Bratski

Some nights you just need to break free. Be a brat and a little bit naughty. The pot stirring friend who sets the wheels in motion and watches them turn. And lets it all be funny and smart.

Created by Sapling Press and dearblankpleaseblank.com these funny cards are an excellent random present for someone with a great sense of humor.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/shopsaplingpress

thumb of approval

The new year has got me thinking far beyond the next twelves months and way out into the ether that is the future. It brings me full circle to "no man is an island" (thank you Clueless) and makes me feel like its time to focus on what's next rather than the right now which I've dedicated my time to.

Multicolour hues, on heavy white board and black frame. Pinned high, pride of place, linking together the memories and the hopes and the dreams of a family rather than the fences that have lined a life. Lori Danelle is a mother and a wife. I feel like these paper prints are a present from the heart of good fortune.

i want to ride my bicycle i want to ride my bike

Christmas. It's around this time my eyes and ears start to perk up with what to fill my wish list with. This year, I want a fold-up bike. I want to have constant access to a set of wheels that let me cruise past the sand and the waves at twilight with my friends, hair whipping, laughing, slightly tipsy. Legs off the pedals, out to the side, ultimate freedom.

I then stumbled on Belarus-based industrial designer Igor Buturlia's "Cafe Racer" and have decided that maybe, this is a little bit more my style.

'em wacky kids

Those cats in Japan sure do have their thinking caps on. I often write about the gorgeous and different products that they release which are so "why didn't I think of that!" amazing. And given Christmas is just around the corner, these MicroWorks! products are on the list of possibles for gift giving.

MicroWorks! is the major works of 20-something designer Shunsuke Umiyama who began designing and making products when he was still a student. Including everything from product, furniture and accessory design, with wide varieties of materials and genres, Umiyama's products are all committed to the ethos of NO HUMOR NO DESIGN!! His manifesto?

MicroWorks design will stimulate a little but new found notice in your mind. The notice might make those ordinary things begin to look different. The notice may make ordinary behavior more enjoyable. The notice could change the ordinary view to a whole new world. Through MicroWorks design, you will find a little but new found glory in your everyday life.

Book Box: book shape holes make the organization puzzle fun, while you express your creativity too.

Mirror Vase: a standing hand mirror with beautiful vases silhouette

Adaptor Rangers: Little troops, equipped with the lifeline to restore your battery, charge it up!

Butterfly Magnets: make art on your fridge.

Musical Salt and Pepper Shakers: adds extra relish to your dish. Each hole plays a different musical note as you shake.

Tail Umbrella: Forget a boring umbrella strap. A little creature shakes it's tail as you walk.

FOUND

I spent two years looking at my life from the other side of a looking glass. I spent two years looking at my life from the centre of a tornado. I have spent the last 2 months looking at my life from the smooth, calm waters of sense of self. It feels like its time to hold onto it, more so than ever before. It's an amazing feeling when your life is pretty close to perfect. It's like beechwood. Which reminds me of pen pencil stencil's gorgeous scrap wood toys. Or Muji Toys In a Bag. These beautiful wooden figures for grown ups have the worth to become special mementos for someone else. Like Mo and her stunning NY and London gift from her architect Dad.

Forest of Wood from Pen Pencil Stencil

Muji New York City in a Bag Muji Paris City in a Bag Muji London City in a Bag Muji Tokyo City in a Bag

wrapped up: 1

Wrap up your wrist in an Elke Kramer Ekjwo8 Pet Keepwatch Bracelet.

Made from red coral, and inspired by childhood toys like jointed snakes and board games, this chain link bracelet brings a grown up sophisticated feeling that's still playful.

Dear Santa... (Open letter #2)

Would reallllly love this epic coffee-table book for Christmas. I'd say that my personal style is an evolution of hippy-luxe... Gyset* Style feels like the right label to put on it. Think Jade Jagger, Nicole Richie, Sienna, and my ULTIMATE style icon Talitha Getty.

Gypset Style: Julia Chaplin









*Jet Set + Gypsy = Gypset

Dear Santa...

While on Christmas, here are the things that I want (so far…!) Feel free to help cross any off my list!

Alexander Mcqueen black “Homburg Hat” – perfect to cover up a wild fringe, and useful for keepin’ cool while dancing up a storm.

Yves Saint Laurent “Arty Ovale Ring” – Will definitely add some spice and color into my normally subdued-palated wardrobe. Plus love the chunk.

Aesop Skincare – Organic, beautifully packaged, and smells ohhhh so good!

Olympus Pen DSLR – unobtrusive, beautifully designed, easy to carry and ensures special lifetime memories of those moments that you never want to forget.

2-Finger Name Plate ring (in rose gold) – Love rose gold, and love jewellery, so this seems just perfect.

** AND the limestone “Grenade” sculpture from Palmer Projects… if anyone knows who did it, please email me the details. LOVE that peach! **

Justifiable

Scary but true, Christmas is just around the corner. And while I'll happily do the standard cooked item for family - jams, relishes, rosewater lolly pops and the like - there are way to many cute things at cheerful-chic boutique, Sportsgirl. Faves below!




For Moller - Beach Sound Speaker $49.95

Perfect for some chilled Band of Horses, Jon Paull or Lykke on the sand this summer. We've all envied Jacqui's ownership of these wonders, so its high time that someone else is gifted with summer song.







For Nat - Ceramic Coffee Cup $19.95

Given her recent elevation in the corporate ranks to GM of a legal publishing firm, and her absolute addiction to coffee, seems like the perfect get for our little smart cookie wonder, Natalie.







For Cook - Perfect Fishy Wall Hanger $12.95

Happy to be home (her REAL home!) Jessie needs some pretty to liven up her new digs in the Lee / Toby / Michelle abode. Pretty and sweet, this lovely wall hanging will fit snugly between the photo prints of girls nights out looking glam.

For Llyne - Animal Key Ring $7.95

The queen of absolute cool, Ms Watt has a definitive style that incorporates high end designer with the quirky cool that the earth has to offer. Hard to buy for, this little sweets will make Llynnee smile endless.







For Jacqui - Butterfly Coat Hangers $14.95

Seriously, who DOES give coat hangers as a Christmas present? But when you consider Jacqui is owner to more Fleur Wood, Camilla & Mark, Cohen et Sabine etc than ANY other person I know (sans her sister Lydia), and is the girliest girl that exists, these seem kinda fitting... and also most to pretty to cover up.






For Bree - Etched Candle Holder $14.95

The QUEEN of Glasshouse candles - her room always smells Am-azing, Ms Plunkett will be in her element with a couple of these wonders. Small little tea lights tucked in tight, beautiful candle light dancing around her room, while we're all crowded into her bed laughing at ordinary TV.

Follow your heart and love the pretty

Oh so many special little announcements floating around us at the moment! Babies being born, babies being expected, rings on fingers... its an exciting time and we're so happy that we get to share these special, life changing moments with our beautiful, beautiful friends.

Making these monumental events special for you and your loved one is so important. Adding a little bit of who you are, a personalised touch, into your event will make so many more memories for you. And letting the people around you share in that, only adds to the excitement. Why not let your friends share their hopes, dreams and wishes for you and your future. Some beautiful ways to consider below...

The "Wishes" Book - whether your expecting a baby, celebrating an engagement, a wedding, or even a special birthday why not switch things up with a beautiful art piece that will not only add to the day, but you can keep forever. Perfect for babies first birthday, or even as a wedding centrepiece, have each friend write their hopes for you on a Dandelion and then pop it in the base for a gorg display.



Having tea is so cute and lovely thing to do with the girls. Either relaxed in your lounge room, on a winter night, or out in a sunny field with an icy cold version, the benefits of drinking tea are outstanding. For the next special tea event, or even to make any other day special, get your paws on these Personalised Tea Bags. Each teabag is customized with a label that says the tea-blend date and a monogram. Bless.