behance outfitter

I first saw this stationery line at Blackbird in Seattle (awesome store BTW) a few months ago. I was immediately drawn to the simple clean graphics and the colors are just perfect.

More info and products here.

lovely lines and dots

Efterklang - Polygyne from Rumraket on Vimeo.

sort of coal

Been seeing a lot of charcoal/coal lately. Completely fascinated by it. A natural purifier. In this case, it's a natural water purifier- Check out more info and their other coal products here. It's also available via DWR.
They also have it in the form of toothpaste! The idea of black toothpaste is a little scary, but kinda cool at the same time! Also Origins uses it as a cleanser as well. Have any of you used any of these products?

TGIF video break: Je suis une Dolly

Current Guilty Pleasure song... Si Si, Oui Oui, Mais Oui

blue thursday: Anything Design

(sigh)- I've loved the entire stationary collection from Anything Design, but I love it even MORE now that they are releasing it in the color for 2010, turquoise! (swoon... yes please.)

storm casualty: UPDATE

Thank you guys so much for all your suggestions on my sad vine wall. I took your advice and propped it back up. Fingers crossed that it sticks! (I probably should have trimmed it a little... weekend chores...) Thanks again!

dermond peterson "entomology"

I have always been a big fan of the pieces from Dermond Peterson. Susan Peterson just sent me a sneak peak of some of the newest collection and it totally "bugs" me- but in a good way! The new collection is called "Entomology" and features some lovely hand printed insects.These will debut at the NY Gift show this weekend. Check out more of the Dermond Peterson collection here.

catch up!!

Can you believe it's the last full week of January 2010 already? And the week is already half over?! 2010 is in full swing and I'm just trying to catch up! Things have been really crazy for the past few months. Multiple projects for work all going on (and due at the same time! yikes!) have kept my head jumping and spinning and sadly kept me from blogging as much as I would like to. So... this week I'm hoping to start catching up!!

Did you make any resolutions this year? For the past few years, my personal mantra has been "upgrade." I guess it's because I've reached "a certain age" and I've just been thinking that it's time to step it up. This year, however, it's not really about "upgrading" per say, it's more about "making things better." For me, this doesn't necessarily mean going more "upscale"- but rather it could mean just simplifying, or changing something that needs refreshing. Cleaning up, nurturing neglected areas, and looking forward. So this year, I am trying to do this in all aspects of my life- including this blog.

The first thing you might notice is a few tweaks as I experiment here in the coming weeks. I've had this blog now for almost 4 years(!) but I've never really done much to the actual layout/design. But it's about time, and I'm doing something about it. I'm playing around with a complete redesign, which is quite exciting- so stay tuned!...
Also, I've got a ton of book reviews and a few giveaways I've been meaning to do- so lots of fun stuff on the way! Thanks again for checking in on my mundane musings.

(BTW, the images above were of the ornaments I made, but these were ones I saved as gifts. I spray painted them fluorescent yellow, and put them in plastic boxes. My friend Em posted the ones I gave her on her blog, supercozy. check it out!)

modern ring

I'm not a jewelry guy at all- but I must admit that I find this modern ring from Obey very appealing.

custom keys

Saw this in a recent Real Simple. Love these custom key shapes. Kind of pricey at $11 each, but could be really fun if there's a special key you want to give to someone... maybe for valentines day? the horse/knight one is so cool though! Get them here. (image by John Lawton for Real Simple)

Do you Swash?

Spotted this at the very bottom of the Target main page- "Swash"? what is that? Based off the packaging graphics alone, I first thought it was some sort of energy/sports drink- but I would be wrong. Apparently it's a new cleaning system from Tide. I guess kind of an "in-between" traditional cleaning thing- where you just need a little refresher and not necessarily a whole wash. Sort of like, a little febreeze, a little static guard, and a little dryel all in one? Sounds interesting- although I wonder how effective it is, especially the ironing ability. A little googling revealed their main site with more descriptions. I guess it's only available online. Target has a $1 off and free shipping if you get it through their site. I'm intrigued. Anyone tried this?

lines and angles

back to the grind. happy munday!

untitled 246 from eduardo omine on Vimeo.

storm casualty

Well, you might have heard that we here in So Cal were bombarded by a winter rain storm all last week. Crazy tornadoes, torrential rain spurts, and wind- oh my! Sadly, one of the casualties was my vine wall that encases my stairwell up to the front door. Totally came off the wall and I'm not sure what to do... Cut it all off? (that would be so sad) Can I re-attach it somehow without damaging the stucco? Anyone have any ideas?

Kate Spade: Flirt with Adventure

Saw this on facebook this morning. Really cute video perfect for the weekend- Can't get it to embed, so go to the Kate Spade site here.

TGIF video break #2: Here I Come

TGIF video break: Prada Spring 2010 menswear

Pan Am's World posters

Circa 1971-72. They just don't make 'em like they used to. Read the great post about the story behind these posters on the Eye blog, and also how they were rediscovered- There's more amazing example pics too. (via)

Bedol water powered clock

Did anyone catch that episode of Brothers & Sisters the other week- the one where Paige had the science project that involved lemon juice for a battery? I have to confess, I was totally fascinated with that. I had heard of making a battery out of potatoes, but didn't really think about lemons or liquids as conductors. Well, this pretty cool clock follows that same principle. Basically you just fill it with tap water and a splash of lemon juice and it's good to go! You then only need to refresh it every 6-8 weeks and it even has a memory chip to keep the time while you refresh it so you don't need to reset it. No more toxic batteries to dispose of! Science is so cool... the clock is by Bedol, and it's only $16. Comes in a bunch o' colors. More on their site. Does anyone have one of these? Does it really work?) (images from Brothers & Sisters from ABC)

It's your home. Relax.

What does home mean to you?
"It should be completely your own, a jumble of books, toys, dvds, cooking, warmth and happiness. It doesn't have to be tidy, stylish or even very up to date. It just needs to work for you."
-Tord Boontje, House & Garden (UK) Jan 2010

Mirror revamp

Great DIY inspiration for adding some neon-baroque-rock-pop into your decor (because, well, doesn't everyone need a little?!) - As seen in the February 2010 Living Etc, this graffiti'd mirror is in the home of Jimmie Karlsson. Love how it's fun, irreverent and kind of messy- More here. (image from Living etc, and Sistersagency)

daihatsu Basket concept car

I'm not exactly a "car guy" but I can definitely appreciate some good car design. I've been casually thinking about getting a new car, but nothing currently on the market is calling out to me. However, if this "basket" concept car from Daihatsu were ever to come out, I'd be there, like. now.

pops of modern color from iacoli & mcallister

Wonderful pops of color on this grey rainy day here in so cal- brought to you by the awesome designs of iacoli & Mcallister. Check out their site and store for more inspiration and loveliness.

Hermes Paper strip globes

Oh, and one more recent modern globe sighting- Spotted this in the Hermes window display while in Vegas. They used strips of maps to form globe shapes. Could be a fun DIY project, maybe on a smaller scale... love the criss cross lines of color...

A whole new world

Globes have been enjoying a resurgence for the past few years, but strangely it's not until now that I've found myself really interested. And it's not just any globe- I'm especially attracted to more modern looking globes. I first noticed this really amazing yellow one in a recent issue of Grazia Casa. Such an unexpected color and I just love it! The credit said it was by Atmosphere Globes, and it looks like it's part of their "Full Circle" line- but their site doesn't seem to show their entire collection. I tried a little internet search, but only found other colorways, but not this yellow one. Sent them an email- hopefully I'll get a response. Then, in the recent Monocle, there's another globe, this time by Nendo, in Japan. Love the graphic black and white. More shots here.

TGIF video break: Shiny Shiny

Happy Friday! Shiny Shiny bad times behind me! Shiny Shiny Sha-na-na-na!
(bonus points if you are old enough to actually remember this song!)

polaroid redo

So, I'm sure many of you have heard by now that Polaroid film died, but it's now coming back! (woo hoo!) And looky here! They're apparently planning on re-releasing a new version of their classic "OneStep" camera, complete with some new finishes- including a potential WOODGRAIN one! This better happen. like. now.

"Supported by a strategic relationship with Summit Global Group, a longtime Polaroid partner, and The Impossible Project, the manufacturer of classic film for Polaroid film cameras, Polaroid will offer a completely redesigned, modern version of the Polaroid OneStep camera, the PIC 1000. The PIC 1000 will be available in a range of fun colors and use classic Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film to produce the brand’s classic white border instant pictures. The Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film will work with both classic and new Polaroid cameras and will be offered in packs of 10 pictures. The new classic PIC 1000 camera and instant color film will be available at national retailers in 2010. -Polaroid Press Release"

More info here. (via , via)

Matt Stuart

I always wished I could have magical sunglasses that could take instant photos of things I see. Amazing photographer, Matt Stuart, looks to be able to have an incredible ability to capture fantastic moments with shear talent (and speed), as witnessed by these images. He's having an exhibition in London. More here. (via)

light up your mood stickers

These made me smile- "Light Up your mood" stickers for light switches! Designed by Henrietta Swift. Could also be a fun weekend DIY project with the kids, but in case you're not feeling crafty- you can get them here.

wood boxes with lacquered lids

diggin' these boxes. love the yellow lacquer pop, but the white looks lovely too. available here.

Masanori Oji

I was totally drawn to this little feature in the recent Monocle, on these stunning handmade brass bottle openers from Japanese designer Masanori Oji. That led me to his website and I was blown away by the minimal modern beauty of the rest of his work. So gorgeous. Check it out here.

TGIF video break: Alright

TGIF! you made it to Friday! Everything's gonna be Alright...