against the grain

Wood is one of my favorite materials - of course, sustainable/reused/recycled. These designers put a modern spin not only on the use of material, but in the actual products themselves. The zebrawood clutch is just so beautiful I want to cry, but it's okay because the wry whimsy of the clock makes me feel better. Wry whimsy? But yes, the clock face turns while the hand stays still. How charming!

Featuring [clockwise]:
+ w-2b clock, $135, jason linde
+ wine wall panel, $140 modern cellar
+ wood and silver leaf necklace, $86, bronxup
+ zebrawood clutch, $280, tivi
+ furrow parkade light, $460, propellor

bold statement

I just love jewelry that is bold and modern - and these pieces are just perfect. Plus the nod to Nabakov in form of the Lolita bracelet - it just too delicious!

Featuring [clockwise]:
+ lolita bracelet, $70, sisicata
+ white bracelet, Sue Ann Dorman
+ silver ring with copper inlay, $69, Starving Artist Designs

giveaway : prints by Dayna Gedney

Modern. Sea life. It's that simple when it comes to the artwork of Dayna Gedney. Her use of color is just delicious - these pieces add a little serene brightness to any living area or even a touch of sophistication to a kids room.

Dayna has generously sent me 2 pieces to offer in my giveaway, yes that means 2 lucky winners.

To check out more of her work and to buy online visit her website.

To enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you if you are worried about spam).
2. Join the mailing list

PS: please let me know which print you prefer

Hello Leeloo

Designer Lisa Wigger's work seems to be a balancing act between a modern pop vibe and an understated simplicity. The pop side plays with bold color and shapes - bright concentric circles and stacker rings in playful origami prints. The more subtle side plays with pattern and texture, but in a way that is sometimes only obvious to the wearer and designer. Her Lil Round Stack rings are a perfect example of this "3 delicate bands- one high polished, one textured, and one oxidized".

Currently living in Puerto Rico via Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Lisa's work is influenced by "The beauty of natural things and their underlying mathematical and biological processes"

Almost makes me feel like a bit of a savage for liking it because it's bold and shiny - oh well.

Check out her website for more work: www.leeloostudio.com

sweet dreams

There is something ethereal about these pieces; something calm and almost dreamlike. And it's not just because I would normally have a second cup of coffee about now.

The blousey top, by Portland designer Holly Stalder, is just so gorgeous, I'd love to see what it would look like with jeans. The photography is fabulous; a little Cindy Sherman without the creepiness.

FEATURING:
+ puffy sleeve shirt, $65, Holly Stalder
+ butterfly mobile, $17, royal buffet
+ coconut milk, lime and crushed bamboo soap, $6, 0n0n0

Sitting on a foggy beach somewhere....

....and that's the reason why I won't be posting until next week!

bright young things

I don't think you would have to mention to illustrator Lucy Claydon, owner of Lottie Frank, that hot bright colors are quite the thing these days. Her illustrations have a fabulous 80's pop twist with a little 60's Twiggy in there somewhere. Her ability to merge and morph throwback style into something so modern is what makes her work so fabulously refreshing.

Although based in London, England her work is available online. The prints are $20 plus $5 shipping to the US.

Check out more work on the Lottie Frank website.

prep work

Ahh, green! So spring, so preppy. But not just any old green, it must be kelly green. A colorful tip to a plain white polo. An argyle diamond on a sweater vest. But this isn't a jcrew photo shoot!

This is about some fabulous independent designers adding a cool modern twist to this delightfully preppy color. My favorite has to be the recycled skateboard ring. Of course, there's no denying the charm of a daschund in green plaid - instant classic? Maybe!

FEATURING [clockwise]:
+ eco friendly dog harness, $38, annie's sweatshop
+ green bracelet, folkart
+ recycled skateboard ring, $24, 2revert
+ lego cufflinks, $18, groglmans cufflinks
+ "there aint no cure for love" necklace, $20, shiny black shoes

Check out more green things from independent designers at the WHAT designers hive

what's in store : coasters

Oooh, I love these new coasters from 12fifteen. These darling little letterpress coasters are modern and fun....and really, how fabulous are those pink vw bugs!? Packaged in chocolate craft boxes, they make the perfect hostess gift.

I couldn't resist them so I added a whole bunch (it's a design term) to the WHAT store {ahem-shameless plug}...and did I tell you that this month, I have a wonderful little "free gift with every purchase" promo going on. I'm very excited about it because, I just got the "free gifts" a day or so ago and I can't wait to start sharing them around.

simply adorable

These illustrated pieces are just so darn cute....well, I just had to share them with you. Direct from the imagination of Argentinian designer, Yael Fran, her work is simple and lovable.

I have been on a little Argentina kick recently, I love how easy it is to find these global designers with etsy.

Check out more work on the Yael Fran website.

Oh, and don't forget to pop on over to StyleHive and check out some more designers from Argentina HERE

strange beauty

When I see the jewelry of artist/designer Caroline Bacher, I don't know whether to be delighted or scared. If her artwork is anything to go by, I think she is looking for a little of both.

Each piece is it's own beautiful and delicate sculpture - but when those same sculptures are worn they become fierce pieces which I'm sure will have people saying "you could have someone's eye out with that!"

Now, I love it when people have both a good self deprecating sense of humor and good taste....ah, a rare quality indeed....and which this artist/designer does. In her own words: "(I) have a bit of a snob in me but that can easily be confused with simple good taste."

Check out more at the artists website.

giveaway : subu, inc

Every recycled Subu notebook tells a story! Made from recycled printouts, these fabulous little notebooks have snippets from someones printing past. Every page has a little something. I loved them, but if you are looking for pristine white pages - this isn't for you.

They are brightly colored on the outside and the paper is truly recycled. Plus if seeing a copy of an old master on one page and a list of chemical compounds on the corner of another - gets you just a little bit inspired - that's wonderful.

The giveway is for the set of 3 notebooks (shown above). Check out more at the Subu, inc. website.


To enter the giveaway:
1. Leave a comment here with your email (or other way of contacting you if you are worried about spam).
2. Join the mailing list

spring guide // home

Whether it is clean Japanese graphics or retro inspired speakers - the feeling was modern.

I just have to say that I love the idea of the speakers - one customer got theirs customized to hook up to their ipod and run off AA batteries so they could party anywhere. Now that it retro-tech!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ ONE UP DESIGNS, asian bloom wall graphic, $28
+ PAPER CLOUD, Onionpods Pillow, $75
+ MEDIUMS TO MASSES, large + small square plates, $36
+ EXELUXE, retro hi-fi speakers (pair), $240
+ CICADA STUDIO, green weave pillow, $42

nautical by nature

It started with that adorable wristlet yesterday, by today it has become a magnificent obsession - nautical! Now I know "cruise season" is coming to an end, but there is just something about the crisp red, white and blue to make you want to put on your cap'n's hat and go off to sea.

Although, my vision of sailing is more 50's San Tropez than...well, anything that requires more than sunglasses, a white linen shirt and a bottle of champagne!

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ ahoy necklace, $80, kelly lyn raspa
+ tentacles tee, $28, deadworry
+ star pillow, $48, reiter 8
+ nautical wristlet, $38, tortilla girl
+ oh buoy earrings, $6, refunca

Don't forget to visit the WHAT designers hive for more nautical items and to save your favorites!