Archive for September, 2009

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Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Fall Fruits

This wooden block set from notNeutral may be listed as a kids toy, but I could definitely imagine it having a place on my desk. Each side of the 12 blocks is printed with something to love: letters and numbers in classic and contemporary fonts, two-tone flora and fauna graphics (think leaves, bird, flowers, butterfly, etc.), a tree puzzle and the apple puzzle featured above.

When I saw this photo in If it’s Hip it’s Here’s feature on designer blocks, my mind drifted to apples and Fall. One of my favorite parts of Fall is being able to (comfortably) bake again in my small kitchen. Another would definitely have to be the delicious fruits that come into season as the Summer comes to an end. What better way to combine these two things than to bake some wonderfully fruity desserts? I’m drawing a blank. If you are too, why not try some of the recipes below?

Clockwise from top left:
Baked apples with walnut raisin filling by Meghan Telpner
Fried apple pies on The Prepared Pantry
Vanilla pomegranate pot-de-creme from Sass & Veracity
Anise-scented fig and date swirls from Gourmet.com’s favorite cookies list
Clementine cake adapted from Nigella Lawson by Smitten Kitchen
Upside-down pear tartlets on Country Living
Honey rosemary ice cream recipe from Pastry Studio
Pumpkin cranberry oatmeal cookies on Sugarcrafter
Ginger and pink grapefruit cheesecake from Bon Appetit on Epicurious
Oven-baked apple cider donuts by Diana’s Desserts

Posted by Anjelica at 9: 21 pm
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Friday, September 18th, 2009

BYOC : Build Your Own Clouds

Coolest. Room divider. Ever. 
Yes folks, believe it or not, this isn’t a fancy shmancy art installation at MOMA. If you haven’t heard about it already, Clouds by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec allows the average individual to assemble these innovative structures from a set of fabric tiles and rubber bands in their very own homes. Designed for Danish textile company Kvadrat, Clouds come in two different fabric choices and seven different colors. 
Easy to mix and match, create and rearrange, this set is high on my list of must-have-when-I-have-space-for-it items. Can you imagine the looks on your guests’ faces when they see this in your living room? Priceless. To learn more about the designers and Clouds, check out Dezeen’s feature from earlier this year, or visit Linge Roset, our main resource for purchasing Clouds in the US.  
The geometric patterns in the photo above reminded me of the sharp, structured angles that have been popping up in fashion trends this year.  Reminiscent of Lady Gaga? Sure. Just take a look at the black dress below by Commes des Garçons. You or I might not wear this borderline costume, but that doesn’t mean we can’t translate the honeycomb pattern and classic blue/brown palette into other feminine, artsy pieces.
Clockwise from top left:
Brown twill/grosgrain dress by Daniele Alessandrini at YOOX ($180)
Blue strapless bow dress AKA New York on ShopBop ($298)
Moon Dress, RM by Roland Mouret on Net-a-porter
Black honeycomb dress with leather by Commes des Garçons on Far Fetch ($683)
Leather metallic piped bag from Topshop ($50)
Jeffrey Campbell class bootie in brown from Urban Outfitters ($158)
Eye shadow in Molten by Ulta ($4)
Breathe Life nail polish by OPI, in support of the Lung Cancer Foundation of America (various retailers)
BDG Skinny Cord Pant in Port at Urban Outfitters ($49)
Silence and Noise lightweight bomber jacket at Urban Outfitters ($39)
“Sweets for the sweet” honeycomb pendant from luckyduct’s Etsy Store ($65)
Metallic suede shoulder bag from Topshop ($125)
Pella Moda Youth peep-toe flats in light blue on Zappos ($92)

Posted by Anjelica at 9: 22 am
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Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Potted Plants


Loving the palette on this pillow! This herb garden pattern from swedish textile company Almedahls, and is a reproduction of a classic 1955 design by Astrid Sampe. Chartreuse has a special place in my heart, and although it may sometimes be hard to place with other bold colors, the red and navy complement it very well.  I love the idea of having fresh herbs in a home, and planting them in these modern stoneware apothecary jars is a great way to tie them in with your décor. 

I got to thinking about how this theme could be carried out in other ways, and I came up with the items below. For small spaces or studios, this palette can easily flow from one area or room to the next. Highlighting one color in each room and incorporating plants or leaf-like patterns throughout your space is a great way to balance your need for a home that is simple and clean, yet interesting and cheerful.
Clockwise from top-left:
Chartreuse kitchen cabinets featured on KitchenBathIdeas
Navy blue retro-style refrigerator by Smeg featured on Alkemie
Kiwi dinnerware set by Waechtersbach from CSN (sale: $21.99 for 4-pc set or these and other items sold separately)
Sky Planter inverted hanging pots for indoor plants on Rockett St. George (from £19.99 up)
Fern wall graphic in cut vinyl in ellynelly’s Etsy store (5 ferns for $32, available in other colors)
Vintage apothecary jar terrariums on ethanollie’s Flickr (plus a how-to video from Design*Sponge)
Branches with hand-sewn fabric leaves in janejoss’s Etsy store ($21.50 for 3, available in other colors/patterns)
Le Creuset stoneware kitchen jars in Cherry and Cobalt from CSN ($17.95 for 8 oz – $59.95 for 5 qt)
Red Eames molded plywood lounge chair from Design Within Reach ($679-1,229)
Black Rider table lamp from CB2′s 2008 collection (originally $39.50)

Posted by Anjelica at 12: 50 pm
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Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Dressing Fall

I love the idea of simplifying your wardrobe, especially now when the weather is tricky to dress for. One day it’s 80 and sunny and the next it’s 60 and hurricane winds are knocking you around the avenue.

The Uniform Project takes the simplification process to the extreme, in a good way. Sheena Matheiken wears one dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion and to create awareness for the Akanksha Foundation. It’s a fascinating exercise in accessorizing and layering and basically stretching what you have. She’s really got a knack for it.

This particular photo reminds me of fall (is it the orange against the green?) in the city. The little “1″ in the corner is especially endearing!


TCHO Chocolate bars from The Lovely Package
Bottle lighting from Zero
Hidden Hamlet Plates from Anthropologie
Honey Dipped Booties from Anthropologie
Tin Can Lids from Twig and Thistle
Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Fragrance from “Fashion’s Night Out”
Soap packaging from Pan tu nie stal

Posted by Anjelica at 9: 55 am
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Tea Time

So, is it a normal reaction to see this photo from SFGirlByBay and think FOOD? Maybe, maybe not, but all of the cute little english country teapots, cups, saucers and creamers on these shelves made my imagination immediately float off to tea party land.  I’ll have to admit, I don’t host or partake in tea parties often, but I probably should.  Fresh, light foods + tea + assorted desserts = inevitable good times with girlfriends (or boyfriends, for that matter).
Rather than share prices and resources for various items, this food post features links to tempting recipes that are now on my “to cook” list.  Some of them are easier (cucumber and watercress tea sandwiches) than others (homemade apricot preserves), and others may be a bit complicated for an everyday project (matcha green tea macarons), but I hope that you’ll find something to try!
Clockwise from top-left:
Marinated Heirloom tomato salad on MyRecipes
Blue Brie with pears and honey from coffeeandvanilla.com
Lime-ginger lemonade by The Sassy Foodie
Flowering Jasmine Arch tea from JingTea.com (£6.90)
Cucumber and Watercress sandwiches (along with other tea sandwich recipes!) at The Loving Spoonful
Orange-glazed blueberry scones by Tyler Florence on Food Network
Matcha (green tea) macarons with chocolate ganache by Five Spice Duck
Glazed lemon cookies from Café Johnsonia
Curried chicken salad recipe from Gourmet Magazine on Epicurious
Spinach, red pepper and Feta quiche also from Gourmet Magazine on Epicurious
Homemade apricot preserves by Just Hungry

Posted by Anjelica at 11: 13 pm
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009

Whale Flowers

A couple of months ago Design*Sponge had a post about artist Katie Vernon, a fantastic illustrator inspired by creative floral designs. This original piece, aptly titled “Whale Flowers” is just one of several prints on sale in her etsy shop ($25). Human-faced whale aside, the gorgeous color palette and interesting variety of blooms commands your attention. 

Lately, I’ve been a huge fan of subdued colors and floral patterns, so this really hit the spot.  Although this style may seem more suited for Spring, I’d venture to say that any of the below pieces would fit right in with your fall wardrobe if paired with knit tights, boots, a leather jacket or an oversized scarf. Play up the earth tones, mix and match the muted colors, and don’t shy away from bold patterns–let the flower whale guide you.

Pistachio cream lace dress from Ruche ($72.99, awesome online boutique!)
Coral embellished ring by Isharya ($190)
Bronze leaf headband by IceCreamCandy on Etsy ($36, tons of other cool designs)
Chiffon Blooms ribbon necklace from Ruche ($29.99)
Vintage mandarin orange maxi dress from chickdowntown.com ($150)
Ruffled Suede flats in warm maize from J. Crew ($138)
Tissue stone necklace tee from J. Crew ($125)
Prized rose ring from Anthropologie ($178)
Silk blend floral top from Heritage 1981 ($24.90)
Yellow cherries lace bow tie skirt form Ruche ($36.99)
Floral field ruffle top from Forever 21 ($15.80)
Catalina bolero from Anthropologie ($118)
Gold eattoo-etched ID case from Urban Outfitters ($14)
Nail polish in Hushed Blush by Revlon ($4-5 at various stores)
Ombres 5 Lumiéres, “Garden of Eden” palette by Yves Saint Laurent, $56 at Sephora

Posted by Anjelica at 10: 41 am
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