mundane aesthetic: orange

Orange you glad it's friday?! Some orange around my home...

Feed the Tetran!

I know these cable/earphone holder/organiser guys have been around in blog land for awhile- but I just saw them again and they're just too cute! I love how they've combined function with supercuteness... and what a great christmas stocking stuffer!? Available here at the newly launched A+R store- which, by the way, also has a selection of fantastic things!

blue monday: Kate Spade turquoise plates

Apologies for my semi-infrequent postings lately. My life has been the opposite of "mundane" lately, which is good and bad. Alas, it looks like the next few weeks will be more of the same. However, despite the chaos, it hasn't stopped me checking out all the happy visual goodies out there. (in fact, it's actually made me want to go look at happy things even more!- well, you know, as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping... uh... right?) anyways- also coming this week, I'll give you my full run-down on the Tord Boontje Holiday Target Bonanza and share with you the pieces I picked up (you knew I HAD to too pick up something!...or two.. or three...) But first up- how gorgeous is this Kate Spade "Gwinnet Lane" china? I love the print and I also love how each piece is slightly different, yet still coordinates... (via outblush)

boo!

I know Halloween is over, but I thought this was so funny. Easy DIY solution, but still funny. (via Core77)

porcelain take out

Happy mun-day- I just love these. I always enjoy when someone takes something that people generally disregard and by simply changing the material, transforms your perception of it. Case in point, this ceramic take-out tray dinnerware collection. Found via Coolhunting, they are by Brooklyn artist, Lorena Barrezueta. My favorite is the turquoise "din din" plate... available here.

Tord on Mocoloco

Mocoloco has the scoop and great interview with Tord about Target! Can't wait to see those in-store diplays!

Hotel as Home

I've always loved staying in hotels. Especially fun design/boutique hotels, (although sometimes those can become a bit overrated and overpriced) but regardless, I still enjoy staying in them. I think my dream job would be a cross between Rachel Ray's $40/day show, and Samantha Brown's job on Great Hotels (on the travel Channel). being able to travel the world staying in hotels, eating and discovering fun locales- and- still get paid for it- would be total vocational bliss!Recently, I received a new book that's by someone that's had a ton of experience with hotels. Gary Chang, an architect, has become a self proclaimed "hotel expert." He realized that he spends an average of 120 days a year staying in hotels around the world, and he's compiled a visually exciting book called Hotel as Home: the art of living on the road, (published by Princeton Architectural Press.) He's documented all of the hotels he's stayed at within the past 7 years. The book is filled with great detail shots and almost fabulously "mundane" moments of each hotel. I always pick up neat decor inspirations from hotels, and try to take pictures of the room as soon as I enter, (before i plop on the bed and mess everything up!) Hotel as Home features rooms from around the world, and it brings up the question, "what makes a good hotel room?" When you stay at hotel, it becomes your "home away from home" for the period you stay in it. They need to be adaptable to whatever your needs be, and Gary has highlighted some interesting solutions that some hotels have come up with. This would be a great book for anyone who travels a lot or at least dreams about it.
Get it here:

American Style

OMG. Just saw this on Land+Living! they posted this amazing amazing video called "In Appreciation of the Stylists of America"- It's kind of long- (maybe you'll have to wait until you have time to kill) but it's sooo incredible and inspiring!

Tord and Target continued...

Well, it's official... Mocoloco reports that the Tord Boontje + Target collabo I posted last week is actually going beyond the RedHotShop but in fact going to be in all the holiday advertising and packaging. I went to my local Target over the weekend and noticed they are already getting rid of the Halloween stuff (which I LOVED, that Day o' the Dead-ish inspired vibe was brilliant) and they have started putting up the holiday displays. Tord's trademark silos are all over everywhere! I took a few pics... I can't wait to see what other product they will be putting his designs on... (I would love some new ornaments, or wrapping paper or napkins!)... I'll for sure be keeping my eye out in the coming days...

Daylight savings ends

Just a reminder that Daylight savings time ends tonight! Turn your clocks back an hour tonight when you go to bed tonight! Interestingly enough, I did not realize that several states do not observe Daylight savings time- (so please disregard if you live in Arizona and Hawaii...) This is my happy clock radio I bought recently. I just love the look of it- The colors are great, beige/tan with the gold/yellow orange face. Very cool and modern. Available here. hope you're having a great weekend...(thanks to Shelterrific for the reminder!)

spooky mundane computer tricks

Don't let the title fool you. There's nothing spooky or scary about this post, except for how long it took me to solve the puzzle. (hey, its friday) When you complete the puzzle, you will find a new friend I couldn't resist while at Starbucks. I suppose that's scary in a way too... (sigh) don't you just love silly computer tricks?

Blik Autographic

I've posted about the happy mundane views of my daily driving commute. How much more fun would it be if I could see some of these designs on the cars I spend so much time side-by-side with? I love that Blik have now introduced car decals, in their collection called Autographic. So much better than all the Calvin & Hobbes, Surf brands, and corny sayings I see on cars these days.... (thanks Enrique for the tip!) I especially love these:(thanks Enrique for the tip!)

Tord Boontje at Target!?

Wow. Tord Boontje at the Target RedHotShop?!- I always like to see what's new at the Redhotshop and I was so shocked to see this new holiday collection!- I wonder if it's online only, or if some of it will make the stores- (you so know that I am going to be checking that out) I want all the dinnerware. bad.

mundane aesthetic: BWI International Airport

Scenes from Baltimore/Washington International Airport

colorful bouncing balls

I know this came out last year and I'm sure many of you have seen it, but looking at a post on Mocoloco reminded me how genius it is... so i thought i'd post it here again- by the way, they have a new one out now too that is equally amazing- click here to see- here is the first one:

I'm not an "expert..."

...I just played one on TV...

My apologies for the recent shortness of posts. I've been working on this massive project for my day job that has become all consuming, plus I was out of town briefly last week, so I've been playing catch-up ever since. TGIF! is alls i gots ta say. For those of you still curious to my cryptic clues on why i was out of town last week, in a nutshell, I was asked to be an "expert" and I was flown to a studio to be taped giving commentaries for a show on HGTV. I'm basically going to be one of those "pop up" heads like they have on VH1 or E!, except i'm not going to be giving funny comments (the only thing funny will be me looking like a deer in headlights on camera), but supposedly "helpful tips" instead... uh.. yeah. It was a fun experience, although nerve-racking and mildly grueling, but rest-assured, I'm not quitting my day job. Anyway, back to more happy mundane things: One of my joys in life is staying in hotels. I love my home, but something about hotels just brings out a different side of me. Mind you, I'm not always saying its a good thing, but what is it about hotels that makes me do weird things like order room service because I just love the mini ketchup bottles? Turns out there's a site online that you can buy the mini ketchup bottles directly! Actually, this site, minimus.biz has all types of mini things- I LOVE it- like mini boxes of detergent, food... all kinds of stuff, and of course, my favorite... condiments! But it's that ketchup bottle that always gets me... anyone else?

number cups

Saw these super great number handle cups in the new In-Style Home Magazine. So simple yet so stylistic! Designed by Takuya Hoshiko for +D Collection- $15 each! a perfect gift! (for me?.... hehe)

Can I have fries with that shake?

Love this. If only I could have the contents super-sized as well...(aka $$$)

Blue Monday: clever shot

Saw this here. So clever...

black and white TV

Posting will be light the next couple of days. I'm going to be here, there, and everywhere and back again, so I might not be by my computer as much (is that a good thing?) I'll be back in full swing this weekend, and should have an interesting report (ooh.. such mystery...) here's a vague hint: I leave you with the new Crate&Barrel TV commercials. "if you have something important to say... say it in black & white" here's the link.

Ok.. now that i think about it. that clue kinda sucks and doesn't have a whole lot to do with what i'm doing or where i'm going...except for the TV part... (huh?) um...
so... sorry, you'll just have to wait, hehe...

In the meantime, please peruse the archives (to the right) to see all the other happy mundane moments... and please comment! I'd love to hear from you!

oh- and before i forget, Holly at Decor8 gave me the tip for all you Bostonians that they just opened the first US Marimekko store! here's a link to her post-

Blue Monday: iconic Blue bathroom

Its monday. And for many people here in the States, its also Columbus Day, therefore a holiday. But alas, not for me, as I have to work. Sad. But let's look at something pretty. Here is a humble, yet fabulous blue bathroom. Now, where is this bathroom? Well, if you can make out the stained-glass artwork, hanging above the sink on the right side, you might be able to figure out that this bathroom is actually part of the iconic modernist classic, Case Study House #22. Two weekends ago, I was able to go on a house tour, put on by CaBoom. It was amazing to see one of the world's most photographed and recognizable houses up close and personal. It has stayed with the original owner's family, and the wife, Mrs. Stahl was actually there, answering questions and giving trivia. I love the little sliding cabinet doors that sit above the sinks, as well as below. I want.

graphic tableware

Just saw these on Print&Pattern, Bowiestyle found these incredible graphic tableware by Snowden Flood- LOVE the barb wire cup!!!

mundane aesthetic: happy moments

two happy mundane moments today:
a clean organized cupboard

my framed picture of a postcard of trees by Lisa, from her last show...

Magnetic Paper and Jasper Goodall

Picked up the über cool Clear magazine, and the ever sexy and stylistic Jasper Goodall illustrations immediately caught my eye. Apparently, it was for an ad for Adobe. I thought they were just post cards, but then I find out- it's printed on magnetic paper?! how cool is that? Must re-arrange refridgerator to accomodate! check it out if you're by a newstand...

Roxy Sheets

Summer is technically over, and sadly I never officially had a "vacation", which is just wrong isn't it? So this morning I dream of coastal waves and exotic locations. I've been very tired lately, as a result of a recent voluntary sale to slavery for a big account project. Alas, I forgot yesterday's Blue Monday post, so today will be Blue Tuesday. My downstairs guest bedroom has always been my, sorta, "getaway" room. I went for a slightly tropical feel, as it leads into my patio that has a nice fountain. The couch actually folds out into a bed, but I've been meaning to get a proper sheet set for it. This might be a good option... except that the comforter doesn't come in a full size. But I like the pretty swirly hibiscus pattern, and the co-ordinating polka dot sheets are fun. (I could do without the gingham check stripe detail though...) Oh well... off to dream...

Small Space Big Style

I recently got the latest issue of ReadyMade, and had to point out my AT co-editor and pal Gregory Han's super styling pad he shares with his girlfriend Emily. It is the lead piece in their "small spaces" issue. If it looks familiar to you, that's because it was first featured in AT's recent Smallest Coolest contest. Gregory and Emily's place is just downright super coolness. Despite it's small size, they've been able to keep functionality, without sacrificing style: infusing it with bright happy colors and fun personality. A definite inspiration for anyone, no matter what size your place is. Gregory and Emily were recently filmed for an upcoming episode of HGTV's Small Space Big Style, which may (or may not) co-incide with some potentially entertaining news that involves myself, which I will reveal at a later date...(hm...?) in the meantime, go check out Gregory and Emily's place in the Oct/Nov '06 Readymade.

Fluxus: InverseFunction

I recently came across the work of Fluxus, and her site InverseFunction. (I don't remember exactly how I came across it, so I apologize for not giving proper credit) but anyway, I immediately fell in love with her amazing photography. She truly is happy mundane. Living in the visual craziness that can be Japan, she manages to focus her eye on simple beauty and captures it in the most stunning ways. I contacted her and she gave me a little insight. She's very into video art and photography, and trying to become a full-time atists. She says "I'm very much into FLUXUS, avante garde, and conceptual art and designs, and my aim is to integrate them into my work." Check out her flickr site, and also her other site Fluxmode. Between the two sites, there is just too much visual overload of beautiful imagery- you'll be stuck there for hours just admiring them! Have a great weekend!

CANstruction

I did a post about this on AT, but I thought I should post it here too. I was flipping through the newspaper today, and came across this really amusing article. There's a big nationwide circuit competition called CANstruction, where people make these big sculptures out of cans. It was started in 1992 by the Society for Design Administration, and has taken place in more than 70 cities across the US and Canada. The real motive for this competition is to see how many cans they can get delivered to the food bank. It's estimated that a donation of 20,000 t 40,000 cans could provide about 30,000 meals. Teams use as many as 1000 to 5000 cans per structure, at a maximum of 10x 8x10 feet. The local architecture and design community in which the travelling comeptition takes place are given a call for entries. This time it's going to take place in Los Angeles. For more info, go to their website, and you can see some fun pics of other CANstructed creations!