More curtains

Today's theme must be curtains. Check out this super easy and cheap curtain rod idea. Wooden dowels and drawer pulls!?!? I love it. So genius and simple.

Oh inspiring

Doesn't this kitchen pantry just make you drool! Seen on Design*Sponge, I think this would be my ultimate dream pantry. So organized and pretty!!!

DIY grocery bag

I've made a few grocery bags from old tshirts and they work great! They hold so much it is so surprising. However, when I saw this DIY grocery bag I fell in love. It just adds a great level of detail. Full how-to here.

End of the Year Pick Me Up

Do your kids need a little something extra to get them through the school year? Or do you just need something for your work week? Check out this diy project for a lined paper lunch bag. Seen on Design*Sponge awhile ago I think this is adorable.

AMAZING!

This is probably one of the most intricate, beautiful pieces of art I have seen in a long time. And something I would actually spend the money on. Check out Karen who makes hand-cut maps of cities. She will not only do any city in the world, but also custom orders and specific neighborhoods. I love the Dublin one above.

I'm thinking...

About doing this wonderful DIY project found on Design*sponge. I have a bright kelly green bathroom and I think this would look lovely. And so easy!

Summary for awhile

Being we have been mia for a bit here is a list of fabulous things that we love.

Furniture by german designer valentin löllmann. So unique and GORGEOUS.

Such wonderful and useful laptop bags by Portal. When I get one someday this might have to be my first accessory.

Lovely letterpress prints by onecanoetwo which their calendar this last years was one of my all time favorites. I came so close to buying it many times.

All see via our favorite Design*sponge.

DIY project that will light up your life.

Found on Design*Sponge, I just feel in love with these diy paper lanterns by bbb craft sisters. How lovely are they? Don't they just make you feel more calm and happy by looking at them? They would be wonderous for a wedding.

I heart.

This series of book illustrations by Jane Mount. I wonder what it would look like if I tried to draw my books...probably not nearly as good and adorable as these. Maybe someday when spare time exists.

Favorite Living In

Do you guys ever see the "Living In" posts on Design*Sponge. Every week she picks a movie and finds items similar to the places, costumes, sets, etc. This last week Amy chose to do A League of Their Own, a great movie and I think my favorite "Living In". Check out what she found.

Ummm awesome

How delightful are these laptop book cases by twelvesouth as seen on design*sponge today. If I ever get a laptop this is the case I want.

Gotta love a good bottle opener

I am always on the lookout for a good bottle opener, why I don't really know but I could not help reposting this fabulous collection put together by Design*Sponge. Which one would you get?

Lovely

How adorable are these felt acorns? Seen on Design*Sponge earlier in December, I just had to post them as a little fabulousness to bring in the New Year. Cheers to 2010, I wish all the best to all our readers.

Design*sponge $100 gift guide

Here are my favorite pieces from the $100 gift guide. Some of the pieces I have been eying forever. You can see their full list here.









Wood LED Flashlight
Wire 9-Cube Event
French Country Chlakboard
Quote Bookends
Orange Toolbox
Wood Wall Art
Wood Candle Holders
Olive Wood Pendant Lamp

Design*sponge $50 gift guide.

Published yesterday was Design*sponge's $50 and under gift guide. My favorites are below.








Pictorial Webster's Dictionary
Handmade Wire Basket
Twig Jewelry Stand
Wine Totes
Cast Metal Animals
Wood Memo Block
Artecnica Candle Holders

DIY Ideas

Some of the newest DIY ideas that appeared on Design*sponge are wonderful and I cannot wait to do them for our new house!

First of all check out this pure genius. Recycling old jars, vases, and tins and redoing to make them look like milk glass. All you need is puffy paint and spray paint. Who doesn't love a project with puffy paint?

Next up a curtain/fabric screen made up of felt circles. I have always wanted to make an adorable curtain but somehow everytime I try they just end of looking like a sheet on a wall. I hope this one turns out better for me!

And lastly do you have a bunch of books lying around that you cannot part with. Check out this great idea for upcycling them into a side table. All of the books create such a great pattern and intersting visual. Happy diy-ing!

Getting in the mood for cooking

This book, seen on Design*Sponge is definatley making me want to cook. How adorable is "I know how to cook" by Ginette Mathiot.

Phaidon recreated this french classic with illustrator blexbolex. And not only are the illustrations great but there are 1400 recipes! Sounds like I need to order this one for my collection.

Coralie Bickford-Smith

Coralie Bickford-Smith is a book cover design who has won several awards for her BEAUTIFUL designs. I first learned about her from Design*sponge when they posted her series of Penguin Classics Hardcovers (which I just received two more in the mail and they make me so happy). I love her work. How much fun would it be to just design book covers? For Penguin? In London? Sounds fabulous. You can read an interview with her here as design:related.

Dreamlike rocks

I am sure some of you have seen these beautiful Livingstones before but I had to share. They have been featured in numerous places including Design*Sponge and Cool Hunting but I love, love, love them.

By a French company Smarin Design, these pebble-like cushions not only look so much fun but also comfortable. Design and practicality!

I love how the site describes them as "A surreal group of very high quality, practical like a pouffe. Oversized pebbles, a rest area that varies in size and shape..." Absolutely divine! Don't they just make you feel like you are in the best dream.