Friday, March 28, 2008

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

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Thursday, March 27, 2008

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

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

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!

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Tuesday, March 25, 2008

spring guide + StyleHive

What a pleasant suprise...2 designers from the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // SPRING 2008 made it to the StyleHive home page. So, congratulations to Imooi and Sabrina Love!

To vote for your favorite designers in the guide, check out the WHAT designers hive.

spring guide // jewelry

For those who follow the blog, won't be suprised to find out that the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // SPRING 2008 has a fair share of jewelry designers. Yep, it's a habit - and one that I have no intention of shaking.

All of the designers are just too fabulous - so here is a little selection; bold, modern and beautiful.

FEATURING (clockwise):
+ AMY BENGTSON JEWELRY, fifi necklace in rosewood, $79
+ MARSTINIA, sky blue lime orbit ring, $35
+ IMOOI, hummingbird necklace, $65
+ VAGABOND JEWELRY, flounce copper cuff, $35

Don't forget to check out the WHAT designers hive and save your Spring Guide favorites!

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Monday, March 24, 2008

hide and seek

modern, functional and playful. I just love the way designer, Peter Chen, adds an element of interactivity to his work. Whether it's the hide and seek appeal of this table, his multi configurable storage or plexiglass bottomed serving trays - there is always something a little bit surprising, but without being gimmicky.

Now I would say check out his other work online....but his website will launch in 2005! Now I must admit my whatmedia website has been a little "under construction" since 2005 but I didn't put a date on it so it's not quite as bad! Still his site does have his contact info, so here it is: www.casikamodern.com

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

makeshift modern

Ahh...it's been a while since my last post. I've been working on the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // SPRING 2008 - which I have just launched, but more about that later!

Recently, designer/illustrator Julie of Makeshift Modern contacted me about her work - and what a lovely suprise! My favorite, noodle bowl, was even more fabulous in person. Her work is printed on Kodak Endura metallic paper, which sounded a little odd, but in actual fact gives the prints a subtle luminosity. The effect is somewhat reminiscent of gelatin-silver prints in early photography, but this time in color.

These prints are not only beautiful, but very affordable at $8 - $13 a print and available online through the Makeshift Modern store.

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Thursday, March 13, 2008

sam trout - he's no lady

I got so excited that I might have given the impression that Sam Trout was a lady....which he has told me he isn't. Well, lady or no, he's a "pretty" good designer!

AND what's more, until Sunday, the t-shirts featured yesterday are available for 25% off in the WHAT store.
+ Men's evolve tee
+ Women's Peacock tee

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

sam trout rocks

Sam Trout rocks and not just because there is a chic in the photo doing that...erm...rocker hand thing! He rocks because of his awesome design work AND he agreed to put a couple of his pieces in the WHAT store. Yes, that is shameless self promotion - but, I mean, what isn't?

See Sam Trout in the WHAT designers store

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Tuesday, March 11, 2008

designed to thrill


Dramatic and definitely not for the faint hearted - NRDC, a Barcelona based design studio has just launched their line of conceptual and sculptural jewelry. Their goal, and a good one it is too, is to open a NY showroom to showcase the work of Spanish designers under the NRDC brand umbrella.

Although they look lethal, these pieces are made from elastic cording and plasic fasteners. Pair with a simple sheath dress though, and you'll look dressed to kill!

Check out more of their designs online at: nrdesigncollection.com

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Friday, March 07, 2008

butterfly collector

There's nothing quite like the flutter of a butterfly to make your think of warmer days. It just makes me want to grab an ice tea and sit on the veranda - only it's 6am, chilly outside, and I would really rather have a steaming cup of joe. But warmer weather is getting closer and butterflies are just so beautiful - so here's a tip of the wide-brimmed hat to those days ahead.

These designers have infused a modern twist to the sometimes saccharine butterfly motif. I was surprised to find some new favorites - the cards by design hut and the real butterfly wing pendant by popko - are just must have!

FEATURING:
+ butterfly notecards, $9/4, design hut
+ butterfly pillow, $62, Janessa Bautista (available through Shevon Ceramics)
+ butterfly wall graphics, $34.95, luka
+ real butterfly wing necklace, $38, popko
+ butterfly jubilee wallpaper, modgreenpod
+ butterfly pillow boxes, $5/ 4, field and sea
+ butterfly pendant, $88, simone walsh

+ SEE MORE + "HIVE" YOUR FAVORITES

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