marbelized ornament

I think these could be totally fun DIY inspiration for modern holiday ornaments. I could see soo many amazing variations! But, if you're not feeling crafty, you can get them here.

john galliano christmas tree

Now, if you follow this blog regularly, you'll know I've never really been tied to being "traditional" when it comes to holiday decor. It should come as no surprise that I'm quite drawn to this amazing tree design (click on the image for a larger view) by designer John Galliano for the Clardige's hotel in London. How über glam is this?! (via CasaSugar, via Unbeige)

UPDATE: Wallpaper has a photo of the final tree here.

Raw Color

"RAW COLOR is a cooperation between designers Christoph Brach & Daniera ter Haar and demonstrates the often unnoticed beauty of our everyday veggies." Read more here via Core 77.

wrapped by housemouse paper

Fun bold simple graphics on wrapping paper by Australian design team housemouse.

thanks!

It's Thanksgiving Day here in the US. Traditionally a day to remember and give thanks. I'm extremely thankful for each of you that come and visit this little mundane blog. Thank you so much for your comments, emails, links, support, and sharing a little bit of your day with me! I do this every now and then, but it's always fun to touch base- I'm in Irvine, CA- where are you? please share in the comments!

wire tree at habitat

Dear Santa:
Please bring a Habitat store to the US. One in So Cal would be quite excellent. Then I could get this awesome wire tree. thanks. (via Living Etc.)

agate ornaments

Rock out this christmas! Really digging these agate ornaments. It's giving me ideas...

another problem.

Awhile back I mentioned my recent obsession with this dark chocolate spread. Well, since then my sweet tooth has added a new addiction: Pineapple Pie. I first had a taste of the golden goodness when I was in Hawaii- at Mc Donalds of all places! Over there, they have pies only available to Hawaii, and at that time- they had a pineapple pie (as opposed to the apple pies that they have on the mainland.) Anyway- I was so addicted to them there that I had one every day of my stay. Fast forward a few years and a friend of mine came over for dinner and brought- Pineapple Pie- I was like- WHERE DID YOU GET THIS?! And their answer was surprising. Ralphs! For any of you in Southern California, you'll know that Ralphs is a big super market chain. The Pineapple pies were only $5.99 for the whole pie. So. Good. And for the past few weeks, I've been devouring them. Have any of you had pineapple pie? BTW, if you have a Ralphs nearby, another friend said they're on sale this week for $3.99 with a club card.

By the way, if you're on facebook, be a HM fan! and follow my twitter for my other mundane musings.

le creative sweatshop

I am so fascinated, intrigued, and inspired by these guys. So much awesomeness. Check out this documentary about their "viral paper" project. I think I need a faceted face mask, like, now. Viral Paper + / Le Creativ Sweatshop ENGLISH SUBTITLES from ofa on Vimeo.

Also- check out these shoes!!!

you MUST check out more here.
(via mocoloco)

j3 zine #1 now available

happy friday folks! I recently mentioned a little pet project of mine, and I'm excited to announce that it's now available online! Click here to go to the mini-site. (BTW, we're including a free handy dandy notepad to the first 100 orders.) Thanks for checking it out and for all your support!

TGIF videobreak: 12345...

TGIF!! (Special thanks to my friend Amy for today's TGIF videobreak.)

Metropolitan Home: December 2009

Flipping through the very last issue of Metropolitan Home (December 2009) was truly bittersweet. At least they are leaving us with one editorial that I'm so inspired by, the home of Marc and Melissa Palazzo. I've actually been fortunate enough to meet these to fellow Orange County (OC REPREZENT!) residents and their talents speak for themselves in their amazing home. I'm totally loving their fresh color palette and mix of modern and vintage. It's my idea of "So Cal cool". It totally speaks to me and is what I'd like my future house to be when it grows up. Check out more shots here. (photos by John Ellis) P.S. I'll miss you Met Home!

vintage tile woodcuts at CB2

It's all about texture! Love these mosaic panels made from pieces of reclaimed and recycled vintage textile design woodcut blocks. I'm thinking it would look great in an entryway, and I like how they have it shown in a living room (with a sleeper couch) too- Could also be fun inspiration for a DIY idea... available from CB2

happy 103 birthday Eva!

It's Eva Zeisel's 103 birthday! amazing. More on her here. My favorite piece of hers is the Century Sauce boat, still available here.

TGIF video break: 15 to 20

The Phenomenal Handclap Band

Ackerman Modern

Earlier this year, I mentioned the incredible exhibit currently at the Mingei in San Diego, featuring the work of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman. Well, it's funny how things can happen, and just how wonderful this little world called the "blogshpere" can be. After that post, I received an unexpected surprise email from the Ackerman's daughter, Laura, and to make a long story short- I ended being lucky enough to actually meet and spend time with the Ackerman's. Fast forward a few months, and I'm proud to present to you, AckermanModern.com - the official site for the mid-century modern works of Jerome and Evelyn Ackerman. It's been such an honor having the opportunity to help bring this couple's endearing work to the web, allowing a whole new world to discover, enjoy, and be inspired by.I encourage you to take some time to read their story and see the wide range of work this amazing couple have created. At the heart of it all is a beautiful love story that continues today, 61 years later. There's a great quote from a recent article about them in American Craft Magazine, that sort of sums up their design approach: "They designed for people like themselves who were on a budget yet wanted to live with beautiful, well designed things." And really, isn't that what it's all about? Also, if you've been considering a trip down to San Diego soon, please please do not miss the exhibition. It closes in January 2010 so it will only be up for another month or so. You will not regret it! Check out more here.

Marcel Wanders for Target

I'm sure many of you have heard that Marcel Wanders is doing Target's Holiday collection this year. I've already started seeing pieces in my local Target! Here's a link to the online inspiration book that Marcel did that shows how the collection came about. Looks like they had a good time creating it! (via Imedagoze)

giant wood rocks by Vicente Guallart

Whoa- you all know my love for wood rocks (and here). Check out these gigantic ones by architect Vicente Guallart. Part of the new Keelung Maritime Plaza in Taipei, Taiwan. (via Monocle)

unexpected fall colors

Now that Halloween is over, seems like everyone is fast forwarding to Christmas already! However, the latest November 09 issue of Martha Stewart Living offers an unexpected color palette that can transition Thanksgiving into the Christmas holiday season. Love these two images, with the silvery muted pumpkins, (some made of fabrics!) and the purple/lavender hues mixed with naturals. Feels fresh and festive, but also warm and comforting. (photos by Don Freeman for MSL)

coin storage

I'm really liking this "coin storage" piece. Simple, minimal, but not too "design-y". The wood for the base adds a nice warm touch. Available here.