Here's more eye-candy from our Oregon trip. These vignettes are from Rejuvenation, a Portland shop that sells "classic light fixtures and restoration hardware," as well as furniture and housewares.

(As an aside, I should mention that I'm seeing this color combination popping up everywhere. If you like to follow trends, keep an eye out for coral and turquoise with natural wood tones.)

If you can handle even more inspiration from Rejuvenation, there are more photos here.

	Photo by target.com

I was in Target this morning (yes, I'm one of the lucky ones with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day off), and could barely resist most of the merchandise in the seasonal section.

In what's become an annual tradition at Target, the back corner of the store is filled with products inspired by far-away places. They call it Global Bazaar. I call it awesome! In the past, it's been organized by geographic region, but it seems this year's collection is organized by color. Either way, it's fun to shop these limited-time housewares.

There's one more week to browse Global Bazaar. If you need more temptation, print out this coupon, for $5 off a $50+ purchase, or $10 off a $75+ purchase.

P.S. -- Though the end of Global Bazaar is sort of sad, it does make space for seeds & other gardening merchandise ... Which means Spring is not that far away!

Lately it seems that home & garden blogs have been dominated by a very feminine, crafty look. I don't usually mind, but a few scattered posts caught my attention this past week that featured a selection of housewares made from rustic woods. These earthy (and surprisingly modern) products are definitely a welcome change.

So, dear reader, I have assembled the highlights right here, in one convenient place. See below for sources.

Clockwise, from top left:

For once, I'm ahead of the curve. About a year ago, my mom made these custom frames for me, out of barnwood salvaged from my family's farm in Dimock, PA.

Live Wire Farm has created shelf supports, hooks, spoons, and other products from Vermont hardwoods. (Via sfgirlbybay and Apartment Therapy.)

A Design*Sponge reader submitted this DIY project. She used the centerpieces in her own barn wedding. (Instructions and details available here.)

Paradise Hill Designs sells these tealight benches (and other products created from reclaimed barnwood) in their Etsy shop.

Parker-Sims Interiors created this "Driftwood Bliss Bed" from driftwood found on the shores of South Carolina. (Via Design*Sponge.)

	Photo by armofthesea.info The waxy fruit of northern bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica)
	Some online sources: Abundant Earth Yankee Candle Anyone know of local shops that carry bayberry tapers?

This may sort of ruin the surprise, but I can’t resist sharing: Several people on my Christmas list will be receiving bayberry candles. Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is a native, broadleaf evergreen shrub with aromatic foliage. The female plants produce waxy, blue-gray berries, which can be processed to make softly-scented bayberry candles.

It’s not just the fresh fragrance and pure earthiness that I love – There’s also some folklore involved with the burning of these candles. Colonial tradition holds that if you receive a bayberry candle from a loved one, you should light it on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve and let it burn until it snuffs itself out. You’ll have good luck all year long. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a nice-smelling house and the promise of good fortune.

“A bayberry candle burned to the socket brings health to the home and gold to the pocket.”

	IF YOU GO Ten Thousand Villages International Gift Festival 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday & Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 201 W. Main St., Fairfield, PA (map) More Info: 717-642-8936 Pottery Show & Sale 5-8 p.m., Friday (opening reception) 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick More Info: 301-662-3160

Last year, I went to the National Folk Festival in Richmond, and took a break from all the music to walk through the Ten Thousand Villages marketplace tent. There were tons of unique, handcrafted items, including a wide selection of fair trade housewares from around the world. I’d imagine that’s what it will be like this weekend, when the Fairfield Mennonite Church opens its doors to the Ten Thousand Villages International Gift Festival.

Also this weekend, the Cultural Arts Center will play host to a pottery show and sale by the Potter’s Guild of Frederick. I’m a big-time sucker for pottery and ceramics, and this is such a convenient location … I don’t think I can possibly resist.