BlueBird Hill

Nifty Kidstuff

Nifty Kidstuff is a cute Etsy store of handmade toys and dress-up items. Puppet theaters, outdoor canopies, crowns, and more. All items are created by a student at the Savannah School of Art + Design and prices range from $12 - $65.

Wooden World of Color

These adorable colored blocks from Romp are made from cut wood with collaged papers and paint. It appears they are out of stock now - but check back. These are definitely unique toys.

Modern Doilies

"These are not your granny's doilies. Bringing optimum functionality and style to the home, the eco-friendly and reusable silicone Doileez, come in minimalist patterns that protect furniture surfaces, while adding a stylish design element to modern decor. Available in a range of Modern-twist's signature patterns including clusters and loop. These food safe, hand-silk-screened Doileez,are easy to clean and provide a variety of uses." By Modern-Twist and available at many fine little boutique stores around the country.

Make Your Own Pop Art

The Warholizer allows you to upload your favorite photo and turn it into a Warhol-esque pop photo, print, etc. Behold the coonhound.

Brownie Pops

Yes, everything is WAY more fun when it is on a stick and brownies are no exception. Brownie Pops are the creation of a baker from Kansas City who has made the perfect combination of gooey brownie interior and  crisp chocolate exterior. The brownie pops are available in 11 unique flavors and decorated for the seasons. 6 packs are $24 each.

Milk + Sugar

Here's a new twist on the traditional creamer and sugar bowl. The Tonfisk Newton is available at huset shop and allows you to pour the milk without removing the attached (real gold) sugar bowl. This smart little mechanism relies on gravity to stay put. Designed by Tanja Sipila for $125.

Grown Up Merit Badges

Remember Girl Scout badges? This is a very clever spin on the idea by artist Lee Meszeros. Each of these silkscreened, hand-painted and embroidered badges acknowledges someone's big accomplishment and comes presented on a card with badge information. You can even choose your own border color. Shown below are 'proud as a peacock', 'going out on a limb', 'leaving the nest', and 'getting back on the horse'. Each badge costs $25.

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A Year of Living Oprah

Apartment Therapy Chicago had an interesting post about a woman living 'her best life' via Oprahisms for one whole year. Her blog, called "Living Oprah" chronicles her year of taking to heart EVERYTHING Oprah suggests. Oprah said to buy leopard print flats - she did. Oprah tells her to read certain books - she does. She tries to follow everything on the show (she watches them all) and magazines to see if a year of living Oprah can make a difference and truly allow her to 'live her best life'. She also charts the cost of living Oprah (February ran her over $500).

The Academy of Sciences in SF

After more than 10 years of planning and construction, the new $488 million California Academy of Sciences opened to the public. The building, which was designed by Renzo Piano, includes an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest, natural history museum and tons more. We just joined and I can't wait to go see it in person. Photos from SFGate
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The Laptop Lunches Group

This photo pool on Flickr (896 members!) takes photos of their Bento Box lunches. If you're in a lunchbox rut, check this out. It's surprisingly interesting (or I need to get out more). People even place notes over top the photos to let you know what the foods are. Good lunch box inspiration.

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A New Addition to the Paris Skyline

This 50 story glass pyramid could be the first large-scale project in Paris now that officials have voted to drop a ban on high rise buildings. Le Projet Triangle at Porte de Versailles was designed by Herzog and deMeuron, the famous Swiss team who also brought you the bird's nest stadium in Beijing. The large tower will include a 400 room hotel, restaurants, cafes (of course), offices and a conference center. It will be the third highest building in Paris if it comes to pass in 2012. Best of all, the building is solar and wind powered.

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An Australian Beach House

The Australian Notebook Magazine featured a very nice little beach house with neutral interiors, local river rocks, and a relaxed, eclectic atmosphere. Love it. Look at that view.

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Blissful Images

The Etsy shop Blissful Images has some very beautiful and very affordable art photography for your bare walls. Prices range from $14 for a 5x7 print to $59 for a large 16 x 20 print.

New Life for Vintage Glassware

Over at Rare Device they are offering some really neat pendant lights created from vintage coffee mugs and glassware. The company, Domestic Construction of Brooklyn, hard wires them for you so they are easily installed (by a professional electrician, preferably).

A Card They Won't Ignore

No kid could possibly ignore a birthday card with built-in candy and money! This handmade card by inchmark is a great idea and easy to replicate at home.

Have a Great Weekend

 

Natural Swimming Pools

Everyone knows that chlorine is toxic and wrecks your hair and skin. One solution is the so-called natural swimming pool. No chlorine and several different methods (saline, Techno Pure, Whole Water Solutions) to attain a clear, beautiful pool without the chemicals. Here are some examples from The Daily Green. Some of these look like your own personal pond or waterhole (without the slime or critters).

Home Office Inspiration

Some great photos of home offices from Living, Etc. magazine. I have a personal struggle with keeping the clutter and papers to a minimum. Maybe one day I will be this organized...

More Halloween Decorating

Martha has a great photo gallery of Halloween decor ideas to get you in the spirit. So crafty.

Supermarket

Supermarket is a cool online store where you can buy directly from the designers rather than scouring small boutiques. Housewares, jewelry, clothing, toys, and everything in between.

 

Rolo Turtle Pretzels

Compliments of HWTM blog, these very easy-to-make desserts using rolos, pretzels, and the toasted nuts of your choice. Simply place the rolo on the pretzel, bake for 3-5 minutes at 350, then pull out and press the nut on top. Viola.Yum.

Cute Coat Rack

Thought this was a cute idea...get a wall decal (from Ferm Living) and then hang some hooks from it.

Design at a Discount

Just read about this cool new San Francisco-based site called undrgrnd.com. It's an online store that focuses on selling cool design cheap. Basically they collect floor samples, overstocks, and like-new returns from a number of boutiques and designers and sell the items online, one deal event a day, seven days a week. We're talking 85% discounts. Definitely one to add to your daily clicks.

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Farmhouse Wares

I stumbled upon this website called Farmhouse Wares which sells farm-inspired homewares, foods and bath items. Nice site. They also include community links to farmer's markets and local food resources.

 

Green Home Finds

California Home and Design magazine has a little article on their website of 'green finds' including this cool bamboo Isometric Chair by Los Angeles-based Kalon Studios and the Biscuit Rug which is designed by Brazilian Claudia Araujo and handwoven from remnants of swimsuit material (and available here).

Fall is Here

Fall is here and Domino Magazine has some delicious-sounding recipes including prosciutto-wrapped figs stuffed with mozzarella (yes, please), mixed greens with sauteed pears, and grilled pork chops with apple-fennel slaw.

photo by Ditte Isager/Domino

Bedside Lamp

This neato-O bedside lamp from beingplease is "...a modular magnetic lamp that is customized through the building of different colored and shaped pieces. Bedside lamp is universally enjoyed by all ages, is forever changing, playful, and made to stand the test of time." Hopefully any pesky electrocution issues have been worked out.

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Homemade Playdough

Courtesy of Apartment Therapy, a simple homemade recipe for playdough. You know that means, right? The kids can eat it and you don't have to panic. Shoved in the nose? Still a problem.

Ingredients:

3 cups flour, sifted
1 1/2 cup salt
6 teaspoons cream of tartar
3 1/4 cup water
3 tablespoons oil
food coloring (they use gel)

Whisk all the dry ingredients together in a large pot until no lumps remain. Whisk in the wet ingredients (except for the food coloring) and stir until no lumps remain. Cook on high for 3-4 minutes until a dough forms. Separate into several portions and add food coloring, kneading until uniform in color. Store in airtight containers.

Egg Press Cards

Egg Press, based in Portland, is a letterpress company specializing in cards, calendars, paper dolls, and other gifts. Started in 1999, their gorgeous handmade pieces combine vintage letterpress practices with more modern colors and patterns.

Cool End Tables

I love to browse on Hudson Furniture's website. I drool over all the beautiful pieces. Here are some of their end tables including the birch pedestal, walnut stick, manhattan end table, nesting tables and the organic teak cube.

5 Tips for the Farmer's Market

The people at Glam have a good article about what to look for / tips for your next visit to the farmer's market. To find your closest local farmer's market, click here.

1. Buy what's in season.

2. Arrive early for the best selection or later in the day and you may be able to negotiate with the sellers eager to sell off what they have left.

3. Plan first. Make you sure you can use all those veggies you just bought.

4. Keep it fresh by storing properly.

5. Talk to the farmer for cooking tips and learn how to choose the best produce.

Spooky Party Decor

If you're hosting a Halloween get-together this year, you should hustle over the the Pottery Barn catalog. They have some really cute party ideas and decor for Halloween.

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Secret Room

This model home near Chicago decided to capitalize on the fact that everyone probably wanted a secret room when they were a kid. The home's 20 foot by 20 foot media room is accessed through a hidden passageway covered by a bookshelf.

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European Tree Houses

Baumraum, a German company, designs and builds beautiful modern treehouses. If you're interested, they also build in the US. These look really fun.

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San Francisco Real Estate...ka-ching!

Without a doubt, San Francisco has some gorgeous old homes. Two renovated properties are on the market now and very fun to take a peek at. And, if you have a spare $10 million plus, they can be yours!

This first mansion is in the heart of Pacific Heights - great neighborhood. It has 9 bedrooms, 7 fireplaces, and 10 bathrooms. Elevator, ballrooms, butler's kitchen...definitely from a by-gone era, but gorgeous to look at. Here are a few photos (listed for $14.9 million...gulp).

 

This second Neo-Classical mansion is also in Pac Heights (noticing a trend here?) and listed for $23 million. Five bedrooms and five bathrooms and an interesting history. It was built in 1912 for sugar baron Adolph Spreckels and his wife and includes a library, sewing room, media room, elevator and six fireplaces.

Have a Good Weekend

We will be hitting the carnival this weekend. Funnel cakes, overpriced games, the smell of kettle corn, and creaking, old rides.

photo by Alicia Bock

Pretty Outdoor Eating...

Eating outdoors is the best, especially where we are: no bugs or humidity. LOVE it. Here are some gorgeous photos of al fresco eating (in all styles fancy to casual).

 

Pet Photography

Photographer Sharon Montrose also photographs people, but her doggie photos here from her blog are just too cute to not post.

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Chic Clothing

Yes, even the French children dress better than we do. Check out the clothes at the malau collection. Tres chic.

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Fun Coasters

I know drink coasters aren't that exciting, but Canadian artist Avril Loreti has set out to change that. She has some cute wood grain, chalkboard, crossword puzzle and scrabble board coasters for the design-savvy hostess. Coasters are from $14 - $20 and available through her Etsy shop.

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Award-Winning Kitchens

Every year, appliance giants SubZero and Wolf hold a cutting-edge kitchen design contest. LOTS of entries. Their goal is to identify the current trends and future directions of this most-used room in our house. In their own words, they noticed kitchens heading in the direction of:

"...clean lines, simple design and attention to detail that’s somewhat Zen-like in look and feel. Environmentally-sustainable materials and energy-saving appliances are must-haves and repurposed furnishings are finding life anew, adding a sense of history and doing their part to lower landfills."

To read the whole article and see all the winning kitchens, click here. Below are a few of the winning entries:

Add Some Garnish

This is a great idea for a company and caters to the 'I wanna be like Martha' crowd. And, really - don't we all? Garnish provides the packaging and ideas for parties, gifts, picnics, etc.

"Garnish products are blank canvases just waiting for your expression. Totally customizable, they offer infinite possibilities. Take this opportunity to let your personality shine through... and make every occasion a special occasion."

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A Paper Kitchen...Literally.

This kitchen by Bazzeo is created entirely from 100% post-consumer paper waste and held together with a non-toxic resin derived from crushed cashew nut shells. I think my dog would try to eat this, though. All the components (doors, drawers and countertop) are created from recycled paper, recycled wood, and other eco-friendly materials. Comes in lots of color choices, too.

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Chalkboard Walls

Not long ago I was scouring the internet to find images of cool chalkboard walls. They're out there, but had to weed through some not-so-nice looking ones, too. Sister Tootie and I are investigating them for the munchkins. I'm beginning to notice that location is key...in the kitchen, a little-used nook, or an entry way seem to be the most effective. Here are some very creative ones:

Cute Toy Storage

This adorable Owyn Toy Box/storage piece from ModernTots is made to order with easy-off lids and 2 different compartments for all your kid's stuff. Made from birch plywood with non-toxic paints and low-voc sealer.