Back in July, I posted about the latest Rex Ray book. Well, I finally purchased my copy and I'm sooo happy!
I had an older, smaller book of his but this one is much more comprehensive. He has such great color usage and fun shapes. I'm particularly intrigued with his more intricate pieces that he's done recently.
They're more complexly layered and look more like embroidery or tapestry. Definitely a must have for any color lover (and Rex Ray lover!)
So I just got the latest IKEA October 2007 brochure. There's some interesting things in it! Last week, I stopped by there to get a picture frame, and noticed they had their Christmas selection up. I love the folk-artsy snowflake pattern they're using this season! 
They're using it on everything- bags, tablecloths, tags, wrapping paper, coasters, and more! I'm also loving the KIVISTA flocked lampshades! The purple/black colorstory they show it in looks really fresh for some reason. 
I also am totally loving the entire ESTETISK wooden organizer collection- How cool are these simple block magnets? (although I suppose they could also be a super easy DIY project, but they're only $2.99)
and this wall organizer? 
ok, gotta go- Need to run to IKEA now! You can view the brochure here...
So last week, it was all about little boxes of goodies, but this week, it's all about books! Over the past month or so, I've picked up a gaggle of fun books I must share with you.
A few weeks ago, I had the chance to go to see a great exhibit at the Orange County Museum of Art. It's called Birth of the Cool- California Art, design, and culture at midcentury.
It's such a great exhibit. 
It's the first exhibit I've seen in a long time that really impressed me. It's not very big, but it covers a lot of ground and really made me kinda proud to live in such a great area.
The exhibit itself is also very well designed. They did some interesting details to display the work that really captured the feel of the midcentury era. They featured everything from furniture design, to architecture, to jazz highlights, to even children's cartoons that were created in Burbank back in the day. Really great stuff. If you get a chance to come down to OC, definitely hit it up. It's on through January 2008. The book is a great documentation of the exhibit. If you're local, you can get it at the musuem bookstore, otherwise, it is available for pre order here, or here..
It's really gross outside. The ash and soot is still in the air. It's really bad. This shot was taken at about 9:00 this morning.
So with all the crazy fire/burning/brimstone going on here in my little city of Irvine, as well as many parts of Southern California, this little guy seems appropriate. The Home Hero is a fire extinguisher that is light enough to use with one hand- and it sure is nicer looking than the traditional one. I picked one up at Home Depot (normally $30), but this week it's on SALE! $25). It's pretty cool! I like the grey/white combo with the red accent. This is one of those things that you buy where you don't have to feel bad that you never use, because honestly, I hope I never have to use it! But it's good to be prepared...
Yesterday, I saw a few pics taken around my area. Sunday night, when I took the pictures from yesterday's post, I didn't really go outside too far to see the reality of what was going on. It's really scary to see these places that I actually go to and pass by daily to be so close to the fire. My thoughts are with all of those that are still in danger.
Can you spot the orange moon? It's kind of small. It almost looks like snow... but its not. its ash and soot.
So I'm still blaming Real Simple... The cover of the October issue was the next culprit. Notice the super cute little horse sculpture? 
Well, that started a whole landslide of Jonathan Adler mania. I had to have the little horse ornament, um...
and then I saw the little lion... um...
and then I saw the mini sun...
(sigh) I was soo bad. (But it feeels sooo goood!...) Inside the other box, was a few of those mini chair ornaments I mentioned earlier from West Elm. They're sooo cool! I bought a few for christmas gifts. (If any of you happen to receive one from me, just humor me and pretend like you're surprised.)
I am totally loving this simple wooden kitchen tools set, which I posted over on AT:LA this morning. Available from A+R.
A few weeks ago, it was like, "Halloween stuff already?!" and now the scary thing is that suddenly, there's only 16 more days until Halloween! So... I've got skulls on the brain... although skulls are outside the brain... um.. nevermind. anyways- I am quite enjoying how some retailers are making more "sophisticated" Halloween decor. Shelterrific just had this great post about the current skull trend- I find myself strangely attracted to them. Not that I'm gonna be going all goth or anything, but I couldn't resist purchasing this surprisingly cool candle holder from Target. It's all metal, quite substantial and I think quite... stylish, for skulls... it was $7.99. I have this crazy idea to paint the whole thing white or light grey and keep it up all year round. (looks like another weekend project!) I couldn't find the candleholder online, but it is in stores.
I have always loved the blue mannequins and props they have at Barneys Co-op. Recently, I noticed that H&M and Express have been using blue mannequins too. In the interior design world, it's been a fun DIY trend for people to spray paint found thrift store sculptures white, at Barneys Co-Op, they paint them light blue. 
These little wood sculptures at PBTeen could be a fun little homage to that I guess. I love the little dog and cat one! They're on sale too!!
Happiness is... one more package! to me!
Shrimp are YUMMY- but I don't know if I would have said they were pretty? But looking at this ad for Subzero... I might reconsider. Not sure what it is- but the colors and details are strangely beautiful aren't they?
Happiness is a bunch of boxes from the mailman... presents for me! (ok, they're from me too, but whatever. you gotta get what you can get.) I'll share what's in the boxes later this week-
happy munday. It was a great weekend, although it got kinda hot and windy Sunday. Oh well, that's So-Cal livin' for ya! Speaking of SoCal, this gorgeous "ocean" seaglass rug from Angela Adams would look amazing in my imaginary beachside home... I love the raised textures too. It also comes in a brown colorway, but its called "sand"- 
which... could look great in my imaginary desert home I guess... hehe-
It's friday!! Nothing bad should happen on fridays (or any days I suppose). So, perhaps we need to get this cup to remind us. This "no evil" tea cup has cute monkeys and is available here.
I'm a big fan of Jim Houser's work. There's a great interview on him over at Fecal Face. Adam Wallcavage did the interview and tooks some great shots of his studio and some recent work. I love the the scalloped edge striped wall! 
I also love the painted plants.
I think I need to paint some fake plants in seafoam (or blue?). They'll last longer than the live ones I tend to kill. Definitely check out the interview here.
Yay! Reform School has a new website and they opened their online store too! Go get some schoolin' ! and if you're local to LA- stop by the store, they're having a big 15% off everything from now until Sunday October 7th, 2007.
Ok- yeah it's not even Halloween, and yeah, all the stores are already putting up Christmas stuff- but let me just say I have been eagerly waiting for these things to come out. Last month, I received the holiday preview catalog from West elm and these little guys were calling for me! Now, I have always appreciated and loved this signature chair from them, but I have no room for another chair, and quite honestly, it doesn't really fit with the style of decor in my home. However- I surely can find a space for this 4 inch one! How adorable are these little guys!? $8 each. Get them quick! I bet these won't last by the time Christmas actually comes!
wow- I was getting together today's post and I saw on my counter that this would be my 500th post! I started this blog back in March 2006 and it's so interesting to look back at what has happened since then. In many ways, many things are still the same, but then in so many other ways, so much has happened that have added so much more to my life. So... I just wanted to thank all of you for your support of this blog and that take those few minutes a day to check out my mundane musings. I've received so many great emails and comments and have made some great friends that I would never have met without the blog and this great thing called the internet- ("the interweb?") It's great to know that even if you live in a little suburban town in Orange County, CA, you can be connected to a whole world of people that share your appreciation for happy mundane things...
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