{please visit modern dose here}

You knew the Adorn project wasn’t just about baubles and bits of shiny for your favorite outfit, right?  We wanted to accessorize your living space as well.  So I asked Estela Lugo the owner of online lifestyle emporium Modern Dose if she was up for playing.  I had my eye on a mod shell rocker that was a doppelganger for one that I couldn’t justify purchasing at this moment in time.  I am on a rather tight budget after all.  What the chair lacks in lineage, it makes up for in style. It was one of those finds that had me bouncing up and down in my non-rocker (read-rather boring) desk chair.

At Modern Dose you will find many items that will illicit this happy dance type of response. Like this crazy cute doxie pillow set, or this industrial chic bookshelf, or perhaps an heirloom quality leather trunk? When queried about her inspiration, Lugo responded with, “Our inspiration comes from the beautiful home decor magazines we all drool over. We believe everyone should have access to beautiful furniture and decor…not just the wealthy. All of our pieces work together to create that modern and eclectic space without the pretentious price tag. “  Lugo a children’s product designer as well as the mastermind behind Modern Dose, recently launched Chakals, modern chalkboard decals which has my biological alarm clock going off.

Estela Lugo of Modern Dose is giving away to one lucky winner a choice of either ONE Rocker (in either blue or white) or ONE Bucket chair (in either black, white, red, or blue).  In order to enter to win, please answer her question by Wednesday, March 17, 2010:

What is your favorite item from the Modern Dose store and where would it go in your home?

Good luck!  Please start checking the yellow winners box by Wednesday, March 24, 2010 to see if you won.

P.S. For those that MUST get their shop on right this second Modern Dose is offering Bright Side Project readers an instant 10% discount, your code is brightside at check out.

I would like to take the time to introduce to you my new ‘partner-in-shine’ Miss Lindsey!  To say she is replacing Miss K would not do either of them justice, as Miss K is one-of-a-kind and completely irreplaceable and Miss Lindsey has proven herself above and beyond my expectations.  You see, Miss K is off to be a writer that you will know by name. You will pick up her books or newspaper articles and be able to say, ‘I knew her when..’. I have always known that Miss K had talent in spades and now the rest of the world is finally catching on. What any girl would want for her Bestie is to follow her dream and I am here to support her and I hope you will as well and visit her often at her little place on the web and when the time comes (for all her tireless work on the project ) I hope you buy her books by the bushels.  I know I will.

Oh it was so hard passing the baton, Miss K was my BSP security blanket but boy has Miss Lindsey come through for us all.  Have you noticed that the prizes have jumped a notch or two or three hundred?  Thank Miss Lindsey for that. Thanks to her dedication the whole behind the scenes operation has become more streamlined and generally more fun.  I like having fun, you?  Miss Lindsey and I have many new concepts on the horizon that we can’t wait to implement. I know you’ll love them.  So without further ado, please welcome Miss Lindsey. It is one greatfull day to be able to announce her new role!

{ please visit darlingtonia here }

The thing I love most about buying hand made is knowing the product is made by someone who loves what they are doing. There is no sweat shop filled with unhappy laborers. Instead there are happy hands lovingly creating from the heart. Katie Kukulka loves moccasins and it shows in her creations.

When hunting for stylish, fun and functional moccasins Kukulka discovered they were few and far between. Using her accumulated knowledge of sewing, crafting and design she decided to make her own and Darlingtonia Moccasin Company was born. The only sweating that goes into making these handmade mocs comes from the use of a completely manual antique Singer 29k sewing machine equipped with a foot treadle. Even when cutting leather, punching holes, adhering, and lacing the physical exertion brings a joy only brought upon when doing what one loves. Kukulka’s favorite part of the process is adding embellishments to finish things off. You can see the love that goes into each and every pair!

One lucky winner will receive a custom pair of Darlingtonia moccasins made especially for them. To enter to win, answer the question below by March 16, 2010.

What kind of adventure would you like to take a pair of Darlingtonia moccasins on?

Please begin checking the winners box on March 24, 2010 to see if you’ve won. Good luck!

{ please visit polli here }

The creative side of me admires those who find a way to use materials in nontraditional ways. The ability to see potential beyond an object’s intended use is the hallmark of a true artist.  This season I’ve been amazed by dresses made out of sandpaper and astounded by “leather” pants made of trash bags on Project Runway. Being creative in this way is often the result of exploring many artistic paths and allowing these paths to converge in a new and exciting way.

Industrial design graduates Maja Rose and Tess Lloyd embarked on professional roles but after a few years began to desire a project they could create themselves by hand.  Combining their interest in sustainable design, craft culture and fashion Rose and Lloyd founded Polli.  They developed their line using techniques normally applied only to industrial products. Polli’s stainless steel jewelry contradicts the typical use of the material, seeming so delicate and airy while expressing their love for light and color. Pendants, earrings, brooches and cufflinks are all influenced by Japanese and Danish paper designs. Like the budding designers on my guilty pleasure (Project Runway) these ladies have seen beyond the ordinary and turned humble materials into the extraordinary.

One lucky winner will receive a pair of stainless steel earrings and a stainless steel pendant of their choosing from Polli. For your chance to win please answer the following question by March 15, 2010.

Which is your favorite piece from the Polli collection and why?

Please begin checking the winners box on March 24, 2010 to see if you’ve won. Good luck!

I hide my ironing board, store my fabric scissors in a drawer and my sewing machine is kept safe by a janky piece of fabric tossed over the top. These instruments, played in order to maintain my sanity, are not getting the respect they deserve. That’s about to change.City Chic Country Mouse is a mother/daughter team helmed by Jamie Halleckson and Carmen Marti. Their goal is to make not-so-fun chores more enjoyable by adding style and good design. Truth be told, they had me “mom/daughter.” City Chic Country Mouse has been featured in the book One Yard Wonders and their Etsy shop showcases their blissful union of style and function.

My own personal preferences, you ask? Well, my little tabletop ironing board just might find a permanent setting once adorned with the Architectural Cover. My scissors will be comfortably tucked away in the Bliss Scissor Sleeve, although still in a drawer since there are toddler hands all over the place round these parts. My trusty sewing machine will no longer hide her head in shame at my lack of care for her dress. Instead, she will be tucked in gently, draped in the gorgeous Damask Sewing Machine Cover. Accessorized properly, I have no doubt creative genius will flow freely. Thank you, City Chic Country Mouse.

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Miss Krista, our Weekend Editor, is a mother, a lover and a big believer in the power of a cupcake. She loves double entendres but is not a fan of the high-five. She blogs about the corners of her heart at my life as i see it.

City Chic Country Mouse is giving away your choice of an Ironing Board Cover and Scissor sleeve or one Apron from their shop. In order to enter to win, please answer the following question by Sunday, March 14, 2010:

What is your secret to making household chores more enjoyable?

Good luck! Please check the yellow winners box on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 to see if you won.

{ please visit madison reece here }

Shakespeare once wrote “Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments.”  Melissa Dubbs, the face behind Madison Reece Designs, merges two true loves of mine in every piece she creates. Dubbs combines unique and rustic silver jewelry (love no. 1) and custom personalized design (love no. 2) to turn out stunningly sweet necklaces, charms and bracelets. Lean in, put your ears close. This jewelry speaks.

The Fine Silver Birdie Necklace whispers sweet nothings to your clavicle. The Fine Silver Giving Tree, adorned with a pearl and crystal, reminds you to take a break in the shade.  The Rustic Silver Collection – As I Wait effortlessly allows you to carry spring with you, no matter the season.  Are you feeling the love yet? I thought so.

“If this be error and upon me proved, I never writ, nor no man ever loved.”

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Miss Krista, our Weekend Editor, is a mother, a lover and a big believer in the power of a cupcake. She loves double entendres but is not a fan of the high-five. She blogs about the corners of her heart at my life as i see it.

Madison Reece is giving away a $50 gift certificate to one lucky winner. In order to win, please answer the following question by Saturday, March 13^th.

What is the most romantic thing someone has ever said/written to you?

Please begin checking the winners box on March 17, 2010 to see if you won. Good luck!

{ please visit avie designs here }

It is possible to build an entire week’s worth of outfits out of one t-shirt and a pair of jeans as long as one is well equipped with the proper accessories. Merriam-Webster defines an accessory as “an object or device not essential in itself but adding to the beauty, convenience or effectiveness of something else.” Notice that nowhere does it say these objects must be limited to outfits. We here at the BSP believe in spreading as much beauty and convenience around as possible. It seems only fitting to include Avis Wampler of Avie Designs in this month’s accessories theme.  Wampler, a graphic designer, combines stunning patterns with eco-friendly paper products to create little pieces of beauty all around.

My personal color-coded library could well use some Apple Bookplates dressing up their pages. The letters my two year old sends to her Mimi (Grandma) cry out for a Bright Type Return Address Label adorning the back of the envelope. The 2010 Calendar (FYI:  100% of the proceeds from this calendar will be given to Yele Haiti) would add some serious shine to my work desk. It is, after all, held together by a jewel case. Beauty and convenience in one fell swoop.

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Miss Krista, our Weekend Editor, is a mother, a lover and a big believer in the power of a cupcake. She loves double entendres but is not a fan of the high-five. She blogs about the corners of her heart at my life as i see it.

Avie Designs is giving away a $30 gift certificate to one lucky reader. In order to win, please answer the following question by Friday, March 12^th.

What types of patterns or prints do you prefer adorn your stationery?

Please begin checking the winners box on March 17, 2010 to see if you’ve won.  Good luck!

P.S. We have a BOAT LOAD of extra Salt Box NYC winners announced here!

We received a sweet email from the lovely Nicole from Saltbox NYC. Turns out she had such a hard time choosing winners she decided to give runners up prizes to five lucky readers. That’s right in addition to the two winners in the winners box there are five more for a total of seven soon to be Saltbox sporting lucky ladies!  If your name is below please check in and claim your prize asap.  Congrats to:

Andi

Carolyn

Jordan Claire Blakley

LauraB

Meg T

If you aren’t a winner don’t worry there is still a treat for you!  Through March 31, 2010 use the code: BRIGHT25 on purchases at Saltbox to receive 25% off.  Now’s a perfect time to get a new bag for upcoming Spring and Summer trips. It pays to be a fan of The Bright Side Project right?

{please visit simon + stella here}

When I am scouting for artists, designers and brands to feature on The Bright Side Project I lay out a laundry list of ‘must have’s’.  If it’s an indie brand, I want to be the one that introduced you to them. Perhaps something you may have never seen before and when I do bring it to your attention, I want you to be flippin’ delighted. I want the prize to be something that you might covet but couldn’t justify getting for yourself (but would be plenty welcomed if say your significant other, bestie or favorite family member decided to get for you). I already know from the numbers on the days that we feature anything shiny that you lovely Bright Sider love gemstones and the like.  Since my personality leans towards the co-dependent side I am eager to please. I hope you feel like I have delivered.

When I came upon the little known (for now), Los Angeles based brand of Simon + Stella by designer Claudine Lucier I knew that I must knock on her door and ask her if she would like to spread some sunshine. To my pleasant surprise, not only did Miss Lucier already know of the brightest spot on the internet but lucky for us, she was eager to become an honorary ambassador of sunshine!  Lucier’s aesthetic leans towards simple, clean, nature based designs. In Lucier’s hands each gem, mineral and fossil is manipulated into stunning works that are at once organic yet thoroughly modern. Wearing any of her pieces would effortlessly add a bold pop of interest and style to any piece in your wardrobe. I would happily add any of her designs into regular rotation into mine and would surely benefit from all the compliments that were sure to be pouring in.  Alas, I can not play along but you dear reader can….

Claudine Lucier of Stella + Simon is generously giving away a $95USD Gift Certificate to her shop (be forewarned it will be tough to choose) to one lucky winner.  To enter to win, please answer the following question by Thursday, March 11, 2010:

Claudine has lived in both Italy and Spain and is truly inspired by her environment.  She would like to know:

What is your favorite city in the world and what makes it so special for you?

Good luck!  Please check the winners box on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 to see if you won.

{please visit jen jewelry here}

Like most of the world right now I am starting to ache for bits of sunshine.  It’s been a lovely winter and well I think I am about ready for spring–like yesterday. When Miss Lindsey introduced me to designer Jenny Christiansen’s line Jen Jewelry I decided that I could skip spring all together and segue straight into summer—on the Riviera.  These meticulous made baubles make me want to don a white gauzy tunic, Salt bikini and some Miss Trish of Capri sandals while strolling on some seaside promenade.  Granted in this dream state I would also like to be a golden caramel color (note: this never will happen. I am basically so pale the next step is transparency) but a girl can dream, no?

Christiansen, both a Bozeman Montana and Bay area resident, creates intricate pieces all day long but is quick to add that she also enjoys other things, “such as lemon sweets.” A girl after our own heart. Christiansen’s gift is flawlessly creating color combination’s in each meticulously assembled piece. Each design is sure to illicit ‘oohs and aahs’ from both friends and complete strangers.  I imagine these designs would have perfectly complemented Jackie O.’s outfits in Greece and if they would have been good enough for Jackie they certainly are good enough for yours truly.

Jenny Christiansen of Jen Jewelry is giving away to one winner a $40USD gift certificate good for anything in her shop. I know it will be near impossible to choose, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying to win by answering this question by Wednesday, March 10, 2010:

What would be your perfect summer day?

Good luck! Please start checking the yellow winner’s box, Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

Psst, we have more than one winner for Salt Box NYC! We’ll add the extra winners today in a separate post.