Treats from the Southwest

Boyfriend recently made a trip out to the Southwest and raved about how much he loved Santa Fe and the area in general.  Mooching off of his enthusiasm and remembering my own love for the area, I poked around online and found a plethora of treats.

Working out of Albuquerque, artist Lex's Etsy shop, Gjurasic Park, is a great introduction to her work with Kokeshi, something I hadn't heard of before.  I love the bold colors and strong designs.  Check out her blog for more info and artwork.

I actually stumbled upon Design Warehouse without realizing it was yet another Southwest discovery (they're based in Santa Fe).   They have a great collection of everyday design, from the pricey to the affordable (also they are having a sale on lighting through the end of November!).   I like the Farmer's Market Calendar, the Magnetic Organs, and the Stuck Up Magnets, for example.  Push-Up Preston (above) was another winner.

Gridskipper relays the excellent news that getting to and from Santa Fe and Albuquerque has just gotten easier: "Come the fall, Santa Fe gets its first commercial jet service, not to mention Rail Runner Express will soon offer high-speed train service from Albuquerque. It’s good timing, considering Santa Fe currently houses a burgeoning art scene - epitomized by its 7th annual biennial and the Santa Fe Opera’s renowned summer festival (now in full swing) – and, as of August 1st, will welcome a new Auberge Resorts retreat, Encantado." (from Globarati).