Have you heard of Market Colors?

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I’ve said it before, but being the daughter of a woodworking craftsman, I just can’t help but be drawn to brands and organizations that work to promote the people behind the products. So when I was approached by Market Colors, Inc. to help spread the word, I couldn’t say “no.” In fact, I only got the email 3 days ago, and I just don’t have that kind of average turn around.

For those of you who, like me, are just being introduced to Market Colors, it was founded by Lizzie Wirgau in August of 2011 and has grown to be a respected organization which, as touted on the website, is “dedicated to mitigating financial hardships and improving the quality of life of the impoverished in Africa.” Essentially, Market Colors bridges the gap between our cushy society with that of struggling communities in Africa filled with dedicated artisans who work in order to survive – not just to put a roof over their heads. MC equips these workers with a market that reaches across the world, by giving them an e-commerce platform to sell their wares. Each product is 100% handmade and accompanied by a product card, providing details about the African craftsman who made it.

Market Colors

Tassel Clutch | Periwinkle Chevron Clutch | Phone Cases | Table Runner
Geometric ShirtAccent RugHand-Stitched Holiday Cards

In the store you’ll find beautiful, unique pieces that, with the holidays right around the corner, I’m definitely adding to my list. Oh, and if you’re planning on doing a little shopping, I’m happy to entice you with a special they are currently running – take 30% off your order with coupon code HAPPYFALL.

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Lizzie Wirgau, Market Colors Founder

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Images Source

And in case you were wondering, I am not benefiting whatsoever by posting about this brand – at least beyond feeling just a little more humbled and aware of the lives outside of my realm of conscience. Being in a business where I have a platform to share these types of companies and organizations is benefit enough.

Connect with Market Colors:
Store | Facebook | Twitter | Blog

P.S. Speaking of noteworthy products…The Wallpaper Direct giveaway is still going strong – Click through here to get your name in the hat before it’s too late! Contest ends Monday.

Big changes in the living room

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Truth be told, there are very few things in our home that have stayed the same since I moved in. I am constantly switching things around, whether its furniture, art or little arrangements of our favorite thrifted display items. But the television stand was one of the few things that had stayed where we first plopped it – namely, inside the little wall nook in our living room beside the stenciled wall. For whatever reason though, I suddenly had the inspiration to move things around. Big time.

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Instead of having the entertainment center in the nook, I dragged it out to the long wall in the space, putting our bright yellow accent chair in its place beneath our DIYed oak shelves. With a few new pieces of art to fill the blank space left by the TV, it really started to feel as though it has always been that way. To orient you even further, the TV stand took the place of the couch, and the couch was pulled out to face it. You can get a better sense of how things were before by glancing through our home tour, although its likely that this still won’t make much sense. It can be so hard to explain these things through the “inter-webs,” as opposed to a good ole fashioned in-person tour.

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Although the new arrangement is a bit harder to photograph, it feels sooooooo nice in the physical world. The seating calls for much easier conversation and just generally feels more cozy and warm. We find ourselves gravitating to the couch for after dinner coffee far more often than we used to.

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It has also been a bit of fun to play around with the styling of the space in its new silhouette. I added new gold pig bookends snagged from CB2 while we were in New York, as well as a tray from H&M’s new home line (a gift from the BHG Stylemaker Workshop). The gold urchin is from Target a couple of seasons ago, and the vintage clock is from a local antique store.

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Rocky the dog clearly is enjoying the new look. Of course, I think he liked it just fine the way it was before too. But who’s keeping track.

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P.S. There’s still time to enter for a chance to win one roll of wallpaper from Wallpaper Direct! If you missed it, feel free to click through to see how I used my favorite pattern to dress up an old dresser from my bachelorette days.

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