Chesapeake Home

Books. Postcards. Penguins. These are a few of my favorite things. So imagine my delight when I discovered Penguin postcards at Trohv, an independent home goods shop on The Avenue in Hampden.

Penguin Postcards: One Hundred Book Covers in One Box is available for $25 at both Trohv locations in Baltimore and D.C. The collection includes Penguin book covers from a variety of genres.

As a literature arts major and former language arts teacher, the postcards were a perfect fit for Carmen Brock, who co-owns the shop. “It’s a nice nod to literature,” she says. “I appreciate that, too.”

Trohv, formerly known as Red Tree, is a staple in the Hampden community. It’s easy to lose track of time while browsing items in the store, which carries everything from books to furniture and lip balm to unique greeting cards.

Both locations also carry artwork by local artists. “We really do carefully select each item,” says Brock. “We also really care about the experience. We have music playing, it’s a relaxed atmosphere. We carry a variety of products at a variety of prices.”

For more information about Trohv, please visit trohvshop.com.

It’s not May in Baltimore without the Flowermart…and its infamous lemon sticks. The annual rite of spring takes place this Friday and Saturday, May 4-5, at its traditional spot in the parks of Mount Vernon surrounding the Washington Monument.

The festival is free and features more than 130 vendors selling flowers, garden accessories and gifts, which is quite convenient seeing as Mother’s Day is less than two weeks away.

This year’s entertainment will include talent from the Peabody Institute, as well as singers and bands from around the state. A comedy hypnotist will delight the crowd on Friday at 1 p.m., followed by two magicians later that day at 4 p.m. Line dancing, Irish dancing and flamenco performances will take place on Saturday, in addition to a musical performance by Flowermart entertainment chair Gene Vincentt at 1:30 p.m.

Family-friendly contests include the Grand Hat contest on Friday at 2 p.m. and the new Wildflowers Costume contest on Saturday at 11:45 a.m. A special children’s camp for kids will be held Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Food and dessert, including lemon sticks, which are peppermint sticks placed inside of a lemon, will be served.

For more information about this year’s Flowermart, please visit flowermart.org.

Just in case you need a reminder, Mother’s Day is May 12 this year, which means it’s right around the corner. If you’re a last-minute shopper, you may want to switch up your style so you don’t miss the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival this weekend at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

Beginning Friday, April 27 until Sunday, April 29, more than 250 of the country’s most talented craftspeople will sell and display their unique, handcrafted items…aka gifts for Mommy Dearest. The artists in the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival in Timonium have been jury-selected to present their work in ceramics and pottery, fashion, jewelry, wood, metal, photography and fine art, fiber and mixed media.

The theme for this year’s show is “A Sensory Celebration” to commemorate the sense of spring. The craft show offers a full day of family activities, such as an interactive dress-up theater for children at shows throughout the day, courtesy of Middle Earth Studios. Master craftspeople will also be on hand to demonstrate their skill and talent in papermaking, copper spinning, metal sculpture, and other mediums. Live music from solo guitarist Ed Wright will also be available.

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival will be held Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium, Maryland, 21093.

Adult admission to the Sugarloaf Crafts Festival is $7 when purchased online, $9 for adults at the door, and free for children under 12. Admission is good for all three days. Free parking is available. For more information, please visit sugarloafcrafts.com or visit 800-210-9900.

Who says recycled and reclaimed products can’t be beautiful? Certainly not the artisans at Acacia Creations, a fair trade company from Kenya. Items include everything from handmade jewelry to home décor and accessories made from recycled materials.

For the jewelry lover in your life, there’s The Healing Hearts Collection, which includes a variety of unique necklaces and bracelets made from recycled magazines and hand-wrapped stainless steel wire hearts.

What makes this collection even better is that Acacia Creation donates $.50 to Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital in Nairobi. For every Barefoot Trade Bracelet sold, $1 will help buy shoes and school supplies for children in Kenya. The bracelets are made from hand-painted recycled glass and feature a removable silver-plated Barefoot charm.

Meanwhile, if you need a housewarming or hostess gift, be sure to check out Acacia’s line of tableware, which includes bowls and coasters, also made from recycled magazines.

It’s also never too early to start thinking about Mother’s Day, so treat the special lady in your life to a piece from the Olive Wood Bowl Collection, which is made from a tree native to Kenya. The wood, which is hand carved, is used for its durability as well as the beautiful contrast in the colors of the wood, which makes this gift both functional and stylish.

For more information about Acacia Creations and how the company helps children and families in Kenya, please visit acaciacreations.com.

Marilyn Monroe is everywhere these days from the big screen (”My Week with Marilyn”) to the small screen (NBC’s “Smash”). And I couldn’t be happier. I’ve been obsessed with Miss Marilyn for years, so of course I’m thrilled about the latest collection from Hancock & Moore, which was inspired by the superstar.

My favorite piece is the Exquisite Sofa, which features gorgeously tufted Maxi magenta leather back and surrounding Tiburon magenta leather. Could this sofa be anymore glamorous?

The Flirt Chair, which has sculptural lines reminiscent of Marilyn’s curves, is also worthy of a close-up. The chair, covered in a liquid-gold stunner looks just like a trophy worthy of Marilyn herself.

For more information about Hancock & Moor’s latest collection of metallic furniture, please visit hancockandmoore.com.

Add a dash of color to your home with this décor.

1. Crate & Barrel, Marimekko Kurpitsa Red 20″ Pillow, $73. (crateandbarrel.com or 800-967-6696).

2. Nanda Home, Tocky (PRODUCT)Red, $69. (nandahome.com or 866-494-0494).

3. Umbra, Petal Red, $25. (umbra.com or 800-387-5122).

4. Chiasso, Mia Bowl, $38. (chiasso.com or 877-244-2776).

5. Horchow, Red “Morph” Vases, $55 to $65. (horchow.com or 877-944-9888).

6. Decolav, Redd Basin, $369. (decolav.com or 561-274-2110).

Confession: I am a hopeless romantic at heart, which is probably why I was immediately drawn to the new Valentine’s Day Collection from Simon Pearce. If you’re looking for a gift for your valentine, your home, or even yourself, this collection has something for everyone.

Simon Pearce, a Vermont-based designer of hand-blown glass, handmade pottery, and tabletop accessories, has released several new heart-shaped items, such as vases, mugs, and mixing bowls to celebrate Valentine’s Day in style. My favorite is the Cavendish Ruby Mug, perfect for a nice cup of hot cocoa on those cold winter days at home or in the office.

For more information about Simon Pearce, please visit simonpearce.com.

Designer Kerry Gibhardt isn’t afraid of color and bold patterns, as evident by her Studio W Collection for Wildwood Lamps.

The collection includes lamps with gold Greek key accents, glossy, white faux croc shades and pierced-porcelain bases in deeps hues.

“I consider lamps jewelry in an outfit,” Gibhardt says. “People who are shy about huge color commitment can add a little pop of color through lamps. Patterns can also increase versatility.”

Gibhardt’s favorite lamp out of the collection is Lana (pictured right), which has a tall, stately silhouette and mid-20th century design. The sophisticated style is perfect for a buffet or a sideboard as a pair. Interchangeable lampshades create colorful pieces of décor. “What I like about Studio W is it’s very versatile and it can be traditional, too,” she says.

For more information about the Studio W Collection from Wildwood lamps, please visit wildwoodlamps.com and to learn more about Gibhardt, please visit gibhardtandgibhardtinteriors.com.

You don’t have to sacrifice style for space, thanks to the latest collection from Jessica Charles. Daytime sectionals that transform into sleepers serve a dual purpose and look great while doing so. Meanwhile, streamlined settees provide extra seating without overwhelming the room.

Personally, I love the Cascade Swivel Chair (pictured). It’s petite, yet charming, and its Sonoma Orchid fabric with Maxi Magenta welt offers that perfect pop of color for just about any room. I could totally see that being my favorite reading chair.

All of the selections are small-space friendly and modern, too. To find out more about Jessica Charles furniture, please visit jessicacharles.com.

Gather the entire family for a game of Scrabble or cuddle under a throw by the fireplace.

1. Blissliving Home, Argo Lace Throw, $110. (blisslivingome.com or 866-952-5477).

2. Restoration Hardware, Vintage Edition Scrabble, $199. (restorationhardware.com or 800-910-9836).

3. Chesapeake Bay Candle, The CBC Collection- Holiday Edition, Falling Snow Filled Candle, $20. (chesapeakebaycandle.com or 800-331-8339).

4. And Beige, Horn Coasters, $17 each. (andbeige.com or 202-234-1557).

5. Jonathan Adler, Darjeeling Cookie Jar, $168. (jonathanadler.com or 800-963-0891).