These rings are gorgeous and mod and different.  Some of my precious stone rings are my favourite pieces of jewellery and I sometimes get lovely compliments on them.  Now, I don’t own any of the above, but one day would like to.  Seventy Six Design is based here in Auckland, and you can view some of their rings online here or go and visit their store.  They can also design something just for you.

a

The large wheel clock is cool!  I love a great big clock in the house as it can be seen from a distance and we don’t have to run over to the oven and check the time. The images above show some other cool bike clocks over at Etsy.  The second and third clocks are from 1 By Liz, and the other two by Pixel This.  Both stores have a great range of clocks and they can be shipped worldwide.  Mr Bohaute; being a mountain biker, would probably like one of these in the ‘man cave’.

a

Whoa, how about these kitchens to inspire a change on your reno.  My favourite is Duality – the silver version – it works well as a room separator and you can view the other room while ‘in’ the kitchen. And for those who use and have a load of cookbooks, the Library kitchen is perfect.  Phillippe Starck designed these for Warendorf (formerly Miele kitchens) in Europe.  No ideas yet when they will be available, but they WILL be available – at least in Europe.

via [Apartment Therapy]

a

I am always on the lookout for lunch boxes with many compartments, so myself, my husband and my son has a selection of goodies for the day ahead.  The Goodbyn Lunchbox is cool and you can fit a banana inside which is a bonus, plus it comes with over 200 stickers to personalise.  They are US$29.95 each but Goodbyn don’t ship down-under, however, this website will send it for a ridiculous US$35 making this one expensive lunchbox (about NZ90).  That’s a pity, as I wanted to buy each niece and nephew one for Christmas. We’ll just stick to the Sandwich Keeper Plus for now.

a

I love the thong (or ‘jandel’) necklace in the Pink Lou Lou necklace collection.  The range is a little Aussie inspired and is the creation of Skye Campbell.  You can purchase any of the pieces online and have them shipped to your door – prices start at about AUD$128.00.  These would make a great Christmas present for someone special this year.

image [Pink Lou Lou]

a

While the sewing machine is at my sisters (hers gave up after 20 years!), I’ve decided to give this easy Martha Stewart DIY a go. As yet, all the bits and pieces are in a plastic bag for when I get the chance to try it.  Quite good to throw all the soft toys in, and you can hook the smaller ones on to it when taking it to friends homes.

1. Download and print 2 copies of each template section. (Template A and Template B)

2. Cut out rectangles, and tape together to form template for bag.

3. Lay a piece of Ultrasuede fabric slightly larger than the template on a cutting mat. Attach template to fabric with masking tape. Using a craft knife or a quilting wheel cutter, cut through template and fabric along marked broken lines, working inward; then cut along border to remove excess fabric.

a

Joseph Joseph always has clever ideas for the kitchen and here is their latest range.  Not sure when it will reach NZ but you can get the range now in Australia from the Gifted Store.  I have their nesting bowls that I posted about a while back and they are great to bake with and an awesome way to keep all the baking gear together.

via [Core 77]

a

I can’t tell you much about this house as I don’t speak spanish and the website is well..spanish.   It is in Gandario, Galicia, Spain and the architect is Carlos Quintáns.  It’s a stunningly simple home blending the new form with old stone – striking and visible from inside the home.  In one of the photos, I love how the wooden floor vents are not in metal, but are seamless with the wooden flooring.  Of course the glass across the entire front is always a winner for me, and check out the view!

via [Materialicious]

a

Now, I myself love my laptop just as it is, but if anyone out there doesn’t, then this site has a great selection of laptop skins that are cool.  Should I ever tire of seeing the lovely apple, my fave is definitely Hokusai (the waves).  Just select if you own a mac or pc, what size or model and they start at only US$19 (NZ$25) and shipping overseas is only NZ$10.  You can also custom design with your own image or they cut and custom fit from the large range available.  If these don’t light up your life, they also do mobile phone skins and wall schtickers.   Go take a quick look at the Schtickers website for some inspiration.

a

As it’s warming up down-under, I had a look through Etro’s 2010 ready to wear collection and fell in love with these dresses. Can’t wait till it’s warm enough here to drag out my dresses – I really want that dress on the left, and can I just say [ahem] that it’s perfect for breastfeeding.

images [style.com]

a

Mum loves owls;  she always notices them in books, on cards or fabric and so I have caught that same bug.  Decoylab has a great range of clocks to choose from, but of course this mod bamboo owl is my choice.  A little soft light mounted just out of sight behind the eyes would also light up a little one’s room as their night light.  They do two sizes – large 10″ x 8″ is NZ$94 and the smaller 5″ x 7″ version is NZ$66, plus only NZ$10 shipping.

a

I didn’t come home till 2am thismorning from the childrens hospital as Miss 5.5mths had an allergic reaction to her first taste of solids!  So I picked these two images to uplift and inspire.  The desk makes me want to DIY and the flowers I would love on my table right now.

via [Desire To Inspire] & [Design Sponge]

a

Remember I fell in love with these suspended fire places?  Well, now you can have a portable or hanging Cocoon Chiminea and better yet, you can get them down-under!  Designed by Frederico Otero it is fired by ethanol (meths) in a Strom Burner so there is no mess or clean up.  The flame can be adjusted and the chiminea has the options of being hung; or short, long or angled legs. The bummer is the price is up there at AUD$3950 – wow – but it is rather sexy isn’t it!  Get it from Top3 By Design online, or from the Bondi, Sydney store.

a

I would love this clock as I need glasses to see better past three metres!  The large digits are perfect when I am waken by Miss 5mths old in the middle of the night; (so I don’t have to wake up fully to focus on the small alarm clock).

Each number has a self-contained power supply and independant control.  It can be attached to any surface and a light sensor switches the clock to white at night and black in the day.  Each one measures 60mm x 110mm x 10mm.  Now all Vadim Kibardin has to do is find a manufacturer and I will be one of the first to purchase a set.

a

Another planter I like is this Nature Planter by Design Night.  The shape reminds me of a Lotus flower and I can just imagine a messy lot of Ranunculus spilling out of the holes….perfect for an entrance way.  The pity is it’s super pricey at US$375 (NZ$530) – add shipping down-under and you may as well buy a return ticket to the States!  Now someone just needs to make a knock-off plastic version for $24.95 from the Plastic Store (am I allowed to say that?).

via [oh joy]

a

Once while in Manhattan I walked past a Sushi Restaurant and in the window there was a collection of people made from wire – I took photos but sadly cannot find them now.  Recently while over at Modish I found these and thought again how cool wire work is.  It makes me want to pop down to the hardware store for some and try my hand at it.  You can purchase them online right here for about NZ$15 each; they ship worldwide and take major credit cards and paypal.

a

This awesome piece of kitchen equipment, designed by Gabriele Meldaikyte, was designed for people with only one functioning hand.  Not only does it work for people with a disability but also works perfectly for me (and many other mums out there), as usually my dinner preparation starts at about the time Miss 4mths old loses it, and I have to carry her around the kitchen while I prepare the evening meal – thus, having only one hand to make dinner……I want one of these soo bad!

Both left and right handed people can use this product.  It includes pins for gripping fruit, graters, tube and container openers, fruit and vege cutting and peeling equipment, a food box, equipment for peeling egg shells, an area for keeping bread stable while cutting and buttering, and non-slip rubbers.

The worst thing is, we can’t get it yet…I hope it will be manufactured and available for sale soon….like next week please!

via [Yanko]

a

Ok, so once again I have been away from the computer.  Actually it has taken our internet provider two weeks to get our connection up and running so I have had no internet time.  I thought I would go crazy, but actually not having it there to read my RSS feeds, I completed the house move-in in 3 days!  Not too bad considering we have four bedrooms, an office and all the yard gear.  That’s me in the photo with my beautiful helpful niece Brigitte.  Yes, we have moved twice in 6mths and it was harder this time with Miss 4mths old.  Mr Bohaute was overseas in Seattle the week prior to our move, so my parents and I packed up all our gear and shared baby handling duties.

Master 5 has started school which is only 100 metres up the road, and I love walking him there and back each day.  The best part is, we have a bit of a view of the ocean and Rangitoto Island (not as much as the photo though) – aahhhh…oh and my clothes-line faces north – WOOHOO!

Now I just have to fit in the kids, yoga for me, yoga for my clients, my blog again, and being a wife….holy $%^&.

a

Here’s a handbag that will keep any dodgy person from coming close…and are apparently very cool in Europe.  In NZ it is illegal to carry a gun but perhaps the small purse on the left would be great for your makeup or coins!  Actually, you don’t even have to carry your gun…the outline on these Guardian Bags is all you need!  You can get the Vlieger & Vandam bags here in Auckland and Nelson, and most major cities in Australia, just click on the stockists link to find a store closest to you or shop online and they ship to your door. Prices range from NZ$80 to NZ$450.

a

My sister emailed the image of this pool and I had to share it with y’all.  First, even having a back yard like that would be awesome..secondly, being able to afford the pool…even better!

More and more we are wanting an eco friendly approach to our living environment, and this pool is just the thing if you want something natural.  This Biotop pool in Chadd’s Ford, PA in the USA has separate water gardens, and nutrient friendly plants keeping the pool clean and chemical free.   These pools are self-cleaning mini environments that rely on plants from their “regeneration zones,” or water gardens/ponds, to filter impurities and excess nutrients back into the swimming area.   Skimmers and pumps circulate the water through the zones, and apparently you get all this for not much more than a regular swimming pool.  For more information on the pool above, click here. Can’t say I like the idea of frogs and dragonflies close by while I try to relax in the pool!

a