Scandinavian Style

Scandinavian homes and interior design have always inspired me. Something about the simple lines, muted colors and utilitarian design just speak to me. Here are some great images of homes and interiors from the blog My Scandinavian Retreat. Makes me want to take a little trip up North!

images: myscandinavianretreat.blogspot.com

Recycling In the Bag

Here's a cool idea for keeping recycling in order I spotted at Apartment Therapy. It's a simple steel frame from Matteria that holds a bag up so it won't spill over once it's filled with recyclables. I totally need this! It's simple, not bulky and it actually looks kind of chic.

images: matteriashop.com

Be Mine- Flowers

So Valentine's day is fast approaching, and I think the only thing one needs are some great flowers and perhaps a nice meal. Here are some fantastic flowers from Martha Stewart. *Speaking of Martha, I'm going to a taping of her show on Thursday!

images: marthastewart.com

Labour And Wait

Here's a selection of products I love from a great London shop called Labour And Wait.  They sell  beautiful and simple products for the kitchen, home and garden. (After more thorough internet searching, I see the store has been blogged about everywhere, so I may be late to the party, but still glad I discovered them.)

Small Dustpan and Brush

Double Screwdriver Set

Enamel Bread Box 

Beech Chopping Board

Thermometer

Rope Doorstop

Stapler

images: labourandwait.co.uk

Thing of Beauty.

Artwork I created from the first line of the poem "Endymion" by John Keats, and a photo of a flower arrangement I created. Something about this poem just inspired me.

Music Moment: Matt Morris

I had to share this fantastic new Musician I discovered, Matt Morris. His music is mellow, passionate and a little funky at times (and he use to be a Mouseketeer with JT, Christina, etc) Enjoy his acoustic performance of my favorite song "Bloodline", a nice song to unwind to on a Friday.

Rustic/Industrial Lighting

Some interesting lighting I'm enjoying.

Clockwise from top left: Petti Angers Lamp, Journal Standard Furniture; Roost Halo Chandelier, Velocity; Bucket Pendant Lamp, Anthropologie; Garrison Pendant, Pottery Barn; Pelham Medium Pendant, Croft & Little; Pressed Glass Pendants, ABC Home.

A Collection a Day

Artist Lisa Congdon has an ambitious new blog called A Collection a Day, 2010 that features drawings or photographs of collections of objects, with a new collection posted everyday for the next year. I love the idea of photographing everyday objects, however simple they are. When grouped together, they take on a new life as works of art. Here are some of my favorite posts.

images: collectionaday2010.blogspot.com

Internal Organization

I'm always looking for interesting and stylish organization, whether it be containers, boxes, bags, pouches, etc. I have recently been looking for a smaller pouch to put into my tote bag, and I stumbled upon some pretty great on the go organization.

The Book Belt. A great option when you don't want a bag, maybe to take to the park or the coffeshop.

Grid It. This is genius, esp for a bag that has no internal organization or when you're traveling and have tons of electronic devices in tow.

Waxed Canvas Zipper Bag. Just a nice sized (and good looking) bag (12"x6 3/4") that I'm thinking of getting.

images: thebookbelt.com.au, flight001.com, shop.acontinuouslean.com.

Inspired By: Studio Toogood

I am blown away by the work of Studio Toogood, a London based Creative studio that does styling, set design, events and interiors. This is really amazing work, so dynamic and unique.

images: studiotoogood.com

Happy Tape

Fun Japanese masking tape. Slightly transparent, and comes in tons of colors and patterns. I would love to use this for gift wrapping and all sorts of crafty things.

images: happytape.bigcartel.com

Country Road

I discovered a new Australian lifestyle brand today called Country Road. I can't really think of a US equivalent...kind of a Gap meets West Elm. Browsing their website, they have some nice homewares and some great Men's accessories. But for the most part, very clean-lined and simple stuff, but very appealing.

images: countryroad.com/au