Bathing Beauty

Never mind all the bells and whistles (LED lights, soothing music, automatic flush, Hyper-Clean technology, blah blah blah). SATIS, the latest integrated toilet from INAX, is an amazing design. This tankless little beauty from Japan's "Designing Smart" manufacturer of sanitary fixtures is a space-saving wonder and winner of the prestigious Good Design Award Gold. Its elegant, compact build is also environmentally friendly, without cutting corners on comfort, performance or style! It's 360-degrees of beauty- stunning design from every conceivable angle.

Pinterest Virgin

What a marvelous idea for storage!

I just came across this on Pinterest. Any Pinterest users? I'm a Pinterest virgin, still trying to figure out what it's all about. What I can tell you is that this was first pinned by Anne Kristine. I'm still trying to figure out the rest, but so far I love what I see! 

DIY MIni Golf

 

Everyone loves miniature golf. And what could be more fun than building your own putt-putt course right in your back yard!  My Mini Golf offers a variety of elements usually found on the mini-golf course such as bridges, swirls, towers and 360-degree loops. Made from strong ABS plastic, it's durable for outdoor use and can be played on virtually any surface. Fun FORE all ages! 

Hit Me With Your Best Shot...

...of espresso!

Pixie (shown in Electric Lime, but available in a whole rainbow of colors) is an eye-catching single-cup machine from Nespresso that combines a super-compact silhouette with superb barista power. Equipped with fully automatic brewing, this stylish little dynamo adds impact to your kitchenscape with its sleek urban design and bold color. Great for smaller kitchens, apartments and offices. Available through Williams-Sonoma.

Sprinkle Me Happy

Forget Disneyland! The Sprinkles Cupcake store in NYC has to be the happiest place on earth! How can you not find joy in a place where you can eat a cupcake while sitting on a cupcake (shaped ottoman, that is) and regard cupcake wall art? The sleek, minimal landscape paired with bright, happy colors results in a tasty treat for the eyes. The actual cupcake confections aren't too shabby either!

Less is More

Built along Chicago's Lake Shore Drive in 1949, these twin towers are among the greatest works by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Celebrations of simplicity and geometry, they were the architect's first high-rise compositions in steel and glass.

I very much enjoyed the article in Preservation Magazine "Less is More"  which outlines their majestic restoration by Chicago architect Michael J. Pado and others who are dedicated to the preservation of mid-century modern design.

More than 60 years after they opened, the buildings still rank at the highest levels of contemporary design.

Fun Fabric

I came across this fabric this weekend at the Marion Arts Festival, where a young lady named Lily was selling her handmade creations. The cutest bags, skirts and dresses you ever did see, it was rather hard to believe that they were made by a 16-year-old. This fabric was made into an adorable little bag, and I decided that it would also make a spectacular pillow case dress for my daughter. First of all, she looks adorable in purple. Second, everybody knows my affection for furniture and design. Three...everything's cuter with a blackbird on it!

If you have the opportunity, check out LilyPalooza on Facebook. She's quite a gem! Local moms, please support this budding designer! She sells her wares at The Dreaming Bear in Marion, IA. 

Write On!

What a nifty idea for a pantry door by interior designer Christopher Grubb of Arch-Interiors, Inc.!

Act Your Age?

Never! 

While I usually write about an object that makes me happy...or sometimes even a food that brings me intense joy...here's a topic that truly inspires me. 

These leggy ladies and what they do brings a huge smile to my face! The Sun City Poms set out to show that fulfillment can be found in live at any age. Dancing with the spunk and energy of their youths, these ladies are having the time of their lives and shattering cliche stereotypes of "senior citizens." Their ages range from 62 to 78 and they appear at conventions, sporting events, community fund-raisers and parades. They perform handstands, leglifts, pyramids and splits as well as modern jazz, tap and their internationally famous "Pom Routine." 

Now these gals have style! 

        

Apples & Oranges?

Very much wishing I could attend this lecture tomorrow at the Pacific Design Center...
http://www.pacificdesigncenter.com/

Lounge Lizard

Summer's coming! Imagine basking in the sun on the chic Playa Lounger. The simple plane of this contemporary chaise undulates low to the ground. Designed for the committed minimalist, it's finished in a smooth woven synthetic wicker that looks like pricey designer rattan, but is easy to clean and won't chip or fade. $598 for a set of two through http://www.chiasso.com/

Textile Files

I love the simplicity and classy elegance of the original handmade carpets and textiles by painter and designer Madeline Weinrib. Weinrib, who lives and works in NYC, is the granddaughter of ABC Carpet & Home founder Max Weinrib. She carries on the family tradition with an innovative collection of artisanally-crafted carpets and textiles, translating her artistic sensibilities into woven form. She pulls upon her travel experiences, often reinterpreting traditional forms. Proving that fashion and interior design are direct correlations of each other, she even designs a line of handbags as well as custom clothing. 

You Know You Want It!

It's a Kate Spade bike!
What a way to start the summer. Adeline Adeline and Kate Spade New York have partnered to offer the perfect summer accessory- a beautiful bike in signature Kate Spade green. Limited edition and available exclusively at AdelineAdeline.com and Kate Spade New York.

If I still lived on the Back Bay, I'd be all over this!

The Shoe Fits!

I was going to write about this awesome ottoman, but An Inviting Abode beat me to the punch. All I can say is "ditto!"

Check it out...

An Inviting Abode: Spotted: Lilly Pulitzer Shoe Storage Ottoman

Celebrate Mom

Show mom your love with custom printed jewelry from Nelle & Lizzie. Offering a great selection of quality, personalized stamped jewelry, their mother's jewelry collection features a number of ring, bracelet and necklace designs to choose from. Customize a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry with stamp-able, alphabet, birthstone and zodiac charms plus chains, ribbons, ropes, rings and more.

My Favorite Place in the World

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

I know the "fifth of May" is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico. But in the US, we love an excuse to drink a good margarita. And the very best, most delicious and amazing margarita I have ever had (next to my husband's stellar rendition, of course) is served here...my happy place...my most favorite spot on the planet...The Four Seasons Punta Mita. 

Our usual vacation spot (and honeymoon destination!) before the days of parenting, this resort is my heaven on earth. Once gracing the cover of Architectural Digest magazine, the resort is a secluded stretch of loveliness perched above the Pacific coast, less than an hour from Puerto Vallarta. It's easy to see that why it was selected as home for such a breathtaking resort. Rooms and suites are grouped in tile-roofed Mexican-style casitas and feature breathtaking views of the glittering waters of Bahia de Banderas. The gated, secluded resort has a reputation for offering privacy and amazing service- and they deliver. Every time I travel down the long, winding road and enter the gleaming, understated marble lobby with stone sculptures and a fantastic panoramic view of the ocean, my every care melted into nothing more than a pebble in the shimmering white sand. I've done my share of traveling, but I've yet to find a place that reaches in and grabs my soul quite like this amazing resort.

This only scratches the surface of what I love about the design of this resort. And I haven't even mentioned the food. I'll stop here to avoid further temptation. I have been known to book flights to out-of-the-ordinary locations after an adult beverage or two. Enjoy today's fiesta!

A Hot Italian in the Kitchen!

I love this composition from Italian kitchen house Scavolini. The Esprit kitchen strikes contrasts between colors such as Pure White Tactile Fir-wood and Mocha Tactile Fir-wood. Grey Stone Okite (exclusively from Scavolini) and glass are used for the tops of the counter. The matching furniture (the Youngville stools), the accessories and the appliances (such as the original suspended hood) speak to a new-generation of kitchen connoisseurs. Open to the rest of the home, the Esprit kitchen erases the boundaries between the kitchen and living room.  

Calamari Anyone?

I couldn't resist writing about this cute little guy. 

Go 20,000 leagues under the shower with this helpful, friendly Shower Squid. Equipped with nine adjustable tentacles for gripping your shampoo, soap, and washing extras, he keeps everything from disappearing into the bathroom abyss. 

Okay, so he's totally silly and probably impractical. But he sure is cute! 

Kitchens Become Eclectic

http://www.woodiq.com/Blogs/BlogDetails/tabid/270/ArticleId/920/Kitchens-Become-Eclectic-920.aspx

Stars & Stripes Forever

I'm feeling quite patriotic today and in search of an American flag- made in the USA! I came across Annin & Co., who has been making flags for sailing ships in a Manhattan loft since the 1820's. They incorporated when James K. Polk was in the White House and since, the company has racked up an impressive list of accomplishments including making the flag flown at every Presidential inauguration since 1847 and the flag the Apollo 11 astronauts planted on the moon in 1969. Read more about their intriguing history here.

I like their "Star Spangled Banner" flag (shown) and the many other historical flags the company offers, but you'll also find a complete array of flags for use indoors and out. http://www.flagstuff.com/american-flags/index.html