so much whimsy to take in, it's hard to see it all! Or you can check her out on facebook here.