duo

baby cardi's

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 22:29:00 +0000

If I was preggers I'd be buying up these in a flash. My love for cardigans will surely be passed down to my children!

a hint of vintage

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 02:30:00 +0000

I love it when designers find small ways to add vintage into their collections whether in style or fabric. Rachel Antonoff does a splendid job blending vintage into contemporary styles without stepping anywhere close to the costumey border. These two looks, one from vintage fabric, the other a nod to Mad Men style are both on sale at Frances May. Love.

tread lightly

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:55:00 +0000

Wouldn't this dress be perfect for the beach? Plop it over some swimmers and you'll be fashionable, cool (as in heat) and pretty. Made from 55% hemp and 45% organic cotton, I'm sure it feels real nice on too. Though its price probably warrants that its not worn at the beach. ha! From Mika Organics.

flower for forever

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Need to get yourself some lovely blooms that last forever? Get these flowers from Found By James. Love.

relax

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 03:38:00 +0000

This would have to be my dream weekend outfit. Organic Bassike tshirt and organic black Prairie Underground jeans. Comfy eh?
I find some people prefer to get dressed up for the weekend, but I definitely dress down - the comfier the better. Which are you?

Top from net-a-porter. Jeans from Beklina.

sparkle friday

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 23:58:00 +0000

It's not everyday that I will repost some 'news' from a tabloid but today's sparkle friday is courtesy of OK! Mag. The recently enagaged Natalie Portman is sporting a stunning sparkler by Jamie Wolf that's "an antique, the pave diamonds are certified as conflict-free and the platinum is recycled metal". Rock-on Nat (get it).

diy for your weekend

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 04:24:00 +0000

Hi there! So since the posting has been a bit light here, I'm wrapping up some great diy projects I found this week online, rather than writing a post wrap up. Hope you all have a great weekend, maybe you could try out one of these. x

Postcard calendar - it's not too late! Find out how at design*sponge.

Grassy wool rug. Posted by Craft.

Indoor water garden. Get the instructions from In Words And Pictures.

sparkle friday

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:54:00 +0000

Loving this reclaimed gold pendant. Happy Friday!

more from bodkin

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:33:00 +0000

I'm really digging these drapey items from Bodkin. The first is 100% wool, the second 80% organic cotton and the third is made from salvaged polyester. PLUS they're all on sale at La Garconne!

ugly of the week

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 21:32:00 +0000

One of my pet peeves when it comes to upcycling is when something is utterly destroyed to create another item. This arm warmer has been created from 'the softest cashmere sweater' and I just hope that the sweater was completely unbearably ugly or unwearable due to some big rip in sleeve or something else as terrible. Otherwise the energy and time spent creating an ugly arm warmer is total waste. To me, it's not UPcycling if you completely destroy on object to create another. Do you agree?

ps. Ugly of the Week is a new weekly post showcasing some of the worst so called 'eco' products out there. x

sparkle friday

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 03:47:00 +0000

I have a friend who works nights a burlesque dancer who posted the follow status update the other day:

Just spent over $350 on rhinestones... I'm going to be eating plain rice for a little while, but damnit i'll sparkle whilst doing so!

It made me laugh so hard. And I'm not even into rhinestones but I do appreciate anyone who loves the sparkley stuff SO much that she forgoes food!

So in the grand new duo tradition of sparkle friday, and with burlesque shimmering in mind, I wanted to post some sparkley slinky cocktail dresses like this smoking hot number by Allen Company. Too hot for words.

Pssst. You could also pair it with this hot sparkley clutch.

This 50's number has a little more wiggle and a little more sequins, which is probably more up my alley than the first! This one's from the ever fabulous 13Bees. Which one do you prefer?

hello love

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 20:05:00 +0000

Today is one month til Valentine's Day, a holiday I could not care less for ha! But these cute hand embroidered hoops made me smile so I wanted to share them. They're made by etsy seller TheCareerScrapper and each is one of a kind with upcycled found fabrics such as linens and denims. Perfect for the girl or boy in your life.

ugly of the week

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 21:50:00 +0000

This weeks ugly is courtesy of etsy seller IMOTIME, and if you read the story of the product it's quite sweet and you can tell the seller intends this as a joke buy of sorts. But is it really necessary? An old thrifted toilet seat, turned into a clock? Unnecessary and ugly I say. I suggest that you dont take this up as your next craft project - the next time you see a toilet seat in a thrift store, perhaps consider leaving it there for someone who actually needs to use it as a toilet seat.

ps. Ugly of the Week is a new weekly post showcasing some of the worst so called 'eco' products out there. Hope you enjoy.

recreate the furniture

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 23:10:00 +0000

When I first saw the suitcase chairs by Recreate on swiss-miss I thought they were miniatures. They're are very quaint and unassuming. On closer inspection and a look at the full list of products I realised that this is a collection of beautifully upcycled products, fit for any warm home.

See all of Recreate's furniture here.

loving isak and inger

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 21:41:00 +0000

If you're looking for new jewellery for the new year I recommend these jaw dropping long necklaces from isak and inger. They're some of the best recycled leather jewellery pieces I have ever seen. And this bag (below) is another sweet find. It too is made from recycled leather. Check out isak and inger online and if you're in Toronto you can find more of their products at the Virginia Johnson boutique.

wrap up

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 05:48:00 +0000

This was my first week back at work for the new year. Was it yours too? Are you feeling how I am - completely ready for a weekend?! To get prepped, lets catch up on duo this week:

I shared my recyclutions
A quick look at Bodkin's all white look
I kicked of Ugly of the Week
And then found some new year sunnies
Then some sparkley metal

Pre-Christmas highlights include these Oxfam unwrapped gifts and an almost accidental look at a great antique and design gallery.

Some other great finds from around the web this week:

Another look at the story of bottled water
BIRDS ARE FALLING FROM THE SKY!
Caroline's gold shoes!
A soft rock guitar via pinterest

So what will you be doing this weekend? Relaxing and recovering? I will be and I will document it with my new 35mm Holga, that was a Chrissie gift from work. Lots of (more affordable) camera fun to be had!

introducing sparkle friday

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 23:59:00 +0000

As you may know I have a LOVE of anything sparkley. Anything at all. It's like a switch in my brain that goes "oooh! look! shiny!" and it switches often. Because of this, I will now use Fridays as 'sparkle days' and post my latest sparkle finds. Friday is the perfect day for shiny things - just before the weekend and it makes me want to dance!

Check out this sparkler for this week, a beautiful ring by Squishi Sushi which was made using art clay silver, a recycled metal made from silver powder, binders and water that uses reclaimed silver from products like film negatives. I've never heard of this process of metal making, but I like the sound of it.

keep in touch with duo

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 06:08:00 +0000

hello there duo thinkers, I just wanted to take a sec to show or remind you of different ways you can keep in touch with duo:
1. You can click the RSS icon near the top of the side bar and receive posts in your reader.
2. Show some blog love on bloglovin. Do you use bloglovin?
3. Become a google follower by clicking 'follow' lower in the side bar.

It's going to be a great year on the blog, so keep in touch and comment often - please!

Also, I am having some issues with blogger (don't we all!) so I thought I'd take this chance to share a little secret: duo is getting a major facelift in about 6 weeks! eeek! But ssshhhh!

new year sunnies

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:22:00 +0000

I'm on the look out for new sunnies and I'm kind of digging the bamboo look with these Gaya frames by Kayu. I've blogged about Kayu before, in this wrap up of eco sunglasses. Their frames are all bamboo ("a faster growing alternative to wood") and with every purchase $20 is donated to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world.

Do you have any other suggestions for where to find great eco or sustainable sunglasses?

ugly of the week

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 21:41:00 +0000

I'm starting a new weekly post from today, called Ugly of The Week. The name says it all I hope but to briefly explain I felt the need to share with you some of the worst, unnecessary and ugly so called 'eco' products I come across all the time. I don't mean to be rude to the creators of these products, I just want to call it how I see it. I hope you find these funny.

Our first ugly is this hat. I mean really? Do we need to upcycle old men's ties this way? These aren't even nice mens ties, these are ugly mid-90's men's ties. And further more why would I want to wear them on my head? I suggest, that if you have a huge assortment of men's ties that you're looking to recycle (why do you have them?) then try this baggage tag idea or this simple bracelet. Now they're not that ugly.

all white

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 23:33:00 +0000

Just got around to checking out Bodkins preview of Spring/Summer 2011. Have you seen it yet? My favourite is this all white look. I don't know if I could pull it of, but I'd love to give it a shot. I really support Bodkin and their whole approach to sustainable fashion.

new years recyclutions

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 00:32:00 +0000

I'm never into New Years resolutions because I'm really not into New Years. I don't see the big deal. That said, this year I've warmed to the thought of making the change of year more important, a time to start over. I really couldn't wait to see the rear end of 2010, could you?

Rather than resolutions though, I want 'recyclutions' (yes, I like a good corny pun). I don't see the need for a long list of things to do better this year, because last year I failed to complete a lot of my plans, or reach my goals. So I just need to dredge up the half finished stuff of last year and plonk them on the table for the new year. Hence recycling, resolutions.

Do you have any resolutions or recyclutions for 2011? Tell me in the comments, I'd love to hear.

Photo by sdminor81.

stuffed!

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:44:00 +0000

How was your Christmas? I'm still full x

Vintage recipe book image by hmdavid on flickr.

duo wishes you a...

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:37:00 +0000

Hope you're having a wonderful day. x

Pic by Calsidyrose on flickr.

the wow mitchell road antique and design gallery

noreply@blogger.com (BrigittaR) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 20:29:00 +0000

On Monday, quite unexpectedly I stopped off with my husband and mother at the Mitchell Road Auction Centre. My husband drops by here every now and then but I'd never been and now I know why - because it is INSANE and AMAZING and other CAPS LOCK WORDS and my husband has surely been protecting our bank accounts!

Upstairs from the auction house is the Antique and Design Gallery and I managed to snap a few ugly camera phone pics to share with you. It is just nuts. I am in love! And after our trip to Melbourne I will be back!