heysusy

Bucket List

First of all, a big thank you for making yesterday's Help for Japan event a big success - details to come!

Now, I don't often do a direct product plug here on my blog, because, frankly, I just don't buy that much stuff. I am very, very picky. But, today, I'm going to shamelessly plug these bins up here. Yesterday, I stopped in at The Container Store and bought the smaller one of these to hold my ever-accumulating stacks of magazines.

What I love about this item? 

• industrial meets handmade/sculptural look - perfect for my decor style
• durable enough to hold lots of stuff without losing shape
• indoor/outdoor use
• made of recycled tires,
• ridges in the tires actually make a subtle contour texture on the surface
• look more expensive than they are

One quick bit of advice - I would head to the store to pick one up, because the designs are all unique. I chose one where the texture of the tire was kind of curving around the outside, to make a cool design.

Round bins: here
Oblong  basket: here

Hold it.

I like the way these organizers put everyday items on display. And they are kind of fun to look at.

Just don't get them confused. The pencils are for drawing on paper and stuff. The make up is for drawing on your face.

Ok. Really? I just love looking at things in a row.

More here!

I. DYE.

I love the layered, screened, stitched, re-layered, re-screened, re-stitched textiles, decor, and furniture by Pippa Caley.

The chairs up here are just the beginning. Much more - cushions, lampshades, wall textiles, and closeups - all worth seeing: Here.

Layered Stripes

I can't get enough of these stitched, layered, natural striped patterns.

Especially loving this Vietnamese Hilltribe pillow (how perfectly positioned is that red embroidered accent?)

And this set of notecards - I would use them as artwork - by one of my favorite...actually, probably my absolute favorite... paper designers. *

 

 

* other than myself

Space and Place { pattern inspiration }

As a pattern and surface designer, I'm really into three dimensional objects that create a flat optical effect while staying dimensional.

I often get asked the question "what inspires you"... and to be honest, I am never really sure how to describe my inspiration. I guess in the future I could refer people to this post...because, well, this is what it looks like.

Clockwise from Top
Wire Handle Basket
Scalloped Wire Basket
Loopy Wire Basket
Handmade Wire Basket

Romper Room { leisure time }

 

 

I have, for a long time, wanted to start a croquet club. Ever since I lived in Cambridge, MA, it's been a dream. While I have no idea how to play, I certainly know what I would wear - knickers or floods, anything itchy with elbow patches; and what I would serve as finger food and beverage - spicy bloody marys, Royal Crown soda, deviled eggs, mini club sandwiches, pimentos and cheeses on decorative toothpics. For dessert? Tarts.

Anyway, just a few items I found inspiring up here. Loving the look of these playful, retro, recreational items.

Croquet Set Here

Dart Board Here

Nehi Here - Later Known as Royal Crown - the soda of True Leisure!

{Daily Crave } Creative Blocks

They often say a small child is happier pushing a chair across a room than playing with a complicated, computerized toy. Do you think that rings true?

I was reading a book over the weekend called "Hamlet's Blackberry" about how over-connected we all are becoming, in terms of technology. While our technologies are indeed useful and help us in many ways, they are at times overwhelming...something I have been pondering more and more lately.

The book mentioned that because we all go from task to task so quickly, and are interrupted so often, our experiences can begin to lack "depth"... which I thought was interesting. What is depth?

Well, it's more of a sensual thing, for me... feeling, smelling, touching, hearing, noticing... tasting... looking. But also learning. Help me to be more present in the moment. I spent the holiday up at the lake, disconnected --- but REconnected.

These are handmade blocks made of everyday woods...and I liked the idea that a child can learn so much, on so many levels, through this simple toy.

Found HERE

VINTAGE VANTAGE { trampoline }

I'm a big fan of the asthetic of the Etsy shop Trampoline, and lately, I haven't been able to get this series of pressed leaves I saw there out of my head.

And it's a good thing, because it lead me to find even more work by Trampoline's proprietor, Kim Ludy, who has a great eye for vintage pieces, and so much more...I really enjoyed taking a look at her wonderfully styled botanical sets on flickr, as well as a really amazing home tour that is full of rich, jewel toned color meeting rustic, heritage textures.

Anyway if you're looking for a treat, see more style shots like the one up top here
And the ones below (love the blue clapboard - yum!) here
And do a little shopping here

Daily Crave { reading material }

Hi Everyone! Good weekends? Good.

I found this tea towel on Etsy late last night and thought it was really cool. It features an excerpt from Emma Pride and Prejudice (thank you Kelly!)... spoken by one Mr. Darcy.

Anyway, I'm not sure what the dif between a tea towel and a dishrag is. I have to say, semantical cat that I am, I found it refreshing that the designer, Brookish, calls these Dish Towels  (I find the oft-used description "Tea Towel" to be out of touch with the reality of my life). But I guess a quote from the irrepressible Mr. Darcy might make one more inclined to tea, than to chores...if one was feeling less contrary that usual.

Found Here

DAILY CRAVE { a giant, decorative, abacus }

I saw these online last night and thought they were such a cool idea. I've seen lots of (ok, I have no idea how to pluralize this) Abacusses? in my life... But I'm liking the way this one uses these friendly beads in hip colors.

This is a decorative abacus - so a more traditional abacus might have two levels of beads. This one can mainly be used to calculate the number of throw pillows it takes to get your significant other to recommend you seek therapy.

I can see this being very fun in a child's playspace or bedroom - or even in a study.

As they say "View This In A Room" Here