Banish Apartment Blues

Bring the yard inside! These grass squares were designed with just that in mind -- to blend the indoors with the out in order to make spaces more breathable. Recycled products were used for the whole project.

[via thedieline.com; find out more about the project here]

Meal Planning

I just received my mini-meal planner by Briones & Co. in the mail, and I am so excited about using it. I like the idea of writing down meals, so down the road when I can't think of anything to make for dinner I can just look back at past meals. Plus, the different patterned papers just inspire organization and creativity! You can buy one here for $8 + $2 shipping.

Take a Look...

I've been busy, busy putting this little number together -- it's the full collection of save.the.dates from b.wise papers but in magazine form! [Because it's true that I am just a teensy-weensy bit obsessed with magazines] Plus, sometimes things are just easier to peruse this way.

Get your own - Open publication

Posting has been a little sparse over the past couple days, but now that this and another project are complete, I'll get back to some regular posting!

What did you guys think of the Oscars? I enjoyed it, and was very happy that my girl Kate walked away a winner -- she's amazing.

Heinz Bottles

There is a website up with the work of our amazingly talented friend, Jay, who passed away suddenly this past Christmas Eve. This Heinz commercial is one of my faves [it wasn't accepted to the competition he made it for because it "wasn't amateur enough"]...I've spent some time wondering how they got the ketchup levels just so and with no slop down the sides!

[P.S. the star of the commercial is Jay's wife, Eleanor]

Valentine Fortunes

We just received* a package of Valentines from my sister, and they are so fun. Red felt shaped like a fortune cookie, and inside are two Hershey Kisses and a little strip of paper with her Valentine message. She said she saw the idea in an issue of Martha, and I just googled on her site and found this tutorial. They would also make fun party favors...

*It was not her fault that we just received them -- I am very suspicious of the postal system here, convinced that they just deliver mail when the mood strikes them. It took a week for this package to get here, and we only live a 6 hour drive away! I think I'm also suspicious because this is the 4th city where I have frequented a Post Office, and the workers here are hands down the meanest I've ever encountered. Oddly enough, the ones in Boston were the nicest! So much for geographical stereotypes!

Fall for Jason Wu

After Michelle Obama's stunning appearance at the Inauguration Balls, I was anxious to see Jason Wu's fall line. I really like his style -- a mixture of classic and traditional with edgy and modern. His use of color is beautiful, as is the way he mixes patterns. And that last dress would make any gal feel like a million bucks!




[For the complete collection check out wwd.com]

Be Mine

Looking for a last minute Valentine? These e-Valentines from Kate Spade made me smile. You can send them directly from the site to your honey...

Box Living

We affectionately refer to our apartment as the shoebox. It's not that it's a particularly small place, it just seems that way when there are 4 people in it, 2 of whom have loads of energy! Here's an example of box living at it's best...the VH R-10 gHouse on Martha's Vineyard. There are some pretty tight zoning regulations on the island, so it's interesting to see how more space was carved out. The loft, for example, does not count toward the max. 600 sq.ft. allowed for a guest house.


And to top it off [quite literally!] there is a succulent garden on the roof... [Find out more about the VH R-10 gHouse at Architectural Record]

May I Join You?

I've been getting things organized for tax season, and it's been especially brutal this year because we have to file 3 returns. gross. I was completely spoiled in Texas -- one federal return and we were done. To distract myself, I leafed through some promos my sister had brought me from ADAC. The image above is from Ralph Lauren...my kind of refuge! I'll let you know if I come across anything else inspiring while I procrastinate...

A Penny Saved...

Did you have a piggy bank growing up? I never did because we never had a real allowance [if we wanted something, we would either earn it or get it for a present]. I was thinking it could be a fun thing for a child, though, to hear the little pings of coins dropping in. Plus, these days you don't have to just choose between pigs -- there are some great sculptural options out there, including this beautiful Egg Bank [which is a little reproductive sounding to me, even though that's literally what it is!] by J Schatz. It's available in 9 glossy colors and has the capacity to hold 307 quarters, 559 dimes, 278 nickels and 1,350 pennies [for a grand total of $160.05]. Only drawback? It does have a $95 price tag, but at least the rubber stopper on the bottom would prevent you from having to shatter it to get the money out!

Not Your Average Hotel Room

Maybe it's because it's been so cold outside lately [which I really can't complain compared to our New England winter last year], but I've been thinking about vacation lately, preferably to somewhere exotic. While I was thinking mainly about the ocean, drinks by the pool, and sandy beaches, these hotel rooms at the Hotel Fox caught my eye. Located in central Copenhagen, the Hotel Fox brought in 21 artists to redesign the hotel's 61 rooms.

[The boys would love this room with a tent]

I've told Ben that if we end up back in Cambridge, we are definitely going to plan a trip to an island somewhere in March [which is for me, a girl born in Georgia, one of the hardest months in winter up there because I am expecting spring and getting cold sludge]!

Puppy Love

I saw this image on Re-Nest, and seriously wanted to reach through my screen and pick up that sweet little ball of sugar. I forget how much I miss having a dog until I see one as cute as this. Sadly, in our temporary digs, there are no dogs allowed. But I've already been laying the groundwork since we will be moving in a few months. I've got both boys totally into it, and who could resist a little boy asking for a pup?! [I also wouldn't mind having the rocker and rug as well!]

Nanny Pickle

[ mod babe collection, "Lucky I'm Cute"]

Looking for a unique and playful baby gift? Check out Nanny Pickle, a line of baby clothes, accessories and papers. The clothes have clever sayings/phrases on them sure to make even the most sleep deprived parent smile.

[ bad bunny collection, "Bunnies are Starving in China"]

Nanny Pickle's commitment to babes and the environment -- utilizing materials that are sustainable and have the smallest impact possible on the environment. The raw materials that make up the fabrics are organic and grown free of pesticides and fertilizers. The bamboo is both 100% biodegradable and naturally regenerative.

Moss Packaging

You know about my obsession with moss [for those who haven't heard, click here and here], but did you know that Coto --"fine accessories for the creative thinker"-- uses moss in their packaging?! Reindeer moss is their version of packing peanuts. Genius -- I love it.




p.s. they are having a 50% off sale right now -- their cuff links would make fun, unique Valentines...

[Images via thedieline.com]

A New Level of Clean

[Ultrasilencer Special Edition by Pia Wallen from the AIGA archives]

Don't you wish this bad boy was on the market?! It would take vacuuming to a whole new level of fun.


Pia Wallen is the Swedish designer well known for her use of felt in design, [especially her felt slippers] as well as her line of handmade sterling silver jewelry.