word up (Stylehive guest post)

Here's my latest guest post for Stylehive and I was thrilled to have the post featured on the front page of their e-magazine. That's very AWESOME!

FEATURING [clockwise from top left]:
+ Filthy Necklace, $50, Trashy Deluxe
+ Words Bracelet, $18, Paloma’s Nest
+ Yes No Maybe t-shirt, £36, YesNoMaybe
+ Nosce Teipsum Ring, $65, Melanie Favreau
+ C’est La Vie poster, $45, studio mela
+ Now Later Never magnets, $10, Cicada Studio

...AND HERE'S SOME MORE
+ snob bracelet, £50, Tallulah Tu
+ Love t-shirt, $21, Neneee
+ Rockstar bracelet, $14, insane jellyfish
+ OK light, $30, Perch!
+ Make Out t-shirt, $32, Every Little Counts
+ big words bracelet, $6, boqinana
+ Optimism buttons, $9, Reed Seifer
+ Typewriter key necklace, $20, Keys + Memories

READ: the post on StyleHive

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.

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

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

wall to wall

I recently heard from Fabien Barral, a graphic designer and new comer to the world of graphic wall decoration. His new venture which he started with his wife is a combination of modern iconography and vintage European charm.

For those who love typography, like I do, the "Type I" alphabet graphic will be a favorite. I can't wait to decorate the boys room and add it to the wall. After all it's fabulous and educational!

Harmonie intérieure is located in France and prices start at about 20 euros, depending on size and style. Shipping to the US is 15 euros.

Check them out at: www.Harmonieintérieure.com

in the spotlight : snowdon flood

I occasionally flirt with delicate and pretty, but my heart belongs to bold and graphic. This is why I love, love, love the work of Snowdon Flood. Her work has that "oh so British" wit and whimsy - topiary race horses, Liberty-type prints form the Union jack and a graphic rendering of the Battersea power plant.

Being British myself, and spending some time on and around the Thames growing up, I have a soft spot for the river series. Ah, Blighty!

Available online through the Snowdon Flood website

good design : mio

When eco-friendly products first came onto the market, the products were limited to unbleached and wholesome. Nowadays independent designers experiment with sustainable materials, textures and colors producing innovative high style design.

A good example of this is the design company MIO, whose work has a fun, futuristic vibe. Molded wool is formed into brightly colored containers and softly glowing lights. Recycled kraft paper is used for their Nomad system and can be configured in a variety of ways from room dividers to office-like cubicle. All of their products give the impression of some happy, avant-garde cartoon world.

And, although, sustainable products can still be quite pricey, the MIO line is very reasonable. The lights are $75, the containers start at $35 and the Nomad system is $56 for a pack of 24.

Available online through the MIO website – www.mioculture.com

5 modern mobiles

Whether Calderesque, eco-chic or modern minimal - these fabulous mobiles add fun and drama to the modern home.

FEATURING:
+ mobius mobile, $150, mobiles by julie frith
+ bird in flight mobile, $180, alena hennessey
+ 2-tone orbit mobile, miranda watkins
+ blossom mobile, $65, puka puka
+ recycled magazine mobile, $150, frazier & wing

I'll have a chandelier

Okay the title sounds good to me, but I've had a cold and feel strangely serene after popping a couple of those "behind-the-counter" sudafeds.

I've noticed that chandeliers used for lighting have a fabulous modern feel while chandelier imagery as embellishment is very much vintage.

CLOCKWISE:
+ chandelier, grey design
+ coral chandelier, moth design
+ chandelier necklace, $21, junk posse
+ chandelier wall graphic, $29, one up
+ chandelier and damask cards, $12.99 for 6, papernosh