Buisjes En Beugels

Now I don't have children, nor do I plan to anytime soon. But these clothes from Dutch designer Kellie Smits of Buisjes En Beugels kinda make me want one {if you could guarantee my child would be as cute and angelic as the little blonde headed boy model, sign me up}. Or at least make me want the clothes in my size.

Via: Bloesem

X-mas Trees

I have been a long time fan of alternate X-mas Trees. It has been years since we've had a real tree at my house, instead my mom purchased a very unique metal tree {not the vintage kind similar to mine below, this tree is one of a kind}. Other family members made fun of her tree, but I always loved it.

This might be the alternate X-mas tree that I must have. Buro North designed the environmentally friendly flat-pack tree. It reminds me of a studio project from architecture school. I love it...

Via: The Style Files via Bloesm

The Cure Continues...

Here are the latest Cure results...The bar finally got papered with my favorite Snow and Graham Wallpaper. Now the bookcase and bar look more cohesive. The bookcase arrangement also got a bit of a revamp. And the new TV found a home on a new parsons style entertainment center. We still need dvd display/storage {they are stacked three rows deep right now, plus some are still stacked on the side}. We are thinking maybe a wall hung shelf above the TV, as the wall looks quite empty now that the tall entertainment center is gone. The playroom is still not quite arranged since it gained the big entertainment center, but we'll get there eventually...

{Update}

And I decorated for X-mas. Yes, our tree is 12" tall and black and white...

Robert Hanson Illustrations

Robert Hanson's Cityscape Illustrations are wonderful graphic illustrations...I am also in love with his work for Don't Panic Media {last image}...available at Analogue Shop and Tiny Showcase

Hable Construction

Hable Construction...wow...I think this is one of those times when the images speak for themselves...

{Concepts}

{Fabrics}

{Products}

Project Runway {Rami Kashou}

I think I've made it clear how much I love Rami, so I thought I'd do a little investigating of his design work outside the show. So, here is what I found via his website Rami Kashou.

So, besides being hot, this guy knows what he's doing...

Project Runway {4}

So this week's challenge was to modernize outdated styles {such as overalls, bell bottoms, shoulder pads, neon, cutouts, and poodle skirts}. They worked in teams to create mini collections {read: slight drama ensued}. Some designers, including my favorite Rami, were able to pull off some decent collections.

The winners were Rami, Jillian, and Kevin who updated overalls, poodle skirts, and 70's flare. The collection was cohesive and wearable. Let's compare to Victorya's color blocked harlequin inspired outfit only fit for a figure skater {She lost some credit in my book this week}

The second place group {Group Star} included Christian, Jack, and Kit who modernized pleather, zoot suit, and fringe. They also managed a cohesive collection, but their outdated trends were less obvious. Despite her teammate Chris getting the auf wiedersehen this week with his gross shoulder pad jacket, Sweet P created a much improved design this week: a fun camel sweater dress with a black turtle neck sheath.

Felt + Wool

Kbox Modular Boxes are aluminum modular container systems perfect for jewelry. They are nice, but the felt inserts are fantastic.

I'm also feeling these great felt bags designed Josh Jakus. The Um Tote has a unique shape, zips to store flat when not in use, and is made from factory excess felt so it is ecofriendly. The Tote and three other sizebags { Carry , Hold and Clutch} are available at Elsewheres and Branch.

This fabulous Wine Rack and great Eggflat are also made from felt and fold flat when not in use. Check out this post on making the wine rack DIY.

I have been a long time fan of the Grid Wall Pocket. I think it is quite expensive, but possibly could be a DIY.

and lastly, these Softbowls {Wobowl + Beehive} would make such fun storage solutions...


The Kbox is available from Rare Device. Everything else can be purchased at Elsewheres and Branch.

Billy Buttons

I have been wanting these flowers for a long time, but I never knew what they were called. Now I do...Billy Buttons...Thanks to Shim and Sons!

Talk Bubbles

After my post about this great calendar from Etsy Seller Magnolia Moonlight, I am realizing that talk bubbles are everywhere....

These cute cards are available at Poketo. Awesome magnetic stickers from twentytwentyone have a blackboard finish and come with a slate pencil...very cool

I love these talk bubble paperclips from Willow...too fun....

Seen any other talk bubbles lately??

{Update}

Kelli found this awesome talk bubble wall paper from Rollout...they have some very unique wallpapers...

{Update 2}

I forgot about these fun Moleskin Talk Bubble Notebooks from Etsy seller clevergirl...

Project Runway {3}

After watching the third episode for the fourth time, I've decided I was a bit unfair with my earlier statements. It wasn't my favorite challenge, and there were many horrible boring designs. But there were a few that stood out...

I think Kit should have won with her fleece blazer. {with the collar up it looks like my beloved Bella Blazer} I thought the length of Christian's blazer was unique in a good way {although I hate the shirt and the way he talks} And as we are becoming accustom to Rami and Victorya has solid designs.

Project Runway {1+2}

Since many of my Apartment Therapy blogger friends are busy with the Wardrobe Therapy, I decided to touch upon fashion myself. I don't really watch a lot of television these days, mostly because nothing really holds my attention. That said, I have been obsessed with Project Runway since its first episode. So I've decided to do weekly PR post highlighting my favorite designs...I'll do the first three episodes here to catch up...well first two, the third episode was so boring, I don't even want to talk about it...

First let me say that I love, love, love Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. And I actually gasped when SJP came into the workroom as the guest judge on episode two. Way to go Bravo...

Rami (whom I think is very attractive) and Victorya seem to be the two top designers thus far. I'll be surprised if they aren't in the finals. These designs are the most wearable and still designery from the first two episodes.

I also loved Jack's dress from the first challenge, this is a dress I would totally wear. I can't quite decide if I like Sweet P or not, but I liked this cute dress with its red satin accents. She worked with crazy Elisa on this third outfit, and actually do like the cape- I'm very into grey this season in case you can't tell. (Side note: I think the funniest thing ever said on Project Runway was "It looks like her model is pooping fabric!" -Heidi Klum about Elisa's first design which was so bad) Anyway...lastly, although this outfit got Simone kicked off the show, I liked it. I agree it should have been sewn better and the top could have been more flattering, but I like the color combination. Ok, fine, I like it because it's yellow...

West Elm Boxes

These Lacquered Boxes from West Elm are a great affordable alternative to the beautiful Lille items that I posted about here.

Mid Century Alphabet Poster

This is fantastic and available at Blue Ant Studio {they are having a great holiday sale...check them out}

MASH Studios LAX Furniture

I realized that MASH Studios has created other fantastic furniture in the LAX line that coordinates with the coffee table that I blogged about last week. This Entertainment Shelf would be perfect for our new flat screen...and actually the Wall Mounted Shelf hung above the TV would solve some problems for us...the wall behind the TV looks so blank now that the tall entertainment center is gone. I also love the Wall Mounted Desk. The whole line is available at Design Public...hmm maybe when I get my bonus...

The Cure Continues...

I have been neglecting the blog due to a new purchase...this new shiny, huge TV. It is beautiful, but has caused a total renegotiation of furniture in the apartment...We're working on it, but I basically just took several steps backwards in terms of the Cure...more to come...

Cindy Jaswal

I fell in love with Cindy Jaswal's pen and ink drawings at Little Paper Planes. The botanical based drawings are really stunning. See more at her website Cedar Seven and Etsy Store.

New Year's Resolutions Part 2 {Going Vegetarian}

Resolution 2 {Going Vegetarian}

So this one focuses on me and the environment. I've decided to become a vegetarian. This won't be an extreme change for me, as I have been moving in this direction for a while. I have so many self imposed rules about the things I will eat for various reasons, that this won't be a surprise to those who know me (read: eat lunch with me everyday).

I want to do this for both health and environmental reasons. This is a great list of 21 Reasons to become a vegetarian that really sums things up. This ties back in with Resolution 1 {Going Green} on many levels. For one thing it addresses the issue of eating take-out all the time. I think these days are over, and they need to be. This is going to force me to cook, take control of exactly what goes into our bodies, and at the same to reduce the amount of waste we produce. I think this will be an overall positive change in the way I live.

New Year's Resolutions Part 1 {Going Green}

I realize that I'm a bit early, but I decided what my New Years Resolutions are going to be. I've decided I'm going to implement them now, rather than waiting until Jan. 1 08.

Resolution 1 {Going Green} Part 1
So, my first resolution focuses on the environment. Part one is to not use ANY plastic bags. I've been very good about using my two reusable Whole Foods bags over the last year, which is where about 90% of our groceries are purchased. I also have been sort of good about using my two reusable Target bags, which is the other main source of plastic bags in our home. However, after reading this article about the effect plastic bags are having on our ecosystem I have realized that I have to do better.

The Plan:

I find that Whole Foods is extremely welcoming and encouraging of the use of reusable bags of any kind. Every time I use my Target bags at Target I have to explain, but they oblige. I thought that a bag branded with the store's logo might make the checkers more accommodating, but I have found this to be only partially true. I have used my bags at a couple of other grocery stores and big box stores, but every time I say "I brought my own bags!" the employees look at me like I'm crazy, and often I end up sacking my own groceries, since the bags don't fit on the plastic bag merry-go-round (although I have tried, then they really look at me like I'm crazy). This is slightly discouraging, but I've decided that I don't care. If I have to bag my own groceries or explain 500 times, that's fine- it's worth it.


Another issue is clothing and home decor shopping, where I have honestly never before used a reusable bag (unless you count when I exchange something and make them put the new item in the old bag, which seems to somehow insult workers as well). I have decided that my Method reusable bag that I got for free by buying Method Cleaning products (thanks Stellarmom!) will be my new go to non-grocery shopping bag. And I WILL use it everywhere I go.

The last and most difficult part of this plan for me is the take-out food aspect. We get take-out a lot, which produces a lot of trash, often in the form of styrofoam boxes and plastic bags. But it is quite difficult/impossible to prevent this when ordering/picking up food from a restaurant...which is a good intro to New Years Resolutions 2...{to come}

Find out more about Plastic Bags here.

Resolution 1 {Going Green} Part 2

Part 2 is to recycle, despite the difficulty in doing so. New Orleans does not have a recycling program. However, there are locations where you can drop off certain recyclables once about every six weeks. I tried this before, but the recyclables took over our small kitchen, and I gave up. However, I am going to find away to make it work.

The Plan:

There is a man who picks up the aluminum cans we collect at work to recycle for a small profit. So, I can take th aluminum cans to work which will reduce the amount we need to store until recycle days. This just leaves our other main source of recyclables: our water bottles. Yes, I do realize that the really green thing to do would be to drink tap water instead, but the water in NOLA is gross, even filtered. It was not good before Katrina, and after the whole city sat in water, which eventually drained into our water source, I cannot believe that it is safe to drink. So, we will stick with bottled water, but I have switched us from Dasani to Ozarka. Ozarka has redesigned their packaging to use 30% less plastic. Next, I need to find a way to store these water bottles until the recycling days come around, and then I have to take them.

Locate Recycling Sources in NOLA here.

Want to join me? It seems to me, if we just change small things like this, we can slow the impact we have on our environment. I'm adding a counter in the sidebar to track my progress regarding the use of the plastic bags. I think this will be good motivation to use the reusable bags.