3 New from West Elm

I am loving the Cork and Ceramic Collection from West Elm...

0 Cork...

So my dad has this office where he wraps fishing rods, that we call the man cave.  I hang out there with him for an hour or two most days until my mom gets home and we have dinner together.  It's strange and wonderful being at home with my parents.  This is the first time it has been just the three of us since my sister was born almost 20 years ago. But I digress....

So, my dad wraps these fishing rods which means he tediously wraps threads in patterns around the rods, puts on the guides, and epoxy.  There are about 50,000 other steps involved too.  It's tedious, but its actually kinda awesome and artistic. He also has all these vintage rods and supplies...yesterday my job was to move all these vintage cork handles into an new box.  I lined them all up and they looked awesome.

It's too bad I'm so smart in a way, I would have been really fantastic at a very repetitive like factory job or something. I find repetition and organization very relaxing. Haha...

2 Store Jars by Established and Sons

Store Jars by Established and Sons...now these are great.

Found thanks to Living Etc.

1 Whistler Collection at the MoMA Store

Whistler Cork Tea Pot, Creamer, Sugar, and Cups from the MoMA Store...love this set.

0 Normann Copenhagen Kitchen Accessories

Black, White, and cork...um ok.
Normann Copenhagen Kitchen Accessories from Velocity

0 Cork, Felt, & Bamboo from Branch Home

Bamboo Pebbles + Cork Trays + Cork Bowl + Rosebud Felt Bowl from Branch Home

1 Orla Kiely at Target....Look What I Got Today!

After visiting the Target's in my area more times than I care to admit over the last week, Orla's fantastic affordable wares finally arrived. There were two separate endcaps, one in the home storage area with the storage containers and closet organizers, and another in the bath/bedding section. Still no sign of the tableware...sigh. But I did get two cork backed placemats, two cushioned rugs, and a magazine holder. I passed on the apron and the chair cushion...although I may go back and get the latter. The apron was adorable, but realistically I wouldn't wear it, so I thought I would leave it for someone who would. Has anyone seen the tablewares yet??

Images Orla Kiely for Target. 

0 Etsy Store Update

I'm very excited to report that I sold two sets of button tacks during my first week of having the store up and running! My first customer received this great mini black, white, and yellow pennant banner as a special thank you gift. I spent all weekend making the little banners, which are just as great as the full size ones but perfect for your cork board, desk, or as present flair...They will be available in the store later this week....

2 Destination Los Angeles {Fun Finds}

Ok, you know I can't go to Los Angeles without doing some serious shopping...not only did I hit my usual spots {Reform School, Kelly Green, and Ikea} but this time we explored the Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice {which was awesome} and downtown Culver City...

So here's what I got:

American Apparel: graph paper cube {that already looks great on my desk at work}

Urbanic Paper Boutique: Set Editions #2 and Good Luck cards, Pink Loves Brown magnets, to + from card, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Flashcards

Reform School: two awesome vases from the clearance pile

Kelly Green: a perfect gift for one of my favorite coworkers

Giant Robot: Cork Cube magnets and Pushpins and inspiration folder

Pottery Barn: ok, I actually got this is NOLA the day I got back...but it is fantastic and was on sale really cheap.

Plus a vintage cup and fun latte bowls to add to the collection and a variety of goodies from Ikea including an awesome new rug...

3 Presenting...my new Calendar!!

You may remember my great calendar search from the end of last year...well, I decided to wait until I got my new office to actually order one. So last week I decided that the Stendig was the greatest of all calendars, but unfortunately they are sold out everywhere....

So I decided to make one instead. I designed the numbers/days in word, printed them on business cards, and used homemade fabric covered thumbtacks to attach them to the cork. I really like that it is reusable and that I can tweak it each month. I already have a few changes in mind, but I think it is a great addition to the new office!!

4 Apartment Therapy Cure {Bathroom Project}

In the Fall Cure, I covered a new switch plate with paper. It was nice, but the paper was looking a bit worn, and I thought I needed to take it up a notch. Here was my process:

Step 1. Trace the switch plate onto the paper and cut out the openings.
Step 2. Affix the paper to the switch plate with rubber cement
Step 3. I used a yellow Ikea Nyttja picture frame to liven things up a bit.
Step 4. Screw back to the wall.
Step 5. Decide I need to take this project to the next level; refuse to let the bf come into the bathroom to shower, so I can finish the project.
Step 6. Cut cork to fit around frame.
Step 7. Attach to wall with rubber cement and tacks.
Step 8. Admire

2 Apartment Therapy Cure Spring 08 {To-Do List}

Ok, here is my goal list and floor plan for the Spring Cure...

Living Room
- A new coffee table...luckily this Cure extends through Bonus Check season, so this might actually be a possibility this time
- A rug to go under said coffee table
- A new couch cover...I'm thinking about making this myself...or maybe a new couch??
{this is unlikely due to budget constraints, but one day} I have a temporary cover over the original cover- they both need to go...

- Address the DVD storage issue...its bad when th bf actually asks me to go by something... {it doesn't look so bad in the picture, but the DVD's are stacked three rows deep right now and there are more hidden behind the TV}
-Deal with the awkward wall next to the TV where the return air and thermostat are located.
-Paint!?? I would love to paint some accent walls/areas...but I do rent...not that that stopped me from painting the bedroom...



Desk Area
-Create display area behind computer...fabric covered cork? or maybe homosote a la Shiso Mama?
-Lighting
-Freshen the objects on the shelves above the computer

Kitchen
-Curtain
-Lighting

Bathroom-Light Switch Project...I already have the supplies for this project..its an hour long project...




Bedroom

-New Duvet {check}
-New curtains now that the ones from the Fall Cure don't match my new Dwell bedding...{Honestly, as excited as I was about them during the Fall Cure, they just aren't working somehow...I might try to repurpose them as the couch cover?}



Play Room
-Hem curtains that I put up during the Play Room Cure {I've decided I like them.}

Closet
-Storage via shelving...the current shelves and our extra sheets, blankets, and towels are in a big pile in the floor... we had a little mishap...

Misc.
-Get a new vacuum cleaner...as of Sunday ours is officially dead. {My birthday is in two weeks, if any family members are reading this, all I want is a Dyson Vacuum Cleaner!!!}

0 A+R

Another store on the to-do list next time I'm in LA... A+R



I've always wanted a terrarium...these are nice and simple. My Grass Terrarium + Hand Blown Glass Terrarium


Sommelier Wine Glasses + Fast Cup Drinking Glass inspired by plastic cups...




Beautiful combinations of ceramic, wood, and cork... Creamer Set + Oil, Vinegar, Salt and Pepper + Oven to Table Serving Bowls + Cork and Ceramic Vase