I am curious about this upscale folding camper that comes with luxury beds and an enclosed teak veranda. I perceived it as an extension of the glam camping (also known as glamping) trend that grows over the last couple of years. But Opera has the advantage of delivering comfortable camping wherever you wish to camp. It is called Opera because the Sydney Opera House was the design inspiration.

Opera is scheduled to launch this December. I will be looking for more details. For now, you can watch a promotional slideshow on Your Suite in Nature.

+ photo: Your Suite in Nature

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+ The first item is by a young designer based in Helsinki. Elina Aalto designed a series of black perforated roller blinds. The lights draw a view of the city of Paris, Stockholm, Helsinki or  Tokyo. They are great for any space where you need a small barrier for privacy at night or to block the sun in an office. These limited edition roller blinds are sold at Iukbox from € 375 or more, depending of the size and model you want. Via Room and Serve

+ I like to relax on the weekends all year long in this scandinavian summer retreat. Via The Style Files

+ There is still a few weekends left to test this original lantern stand. It would be perfect for a fishing trip dinner. Via The Style Files

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As a pursuit to reduce my consumption of plastic water bottles, I am looking for a reusable water bottle that would look great while I walk in the city. I wish for a funky or cool modern print. The SIGG bottles have a trendy look but they are made of aluminum which means that they can corrode. I trust more the food grade stainless steel bottles.

Earthlust

First let’s look at Earthlust. This small brand started by a mother from San Francisco has a cute line. I would like if the drawing theme extends beyond nature. I like the cute poppies and the silver Crow. Earthlust bottles use non-toxic paints and BPA-free safe polypropelene caps.

Klean Kanteen

For a minimalist look, look at Klean Kanteen. They started selling stainless steel reusable water bottles in 2004. Their line is quite extensive with all kinds of caps to fit your lifestyle and preferences. Plus, more of their range is dishwasher safe.

They launched not long ago an extra-wide mouth bottle which is more practical if you like to put ice cubes or fresh berries into your drink. The wide-mouth is only available in brushed metal finish. It has a lightly shorter profile, more compact and lighter than the Classic model.

The sleek stainless steel Classic bottles also come in 6 colors: green moss, orange sunset, ocean blue, black eclipse, pink renewal, tree bark and indicator red. The Classic model feels more like a bottle versus the wide mouth model which feels more like a Mason jar.

The outside of Klean Kanteen caps is made 100% BPA-free with the inside made of 100% stainless steel. Therefore, your drinks will never touch plastic. And their bottles fit totes by Built NY.

I still have to find a brand that make stainless steel bottles with hip designs than are as good as the SIGG Lifestyle series. If you know one, I would like to know who it is.

SOURCING:
+ Growing Tree Stainless Steel Water Bottle by Earthlust 13  oz. $15.95 USD
+ Earthlust Crow Stainless Steel Water Bottle – in red or silver 20 oz. $15.00 USD
+ Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Colored Water Bottles on sale $9.95 – $25.49 USD
+ Built NY Totes for Klean Kanteen 27 oz Stainless Steel Bottles $27.50 – $35.50 USD
+ Built NY Totes for Klean Kanteen 40 oz Stainless Steel Bottles $40 – $45 USD

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For when you wish to bring food that need to be kept cold or hot, Bento & Co added to their catalogue two cool products.

Bento Boxes for Kids

First, the Poka Poka Miffy set. Miffy is a popular female rabbit character from a picture kid book drawn by Dutch artist and illustrator Dick Bruna. This Bento set was designed to keep rice warm. For a breakfast on the park, you could carry warm oat meal or beans. A stainless steel Thermos box painted with Miffy, two small boxes and an insulated bag form this adorable set.

Bento Boxes for Guys

The sportive guys in your home will appreciate the Thermos Nidan set. The bento boxes are large. There is plenty of room to feed a large appetite and to leave some for his friends. Both sets are produced by Thermos.

SOURCING:
+ Poka Poka Miffy set 34.80 EUR
+ Thermos Nidan set 25.80 EUR

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These wood bikes are absolutely gorgeous. They are pieces of craftsmanship that you should enjoy riding for the long time. They have panache.

The Pandurban is a fully equipped, four season commuter. It will make the envy of your co-workers with these features:

• Shift the 9 speed SRAM hub with a simple twist of the wrist, even when stopped.
• All-weather disc brakes and fenders
• The lights works with a generator. This means that you won’t change the batteries. Both front and rear lights remain on several minutes after you stop.
• Heavy duty, powder-coated steel fork laughs at nasty urban pot-holes.
• A super sturdy rack carries the gear you need for a day or a week.
• Michelin 700-32c puncture-resistant City tires with reflector sidewall.

If you wish for a simpler bike. The Bambooter Commuter is a 3 speed bike that offers the same smooth ride as the Pandurban.

Why Would You Want a Wood Frame?

Besides their beauty, there are other reasons to select a wood frame bike. First, producing a wood bike frame creates less damage to the environment than building a carbon, an aluminum or a steel bike frame.

Now with the advance of technology, they are able to create a durable wood frame. The Renovo wood frame has much greater impact resistance than butted metal or carbon bike frames. Plus:

• Wood absorbs vibration better than steel, aluminum or carbon, producing a smoother ride
• The fatigue life of wood exceeds steel or aluminum, and approaches carbon

Renovo will custom built your bike. You can select between 15 hardwoods and softwoods. The laminated bamboo is the greener option. They produce several models of commuter bikes and road bikes. They cost about the same as a carbon frame bike.

MORE:
+ Renovo Bikes
+ Via Inhabitat and Core77

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This afternoon I visited Beacon Hill, an old British style, upscale neighborhood in Boston. This is one of the are where the houses are the most expensive in Boston. One think I noticed as we walked around is how, even though the houses have no landing, many front doors felt inviting and elegant.

I paid attention to find their secret. It is simple. They all display flower pots, have a stunning door knocker, hardware and street numbers. They are illuminated by a beautiful light. And more importantly, the homeowners have painted the door a contrasting color. Looking at the lack of space of these houses, it is clear that having little space is no excuse to make a statement.

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If you are looking for a unique gifts for a foodie with a love of modern design, browse through the catalogue of Eva Solo. They give unique shape to everyday housewares. Eva Solo products are not cheap. There are an indulgence. Therefore, they are perfect gift ideas.

Salad Sinner by Eva Solo

The Salad Spinner reinvent the old technique of washing salad. Your grand mothers used to do that with a tea towel. Now you can do it more efficiently and more stylishly with their salad spinner. I really like the look.

After you rinse the leaves with your hands (which you must always do whichever method you use), squeeze the top of the bucket together to form a spout and pour off the water. The lettuce is now ready for spinning. You need a little bit of vertical space. Swing the bucket around in the air – this you can do either indoors or outdoors. In the process, any surplus water and dirt collects under the drainage plate.

The bucket is made of soft TPE rubber, which is approved for foods, and has a nylon cord handle. The drainage plate is made of stainless steel. The bucket is available in creamy sand, spring green and steel grey.

Other Gift Ideas

The Eva Solo’s silicone potholders are available in new colors. I like it because you simply rinse them to remove small spills or put them in the dishwasher for a thorough wash. The flexibility of silicone means that they follow the form of the pots and pans your need to carry. If you want, you can place the potholders on a hook near the stove to have them close whenever you need.

You will be the stylish camper with the thermo picnic flask. In fact, they look as amazing that you can walk the city with the half-liter water flask.

SOURCING:
+ Salad Spinner by Eva Solo $118 USD
+ Eva Solo Flexible Potholders $45 USD for a pair
+ Mat or polished Thermo Water Flask 0.5 litter $99 USD 1L $188

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You know that I am a fan of this UK store. The bright sun shining all day is the perfect setting for a picnic for two. Hopefully for us, the Blyton Picnic set is available in the States at Picnic Fun. But the styled picture of Graham and Green makes the picnicware so more desirable.

I told you about this red tin picnic set  last year for Father’s Day. A removable willow tray sits inside the red tin to double the storage when needed. It is a picnic set for 2 that comes with a selection of hand crafted accessories. You get an enamel painted flask, two ceramic plates, two ceramic mugs, 3-piece metal flatware, a salt and pepper shaker set and two cute embroidered napkins.

The acrylic outdoor dinnerware is available in clear, green and lavender. You can be stylish even when you eat outdoor. Bring fresh fruit skewers and macarons at a picnic.

SOURCING:
+ Blyton Picnic Set £85
+ Blyton Vintage Picnic Basket for 2 $160 USD
+ Picnic Blanket £65
+ Acrylic Filigree Plates £6.95 each
+ Acrylic Filigree Bowls £6.95 each
+ Retro style Plastic Cutlery £22 – also available in pink

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Giving something handmade or crafted feels more special. Picnics are about taking the time to sit, eat and talk. It is about making time for yourself and your loved ones. It feels right the perfect gift for newlyweds or a bride-to-be.

SewnNatural produced the retro style picnic blankets at the top. I am partial to the red gingham quilted picnic blanket. She always used a denim back for easy maintenance.

Then, fortyducks creates an updated version of the picnic basket. Since they are made to order, you can specify which colors you want it. Her Patricia Picnic set comes with a reversible tote, a picnic blanket with water resistant backing and coordinating storage sleeve, 4 plastic plates and 4 Place setting roll ups with utensils and cloth napkins.

I love the custom couple silhouette print by Nella Designs. You select the silhouettes from the template – 6 girls, 4 guys. For a little extra, she will produce the print with your own silhouette. I think it is cute and fun.

SOURCING:
+ Picnic Blanket / Retro and Roomy in Red by SewnNatural $75 USD
+ Eco Picnic Blanket / Reclaimed Vintage Madras by SewnNatural $75 USD
+ Custom Couple Silhouette Print with date by Nelly Designs $20 USD, from your own photos $26 USD
+ The Patricia Picnic Set by fortyducks $150 USD

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Doing a BBQ is a typical Father’s Day celebrations. Since your dad probably already owned all the barbecue gadgets already, turn your attention to the bar.

Pottery Barn introduced a collection of Galvanized Metal Serving Pieces that feel masculine and cute at the same time. A clear sealant was applied for a lasting good look and to deliver a rich patina. Sadly, the large Party Bucket with Bottle Opener and the 6-Bottle Drink Caddy are not longer available.

Bar Carts

I like the Craft style of the Teak console table. I used a console table as a bar/cooking station. Its versatility makes it indispensable.

For smaller space, opt for a synthetic rattan bar cart. It is made of Viro, a premium synthetic designed to withstand extreme weather conditions without wear. As you can see , you can pack a lot of cans, bottles and glasses on the Capri bar cart.

SOURCING:
+ Galvanized Metal Serving Pieces $24 – $69 USD
+ Galvanized Metal Tray $49 USD
+ Acrylic Drink Dispenser $49 – $69 USD
+ Santina Teak Console Table regular $699 on sale at $559 USD
+ Capri Bar Cart $799 USD

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The Memorial Day’s weekend marks the start of summer. I will give you a head start on inspirations for remarkable picnic with your friends and family members.

First way to impress your guests is with these adorable BBQ cutlery envelop. I am getting two packets. If I like them, I may buy more to give as hostess gifts. The BBQ Cutlery Kraft Envelops are the creations of etsy seller Miss Pickles Press.

Then, it is the magic of the styled pictures of UK retailer Toast that inspired me. Take clues on how to nicely wrap your sandwiches. I was interviewed earlier this week by a journalist (the article is yet to be posted) on themes for summer bashes. I referred to tiffin tins, probably because they are on my wish list. Plus there is no chance to break the stainless picnic set if you mix your picnic with a bicycle ride.

Every party should have its signature drink. For a hot summer afternoon, make a pitcher of limoncello and light (less sugar) cranberry juice. Arrange the proportions to taste but their should be in the range of 1/3 limoncello with 2/3 cranberry juice or 1/4 limoncello with 3/4 cranberry juice. You can prepare it in advance in a thermos bottle. Add ice cubes to the glass when you are ready to serve. The Sip and Repeat Cocktail Sticks, again by Miss Pickles Press, adds a welcoming touch to your drink.

You can bring a nice arrangement of cut flowers or gather a bunch of wild flowers on place. If you like to do picnics on a beach at the cottage, get a couple of wood bath mats on the sand with a long bath brush and a bar of natural soap.

SOURCING:
+ BBQ cutlery envelop $15 for a pack of 12 on etsy
+ tiffin tins small £12, medium £22, large £39 at Toast
+ picnic set £39 at Toast
+ madras tablecloth £25
+ mango wood bath mat £35
+ Sip and Repeat Cocktail Sticks by Miss Pickles Press $10 for a pack of 12
+ scholar vase £49, available in sky blue, grenadine and citrus green

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+ More and more move far away for the traditional wedding invites. Green grass details and a bird look adorable and elegant on these letterpress invites. Via Moontree

+ You can always stop at Oh Joy! for a breath of fresh ideas. She made a picnic perfect montage where you can see the wooden utensils from Paper+Cup I shown you last week plus other items at Anthropologie. It is lovely. She designed the two 3D wall hooks for Urban Outfitters some time ago. The Home Sweet Home Mail Hook and the Tree Silhouette hook are out of stock. I do not know if they will be available again.

+Another option are the recycled metal alphabet hooks at Urban Outfitters. You can opt for the initials of the members of the family or write a word. $6 per letter.

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