you put a hex on me

You know sometimes I just think I might have to go back to working full-time just so I can buy all the FANTASTIC design that I see. Hmmmmm....

All of the jewelry by IMOOI has a cool modern edge; 0% girly and 100% gorgeous. The Eko stainless steel and rubber bracelet, $85, is available from the designer through their Amazon store.

I just love this hex design hoodie, $110, by Rebe. Where can I try it on in the bay area?? It's pretty, but not prissy, which is great when you want something casualish, but not Gap casual. It gets super bonus points for being made of recycled fibre. Available directly from the designers - a mother and daughter team in LA (how cute - in a good way).

design renaissance

On a whim, I decided to check out the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center's holiday gift show. I had been to one before and there were a couple of interesting designers....and since I had missed Appel & Frank the week before, I wanted to take a peek at some local design.

My absolute favorite was a delicious orange leather "coffee clutch" by Lulu and Mac, $164. The leather was buttery, the color was sublime, and it fit in my hand like it was made for me. If I thought that I could leave home with anything smaller than a suitcase, I would have bought it in a heartbeat! Available online directly from the designer.

Aliaison's line of limited edition printed aline skirts, $190, are made by transferring photos directly to fabric. Most of the designs are close ups of the natural world, such as bark, flowers and grass. I was expecting the fabric to be a bit board-like, but it was surprisingly soft and the skirts had flattering line. Available online directly from the designer.

Finally, I just love the surreal contrast of pretty little bags with ants, prawns and fabulously creepy bugs by Vintage Untamed. What makes these bags so amazing is that designer, Liz Saintsing, scours local vintage shops and flea markets to find the bags, then takes them back to her studio to screenprint. Each one is unique so contact the designer directly to see what she has available.

boys to men

I have been hard at work on the relaunch of What Designers, so haven't posted in a couple of days. That being said, I have been seeing a lot of fabulous designs...and just had to share these.

I love, love, love these boys ties by Pixel. The patterns are super-cool with a robot-hot rod-retro-monster aesthetic. I had a quick look and couldn't find anywhere to buy them online - surely a mistake!

Now, these belts are drop dead gorgeous. I was very close to buying one for a gift....but indecision has got the better part of me for the moment....and then there are the platters (not available online) that I could buy myself!! Anyway, handmade glass buckles on a distressed belt, $162, by Mark Joiner / Fourteenfifty Design.

art seen: bird talk

Yes, birds are quite the trend. But birds are lovely and these pieces are irresistible and less "cute" than some other bird illustrations.

Pushmepullyou Designs has a simply fabulous collection of limited edition screenprints for $30, this one The Crow and The Vase, will be available soon. The pen and ink Fox Sparrow is by Cindy Jaswal / Cedar Seven. Check out her etsy store for a selection of limited edition cards.

pop goes new jersey

I did a little bit of ebay "research" recently which resulted in a few pop art buys from Orbit Gallery in New Jersey. (Top: L to R) Space Monkey by Dalek, Microgerm by Tim Biskup, and Bone Bunny by Gary Baseman.

I am also smitten by Nathan J's, Tree Dweller (below).