A few of my favorite things: Ninainvorm.

Hi, this is Nina from Ninainvorm and I’m visiting while Holly is taking a break to settle in here in Europe. Though I’m really happy and honored to be included among the already wonderful ‘A few of my favorite things’-posts so far, I also have to say Holly asked me like one of the most difficult questions one can ask me… Okay, I know it’s not a difficult moral question but still… It’s hard to choose a few from my many favorite things. So I decided to just share a few more or less random favorite things with you.

In this photo you see a part of my tea towel and apron collection. I’m in love with beautiful patterned tea towels, preferably hand-printed like these from Skinny Laminx, SpinSpin Design and PataPri, all etsy sellers. Though we have a dishwasher, I regularly add a beautiful tea towel to my collection. In fact, I think it’s even better that we have a dishwasher, so that I can keep these in good shape!

I bought this tin Mother Mary sculpture years ago while backpacking in Mexico. I fell in love with it at a little market in Oaxaca on the first day of the 4 week trip through Mexico and Guatemala, so it was quite a journey to protect it during the rest of the month of traveling and to get it home safely. In fact, I was so determined to get it home safely that I sort of protected it with my life (I was more worried about protecting my Mary than about stuff such as catching our buses, not falling out of boats and more things like that!). Well, let’s assume that apparently we protected one another… ;)

I love babouches, oriental house slippers. I always try to bring at least one pair home when I travel to countries where they have nice ones, or ask people to bring a pair for me from their travels. My current collection includes pairs from Morocco, Turkey and Afghanistan, but I’m always on the lookout for additions to the collection from other countries. On the photo you also see a little vintage 1950s wooden Herlag bench, a piece of furniture that I inherited from my grandparents. Since we’ve very few inherited pieces in the family that bench is very dear to me.

I like to notice the beauty that can be found in everyday items, such as wrapping material for products. I always drag everyday products home from trips abroad, such as these beautiful little boxes filled with sweets that I bought in Italy this summer. I have no idea how they taste, it was the wrapping that seduced me… I also brought (please don’t start laughing, like all my travel companions did…) 10(!) large boxes of seasalt home from Italy, simply because they were wrapped so nicely. I love to display these collections in my kitchen, but I’m having trouble finding enough space. So, a box of seasalt, anyone? ;)

No ‘few of my favorite things’ would be complete without some vintage tableware and ceramics! I’ve never really found a reason or explanation for it, but beautiful ceramics and tableware just make me very happy… What else can I say about it?

My inspiration…
It always sounds a bit cliche, but I can find so much inspiration in the beauty of everyday things. I just came back from my holiday in Tuscany, Italy, and over there they somehow manage this creation of simple, everyday beauty so well. Just a bunch of simple flowers in pots against the walls of an age-old farm, some fresh laundry waving in the wind, a few old traffic signs nailed on the village church… Beauty then seems to be everywhere, and it makes me realize that we shouldn’t try too hard and make it all too perfect. So right now I’m inspired to look for this nonchalant beauty instead of the too perfect, over-styled things.

Favorite advice…
Oh, I’m never good at this kind of thing! I always hear and read those nicely formulated bits of wisdom and think ‘I should remember this’, but somehow I always forget them… I’ll leave it simply at this: work hard for the things you love! - Nina

(images: ninainvorm)

Tags: favorite things

20 Responses to “Ninainvorm: Favorite Things”

1 Amy commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 11:20 am

Nina, it is always wonderful to get a peek into your life. I love your appreciation of everyday beauty, and I love your work and the way that you express yourself in your home. Thank you for sharing!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..the complex and uncertain nature of simply being human… =-.
2 Garnet commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 11:21 am

I love that Mary statue! Nina’s chosen some really beautiful bright photos. Those boxes are so cute.
.-= Garnet´s last blog ..I drew the Ace of Wands this morning as my card of the day. I… =-.
3 Ele commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 12:36 pm

I have always wondered what those Pastiglie Leone sweets taste like. I see them everywhere and always consider buying some, simply because they’re so pretty! I love that you bought a whole bunch :)

Everything in your home is so vibrant and colourful, it looks like such a happy place to be!
.-= Ele´s last blog ..Phased in: Homemade Granola =-.
4 Cassie commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:01 pm

I became obsessed with those Italian mints when I studied in Italy. Try a box! They are fantastic. Ribes are blackcurrant flavored, Fior d’arancio is orange blossom, fragola is strawberry, lampone is raspberry, and lavender was my favorite.
5 vicki (simply hue) commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

So colorful, nostalgic, and pretty. Thanks for sharing with us, Nina. :)
.-= vicki (simply hue)´s last blog ..Polaroid Photo Collages =-.
6 Arya commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

Beautiful pictures. Also loved the write up!
.-= Arya´s last blog ..Any Chair, $12 =-.
7 frauheuberg commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 1:44 pm

hallo nina,
the wrapping material of the little boxes is so beautiful…We have also purchased these…:-)
you are right, beauty seems to be everywhere…precisely in those moments when you have things in their uniqueness and see nothing more can add …:-)love your wonderful advice…yes, you should choose the things that you love, with all power use …thanks for the motivation…:-)regards from germany
.-= frauheuberg´s last blog ..more…vienna shopping… =-.
8 Polly commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 2:32 pm

This is one of my favorite “favorite things” I especially love your tea towels photo. So fun to hear the back story for your travel souvenirs too.
.-= Polly´s last blog ..Free shipping and progress shot =-.
9 eileen commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 3:02 pm

I wouldn’t laugh at you. We put up a shelf in the kitchen just to show off our stash from our last visit to Paris. I bought sets of Kusmi tea just because I like the tins.
.-= eileen´s last blog ..Day 18 and 19 – August 8-9, 2009 =-.
10 Kim commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

I love those ceramics! They are too cute!
.-= Kim´s last blog ..Outfit of the Day =-.
11 Design Cracker commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

Oh just loved this!!! Thank you and so nice to see you again.
Deborah
.-= Design Cracker´s last blog ..Design Quote for Tuesday =-.
12 Sophie @ Century Finds commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

What beautiful favorite things….
I won’t laugh at you about the packaging either. I love good packaging, and have to force myself not to buy and hoard any which is pretty :-)
.-= Sophie @ Century Finds´s last blog ..In Store – Vintage Wooden Dining… =-.
13 Melissa de la Fuente commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

So lovely! I am not surprised that the lady behind the beautiful pottery is lovely as well! What a beautiful home, so much happy color(which I love) and that shot of the house slippers is divine! Thank you so much for sharing your home with us Nina! I love it!
xo
Melis
.-= Melissa de la Fuente´s last blog ..Cheap & Chic: inspired by a bag =-.
14 Petergaye S. Kisielewicz/Yahgie commented:
August 18th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

Love Love the oriental house slippers.
.-= Petergaye S. Kisielewicz/Yahgie´s last blog ..My mess I call a studio =-.
15 jamieofalltrades commented:
August 19th, 2009 at 12:13 am

I love the towels! Great patterns.
.-= jamieofalltrades´s last blog ..recreation: orzo pasta salad =-.
16 erna commented:
August 19th, 2009 at 1:48 am

ohhh I’m in love with your colours!!!
.-= erna´s last blog ..Craft Parking =-.
17 shawn angela commented:
August 19th, 2009 at 6:11 am

Lovely photos Nina.I really love the babouches…..I think I’ll start collecting some myself just to display.
Great idea!
.-= shawn angela´s last blog ..British Seaside =-.
18 Penny Patten commented:
August 19th, 2009 at 7:58 am

Love the collection of boxes, tea towels and aprons. I tend to collect everyday items too. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Penny Patten´s last blog ..So our Chicken Coop is complete! =-.
19 Raina Kattelson commented:
August 19th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

I love the colors! I also buy things for the packaging. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures!
20 Spin Spin commented:
August 20th, 2009 at 3:40 am

Great post Nina and thanks so much for including my tea towel – what an honour! Oh, but my Etsy shop is actually http://spinspin.etsy.com

Cheers, Susan

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