And now for something completely different....

I live in Oregon. It rains a lot. Especially this time of year. But there is something about living in this climate and having an ongoing love affair with the water element. And yet here I am longing for summer (photo below)......

Waking up from a long winter nap.

All I can say is "Wow" and "Thank You" to however it was that this article which you can click onto here landed in my inbox. It's about artist Jason de Caires Taylor who is taking art outside the gallery. He makes life size sculptures that he installs underwater and documents them becoming part of their natural environment. Makes me want to live underwater.

(photo from Jason de Caires Taylor via 24flinching.com )

I wanted to show you this photo from our really fun holiday party - which we have in January. Believe me, if you are in retail, you understand why we celebrate so late.

And celebrate we did....good food, good cheer, and some sparklers too.

And, per usual, the gift giving was bountiful.

Tara gave us each a word..How cool is that? We each got a word ..My word was visionary. And there were lots of other good words too.

Plus Alison gave me a meyer lemon she brought back from her uncle's tree in California and there was art from Becky (more on that later), bath treasures from Lindsey, some supercute packaging and other treats.....I love coming home from a party with treasures.

Every Now and Then

Someone comes to the store selling something that is just right.....

And we say, "ooh" and "ahh" and "yes" and "please and thank you"...

Storefront Windows

I love it when someone can break through the visual clutter in our world and create something that actually makes you stop and look.....such was the case in this charming window from our downtown neighbors at Moss Hair Studio. They're on 7th and it's a busy thoroughfare. They said they wanted to "talk to the street"......

It certainly got my attention.
I say keep talking....
Who knew green paint, upside down branches,
paper, and string could be so arresting?

I have no idea how they cut hair, but if it's with half as much care as they put into their windows, I'd say you're in good hands.
Kudos to Moss Hair Studio for making our litte world in downtown Eugene a more beautiful place.

Here to serve

The store will be open this Sunday February 13 from 10:30 to 4 p.m. for all your Valentine's needs.

Just call us soldiers in the army of love.

Love Note #9

Here's some images I culled online to put you in the mood to write that just right Valentine's love letter.............

And don't fret, if there is no "better half" in your life, you can always write a love letter to yourself. At Passionflower we have a store packed with handmade cards, inspirational books, rubber stamps, and other ephemera to get you inspired.

(Images above came from -top to bottom - San Francisco Floral Designers Studio Choo, Chicago graphic designer Binth, and calligrapher Marina Marjina.)

A Thing or Two We are Loving Lately

Well actually we have been loving these Duvet sets from Dwell for a long time......

They feel really crisp and cool and soft and warm at the same time......

And wouldn't some bedding, a beautiful blanket, a new duvet, some pretty cases make a special Valentine's gift? Come visit us at Passionflower and we can make it happen.

(Photos courtesy the catalogue of our beloved bedding vendor Dwell Studio)

Our Secret Lives

Dudes & Dudettes - you probably don't know that Becky Tonkin (our amazing mangager at Passionflower) has this super beautiful tumblr album.....which is a collection of photos she has gathered from various sources that she finds beautiful, compelling, or which speak of a certain feeling............

Here's just a sneek peak at a few images....to whet your appetite......



It is eye candy at it's finest.....

Nay, more than candy, it's a visual feast. Click here to go to archaic youngster(her tumblr site) and see more!!!

(photos from top to bottom pinmarklet, leonorefini , metropolitan museum of art all via archaic youngster )

My Quirky Little Valentine

Who says Valentine's Day is all about white diamonds and red roses? Definitely not us at Passionflower (although there is a lot to be said for the red rose). Here's some ideas off the usual Valentine's radar. In my more cynical moments I might suggest a big ole prickly cactus for the day of love.

But I am not feeling so cynical these days, and think a fleshy, rosy succulent might be more in order.

We're using these glass lanterns (seen above) as containers.....


And for something even more contained we like these nicho frames (in photo above).....you can make a little love collage inside with photos and special things. Not sure exactly why and you are free to psyhcoanalyze but we are really loving everything very contained these days.

And you can cook up all kinds of good things in Lynn Peterson's handmade "Crucible Of Love"
which we think is always a great gift.

Or perhaps your love might like to meditate upon this tantric painting of the hand (which came from an itinerant Indian artist)......

So really this is all by way of saying that love does come in all shapes and sizes....

And it really is the thought that counts....