{the blog}

someone asked about enamel lights

 

I get quite a few emails and various questions here and there.  A few weeks ago someone emailed me and asked about an industrial pendant in an enamel finish... just found some.  I found them here, yet I cannot recall how I found myself there.

But while I was there... I also saw these.  And they made me happy.  Reminded me of my friends in Boston. 

 

And over the door... a Golden Cod looks like this:

 

And speaking of Golden... I've been enjoying a blog my sister turned me on to, it's called Whatever and in their family there is a Goldendoodle... his name is Waffle, and he makes me laugh. 

 

candid camera

I'll try not to go overboard on these personal photographs. Stop me if I bore you to tears.

The wide angle just arrived so I'll take more pantry photos tonight, if it doesn't get too dark on me.

{grasscloth in the pantry} have you had Williams-Sonoma's waffle or pancake mix?

{Paisley.  Who is so cute & sweet I might name my first born after her.}

{moss on a tree}

{both of my children, they are of the Terrihuahua genus species}

{snippet of an inspiration board in my office}

{cabinet hardware on the kitchen cabinets in my design studio, designed by moi, made of plumbing parts}

new in my kitchen

Last week I scored a couple newbies for my kitchen... these were brought in for the photographs that were taken of my projects and I couldn't stand to see them go... so I bought them.

Cool and useful.  And not expensive to boot!

Typhoon Revolution Retro Juicer $39.99 at Amazon.

Terraillon Black Scale $10.76 at Amazon. 

They feel right at home next to my Pistachio Kitchenaid Mixer. Which I already had and didn't pay one penny for... but that's a story for another day.

I'd buy it without even smelling it!

Found earlier this week @ Dieline.

The Bubble Roome

here's a excerpt of their Mission:

Have shelf appeal but make it different than the norm. Use my design skills to make the packaging look good, since shelf appeal is a big part of a consumer's reaction to a product. I wanted to base the design concepts on turn-of-the-century apothecary labels, but knew that that wouldn't be enough (Altoids, Bigelow's, etc do a good job with that). I also wanted to add the use of pattern and color that the Victorian's used and their delicate and intricate type design. But I didn't want this to look too retro, I wanted it to be updated, to reference the 1900's without creating something too reverential or precious. So basically, it all boils down to a media label that seemed to pop up in design magazines at the same time my products launched (there must have been something in the air). The label placed on the look of The Bubble Roome? Neo-Victorian.

 

tortoise envy

I would love a wall in my house like this... the pefect shade of white - offset by graphic (yet organic) shapes... this is right up my alley!

{tides hotel}

Especially considering the means to that end didn't have anything to do with the hunting of this...

{cute turtle}

NIBS got me thinking.  I wonder who makes those resin tortoise shells KW used in the Tides Hotel??

(when I think of Kelly Wearstler in my mind I refer to her as "K-Dubs"... as in 'Dubs' short for "W" as if we are tight or something... I have a friend with those initials and that's what I call her - maybe that's why?)

Domino mentioned Barbara Cosgrove, but hers are on stands.

ANYONE... source on resin turtle shells?

happy surprises

I love a surprise!  Last week when I went to see one of my clients, she had this (above candle) as a gift for me... and I LOVE IT {thanks Nancy!}!  It's a Slatkin & Co... the scent is Pineapple Orchid.  I have it at the office and the smell reminds me of "vacation".  I heard once that our sense of smell is the most memory-recalling sense we have.  I have a nose like a bloodhound.  This scent is delightful. If you live near a Bath & Body Works, that's where it came from.  I love the pineapple jar, in fact I have another pineapple (cookie) jar (perhaps the beginning of a collection?)... when the candle is gone, this might house something like candy -or- paper clips (the latter is definitely healthier).

Another (hilarious) surprise... Mr.Fred (the above Chihuahua) joined his owners (my friends) at the beach recently.  When our friends pulled up, I was thrilled to see them, but even more thrilled to see Fred!  He's a great beach dog... just sits in his dog bed under the umbrella... chillin. He doesn't like "runners" so anyone that passed by in a rapid motion got a little barky-bark, but other than that he just relaxed.

be smart!

When I was little Darby (my twin sister) and I would pretend to do an infomercial in my mother's kitchen.  We'd dramatically throw open the doors to her Tupperware section and say "DO YOUR KITCHEN CABINETS LOOK LIKE THIS?" and giggle uncontrollably as plastic storage containers came tumbling out onto the floor.

Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I have recently discovered that I have this same problem in my kitchen.  But there is a solution*.  Seriously!! I haven't done it yet, but I could very easily throw all my other Tupperware(like) containers away... because I use only these.  Stackable & one lid fits all. I love it!

It's called: The Smart Spin

Available for purchase here and here.

I've been on a clean sweep around my house, and if you are too - I suggest you buy a set!!  |have a tiny little kitchen and this is a great space-saver!!!

Anyone else bought anything "as seen on tv"?  Courtney prompted this post... Furminator is next on my list.

*: mine was a gift from my mother for Christmas, I hope she bought herself one too! Thanks mom!

Design for Mankind - E-Zine - Issue 2

Erin @ Design For Mankind just launched the 2nd issue of her E-Zine... and I am honored to be featured amongst other inspiring designers... {I'm on page 19}... go to her blog, follow link and ENJOY!  If Desire to Inspire's winks are my new weekend paper, the E-Zine is my new favorite glossy...   

TGIF

Praise the Lord! I need a weekend... I'm losing my mind this week.  I wrote on the wrong day in my planner all week... I double scheduled meetings, and I asked my husband 15 times when his MRI appointment was (for his shoulder) so I could go with him, then wrote it down wrong and planned meetings all around it - so he's flying solo.  I try to be a good wife... heaven only knows what kind of crack-up mom I'll be someday.

On a lighter and much more enjoyable note... I love John Derian.

(image above from NY Times & images below from their booth at NY Gift Show)

There is no specific collection that I love most, that's like choosing whether one of my dogs over the other... they are all equally gorgeous!

Keep good company people!

TGIF!

i love my blog readers

First this. Now, this: a few weeks ago I posted about this lazy-susan office organizer that I really wanted, but to be honest I wasn't crazy about the price.  A day later I got an email from Allison (a reader in Birmingham, Alabama)... she said "I saw something similar last night at Home Goods, let me know if you want me to buy it for you?"... I really love these random acts of kindness that I've been seeing on a daily basis lately.  A lovely girl who doesn't know me from Adam's house cat willing to make an office supply dream come true for me! Fabulous.

It arrived via FedEx last week and I couldn't be more pleased:

And the note from sweet Allison on such a cute card (and the girl has great hand-writing!):

Allison, I can't thank you enough!  Your check is in the mail!!  Keep on, keepin' on in your Home Goods adventures!  If I was in B'ham I'd be scouring with you!