theme CHIMPS AHOY

You don't get to say it often, but when the opportunity arises you should try these words ~ "Sure, it's behind the chimp!". I first said it to the workman who came in to fix the fridge - and it felt great. Yes, at long last, I have the OneUp chimp on my bathroom door (see #1).

And what better way to celebrate than to show a selection of chimps and monkeys from independent designers. In fact, go ahead....vote for your favorite!

1. Chimp wall graphic, $30, OneUp Designs
2. Chimp kids tee, $14, Funky Fresh
3. Monkey cufflinks, $99, Corky
4. Women's monkey t-shirt, $28, Formoda
5. LaLa Pix key fob, 7.50 €, FunkyPix

independent design guide SUMMER 2009

Last week I launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // summer 09 - and I love it! Of course, there is the oh-so-slight chance that I am biased since I curated the guide.

Plus, one of the designs is going to be our next giveaway....I bet you can't guess which one!

Check out more from the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE and then don't forget to vote for your favorite designers.

launch INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE

Spring is here...and not just because it's sunny outside and birds are chirping! Spring is officially here because I've just launched the INDEPENDENT DESIGN GUIDE // spring 09.

The poster child of the guide is the gum popping girl in the Bubble Lights "organic" silk scarf by Yosifa Silk. There is something so incredibly spring-like about the style of the scarf and photography. Carefree in a sophisticated sort of way.

This guide started off a little differently - very slow. Even the designers who are usually the first to sign up, put all spending on hold while sales slowed down. I considered not doing a guide - however instead I decided to support to very designers who had supported the guide over the past year and offer several free spots. The response was overwhelming - and so I am especially proud to launch this guide.

As a result, I have decided that I will continue to offer 3 free juried spots to designers in every guide. I will also continue to suprise the odd designer by including their work at the very last minute, these designers are usually new designers who I haven't featured before.

Juried spots will be awarded to the 3 top designers from the previous guide. This will be determined by a combination of the following:
+ saves on StyleHive
+ saves on ThisNext
+ or leave a comment on this post

Thank you and enjoy!

kids P'KOLINO

Fun and functional - these pieces from P'kolino are a stylish alternative to the typical cartoon emblazoned kids furniture. It's also refreshing to see modern furniture at an affordable price. Unbelievably the play table (left) is $129.

Check more from this designer at: p'kolino

go shopping : FALL DESIGN GUIDE

I've just launched Fall edition of the INDEPENDENT DESIGN SHOPPING GUIDE. The guide features work from Britain, France, Australia, Canada and, of course, the US. It's international flavor is matched by the individuality of the designers creations. I mean, how delicious is a hand embroidered revolver on wool herringbone fabric?

Some of the designers have generously offered free shipping and other discounts...but you'll have to check out the guide to see who's offering what and why!

Check it out: INDEPENDENT DESIGN SHOPPING GUIDE // FALL 2008

Featuring the work of:
Home:
Napoleon, One Up Designs, J-me, Etcetera Media, harmonie intérieure

Art + Paper Products:
12 Fifteen, Sweetbeets

Fashion:
Ahpeele, enju

Jewelry:
Simone Walsh, Alice Roche, Caught Red Handed, Coquito, Jewelry by Natsuko

Bags + Accessories:
Moop, Backerton, Paco+Lupe, Sarah Padgham

Baby + Kids:
Ciuccio, Sweetbeets

fun times

It's time for a couple of cool things for the wee folks. I love Pooki & Co, so was delighted when I saw their bag collection. They also have a little pouch just perfect for a makeup bag or pencil case. The t-shirts are by San Francisco designers, Bunny & Bee - their graphics are bold and fun. My absolute favorite is the robot t-shirt, but I also love that their girls t-shirts are cute but steer away from being prissy. If I had a girl, she would wear the girl-bot tee!

I love... glug baby

On a recent window shopping trip to Hayes Valley, I happened upon relatively new store. Fiddlesticks (508 Hayes Street, San Francisco). Lovely, lovely kids shop...with what must have been the entire Glug Baby line.

My absolute favorite was a chocolate brown shirt dress with modern embroidered rainbow. If it had been in my size, I would have been seriously tempted.

Fiddlesticks is not selling online (yet??), so to get your Glug Baby fix online go to The Red Balloon for the dress and Pink Gorillas for pretty much the rest of the line.