Pillow Talk

6 MONTHS!!!

2010-05-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

I HAVEN'T POSTED FOR 6 MONTHS!!! this is insane. Well now that I have ZERO excuses, I think I will be posting more often. But really, I think I will have to start a new blog. Not that I am at all pushing away from the Home Decor loving side of my self, but I think I want show more sides of my self some love too. Well for now, its back to my cube....

Cat Fancy

2010-01-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

Honestly, I really don't care for cat's (being allergic and all) but I can't seem to ignore thier fasion presence lately.
United Bamboo remade pieces of their spring collection to fit cats and made a calendar out of it. You can buy it at Bird :

But my hands down favorite cat/fashion related collaboration.... The Catorialist

No doubt a play on the amazing street style blog The Satorialist

With great categories like: Stoops, Hemingway Cats, Short Fur New York, Long Fur New York... Short Fur Milan....Long Fur Milan....

Maybe my affection to cats will soon be changing......

How did I not catch this?

2009-12-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

So back in early November Metropolitan Home announced that December would be it's last issue. It follows many other good home magazines to the grave. This is so sad. Thank goodness for House Beautiful.

Travel on the cheap!

2009-11-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

So my best friend and I have been talking about taking a vacation together to someplace that neither of us has ever been. We also want to do it on the cheap - and when browsing Gilt Groupe today (just browsing, gots to save up for traveling) I found out that they have a travel site. It allows to get killer deals at swank hotels for super cheap prices. Because our travel plans are still open (we were thinking about a "historical" vacation - like checking out the nations history, i.e. washington d.c. or the Alamo, liberty bell, ect.) any deal we can get may influence our destination.

You can sign up for travel deals here.

It's Back!

2009-11-12T09:53:00.000-08:00

Every year I usually come up with all of these elaborate ideas for gift giving/crafting for the Holidays. But then Time usually sneaks up behind me and reminds me in a strong and stern voice that once again I've waited too long to accomplish they wonders that I have dreamed up (it's either Time or my inner Martha)

Not this year.

With only 42 days until Christmas, I am sharing some of the best places to find great Holiday gifts.

I tried looking for this a couple of weeks ago, but couldn't seem to find it on the site. But now The Better Living Through Design's Gift Guide is back! This is the hands down first place to go to look for unique gifts for the person that is super hard to buy for.

They blog about it here

Gift Guide found here

Locher's Paris

2009-11-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

I so badly want one of these beautiful shirts from Locher's. I have been adoring them for years, but really don't know where I could wear any of them (certainly not to the office - I would be surely be tossed out or surrounded by a crowd of gasping mid-western wives on their way to lunch) *sigh*

Regardless, they are on the top of my "things I will forever want" list (behind parrot and Ted)

Since I've been so good....

2009-11-04T10:33:00.001-08:00

Someone mentioned to me today that I had been really good about not going on and on and on about how badly I want a dog (my poor friends, I must find something new to talk about). I was proud of my self control and wanted to celebrate with some great dog products from the wonderful online site Wannekes.

Adorable leather lead on the cutest breed around.

Rock Bowl comes in 3 shades: white, black & silver.

Ok, so the item for sale is the luxury dog carrier. But what I want to know is where did that mini trench come from! and in white!

Don't forget to check out Wannekes blog found here

why do I not own this?

2009-10-28T10:46:00.000-07:00

Winter is fast approaching and the one thing I hate more than even the freezing temperatures is being a winter bag lady. With a puffy coat, purse, bag for indoor shoes, bag to put snow covered snow boots in when I get indoors, lunch bag, coffee, hat gloves, scarf -- all the lugging things around really wears on a person.

But this scarfy thing is great! Now I just need one of those beer helmets for my hot cocoa and I'll be ready for the cold.

Buy the wintercheck scarf and lots of other goodies here.

Found via BLTD

Mugz

2009-10-21T11:14:00.000-07:00

So it's finally getting all cold and terrible out. This is about the same time every year that I start downing as many warm liquids as possible to try and trick my body into thinking that Summer really never went away.

Thanks to my habit I've started collecting, subconsciously until actually looking at all the mugs in my cupboard, some pretty cute mugs. And because I can't seem to tear myself away from hot cider it looks like I'll be needing some more.

From PopDeluxe:

From Fred Flare:

From Charles and Marie:

Badder Homes and Gardens

2009-10-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

This blog is hilarious: http://www.badderhomesandgardens.com/

fancy

2009-10-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

While browsing at Williams-Sonoma this weekend I came across this fancy pumpkin carving set:

When did Halloween get so darn fancy? Isn't this the holiday where you are supposed to tape some cardboard boxes together and run around pretending to be a robot? I think that I would protest more if I wasn't such fan of fancy holiday crafts. And by crafts I mean baking. And by baking I mean eating cookies.

So I think its time for a cute Halloween Cookie roundup:

Images Via: suaviloquy.blogspot; a dozen eggs, Sunset Mag, Sweet Tooth Creations

Noooo!!!

2009-10-07T10:50:00.000-07:00

Yet another addition to the magazine graveyard: Cookie.

And it wasn't just Cookie this time, it was Gourmet and Modern Bride too. (I honestly never read the latter, which most likely just contributed to the problem)

In the NY Times report was more focused on the loss of Gourmet, the 68 year old mag, than Cookie but it doesn't mean we will miss it any less.

Cookie was always filled with fresh family inspired features that made you want to start a family if you didn't already have one and probably hang out with yours if you did. I loved the photos of cute and accessible homes. I think I will miss it the most because it reminded me of Blueprint yet another title lost to the magazine abyss.

Back to my roots...

2009-10-06T10:54:00.001-07:00

Lets check the pillow news today.....and lets see what pillows have been up to. Oh look, fighting off bears.

Vail resident Sally Rebehn beat away an unwelcomed intruder last week with only her grandmother wits and a pillow to protect her, reports the LA Times.

"Confronted by a bear in the bedroom of her west Vail home a few weeks ago, Rebehn screamed and decided to fling a pillow at the animal, which was standing on its hind legs 12 feet from her. The pillow attack worked."

Scary. Good thing she had a pillow handy. And too bad they had to put the bear down, but I guess if the bear was already scared of the elderly and pillows it was really only just a matter of time.

Bear Sleeping Bag info here

dream job

2009-10-05T20:10:00.001-07:00

If I had to list my top 5 dream jobs, they would be:

1. Pug Whisperer
2. Professional Best Friend
3. Doughnut Taste Tester
4. OPI Nail Polish Namer
5. This guy's job

Man Shops Globe on the Sundance Channel chronicles the life of Keith Johnson, "buyer-at-large for the upscale retailer Anthropologie". He takes us along as he searches "In out-of-the-way antique shops, private dealerships and craft stalls" for "one-of-a-kind home furnishings and accessories that will reach consumers in Anthropologie outlets, or inspire the company's design and manufacturing team." That's right - he doesn't even place orders for the company, he only needs to buy inspirational pieces. That IS his job. And I am officially jealous.

For all of you who are just as mad at their high school career counselor as I am (seriously, where was this guy on career day?) we can now live the adventurous life vicariously through Keith. Check out some of his finds:

First Found on Design Sponge

Lonny is here!

2009-10-01T06:53:00.000-07:00

If you have been weeping since they day they closed Domino's doors then stop your crying right now and check out Lonny.

I heart E-6000....

2009-09-28T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have seen so many cute vintage cake plates lately, I love the idea of using them not only in the kitchen, but in unexpected places like to add some height for the top of a vanity, plant stand, etc.

I would usually like to scoop them up if I find them at a second hand store but really they are a rare find ( I am not the only one trying to hoard such cute treasures). I found the most perfect one in antique store, it was glass, tall, clean lines and......$80.00.

Since my cake plate budget doesn't go quite that high it was time to get crafty. This is why I heart E-6000. I have seen this done before, but its just so easy I decided to show how you can make your own cake plate (and this one only cost $3).

Materials:

Glass Plate, Candle Stick, E-6000 (or some other kind of epoxy)

Step 1: Glue the candle stick to the cake plate.

done.

Ta da!

I'm not going to stop....

2009-09-28T11:13:00.001-07:00

So anyone who knows me personally knows that there is one thing that I will not shut up about: I want a pug. And when I do get this pug (I have already named him: Ted Koppel) I plan on taking him everywhere with me. And I do mean everywhere......luckily Sleepypod exists to help me fulfill my puppy dreams!

Sleepypod
Found at BLTD

Yay for my house

2009-09-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

So, I've been working super hard at finally getting my house together. I feel like I have the living room and work room, dare I say it, done. Check out the photos below!

The infamous light box. I bought this at a selvage store in Chicago, it's from an old hospital. When they said that it 'worked' I simply assumed that I could plug it in and have a great piece for my wall. But of course 'working' turned out to be a phrase open for interpretation. So I did have to rewire this thing. The lights do work, they are just not on for this photo. I have old dental slides that I can put up, but I was thinking to print out photos on transparency film and light them up instead.

Best part about my house: these windows. Worst part about my house: these windows. While they are great for letting the daylight in, they also let the neighborhood and all who pass through my ally know what I am up to, especially when it gets dark. So most of the time these shades a pulled. The fish don't seem to mind.

I bought this cabinet just as a cabinet (I got a flea market vendor to 'throw it in' with my 'desk' purchase). I added legs and painted them black to match. I don't currently have anything totally unique to store inside the clear glass door (but I am on the look-out for some cute taxidermy animals - nature scene maybe?) so I filled it with pretty colored shopping bags and boxes. The 'R's I've been collecting and this is a nice way of having them all in one place. Oh, and that glass lamp still needs a shade.

This shot is not particularly interesting, especially since I skipped over my built-in shelving that holds my entire collection of Kid Robot Simpson's characters (saving for a later post). But I really like this bag I got at Scout. It is holding a million other bags that I take with me when I go shopping for groceries and the like.

I left my house looking for a desk. I came home with this. (which is why I call it my 'desk') I just couldn't leave it at the flea market what if it would have gone to a home that didn't give it any love! Well it's mine now and I give it warm and gentle Pledge rubs. I cut mat board to give the drawers real bottoms so I can actually use them for other things besides card files.

Finally, an organized work space. The drafting table is a lovely donation from my boyfriend's storage unit and the white cabinet is from Ikea. That top part pulls down to reveal my sewing machines. The painting is almost done. It's been almost done for a couple of months now....

My couch. It was green and I covered it with this white canvas. It was a $20 yard sale find. The side table was once all pine, I painted it white and covered the center with dark wood grain contact paper. You can see peaking out in the corner my donated (my handsome man didn't have the room for this in his place) DWR vertical book shelf. The pillows are mostly covered with 45rpm bandanna wrappings.

The truth comes out.....

2009-09-21T21:15:00.000-07:00

By that I mean I have gotten myself in quite the home improvement dilemma. You see, the thing is that I like to think that I'm super handy. I watch This Old House, I read Ready Made, I own a drill - is there really more to it?

Yes, yes there is.

While I have been spending my evenings playing Bob Vila, my recent trip to the hardware store confirmed my worst suspicions:I am not as handy as I think I am.

My shopping list read something like this:
- chuck key twisty thingy for hand drill
- electrical clippers for wires, but not the cutty kind, the strippy kind
- little hats for sticking electric wires together
- anchors for walls that spring out on the other side of the wall
- 3 prong plug in I can cut open

Although I found everything on my list (through hand gestures and some more vague explanation the staff eventually understood what I was looking for) the whole experience left me, well, rather bummed. Shouldn't trips to the hardware store be empowering? I mean really, you go there to get parts to build or fix something. That is exciting! How independent one should feel strolling into the parking lot knowing that what ever problems await at home can be fixed with nuts, bolts, screws and twisty thingys!

But I felt nothing of the sort. Maybe when I start some of these projects my handiness insecurities will go away.

2009-09-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

So yes, I am a very bad blogger being gone for over a week and such. But I hope this makes up for it:

DIY paper i-phone dock has such possibilites!! Now, granted I am one of the few who is i phone less - but as a crafty gal this might be reason enough to get one. how great would this be out of pretty patterned paper, much better than some of the neon colored bulky i phone docks currently out there on the market.

2009-08-28T07:23:00.000-07:00

Puppies dressed at Cats!

that spells amazing....

2009-08-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Check out this great soap from the people over at Soapylove sold at Charles & Maire ($20) The only down fall is that I would want to keep it out on display but would curse the person who ever tried to use it.

tea towels gone wild!

2009-08-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

Still searching for that perfect set - but I came across these and they made me smile. It's good to know that a creative tea towel is appreciated by both obsessive Star Wars fans as well as regular folks.

found here via here

Yay for dishtowels!

2009-08-24T13:14:00.001-07:00

I love a good 'ole classic dishtowel (I am currently sporting classic white flour sack towels in my kitchen) and since one of my birthday presents was a Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer (move over Martha) my head has been swirling with baking and cooking possibilities. I know that eventually I will have to find myself a cute apron (or end up stitching one together) but for now I will settle for some cute towels.

For sale at Perpetual Kid
Originally found at BLTD

Its my birthday!

2009-08-19T18:53:00.001-07:00

And I am going to express the way I feel today with this video gracefully entitled : French bulldog licks fat pug

Any way, off to Vermont tomorrow for a 4 day weekend! I'm bringing my camera so when I get back there will be lots to share!!!

Dwell Studio on Gilt

2009-08-17T18:00:00.000-07:00

Get it before it's gone!

Join here

going greenish, or something like that

2009-08-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been overwhelmed with corporate attempts at going green. Its funny that the only 'green' changes that ever get made are the ones that save lots'o'money. But I do suppose that every little bit of going green helps, so who am I to judge? Which brings me to this shower curtain. It is a design from Puff&Flock and was displayed this past May at IFCC. The shower curtain is designed to help people try and control how much hot water they use in the shower. The “spikes” start out deflated and as hot steam and air builds up these “spikes” inflate letting you know that it’s time to get out because you’ve been using a lot of hot water.
I think this would work, until the morning that I just can't stand one more poke from warm air filled spikes and I tear the thing down in a Monday morning rage. I think I'll just stick to recycling.

Images found here.

Why?

2009-08-03T20:35:00.000-07:00

Just because mentioning Eva Mendes often conjures up fantasies of her appearing in your bed doesn't mean she should be picking out your sheets.

That's right, Eva is amongst the latest celebs to jump on the Macy's bedding bandwagon (because the Ed Hardy isle was just looking rather dull)

As mentioned in the Home Textiles Today article, Mendes is presenting 2 bedding set collections, Penelope and a "more clustered floral design." (below)

Now when you think of Ms. Mendes, you might first think of your great aunt's bedroom instead of her sneaking into your sheets.....

Chicago Industrial Antique Shopping Roundup

2009-08-03T19:17:00.000-07:00

Two weekends ago (wow I am so very behind on posting this) I headed down to Chicago to do some serious Industrial Antiquing. I have to tell you, there are some nice places to plunder scattered around the city, below are some of my favorites.

Scout

This place is so well curated and the owner is so very friendly and easy to talk too. It is so nice to meet people that are truly passionate about what they do. If you are at all close to Andersonville, this place is a must stop.

Architectural Artifacts

When they say this place is 80,000 square feet, they mean 80,000 square feet. Give yourself most of the day to take a look around this place. If you are going to re-do your kitchen or bathroom looking at the tables and tables of antique painted tiles is a must. The patterns are just breath taking. Also, there are multiples of things - like a 5ft wide bin filled with wooden block letters and the 9ft table covered in glass chandelier parts.

Salvage One

Another HUGE warehouse shop with a wide variety of large industrial pieces and large scale art instillations. This place will make you wish that you just lived in and abandoned warehouse so you can fill it with everything in this place. If you go, make it all the way to the 3rd floor to check out the wide variety of clawfoot bathtubs and vintage doctors examination tables. Check out their Insperation page for some great outdoor photos.

Post 27

Great mix of vintage and local artists. Not to mention that they carry a wide variety of Unison Bedding.

Urban Remains

Ok, so I didn't make it to this store, but it's on my list for next time.

Their website says, "Urban Remains deals exclusively in the reclamation and recycling of American antique architectural artifacts found among commercial and industrial buildings or residential structures. Our collection of recovered artifacts dates between the mid-19th century and the late 1930's." Looking through their product catalog makes me giddy with excitement.

2009-07-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

How is it Friday already?! All I can say is that I've been a bad blogger this week - but boy am I ever excited for the weekend. As soon as I get my act together look for a Chicago-land industrial antique shopping round up - so many amazing things to share the links too!

2009-07-23T10:21:00.000-07:00

Check out this cute print company Poulier + Poulier Design as blogged about sfgirbybay today.
Once again, the Australian's are so far ahead of the game in the world of home decor. I have seen a lot of reprints of this type of Australian tram signs lately, must be the new thing down under. These prints come in both tea towels and just paper screen prints, I prefer the tea towels myself. What a nice way to add some interest in the kitchen.

this is auto.

2009-07-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

In my search for striped towels (long story) I stumbled across this online store.

It's amazing.

trashy pool party

2009-07-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

When the heat of summer is going full blast I often wonder aloud to myself, "I wish I had a great place to go swimming." And more often than not this statement is rhetorical due to the fact that I live within walking distance of not one but two giant somewhat swimable lakes. (by "somewhat" swimable I mean if you like soaking in fishy poo, farmer run off and algae blooms). And since I don't like soaking in fishy poo, farmer run off and algae blooms I was shocked to hear that some Brooklyn natives where clamoring into dumpsters for a quick swim.

And the worst part is: it's exclusive.

In the New York Times article they explain "[it] is a secret pool party in a pool made out of a Dumpster on the banks of the Gowanus Canal in industrial Brooklyn.
On a rented lot that’s hidden from the street they have erected what they call a lo-fi urban country club: three connected pools housed in Dumpsters; a boccie court; some lounge chairs, grills and cabanas. On Saturday night just three dozen people got the nod to check it out, at an after party for the art journal Cabinet. “Please don’t forward,” the invitation read."

article found here.

2009-07-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

This morning I found not one but four bunnies chomping on the clover in my yard. I have never seen so many at the same time and can't help but wonder if they get together and do this every morning at a quarter to 8. (I guess I usually miss bunny brunch as I try to be out the door at a much earlier time). Anyway, thinking about bunnies getting together to munch so peacefully in my little yard gets me all giddy on my long drive into work. The only way I can express this feeling is through the beautiful photos posted by Mrs. French. I don't know how she does it, but she always finds photos that sum up a thousand different wonderful feelings at once.

Images re-posted by Mrs. French via sfgirlbybay from here

Really?

2009-07-16T11:10:00.000-07:00

Advertising your apparel on other forms of apparel? Really? If I wanted a Lacoste Polo - wouldn't I just buy a Lacoste Polo? Did they really say "gee, we have this really cute alligator we could put on this beach towel....or......we could print a stack of polos.....". Because nothing screams summer like a stack of rainbow colored polos. No wonder its on sale.

Found here.

2009-07-14T09:44:00.001-07:00

My bathroom in my new apartment is incredibly small. But even with its small stature, it happens to have 3 towel bars (one of the many home improvements made by my "sure we should paint over this tile" landlord). So the task of finding towels that match - at least six hand towels if I don't want any of those bars to run naked - has become rather daunting. But then I came across the rug pictured above. If I had a bathroom that could fit this rug, I wouldn't need any towels. ever.

More Abyss rug goodness can be found here. Too bad they don't have towels to match.

Dr. John Robshaw,

2009-06-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

I just love your Indigo Dip dye pillows. But your new website, although very clean and easy to navigate, is slow. Like really slow. I hope it isn't being powered by the broken generator that you mentioned in your blog.
Sincerely,
R

These pillows are so great, I think they just feel so summer. The description makes them sound like they had a relaxing time getting dyed "the fabric of these pillows is dipped into indigo vats and then laid in the sun to dry". That sounds relaxing. Lucky pillows.

Pillows found here.

sigh

2009-06-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Today is just one of those days. Everything just seems so extra ridiculous, and nothing is going your way so it doesn't seem like anything could surprise you anymore.

And then there it is: $400 monkey sheets.

It never ceases to amaze me that the more expensive a sheet is, the crazier the embroidery. I looked to see if there was a matching duvet or shams and there was not. Just stand alone monkey sheets.

"Monkey Jungle" sheets found here

In honor of the late great MJ....

2009-06-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

..I have decided to round up some home decor inspired by the artist himself. The first 4 are for sale, so you can keep a little piece of Michael next to you on the couch or have one to snuggle to get you through these hard times.

You can get this one here

and this one here

found here

and here

2009-06-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

Anything that makes yourself more ninja like gets an A+ in my book. And thanks to today's Charles & Marie Soupe Du Jour you can be a little more ninja every time you grab for the milk.

2009-06-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

So yesterday Absolutely Beautiful Things, had a beautiful pillow image of the collaboration of Alice Temperly with the Rug Company . I knew that a lot of fashion designers had collaborations with The Rug Company - but I wasn't aware how many. Below are some images of a few of my faves'.

Committee for The Rug Company

DFV for The Rug Company

Matthew Williamson for The Rug Company

Paul Smith for The Rug Company

it's forty degrees above room temperature...

2009-06-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

....and that is just too warm for me to handle with out AC. So instead of a post about warm and fuzzy pillows and blankets - I'm sharing some excellent home products to help you beat the heat.

I don't know why they picked this image to promote their cooling bra pads but at bodycooler.com they have a cooling product for everyone.

USB powered fan shirt from Japan Trend Shop. This works out great as long as you dont mind being attached to whatever USB compatible device you happen to be near.

The people over at rawpeople.com say all I need to do to beat the heat is to stop eating. A veggie fast is what they suggest as the most "eco-friendly" way to beat the heat. I'm not sure how starving myself will make me cooler, but at this temperature, I'm willing to give anything a try.

creepy.

2009-06-22T18:57:00.000-07:00

The LA Times Local reports that for all you pet lovers out there once your pet has passed on, no need to worry where your cuddles are coming from. In steps innovator Patricia Moore of Soft Hearted Products, who for a minimal fee ($110) will sprinkle your late pet's ashes inside this "Urn alternative". The website does call out that these pillows are DIY, meaning they send you the pillow and you get to tuck your once beloved pets ashes into the "discreet, zippered pocket". I was doing alright until I came across the pet body weight to ash conversion (up to 15o lbs!).

Clean Slate

2009-06-22T10:15:00.000-07:00

Super fun custom design pillow service at inmod. Prices vary based on fabric and design options. You can even create and save designs - buliding your very own pillow collection. Check out the wildlife pattern theme, the rhino is my fave.

Via BLTD

Eye Carumba

2009-05-31T21:04:00.000-07:00

Super fun interactive 3D pillows from Heather Lins Home. These would add a great clinical feel to any room. They also come in 2D for those who don't want to wear cardboard glasses to fully appreciate their home decor.

Welcome.

2009-05-30T10:47:00.000-07:00

Ah, for the love of home decor.

This blog will feature all things inspiring in the world of home design, with a special focus on that soft spot in my heart that is home textiles.

More to come soon.