An Artist’s Gift to Grandma

Meet Little Shirley. Topping our list of more-thoughtful-than expensive gifts, this hand-thrown clay vase is crafted locally by Lauren Burman to honor her best-friend grandmother who recently passed away from cancer. We first spotted the demure vessel perched on the window sill of our new favorite office-on-the-way-to-Momo, Cortona Cafe (2425 East Union Street; 206.327.9728; cortonacafe.com). A quick Google search lead us to the truly touching story, and now Momo has the honor of bringing you these personal vases. The tiny treasure measures no more than three-inches high and comes in 12 tertiary colors, making it a fresh compliment to a Seattle spring blossom.

[Little Shirley bud vase, $20]

Inside Out

Functional, fashionable + fun: three F-words that we use to describe our Momo Girl goods. This week a tiny box arrived from US-made Only Hearts. Out of the carton sprung twenty pieces of clothing, including this wrinkle-free reversible jersey tank and skirt, testimony to the travel-savvy nature of the brand. Jessica and I dressed the twins to show off the possibilities of black to heather grey and back again. The tee-shirt-like material is ultra-soft and comfortable as well as slightly sexy. Add a nod to spring with a few Luachea blossom brooches, toss on a dread + pom pom scarf and we’re ready to go.

[Only Hearts two-sided, double-layer tank, $94 and skirt, $98; Luachea brooches, $24 - $28; Fredd + Basha scarf, $39]

Kanzashi

Lucky us — this morning Thea Starr, former Rollergirl, hapa hottie
and mama of four arrived at Momo with a huge Tupperware full of her charming flower ornaments made from vintage kimono fabric sourced by her Auntie in Japan. She let us paw through her handcrafted cuties and pick the ones we love — so hard to narrow down the choices! We eventually settled on these and more ... and we learned our local Starr’s blossoms have recently tamed the tresses of movie stars Mira Sorvino, Julianne Moore and a couple of Twilight girls (knock ‘em dead, Thea).

Julianne mugs for the camera wearing a Thea Starr kanzashi clip.

[Kanzashi for hair or lapel, $12 - $24; theastarr.com]

Bloom

The crocuses unfurl in shades of blue and cherry blossoms burst pink on the hillside of Danny Woo Gardens. Spring Equinox calls for a bit
of color, wouldn’t you say?

[$19 camis, $18 felted wool necklace, under $20 little leathers,
$35 wool/cashmere scarves]