Thursday, March 31, 2011

Super Sky. Super Cute.

Love these skirts and pants for girls and boys, by the label Super Sky. These are all homemade in Austin, TX (so many creative things come out of that cool city) using beautiful African fabrics. The colors are so unusual for kids clothing, don't you think? I think they're $40 each and come in sizes 2,4 and 6.  You can email the designer directly to purchase any of these via her blog superskyclothing.blogspot.com.  It's so nice to come across clothing that's unique when we're all so used to seeing the standard brands and designs. I think I just might have to buy one of these for Sophie!







Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Turks vacay

I'm back. We had an amazing time in Turks and Caicos.  Everything was great with the exception of airport trouble, but all was well worth it. A few pictures today and then back to the Modish stuff tomorrow.

Check out this cool piece of art that was hanging outside our room. No named artist.

 
And check out the great color palette in the main dining room. Light turquoise chairs and wood work with white, white walls and linens and bright red artwork. If you looks closely, the curve line on the red piece is a line of shells. How easy to re-create? I'm very inspired to use this palette in my own dining room some day. Very spicy.  And yes, that's my husband in the photo!

The resort was really well designed and beautiful all the way around. I wish I got better photos. The darn iphone doesn't get the job done sometimes. I can away the details of you'd like. I highly recommend both the island and the resort. I don't think the beach could have been better....it looks like this every day.


And finally, two tired kids at the airtport...


 Back tomorrow!

Saturday, March 19, 2011

A few bits..

Cool, cheap, modern art by Etsy shop PaintSqaure. These would look great in anyone's entryway, don't you think? Especially against a bright white wall!





Here is a photo of the husband/wife artist team from Paintsquare. They did an interview with Etsy and seem to have a lovely life somewhere outside of a major city (they didn't diclose). This is their country house in the background. Doesn't it look interesting? I want to see more. Too bad they didn't give a house tour!




So as of 4am this morning, we're off on a family vacation way down south.  Can't bring my mac, and I'm thinking it will be slightly painful to try to post from my iphone, so I'll see you'all in a week! I'll miss Modish, and please enter your email so we can catch up as soon as I return! I already have a long list of fun Spring "inspirings" to share with you all!

Happy Week!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Japan....

First, I think we all have bleeding hearts for Japan right now. Here's a link to the Red Cross to donate if you feel inclined to do so. I just got done donating. What else is there to do?  Positive thoughts and giving money is all I got in my bag of tricks right now.

So this Japan disaster has inspired me to learn a bit more about this country and culture. I'll forward interesting tidbits onto you as I find them but I'll start with some fascinating facts about this country:


- Raw horse meat is a popular food in Japan.
- Sometimes the trains are so crowded railway staff are employed to cram passengers inside.
- Japanese celebrate Christmas, but it is more like Valentine's Day in the western world.
- Poorly written English can be found everywhere, including T-shirts and other fashion items.
- More than 70% of Japan consists of mountains, including more than 200 volcanoes.
- Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, is an active volcano.
- Many Japanese do not know the difference between Shintoism and Buddhism.
- A nice musk melon, similar to a cantaloupe, may sell for over $300US.
- There are four different writing systems in Japan, romaji, katakana, hiragana, and kanji.
- Coffee is very popular and Japan imports approximately 85% of Jamaica's annual coffee production.
- Japan's literacy rate is almost 100%.
- Sumo is Japan's national sport, although baseball is also very popular.
- Sumo wrestlers eat a stew called Chankonabe to fatten up. Many restaurants in the Ryogoku district of Tokyo serve this nabe (Japanese word for stew).
- Many toilets in Japan have a built-in bidet system for spraying your backside.- When you use the restroom in some one's home, you should put on special bathroom slippers so as not to contaminate the rest of the home.
- Noodles, especially soba (buckwheat), are slurped very loudly when eaten. It is often said slurping symbolizes the food is delicious, but the slurping also serves to cool down the hot noodles for eating.- Japan is the world’s largest consumer of Amazon rain forest timber.
- Vending machines in Japan sell beer, hot and cold canned coffee, cigarettes, and other items.
- When moving into an apartment it is often required to give the landlord a "gift" of money equal to two months' rent.
- There are around 1,500 earthquakes every year in Japan.
-  It is not uncommon to eat rice at every meal, including breakfast.
- Average life expectancy in Japan is one of the highest in the world. Japanese people live an average of 4 years longer than Americans.
- Japan is the largest automobile producer in the world.
- Some men in Japan shave their heads to apologize.
- Some women in Japan cut their hair after breaking up with a boyfriend.



So also, here's Part Two:

Posting about home decor seems so trivial today, but life does carry on, and no matter what, we all need some inspiration right now.

So I'm out of the baby stage, but I saved these inspiring photos awhile back because I just loved how put together and sweet these rooms are. If these don't apply to you, maybe forward Modish onto someone you know who could use an idea or two!



Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Crafty

For all the crafters out there. I thought this was a fun and easy gift/craft idea. Children's play blocks that form a puzzle. I love the graphics and the bright colors....This fun idea was created by a crafty mom from chasingcheerios.blogspot.com.  Find the surprisingly easy directions with a few of my side notes at the bottom of the post!







Puzzle Block Directions:
To make these puzzle blocks you need: 9 blocks (1.5 inches square), scrapbook paper, sand paper, stencils, scissors, mod podge, and a pencil. Note I asked her where you can get the wooden blocks and she said Michael's crafts or Hobby Lobby or Casey's Wood Supply online. You started by sanding the edges and corners of the blocks.  Chose your animal stencils, traced the animals stencils on the back of sheets of scrapbook paper, draw the graph of blocks over the stenciled animal shape, cut out the squares, then cut out each animal shape from the squares. Glue each animal part to the blocks using mod podge (glue).   After letting the blocks dry for a few days, paint them with a layer of protective mod podge (sealant?). Note from Modish: Think of the possibilities here....some artwork from your child?!! A photograph?!!

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Honey Pie

Back to Monday! The weather is gradually turning here. We're rounding the corner.  Here's to a happy week!

So, I came across these soaps this week called Honey Pie Hive and Herbal's. 

What's interesting about this is that the soap can also act as shampoo.  They're made of only earth-found ingrediants - natural oils (coconut, olive, palm, etc) as well as beeswax, lye, herbs, and oils. The reviews I read suggest the soaps are unusual but work very well. You just rub the bar onto wet hair and voila, you have your shampoo. I kept thinking - what a great products for kids right? My kids rub the soap bars on their head anyway, so we might as well use a shampoo bar! Visit them to see more - Honey Pie!








By the way, the new issue of Lonny is out. Bright red chairs! 



Thursday, March 10, 2011

Happy Thursday!

I meant to post this yesterday. Some days go by in a wink! 

Here's an inspiring bedroom for you. I love the various shades of white on the bed, the ornate antique chair on the side and the small mirrored side table. Somehow this all comes together even though there is very little color! 



Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Starting to think Spring...

I found my spring Butter color.  Picked it up today in town.

As much as I love strong colors, I'm keeping it light and basic. Easing into spring with a light pearly pink called Hen Party. Funny name!




How about you? Any early spring preparations going on at your house?

Monday, March 7, 2011

Under the Williamsburg bridge..

...there is a great little store called Brook Farm General Store. When you happen to be under the Williamsburg bridge, located in Brooklyn, NY, stop in! It's a fun place to shop.

But I'm guessing most of you won't be in this location anytime soon, so here's a glimpse of what they sell. And the good news is you can visit their website and buy just about everything online. Brook Farm General Store

In my never ending quest for organization and simplicity in my home, the styling and quality of their product selection is very inspiring to me. Take a look!


Tourne Wool Blanket
Glass Tumblers made from recycled Franciscan wine bottles




Fog Linen Table Cloths
Woven hamper/basket
Whiskey Rocks. Substitute for ice cubes but for hot and cold beverages - love these!!
Savon Rose DeMarseille/Soap
Simple Home, book by Mark and Sally Bailey
Homeade bees wax candles
Cutting Board
Large market backpack - great idea!






Sunday, March 6, 2011

Happy Monday!

I love this artist from 20x200. Wendy MacNaughton. Thoughtful stuff. And after a warm weekend here in New England, I agree entirely with her lovely watercolor - happy days are here again!




So below is a sample of her watercolor collection called the "Commuter" Series. I love the idea, and I imagine her sitting on the metro line heading into grand central station observing and sketching everyone she sees.

See the full body of work at www.wendymacnaughton.com. It's very striking to see it all together.