You know those pants? The ones with the zip-off legs? Those pants that look like they'd be a good idea, but as pants they look awkward, and as shorts they still look awkward.

You might think the same standard of awkwardness applies to a dress, but Sarahbeth Larrimore of Unabashed apparel can work magic.

In its long form, the dress has a row of detail that fits in brilliantly with the rest of the dress. It is also the stopping point for the slit in the front, so it doesn't look out of place. It has the same purposeful scrunchiness (I'm sure there's a more designery word for that) as the shoulders and midriff.

It fits in so well, in fact, that I did not even realize the bottom part could be removed until I saw the next photo. It blew my mind.

The Unabashed apparel Sapona River collection will be available in March. Photos by Jana Busbin.

Spring is here. Blossoms are bursting forth on the trees. I wondered just yesterday what it would look like when the rosemary was blooming, and there it was. Tiny and lavender, in case you wondered.

It appears as though it has finally warmed up a bit in North Carolina as well, though still raining, where my good friend Sarahbeth has just launched the new spring 2010 line for Unabashed Apparel.

Captured by brilliant photographer Jana Busbin, Sarahbeth's organic daily wear collection boasts fairly traded organic hand-dyed fabrics, as well the impeccable classy style of a sassy southern woman.
• Shop • Blog •

Julie DeGroot of Jewels in the Garden creates stunning works of glassy dangley sun-catchingly fantastic things-you-don't-need-but-want. Many of them are photographed in front of a backyard that I wish were mine.

Go on, peruse her shop... you know you want to!

Update: 1000 Markets no longer exists. Find Jewels in the Garden here.

This ACEO by Lori Mackay of Little Odd Me is titled "The Mysterious Death of Harry the Gnome." How did he meet his untimely demise? The world may never know.

My current collection of ACEOs by others is very small (a grand total of... 1), but as my collection grows, I hope to add this one to the ranks, hence the "bookmark."

Update: 1000 Markets no longer exists. Find Little Odd Me on Etsy.

I want everything in this shop. InkLore's no-ties apron is amazing and innovative. I love the classic simplicity and earthy textures of these items. I will definitely be back to this shop in the future.


Update: 1000 Markets no longer exists. Find InkLore here.

In my ongoing quest to blog-as-bookmark, I submit Puppet Pie .

What this shop lacks in quantity, it more than makes up for in character! Have you ever seen such happy corn? Wait 'til you see the bacon!

When you need something to make you smile, just go to this shop and start looking at the pictures. You'll be smiling soon enough... and reaching for the "add to cart" button...


Update: 1000 Markets no longer exists. Find Puppet Pie on Etsy.

In lieu of being able to easily bookmark my favorite finds on 1KM, I decided to blog about them. I just stumbled upon Frank's states project, and I am truly enamored. I love the varied shapes of the states, already, and I am currently in the middle of creating a giant magnetic map / collage myself. I always find myself desiring a red and blue magnetic election map every four years (sometimes more often than that, just to play), and I just recently purchased a book with detailed state facts and history. I'm kind of a 4th grade U.S. History nerd.

Here's a fun (frustrating) game: There are 8 states that begin with the letter M. There are 8 states that begin with the letter N. Can you name them all?

Can you name all 50 (without using a song)?

Missouri http://www.1000markets.com/products/6134
Frank Chimero's Internet Shoppery http://www.1000markets.com/users/frank

Update: 1000 Markets no longer exists. Find Frank Chimero's designs here.