Clear Baby Cribs

This may one of the coolest slices of baby crib/bed design I've ever seen since this  ... How rad is it that a child would be able to see the world around them without bars?! They also have another selection which is nifty and is less pod-like but equally as cool. Some great designers have their thinking cap on over at Ubabub in Australia.

In case you are wondering, which I did at first they are safe too.

Colorful Stripes by Gene Davis

Today I am deeply inspired by the artist Gene Davis. He is known for his colorful vertical striped paintings and in 1972 he created 'Franklin's Footpath,' which was at the time the world's largest painting, in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. How sweet is that?! I wish more roads looked like that! I immediately thought of this post and the staircase from this post when I saw this. He also created the first solar painting called Sun Sonata located at William and Mary which you can see below... incredible. It definitely puts me in a colorful vertical stripe mood.

(1: photo by Henry Groskinsky for Life 2: Sun Sonata 3: Homage to Matisse //  via Ali - welcome back!)

Design Story : Designer Stuff For Less!

I've talked about it before here but in case you missed it, I am over the moon excited about Design Story. It has got to be one of the best sites for really cool designer stuff for less I've ever come across! It really is that good.

Today I just ordered some lovely Rifle Valentines and last week I ordered up these Cubitec bookshelves that have been on my wish list ever since I saw them in the sneak peek home of Swiss Miss over at Design Sponge that you can also find at DWR. So, since this was really fresh on my mind, I thought I would let you know about it again! It rocks.

Sign up here and get a $10 credit.* What is your favorite online discount site? This is definitely one of mine.


*B*E also gets the same credit, but I am more excited about sharing this super cool site with you than that!

Feeling Fruit Inspired...

1: Cast Iron Apple Pot
2: Blabla Kids
3: Amazing Drink Boxes student work by Yunyeen Yong

Egg Press at Target

Egg Press let me know about their fantastic venture in joining forces with Blue Sky to bring an exclusive line to Target, yahoo! The line includes a great selection of calendars and planners with their signature Egg Press designs. I've seen some samples up close and there are some really lovely options in their collection. If you are looking for a stylish and affordable calendar option, check them out at your local Target.

Anthropologie Christmas Window Displays 2010

Anthropologie of course had to have its separate post when it comes to window displays. They hit another home run with their various looks throughout the country this 2010 Christmas season. I love how each store has a slightly different take with their creative details.

(Image credits :1 - Spring, Texas 2, 3-4 , 6 - Rockefeller, New York City | 5 Houston, Texas)

Paul Smith + Striped Mini

Instead of the slug bug game, we play the 'Mini' game and our daughter loudly shouts "MINI" whenever we see one on the road. We miss our little ole' Mini that we used to have so when I see stuff like this ad campaign for Paul Smith kids 2011 I get a little bit nostalgic. I love the way they filled up the mini with stripes, and that it even goes on tours! How fun is that?! Talk about clever iconic marketing.



(via smudgetikka // photos by Sandro Sodano + Paul Smith)

The World by Paula Scher

I've shared with you these amazing map paintings by Paula Scher before, but now the prints are on sale at 20x200. The size I would like (30x40) is a bit out of my price range, but you could snap up other map sizes for less. Although, I'm not sure why at the lower $50 range you can only buy randomly selected map sections -- so you wouldn't know what you are getting, but eh ... I guess that could be cool? Have a peek if you are interested, it is such a cool map.

Ink + Wit

One of my sponsors Ink + Wit has the most lovely wrapping paper. The talented Tara Hogan illustrated and designed all of her products and they are amazing! I love the fox + friends in Paris. Cute huh? I also love her limited edition letterpress calendar. Check out her shop it is full of goodness.



I think it would also be a great idea to get her stamps and have the kids go at it making their own cards or wrapping paper, so fun.

White's Books

These Fine Edition Classics from White's Books have been my wish list for quite sometime, I believe since I saw this article. After searching high and low the last few weeks online in many British books shops and even ebay.uk I found them, but didn't really want to deal with high international shipping rates, long waiting time, and import fees, so I was hesitant. But then, I found these babies on good 'ole Amazon and they were instantly ordered up. Good news, Santa is bringing these gorgeous books to our family for Christmas! A few years ago I adopted the : want, need, wear, and read policy for Christmas and they happily fall under the 'read' category for our whole family. Aren't they stunning, I can't wait to see them in person! They are also working on a re-design for Great Expectations, and since that is one of my husband's most favorite books, I especially look forward to seeing it. Find them all here, but just as a head's up some of the quantities seem to be limited.

Patrick Hruby + Charley Harper

Patrick Hruby has been cooking up some exciting new products for Ammo Books. There is a cool Imaginary Castle Giant Floor Puzzle, ABC is for Circus Board Book, and Memory Game all under $16. Ammo always has quality products and I really dig the bright use of colors and graphic illustrations in these! Patrick's illustrations are so much fun and would be a perfect gift for those little kidlets. I also love Ammo's new Charley Harper Nesting Blocks. Thanks for sharing these with me Ammo!

Things Organized Neatly

I am incredibly drawn to things that are beautiful and organized, sometimes I wake up dreaming about everything having its own place in our home. It is something I am continually working on. When I saw that Abbey from Design Scouting found a site called Things Organized Neatly I was instantly hooked, and I have joined with her in having it become my new favorite blog obsession.



I am further charmed by the cool Defender ad above because is one of my dream cars (sigh). Do you like to look at organized pretty things too? Are you a neat-nick? What types of things do you do to keep your life in order?

Modern Baby Gear

When it comes to baby gear, I like to find pieces that are extremely functional, modern, and simple. Here are our top ten favorite modern baby gear that we adore.

1. Puj Tub : This portable tub is incredible -- it folds into a kitchen sink fitting tub with ease and when you are finished it and can be stored nearly anywhere! I am amazed at its convenience and smart design. If you are unfamiliar with this, learn more about it here.
2. Boon Drying Rack : I love the shorter profile of this grass inspired drying rack and it is easy to dry a variety of things all at once.
3. Aden + Anais Wraps : These cozy muslin swaddlers are perfect to snuggle the baby up tight so they will sleep better. I look forward to trying the sleep sacks too, although I've never tried them, have you?
4. Skip Hop Bag : We got this bag when we had our first daughter and love the quick ability to snap it to the stroller and the pockets are incredibly handy. Bonus, my husband doesn't mind carrying it at all.
5. Sophie the Giraffe : I picked up this classic while in France and it is a family favorite. It is easily found in many places, and I have seen it become a baby shower gift of choice.
6. Lifefactory Glass Baby Bottle : I really like how these are made of glass because they have an old-school yet also very fresh and modern feel, they are super gorgeous and I can't wait to use them more.
7.BABYBJÖRN : We have loved this carrier with both of our girls, it is super easy to get in and out of, and is one of our staples. I've also found this easier to have the husband wear, instead of a wrap.
8. Bloom Coco Stylewood Baby Bouncer : This bouncer is amazing and seriously looks like a work of art!
9. MaryJane Socks : Although not necessarily gear -- I have found it difficult to find newborn shoes that stay on, so sock-shoes are the perfect alternative. We get compliments on these type of socks constantly.
10. Bugaboo Stroller : We received this as a gift with our first daughter and it has been outstanding -- it has multiple uses, and the bassinet can be used instead of a pack-n-play (when they are small) while traveling, which we recently used. We have never needed another stroller.

What about you? What are your favorite baby gear must-haves?

Design Story

I am really excited to hear about Design Story. Have you heard of it yet? It launched in August and is a new online place to find modern design and decorating finds for 'members only' prices. They have two sales a week of hip current season designer brands. Their lineup really is incredible! This week they have Rifle Cards and Millworks pillows for 25% off. Sign up here if you are interested and you will instantly receive a $10 credit.

Autumn Morning...

I hope you had a most excellent weekend! Did you do anything fun or relaxing? The highlight of our weekend was attending our food group that was centered all around Thanksgiving -- I guess we are spoiled this year to indulge in two turkey dinners.

These items all put together are making me happy and feel so autumn-like this morning. Pause and take a moment with me to enjoy ... pretend to turn on some tunes on that sweet Orla Kiely Radio, maybe something classic like Al Green. Get some yummy crust bread out of that bread bin and slather it with orange marmalade. Then indulge in some spiced hot apple cider or your drink of choice in one of those polka-dot travel mugs all while doing whatever it is you do this lovely Monday. Top of the morning to you!

Things We Love

One of my sponsors Felt & Wire has a fantastic interview up on their site about Kate Spade's book -- 'Things we Love' which is a printed offshoot of their super cool website. It was interesting to hear about the printing process in the interview which is a behind the scenes science and art that doesn't always get mentioned. Read the entire interview here.

Seesaw Designs

I am really excited about the beautiful things coming from Seesaw Designs. Their 2011 letterpress calendar is stunning and they just added new cards to their shop... yippee!

Inspiration Board

I like this simple idea of putting an inspiration board in a form of a shape like this house on the wall. It makes inspiration seem more like an art piece, don't you think? The shape possibilities are endless... do you have ideas of what other shapes would look good?

(Image from VT Wonen via Style Files)

Dress the Part

How clever are these redesigned movie posters inspired by men's style? Each piece highlights a classic menswear piece from ten different movies. See the entire collection here. EveryGuyed presented them and they are designed by Moxy Creative illustrated by James Alexander Mathers and Andrew Lau.

(Thanks Daniel)

Halloween Cake Ideas

I am brainstorming for ideas to bring to our 'Halloween-themed' food group this weekend. I love the elegant simplicity of these Halloween cakes and cupcakes from Sweet Cupcakes out of Boston. That mummy cake is awesome!