AUDREY Flower Tea Strainer

I really enjoy a nice cup of tea every now and then, and I've recently really been getting into loose leaf teas. The only problem is trying to strain it- I have one of those tea-ball things that you cram some leaves into, but that's kinda cumbersome. Well how cool is this thing? The AUDREY flower tea strainer is from Kozoil, and its made of acrylic. You put the tea leaves into the blossom, and the petals rest on the edge of your cup- and you let it steep-Afterwards, the blossom sits on the green leaf stand so you don't drip everywhere! Get it here.

jet blue

I guess this doesn't really have much to do with "design" per say, but maybe it does in a general sense. "design" of a company. I've always loved what Jet Blue airways has done with their company. Their packaging, look, uniforms, etc... Having the "tv" option has been so amazing because it makes those long flights so much more bearable and comforting when I can zone out to HGTV and Food network. Now apparently Jet Blue will start offering WEB service! Oh.My.God. so now, not only can I watch tv, I can surf design blogs! Gotta love Jet Blue. Read more here.

Wallpaper: Nigel Robinson

I love the June/July limited edition version cover for Wallpaper magazine by Nigel Robinson. Inside, there's a great editorial piece he did as well that incorporated lots of woodgrain, but naturally, we posted that on Its(k)notwood.

bluemonday: blue hue

What a nice way to wake up on a monday morning and look at the soothing color blue. I recently discovered this wonderful flickr group called the Blue Hue- its just a bunch of random and interesting photos all focused on my favorite color...

mundane aesthetic: 3

Because when it's hot like today, sometimes you just need to sit in your patio and have a bowl of ice cream. (chocolate chip malted crunch + neopolitan)

glasses

I think these "glasses" are hillarious. The description says "If you are what you eat, then why not think what you drink." There are clever phrases behind each different shaped frame, such as "Drink to make other people look good", "What you see is what you get", "Here's looking at you", and "Drink nothing without seeing it." Available at Target.

magic yamville

These little plush rocks kill me. TOO CUTE! or these Tom-Stones. All from Magic Yam's etsy page. There is also a blog too that shows other cute creations!

housekeeping channel

I hate cleaning the bathrooms (I have 2 1/2 to deal with). It's such a chore and I wish I could afford a maid just to clean the bathroom. At the same time though, I love the feeling of accompishment of a clean bathroom and I'm fascinated by reading about other people's household tips, which then makes me want to clean the bathroom to see if they work. (I'm weird I know.) Lately I've been transfixed at this website that was tipped off to me, called the HousekeepingChannel.com It's this incredibly hardcore informative website, that basically just has non-stop information and open forums about any sort of housecleaning you can think of. It's almost too much information... but I just can't stop looking! My only gripe is that there isn't enough pictures. However, I'm just a visual person, and obviously this site isn't about pretty pictures. It's about serious cleaning. Which is great. Here's a page from the site that gives a handy how-to-hit-list for bathroom cleaning. I always forget that you need to let some cleaners sit for a bit to allow time to really disinfect, but this guide shows you an order to do things, which I appreciate. Do any of you in blogland have any good bathroom cleaning tips? please share...

Bohemian Modern

I picked up this new book over the weekend called "Bohemian Modern: Living in Silverlake" by Barbara Bestor. Barbara, an architect, has compiled a really great overview of homes, shops, and offices of the many artists, designers, and folks that make up the Silverlake (and adjoining) area(s) of Los Angeles. She's coined this aesthetic/lifestyle "bohemian modern", which basically refers to this community of people that "live happily and comfortably in modern environments without sacrificing their individuality." It's fascinating to see this fresh take on interiors and homes, with each featured person/home/family telling their story about how their home came about and showcasing their eclectic tastes. There is an undercurrent of modernity that ties each place together, whether it be in how they solved a solution, the little accents/details they've added, or just the fact that many of these homes were mid-century relics that have been restored or rethought. There are amazing illustrations by Silverlake local artist/designer, Geoff McFetridge, which actually was the real selling point for me.However, more importantly for me, this book represents the type of aesthetic that I myself feel akin to. Although I don't live in an area like Silverlake, I feel my home shares similar principles that those in this book have. I do live in a "modern environment", and I don't feel I've sacrificed my individuality. I've made my space work for me, and let what I'm passionate about dictate my living spaces. The "bohemian modern" aesthetic isn't bound by where you live, its really about how you live. A great reference, with inspiring visuals- get yours now!

kmart: part deux

Ok, I'll stop with all the Kmart after this, hehe- but just a few other things I thought were also worth noting: I loved this cool set of coaster/frames- I imagine you could also put other things inside beside photos, like a fun fabric swatch, or wrapping paper, etc.... they came in other colorways too, a blue tones one and I believe a brown/neutral tones one...This fun "mosaic" series of cups (which had a subtle gradation from blue to clear- hard to tell in the photo), carafe, acrylic serving trays (one big tray with three small removable compartments, each in a tonal translucent blue), melamine plates, and even a vinyl table cloth! (which i ended up actually buying...don't know what i will do with it though...)

kmart: cute prints-o-rama

I'm continued to be impressed with what Kmart has been offering lately in home decor. Granted, not all of it is to my taste, but there are still gems to be found. Their Essential Home line that I posted about previously, provided much pretty-ness in the towel department for both kitchen and bath. I love this vintage-y floral print that had matching showercurtain and bath towel assortment.Then there was this great 5 pack set of dish towels by Martha Stewart that had this "island hop" floral/stripe combos, also in the tropical pink/orange color scheme...and then these fun beach towels- one with a cool retro op art print, and another with a Pucci-esque printand then finally, this super cute fruit print that was on a set of porcelain dishes, as well as on vinyl table cloths...Sadly, again, most of these (with the exception of the beach towels and dinnerware) is on their website- but obviously all in store (and a lot on sale!). There are a few other fun things worth noting from the "K" and I will continue with those in the next post... stay tuned!!

Blue Monday: Yeti slippers

Happy Memorial Day! Ok, so its basically summertime...Being in SoCali, right about now, all I wear are flip flops. But is it bad that I still really really want these? These "yeti" slippers are by Gamma Go and they're so cool!

mundane aesthetic: eggs

Since tomorrow is Memorial Day, I thought it'd be fun to make egg salad. But oh how quickly I forget the drama that is boiling eggs. You would think something as mundane as boiling eggs wouldn't be such a hassle, but I have come to realize I am not gifted in the ways of the art of egg boiling. Prior to today's experience, I always just boiled the water, threw the eggs in, and then let it go for awhile... However, recently, I read that I should boil the water, remove it from the heat, add the eggs, and then let them sit for 10-15 minutes... I think it was on Martha or something... anyhoo.. so I did that, but this time, the eggs were boiled, I peeled one; but the yolk was not totally solid/consistent all the way through- (I did do the whole rinse in cold water thing, and that did get rid of the ugly greenish outside) So I re-boiled them... tested another, still not totally done- then finally on the third reboil, tested one- Success! But that took way longer than 10-15 minutes... and then trying to peel them was random too!- How do you get it so that the eggs peel easily? (sigh) In the end, the egg salad seems to be good- but it was definitely a bumpy ride. Anyone care to share any of their tips to help a brutha out?

Little Friends of Printmaking

It's been really refreshing to see the resurgence of hand crafts, especially the strong return of printmaking and silkscreening. I love artists who are making bold graphic, and mildy subversive statements, and these guys are a perfect example. The Little Friends of Printmaking (love the name) are a husband and wife team based in Madison Wisconsin. I was first introduced to them via their supercoolness wallets for Poketo. I've been looking for a poster to frame and put up in my slowly evolving staircase wall/ gallery, and my only problem right now is deciding which one of their many rockin' pieces to get!

Target Home: Kitchen (an UPDATE)

My first post a few weeks ago for Apartment Therapy was for Target's new HOME brand line of organizational/storage products. I really loved their "Kitchen" category, and had to have this neat under-sink-organizer thingy. Here is what my dark and scary under-the-sink area looked before:And now, finally, after a week or two of just sitting in the pretty box (no help from my lazy-ness) , here is the AFTER:YAY! It feels so much nicer to have that area worked out. I wonder what would happen if I could get the rest of my life this organized?! This under the sink thing is not on Target's website yet, but if you go to the AT post, in the comments, several people listed similar options and locations to get one too...

book review: At home with Color

At Home with Color is a new book written by Matthew and Grainne Dennison, with the most amazing photography by Chris Everard. What I love most about this book is that every room shown is perfectly layered and has so much soul. I love "colorful" rooms that are not so "cut and dry". For example, I'm not attracted to rooms where all the colors match exactly. This seems to be done a lot on makeover/decorating shows. I think rooms like that end up looking too theme-y/match-y match-y and lack a certain visual depth. I think the key is really to play with different shades and tints, via accessories or fabrics. Balance it all out with different textures...Another thing to think about when using color is giving your eyes "breathing" room, allowing the "star" colors you've chosen an opportunity to stand out. This can be achieved by adding in neutrals behind your key colors. I had to keep reminding myself that when I went about tackling my downstairs bedroom.All of the rooms shown in this book exemplify these philosophies. What's also interesting is that the authors divide the book by living space, and really push you to think about what emotional goal you're trying to achieve with each room, and how color can help you attain that. Overall, this book is filled with great sophisticated "eye candy"that I'm sure will provide continual inspiration no matter what your decor or color preferences may be. Click on the link below to get a copy today!

Serendipity

Ever randomly look at something you have had for ages, and really look at it, only to discover something you'd never noticed before? I've had this great lucite lamp that my friend Em gave me (ok, to be honest, she kinda stole it from her Dad- ok - well, I guess technically her Mother "granted permission", cuz I think she wanted to get rid of it...) anyways- love it- had it in my office for quite a few years... recently when I relocated my office last year, I brought it home and now it rests on one of my night stands. Well the other day, I was randomly looking at it and noticed that something was different about the base. Upon closer inspection, I realized that one of the lucite pegs was missing, but in its place was a weird white plastic piece, which upon closer inspection of that- turns out to be some sort of white plastic shampoo cap that has been glued on!! I started busting out laughing. Apparently Em's father must have glued it on to keep the lamp level, and used whatever he could find to prop it up. At least he matched the white. It must have been there forever, because the glue is kinda brown now. Em says that this is a very typical "filipino" thing to do. As hillarious as it is, I wouldn't touch it or change it at all. It actually makes me love the lamp even more. It's those unexpected good surprises that make your home unique and really something to cherish.

Blue Monday: the happy house

Oy vey! Monday is practically over and I'm just now posting for today. yikes! work is kinda crazy the beginning of this week so my posts may be kinda light... However, I did want to share this funny little box I got at an estate sale recently. It originally held some decorative votives, but I just couldn't resist the funny graphic on it. and it was blue. Not sure what i'm going to do with it... but I have a feeling it may find a new life simply displayed on a wall as artwork....

Sanna Annukka

I have to admit, I'm not really a follower of the group Keane, but I have recently been seeing their new album cover around and I am in love with the artwork. Apparently Keane collaborated with Finnish artist Sanna Annukka Smith. The style is influenced by Finnish folk art, (and I'm so obssessed with scandinavian folk art lately...) Here is an interview with Sanna that was on the Keane website. I'm sure with this album's great exposure, we'll hopefully be seeing a lot more of Sanna's work! I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for it!

Lauren Saunders and AT

A post I did for ApartmentTherapy (LA edition) is up today, and I thought I'd cross/blog/promote on this happy friday. For those of you that don't know, I've recently been fortunate to become a part of the great ApartementTherapy team as a contributing editor for their Los Angeles edition. There's lots of interesting things in store for the AT:LA site, so please do check it out if you get a chance. In the meantime- behold these GORGEOUS pillows (I know.. MORE pillows.. sorry, I'm an addict...) from CA local designer Lauren Saunders. I first met Lauren at the recent NY gift show and her pieces were so incredible, they stopped me dead in my tracks while walking the aisles. Plus, Lauren herself is such a genuinely nice and refreshing person to chat with. Each of these are made by hand and she uses lush and lovely textiles to create them. I love the modern organic designs that totally exemplify the coastal california-chic lifestyle I dream of aspiring to....