Another find on etsy. This one would make a great holiday gift. I like the concept behind the writing slates produced by a a half kiwi-half canadian couple living with their cat in Vancouver. It is effectively simple. You have a choice of two permanent titles: “Today” or “This Week”.

+ Writing Slates – Planning edition $20 USD

You might also like these posts

At $6 per knob or pull, the Equestrian Hardware at Pottery Barn can add lots of character to a home office or a gentleman dressing room.

+ Equestrian knobs or pulls $24 USD for 4

You might also like these posts

I like the style of the string shopping bags. At moment it feels European while at other time it feels bohemian. I wish to know if you find them more practical than the Envirosax or the RuME bags? I am thinking of trying them. Here are three models that caught my eyes.

+ Stretch Bag by Artecnica is made from recycled billboard. There is also a leather version vinyl $16 USD, leather $95

+ Black Organic Cotton String Bag starts at $6.95 USD
+ ECOBAGS EarthTone Cotton String Bag Set with Hemp StuffSack 5 bags $29.95 USD

Do not forget to tell me what type of reusable shopping bags you use.

You might also like these posts

Everyday items can be functional and pretty. I like this brown branch log rack. Susan Bradley designs and produces a unique range of interior and exterior products. She shows us that small storage solutions can neatly decorate our space.

She brings visual impacts to your home without neglecting the functionality of the object. The shelf life series is a great example of how she accomplished this. You can also add your touch. The branch shelf comes with a set of flora and fauna wall stickers to customize the look. Plus, her powder-coated steel racks and shelves can be commissioned in the color of your choice to fit your decor.

If you are interested by her collection, she ships internationally. Maybe you could cross names from your Holiday shopping list.

MORE:
+ Susan Bradley
+ via Oh Joy!

You might also like these posts

First of all, I wish to say that I hope that reusable produce bags become as popular as the reusable shopping bags. Each time I go to the grocery without them, I feel bad. They are great for shopping but I also feel that the vegetables stay fresh longer.

Many brands made them. I introduced the ECObags last year. I still like those, they kept their shapes and sizes after several machine washes.

Stewart Bags

At the start of the summer, I received a complimentary combination pack of reusable produce bags from Stewart Bags, a Canadian brand run by a couple. I recommend that you get one or two combination packs of reusable produce bags (five small bags, three large bags). I keep the vegetables in the reusable bags in the fridge. Since some bags may be in the laundry basket, I need more for shopping. You will see a small bag is enough for many items on your shopping list.

I made the error to dry machine them once. They shrunk a bit but they kind of extend like an old pair of jeans when you insert fruits or vegetables. Therefore, it does not really matter.

Stewart Bags was founded by the Baileys, who are both teachers in Ontario.

October 24th, 2009 Update: Stewart Bags will have a stand in the New Product Showcase area at the Grocery Innovations Canada 2009. The show, which will be at the Toronto Congress Centre next Monday and Tuesday. I wish that retailers will decide to sell that green alternative in their stores. Bringing our shopping bags was not natural at first. Now, the cashiers ask us if you need a plastic bag?

SOURCING:
+ Combination Bulk Special $25 CAD

You might also like these posts

Once the cold has arrived, I like to read a good book, browse my favorite magazines or explore the Web on the couch with a blanket on my legs. My everyday dark charcoal blanket from Caban is getting old. Therefore, I started to look for a replacement.

The black and off white Crux blanket by Pia Wallén is gorgeous. It is hand woven in Sweden and made of 100% wool.  If you are looking for more color options, head to Pia Wallén’s Web site. You will find there the Crux blanket in 4 colors: Redorange/offwhite, black/offwhite, potato/offwhite and green/offwhite. Sadly, this museum piece is over my budget for a blanket that I used while reading on the couch.

WHERE TO BUY:
+ Pia Wallén Crux Wool Blanket £379 at Cloudberry Living
+ Pia Wallén Crux Wool Blanket 4400 SEK (this is price shown on the cart)
+ Box in felt with handles 1250 SEK
+ The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown $16.17 USD

You might also like these posts

Many apartments and condo units do not have a formal entryway. This is without counting the increasing number of units that lack a coat closet. Even if you have a coat closet, chances are, that it is almost full by all your coats needed to accommodate 4 seasons. For all these reasons, we often need to install a coat rack for our guests.

A coat rack can be more than utilitarian. Why not select a coat rack that will make a lasting impression? I found 5 coat racks that should become a conversation piece.

For the Art Lover or the Family

The Flying hooks are almost an art form. Instead of putting it on the wall, each hanger is attached to the ceiling using a stainless steel cable. Each hanger can be hung at any height. A family can decide to hang a few coat hangers extra low. This way, the young kids can reach their hanger. I am torn between the Flying hooks and the treehooked to elect a favorite.

For the Urban Girl

AlissiaMT (amt) designed the treehooked. They come in green or white soft-coated steel with screws and spacers in a matching color. Treehooked was inspired by organic form but when I looked at it, I see a subway map. You can put several together for a bigger impact.

For the Bachelor

I imagine the Dart coat hooks hanging on the wall of a game room, a teenager bedroom or a bachelor pad. At this price, you can stock a few for the Christmas gift exchanges.

For the Modernist

At more than $250 a piece, the Kangaroo hook is eye catching for two reasons. But you have to admit that this concept is ingenious. The two lower arms act as a coat hangar while the 2 upper arms can hold hats or coats. Overall, you can either put 3 coats or a coat, a hat and a scarf or 2 coats and a hat on a single hook.

For the Twitterer

The Umbra Birdeye rack reminds me of the Twitter bird. Besides the entry hall, this multi hook stand would be cute in a girl bedroom.

SOURCING:
+ Flying hooks designed by Ariette Bos and Tom Couvee 4 hangers $158.10, 9 hangers $300
+ Treehooked by amt $90 USD
+ Dart Coat Hooks by Suck UK $24.30 USD for pack of 3
+ Umbra Birdeye Multi Hook $13.49

You might also like these posts

I received an email from Abe’s Market today to introduce their green and natural products marketplace. While browsing Abe’s site, I came across this complete 13-piece lunch kit. Yes, you can assemble yourself but it would save you time by getting this bundle. Plus, you are sure that things fit together.

I introduced the reusable snack bags of Plum Creek Merchantile earlier this year. You have a choice of 7 patterns for the 3-snack bag set included in the lunch kit. Each lunch set also comes with one To-Go Ware RePEaT Bamboo Utensil Set, a small and a large To-Go Ware’s stainless steel sidekick tiffins, an insulated bottle, a Klean Kanteen 12oz water bottle in a metal lunch box.

Bulk food storage bags

For shopping, remember that Plum Creek Mercantile produces bulk food storage bags with a clear window for easy identification and to write down the bin number. Besides reducing your waste, an added advantage of using the bulk food bags is that they are sized to fit a gallon jar or a quart jar. So, no more guess at the grocery store about how much you need to put inside the plastic bag.

Online Marketplace

Note that Abe’s is launching with four initial product categories – personal care, kids and baby, home, and food and beverage. They plan to expand into new categories shortly after launch. I will keep my eye open for other cool eco-friendly products.

SOURCING:
+ Lunch Kit by Plum Creek Merchantile on sale $47.99 – $52.99 USD  reg. $54-$59
+ To-Go Ware RePEaT Bamboo Utensil Set $11.95 USD
+ To-Go Ware’s stainless steel sidekick tiffins small $4.95 USD, large $5.95
+ Abe’s Market

You might also like these posts

When everything has its place, you do not lose time looking for it. There is a therapeutic effect of living and working in an uncluttered space. We also need a few storage solutions and organizers to be on display to be practical. For that, you need items that feel more unique than the utilitarian objects.

It does not have to cost a fortune. You transform an everyday item or repurpose flea market finds. A quick solution is to stencil numbers or letters on Mason jars. The numbered Mason jars available at Pottery Barn have a charming distressed look. Mason jars are great to store anything, not just food.

No one wants to bring home the corporate office look. Opt for cool desk accessories, like this giant sharpener pencil holder, to infuse a sense of casual style. Old drawers and wood boxes easy replace the desktop sorter.

Old-fashioned front-desk organizers used in hotels inspired the Cubby Organizer. This distressed solid mahogany display unit would complement a modern country interior. Each of the 25 cubbies is detailed with a hand-painted number. The design will nicely highlight a few collections of small items built around an overall theme.

GET THE LOOK:
+ Numbered Mason Jars at Pottery Barn $39 USD for set of 3
+ Cubby Organizer at Pottery Barn$129 USD
+ Giant sharpener desk tidy at WhippetGrey £14.50
+ Hardware Store Drawers – No.2 at Three Potato Four $18 USD
+ Foundry Mold – Type B at Three Potato Four $65 USD

You might also like these posts

Plastic bins are bulky. Therefore, I am looking for other options to enable kids to store and carry their toys. I found a clever yet simple solution that is multipurpose.

Modern Twist produced a neat and stylish solution for kids and grown ups. Their hiding bags exist in several formats. From the tiny portable Hide Box perfect for carrying jewels when you travel to the medium Hide Box II to empty your pocket when you get home up to the versatile PJ Pocket Pillow bags. The PJ Pocket Pillow can fit blankets, a pair of sandals, a stuffed animal, or a children book. They can hold all type of toys and objects.

The design is inspired by a vintage Japanese design. The fabrics are awesome. Modern Twist proposes for kids  abstract elephants and squirrels in soft blue, green, orange and yellow. Adults may prefer the lemon twist available in cream and brown or cream and red.

Do not forget the guestroom. Keep 2 PJ Pocket Pillow bags to leave to your guests while they are staying over. They will appreciate it as they carry their stuff from the bedroom to the bathroom.

SOURCING:
+ Hide Box $24 for 3-inch box
+ Hide Box II $25 for 8-inch box
+ Modern-Twist PJ Pillow bags $50 USD

You might also like these posts

This post explores how you can repurpose things to get your home better organized. The wonderful Fiona of Cafe Cartolina made my story easy when she discovered a wonderful site filled with practical and cute DIY projects. There are ideas from the Do It Yourself magazine. There were so many great ideas that I did not need to look elsewhere. In fact, I could not present them all.

An inexpensive way to get better organizer and decorate your home is to add a personal touch to everyday items. Paint in a bright hue small metal buckets with exterior enamel paint. Then, fill them with potting mix and plant small plants, cooking herbs or green leaves.

The most adorable idea is to reclaim a birdcage as a mail sorter. Who can resist the vintage small suitcase, which provides enough space to neatly store your gift-wrapping supplies?

Plus do not miss the Storage Zone Solutions. It will help you keep your desk tidy in a compact space.

CREDITS:
+ Do It Yourself
+ Via Cafe Cartolina

You might also like these posts

I spot this split-level renovation in La Presse last weekend. Montreal-based architects Marie-Claude Hamelin and Loukas Yiacouvakis, founders of YH2 imagined this major renovation for a couple with 3 young children.

The split-level house contains 4 half-levels. It used to look like the typical split-level house built in the 1960s. Now the house does not show its age. The space planning was reinvented with an open space first floor. Quickly hiding the mess were a concern for the parents. The architects addressed this issue with simple solutions to deal with morning breakfast and when impromptu guests are coming to visit. The mess can disappear in 10 minutes. And yes, the solution is to hide it from the views.

A Family Home without Clutter

To clean up the dining room rapidly, the family got a modern kitchen cart equipped with two restaurant bus boxes. The breakfast nook hosts the toaster, coffee machine and breakfast dinnerware. Hiding appliances, TV and computers between doors provides instantly a clean look. Therefore, all members of the family can quickly leave home in the morning. You can watch a video in French where you will see in action how the family used this tricks.

It happened that as I read my RSS this morning, I spot this picture of a gas fireplace by Spark Fires on design Milk. Look at the similarities between the space planning. Do I sense a trend?

MORE:

+ Rénover un split-level: les solutions des architectes written by Lucie Lavigne – I have to warn you La Presse often archieved their article after a month of so. – Photography by David Boily for La Presse

+ FLYTTA Kitchen cart $159 USD for a wider, $229 CAD at IKEA

+ Spark Fires on Design Milk

You might also like these posts