Showing posts with label cool stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cool stuff. Show all posts
1.31.2012
adding to the litter | oscar
Several months ago I wrote a post about the latest Hans Bolling wooden toy, Oscar [here]. Well lo' and behold, my clients John & Leanne read that post and surprised me with an Oscar all my own. I was extremely touched by the thoughtful gift and every morning I rearrange Oscar in a new pose, give him a tap on the head, a tap to Lucy, and my day begins just a little brighter. Thank you John & Leanne, you have been wonderful clients and an extreme pleasure to work with!
10.26.2011
ikea | soft toys for education campaign
I know I've been away for a while. Just a teensy bit too busy designing and building houses that blogging has become item 73 on my To Do List [and on a typical day I only make it to item 38, nuff said]. But when this came across my desk I had to share - I'm all about supporting a great cause.
Starting November 1, IKEAs all over the world will be launching their Soft Toys for Education campaign. For every soft toy and kid’s meal sold, IKEA will donate $1 to help children in developing countries have access to a safe education. Not only are IKEA soft toys super clever and well designed, soft and cuddly, and inexpensive - they are now helping out children get an education.
So run out to IKEA and support a great cause in the months leading up to Christmas.
PS. Soft toys also make great dog toys - just ask Lucy.
Starting November 1, IKEAs all over the world will be launching their Soft Toys for Education campaign. For every soft toy and kid’s meal sold, IKEA will donate $1 to help children in developing countries have access to a safe education. Not only are IKEA soft toys super clever and well designed, soft and cuddly, and inexpensive - they are now helping out children get an education.
So run out to IKEA and support a great cause in the months leading up to Christmas.
PS. Soft toys also make great dog toys - just ask Lucy.
9.13.2011
too much starbucks?
When you subconsciously paint your nails the same colour as a cup of Starbucks - is it an indication you've got a bit of a problem?
9.09.2011
sarah sells sea shells
Finally took home the copius amounts of sea treasures my parents brought me back from Florida last year. Trying to bring a little warm weather feeling into the apartment after a decidedly fall-feeling week. Perhaps some more island flavour is needed to welcome in the weekend.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Have a wonderful weekend!
9.08.2011
street find of the day | rattan chair
This kickass rattan chair was found on the sidewalk near my office in Midtown TO. In perfect sturdy condition, all it needs is a little cleanup and some cushions and it will be a perfect addition to my living room (you can see I've already found a location for it - surprising with the number of chairs I keep picking up!)
8.31.2011
organic brew
After a recommendation from my neighourhood LCBO store manager, I picked up a 6 pack of Mill St's Organic Beer. It was so good, let me pass along the recommendation. If you're looking for a light summer beer with no after taste that goes down far too easily - this is your beer. And you're supporting our local brewery in Toronto - you know I love that! [PS Mill Street was also named Canadian Brewery of the Year]
8.23.2011
smoochy poochy
Back in June, Lucy and I, along with a few friends and their dogs, attended Woofstock here in Toronto, a massive dog festival featuring all the latest and greatest in everything D.O.G.. While there, I stopped at Smoochy Poochy, a Canadian label who create waterproof leashes and collars. If you have a lab like me, or a water loving pup, you can relate to the nastiness of wet collars and leashes following a swim in the lake or simply a walk in the rain. Their waterproof collars and leashes are constructed of a polyvinyl material that is non-fading, non-staining, water repellant and best of all, odor repellant. It doesn't smell old, like dog or wet dog. Both were put to the test on Sunday when we got caught in the massive t-storm that hit Toronto, Lucy and I ran 7 blocks through pelting rain, and although her and I were both drenched, the collar and leash were not. And they come in a bunch of great colours and Lucy was thrilled that they had her favourite colour - purple (since she was a puppy, she's only worn purple collars - fussy, I know).
I have to spend a bit of time on the leash - it's really the Rolls Royce of leashes. It's called the No-Escape Leash and is absolutely brilliant. Instead of a standard loop at the end of the leash, it has a toggle clip that allows you to easily tie off your dog at the store or railing without having to unhook the leash and do the whole loop around (if you're a dog owner, you know what I'm talking about). It also has 4 grommets down the length of the leash that allows you to adjust the length of the leash from a short 3' leash up to 6', allowing you to also wear it on your wrist, across your shoulder or around your waist like a running leash. And on top of all those great features, there is a mesh bag right on the leash to store your poop bags. Amazing.
Although Smoochy Poochy leashes and collars are more expensive that woven or fabric collars, they will last a lot longer, making them cheaper in the long run. I used to go through 2 collars and 1 leash a year - and that adds up. I met a dog owner who has had the same collar on her dog for 5 years, and it still looks brand new. Well worth the investment if you ask me. Plus, the president of the company is a chocolate lab.
PS. Please disregard the fact that Lucy is shedding like a champ at the moment - she's a walking tornado of hair and fur.
I have to spend a bit of time on the leash - it's really the Rolls Royce of leashes. It's called the No-Escape Leash and is absolutely brilliant. Instead of a standard loop at the end of the leash, it has a toggle clip that allows you to easily tie off your dog at the store or railing without having to unhook the leash and do the whole loop around (if you're a dog owner, you know what I'm talking about). It also has 4 grommets down the length of the leash that allows you to adjust the length of the leash from a short 3' leash up to 6', allowing you to also wear it on your wrist, across your shoulder or around your waist like a running leash. And on top of all those great features, there is a mesh bag right on the leash to store your poop bags. Amazing.
Although Smoochy Poochy leashes and collars are more expensive that woven or fabric collars, they will last a lot longer, making them cheaper in the long run. I used to go through 2 collars and 1 leash a year - and that adds up. I met a dog owner who has had the same collar on her dog for 5 years, and it still looks brand new. Well worth the investment if you ask me. Plus, the president of the company is a chocolate lab.
PS. Please disregard the fact that Lucy is shedding like a champ at the moment - she's a walking tornado of hair and fur.
8.16.2011
8.15.2011
8.12.2011
good things
Proof that I was all about home building, even at a young age.
Some hearty basil in the window planter.
The latest issue of House & Home, a pretty paperweight, and a polished stone.
Treasures from the last visit to the beach.
An adorable face, desperate for the treat I have in my hand.
The best salsa ever!
A blast from the past, framed cutouts from a Nancy Drew book.
Have a great weekend everyone.
8.11.2011
meet oscar
No, he's not mine. But he is the lastest release from Architectmade (whom I've blogged about here and here). And I want him. Badly.
This morning's check of my inbox featured a nice little note from the peeps over at Architectmade with this press release. Can't wait to bring home an Oscar myself.
Oscar the Dog – Refined Detail With a Twist
Noone does Danish modern design mixed with playfulness and heart better than Hans Bølling, the creator of the bestselling Duck and the Duckling. Following their success, Architectmade is introducing another gem of design history – Oscar the dog. With his adorable looks, complex design and flexible mobility, who could resist?
Dog people, Cat people
The world is divided between cat lovers and dog lovers, most pet owners would hold. Regardless of which animal one prefers, one aspect of owning a pet holds true – people derive incomparable joy from tending their animal companions and spending time with them.
As an avid animal lover, Hans Bølling designed Oscar’s specifically detailed and technically refined body, on which nothing was left to chance.
Sit! Crawl! Beg!
Morten T. Jensen, the CEO of Architectmade comments “Oscar completely embodies fun and playfulness of real life animals, while showing that at the same time modern design can also be fun, playful, soulful and can retain the highest level of craftsmanship”.
Oscar’s body can be arranged so that he does everything a normal dog would. He can sit, crawl, beg or even sulk in the corner if you have been away from him for too long. His mobility and the ability to express various emotions, combined with the natural warmth of his wooden material and the intricate nature of his design come together to present an inimitable design classic, which makes you look twice.
Familiar, yet Sophisticated
A little temperamental, but always good-humored and loyal, Oscar embodies the comforting, familiar and relatable warmth of our favorite pets to whom we love returning over and over, while he also possesses the uncompromising quality of simple, yet sophisticated modern design.
Oscar was designed in 1953 and is made out of beech wood, while his ears and tail are made out of leather.
Oscar is introduced by Architectmade, where we believe in intelligent, everyday art devised and designed by the finest Danish architects. Architectmade presents a unique collection of icons of modern design. You can find your nearest retailer of Danish timeless design at architectmade.com.
For further information please contact Misha Juklova at, phone: (909) 581 9024, e-mail: misha@architectmade.com
This morning's check of my inbox featured a nice little note from the peeps over at Architectmade with this press release. Can't wait to bring home an Oscar myself.
Oscar the Dog – Refined Detail With a Twist
Noone does Danish modern design mixed with playfulness and heart better than Hans Bølling, the creator of the bestselling Duck and the Duckling. Following their success, Architectmade is introducing another gem of design history – Oscar the dog. With his adorable looks, complex design and flexible mobility, who could resist?
Dog people, Cat people
The world is divided between cat lovers and dog lovers, most pet owners would hold. Regardless of which animal one prefers, one aspect of owning a pet holds true – people derive incomparable joy from tending their animal companions and spending time with them.
As an avid animal lover, Hans Bølling designed Oscar’s specifically detailed and technically refined body, on which nothing was left to chance.
Sit! Crawl! Beg!
Morten T. Jensen, the CEO of Architectmade comments “Oscar completely embodies fun and playfulness of real life animals, while showing that at the same time modern design can also be fun, playful, soulful and can retain the highest level of craftsmanship”.
Oscar’s body can be arranged so that he does everything a normal dog would. He can sit, crawl, beg or even sulk in the corner if you have been away from him for too long. His mobility and the ability to express various emotions, combined with the natural warmth of his wooden material and the intricate nature of his design come together to present an inimitable design classic, which makes you look twice.
Familiar, yet Sophisticated
A little temperamental, but always good-humored and loyal, Oscar embodies the comforting, familiar and relatable warmth of our favorite pets to whom we love returning over and over, while he also possesses the uncompromising quality of simple, yet sophisticated modern design.
Oscar was designed in 1953 and is made out of beech wood, while his ears and tail are made out of leather.
Oscar is introduced by Architectmade, where we believe in intelligent, everyday art devised and designed by the finest Danish architects. Architectmade presents a unique collection of icons of modern design. You can find your nearest retailer of Danish timeless design at architectmade.com.
For further information please contact Misha Juklova at, phone: (909) 581 9024, e-mail: misha@architectmade.com
7.27.2011
all about restoration
I love books. I love restoration. I love old city homes. And a book about restoration of old city homes is like an ultimate high for me. My friend Anna gave me this wonderful book for my birthday, Restoring a House in the City by Ingrid Abramovitch, chock full of gorgeous images, beautiful homes and so much inspiration you'll want to buy up old homes left and right, toolbelt ready. If you love restoration as much as I do, this book is a definite must have.
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