Smart Alec

Hay

2012-02-08T14:49:00.000-08:00

It started with the minimalist bed linens

then I realized they had these sweet rugs

cool storage

and even killer tea towels

and now I am obsessed with Hay and any thing they have to offer. It is so me. I would love those bed linens and rug in my bedroom right now.

2012 Calendar Round Up

2012-01-28T10:04:00.000-08:00

Do you need a calendar for the year? I know its already the end of January, but there are 11 good months left to 2012 and now is when a lot of calendars are on sale. Here are some of my favorites on Etsy.

Fieldguided

Yumalum

Anek

Miles of Light

Little Pretty Studio

The Hungry Fox

Little Heat

Kin of Kin
And tea towel calendars too.

Penny Candy

Galia Bernstein's Print Shop

Walt Adler for Valentines

2012-01-23T17:20:00.000-08:00

A good friend of mine is a crazy talented and pedigreed jewelry designer. He started at David Yurman and now has his own company. His latest design is the bond bracelet which you can customize with leather color and choice of metal for every price point. Its a really nice gift for Valentine's Day. So much so that you can use the code LOVEBOND for free shipping at check out.

Green Babies

2012-01-23T12:54:00.000-08:00

Design Sponge

Baby Ramen

Weekend Finds

2012-01-17T12:24:00.000-08:00

Who finally scored some air plants this weekend? We were at the Long Beach Flea Market and it was a major bust - I found nada. But Alec spotted these little guys for $2 each so I was elated.

Oh, and before that I scored this killer wool blanket for $10 at the thrift store after a quick peek inside. Lev wasn't letting me shop, so I just snatched this up and hoped it would be decent upon closer inspection when I got home. And it is better than I thought. Really thick, no holes, no smells, reversible. Now that its washed, it is happy in our bedroom for the winter.

Hope you had a nice long weekend too.

Changes Around The House

2012-01-12T13:48:00.000-08:00

New year + new baby on the way + Craigslist finds = changes around the house. Whether it was slight updates to the living room and guest room or bringing the contents of the playroom downstairs to free up a bedroom for a new nursery, here are the changes that were made in the past few weeks/months.
LIVING ROOM

Gotta love a $40 credenza made of teak. Who could resist?

And a Noguchi style coffee table and new NuLoom chevron rug just to mix things up.

PLAY ROOM

Most of Lev's toys found room on the shelves and drawers in the family room downstairs, and the rest we cleared out.

Its nicer having him play downstairs when we are in the living room.

And the new additions of a cute triangle rug and bentwood nesting tables make me happy.
GUEST ROOM

And the credenza that was our media center moved up to the guest room, along with a rug that I bought before I knew the baby's gender. And with that I decided the guest room needed more of a SoCal vibe for our guests who came to visit LA.

The nursery is in progress. I'm still putting together my wish list and nothing is assembled yet. But now that these other rooms are settled, the nursery will come to fruition in the next few weeks most probably.

Ink Blot

2012-01-05T14:51:00.000-08:00

From Everything Begins. So beautiful.

Camping Out

2012-01-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

My love for teepees has been documented thoroughly here and here, and now there's a place to stay if I ever find myself in Wisconsin. Camp Wandawega, via Design Tripper. The brown, red, and cream color motif works well for me.

Shirt Pillow

2012-01-03T14:27:00.000-08:00

Alec, you must have an old shirt you want to donate to the cause? Clever idea by Mon Thai

Local 1205

2011-12-15T09:35:00.000-08:00

We happened across the most alluring little imported deli/local coffee press and sandwich shop, newly opened on Abbot Kinney. The offering were very enticing, but the space was what got to me. A lot of spot on Abbott Kinney in Venice Beach are very good at the whole industrial vintage look, and this new addition sets the bar quite high.

Greeted at the front door with the most delicious lemon mint ice water gratis.

Clever way to sell fresh flowers and the best spot for drinking your coffee.

Yes, that's a self serve gourmet olive oil dispenser.

Large airy warehouse feel.

Killer salvaged bathroom doors.

The de rigour communal farm table with a nice graphic back drop.

Rock Collections

2011-12-12T13:49:00.000-08:00

How lovely are these rock collections by Cory Kindred? She selects semi-precious gemstones and used vintage boxes, paper and typewriters but instead of labeling them by their proper names she picks words inspired by the shapes and colors of the stones. I actually just found my old rock collection. I thought Lev would get a kick out of them but he was disinterested. I could do this on my own, for sure, but instead of random words I could use the spiritual meaning assigned to each stone. Examples for some of the stones I found in my old collection:
Amythest: sincerity
Aquamarine: courage
Jade: luck
Quartz: power
Tiger's Eye: inner peace

Mustaches

2011-12-06T11:43:00.001-08:00

Very creative graphic that I like.

But speaking of mustaches, do you notice they are every where? seriously, what is going on? They are becoming cute and cuddly and humorous...and I admit that I don't really get it. These examples are just scratching the surface...can anyone tell me how this all started?

Old Tom Foolery

Bodie and Fou

The Lower Case

Bottle Stopper

Urban Outfitters

Etsy

Knit Hudson Bay Blanket

2011-12-01T15:32:00.001-08:00

What a neat idea if you can knit - make your own Hudson Bay blanket. The graphics are simple enough, which is why its a classic. If only I could knit. Via Purl Bee

My Quickie Advent Calendar

2011-11-29T13:48:00.001-08:00

I did a round up of advent calendars over here, and got inspired to try to make my own before December 1. It is a hodge podge of office supplies (small envelopes, cork board glued to cardboard back) and leftover fabric and ribbon I had at home. It was more of an experiment than anything.

I basically wrapped the cork board with fabric and secured it with duct tape in the back, added ribbon for hanging the small envelopes, and stenciled the numbers on the small envelopes.

I think I will try to upgrade to stamped numbers and prettier paper envelopes or cloth sacks for next year. Maybe some wooden clothes pins for hanging off the ribbons. The cork board allows me to also stick pins in it next time if need be.

But even with Lev's help, it took less than 2 hours to construct. And he is very excited about opening his small presents for the next 24 days.

Dark Walls

2011-11-27T14:46:00.001-08:00

I am not over the dark grey yet. Still love it on my own bedroom walls, and I just saw two more rooms that work well for me. One calm and somber, via Lost and Fawned

One vibrant and electric, via Japanese Trash (source: A House In The Hills)

Artsy

2011-11-27T14:26:00.001-08:00

We did go to Palm Springs for the day on Thanksgiving, which was a very nice and fun family getaway. While out there, I snapped some pictures of the mountains. They are something to behold. I played around with two of the shots and will pick one, along with a similarly artified beach/ocean shot, to print and hang above the sofa. Because we need something there and its getting kind of ridiculous. Which one is the better one? Which would look better paired with an ocean shot? A or B?

Little Studio

2011-11-22T14:08:00.001-08:00

Sweet little Swedish online shop that does colorful graphics in a big way.

You Are The River

2011-11-21T19:21:00.001-08:00

Really pretty work by from Faye of You Are The River. Serene, soft, dreamy, and modern.

Pillow Talk

2011-11-17T10:50:00.001-08:00

Some new MVPs have made it to the sofa of late. Some found. Some made.

Can you believe I found the kilim pillow cover for $5 at a thrift store? I could not. The black and white striped pillow I made to tie in the kilim to the ikat chair cover to the rest of the pillows on the sofa. There was just too much going on.

Cute $10 graphic pillow from Ikea and a pillow cover I made from the "Dancing Triangles" fabric.

I'm trying out a Swiss Army blanket on the sofa to protect it from grubby baby hands and food spills.

Lev saw me sewing and wanted to get in on the action. We designed this owl doll and sewed it together. He turned the machin on and off, took out pins, and stuffed it. Very simple.

And since we are in Lev's room, the Hudson Bay blanket is out for the fall/winter to keep Lev warm in the chilly nights. It is now a family heirloom as it was passed down to us from Alec's grandfather who brought it down from Canada. Thick, beautiful, and bright. Its just right in Lev's room now.

Dottie

2011-11-14T12:06:00.001-08:00

Maybe its a developing micro-trend. Maybe its catching my attention because polka dots feel festive and light to me, appropriate with all the celebrations this time of year, especially when done in metallics. But I have been appreciating the use of polka dots just about everywhere lately.

Oh Joy

Bartsch circles/moons mural

BHLDN garland

Jess LC notecard

Mrs. Elliot Books Abacus print

Castle pillow case

Casron Too quilt

Madewell sweater

Oh Gosh That's Cute

2011-11-14T12:04:00.001-08:00

Easy idea for holiday table decor - from alphabet soup! I could totally do this. Tutorial by Oh Happy Day.

Mojave Sands

2011-11-14T09:14:00.001-08:00

Toying with the idea of escaping to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving to avoid having to cook. We are partial to the Ace, especially since they are doing a $25 turkey dinner. But in the process of searching, I came across the newish Mojave Sands in nearby Joshua Tree. Cool rooms, but no pool, so its a no go. Just thought you might want to sneak a peek.

Nice Garland

2011-11-14T08:41:00.001-08:00

A simple garland that would make for a unique holiday decoration on the mantel r around a tree. Its early, but just a thought if you have scraps of fabric around. Via Lily

Another Lighting DIY

2011-11-04T17:54:00.000-07:00

Brilliance from Weekday Carnival. One day I will actually overcome my fear of electricity and create a lighting solution like this one, or this one.

Palomarie

2011-11-04T17:38:00.001-07:00

Dang, these stackable brass and concrete rings are so unique, so modern.