Welcom to Your Dream Bedroom Thanks to bryan keith design Bedding!

Great designers have a signature look that you can tell right away. It is their distinct vision that speaks through each item they create.

I recently discovered and then fell hard for the soothing yet bold graphics of bryan keith design. I love the clean modern lines and contemporary colours of these bedding designs that add to a room without ever overpowering it. 

The unexpected blend of apple green, taupe and ivory in the St. Maarten Comforter Set sets the room in a calm, serene tone. The luxurious textures of Tanglewood with its exquisite embroidery and faux silk give a upscale resort feel to the place. And the playful lines in the Ventura Comforter Set just ooze grown-up sophistication.

The incredible designer of the this brand, Bryan Keith Parker, previously launched the memorable Nautica Home Collection (which  become one of the major home brands for Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens-N-Things), FUBU Home and Nate Berkus among others. But now he's launched his own impeccable brand - bryan keith - sold exclusively at Macy’s and www.macys.com. And I for one am thrilled!

 

One of the designs I'm swooning over is the Dana Point 6-piece Duvet Set (pictured above). This set is so gorgeous, so rich, yet at a price within reach.  Everything has such great weight to it and the quality of materials and workmanship is striking. The reversible cotton duvet is ablaze with a vibrant, joyful hexagonal print in sea blues and white, but turn it over and it's a fresh-air-on-the-cape stripe! It's two duvets in one! And with 2 reversible shams, you'll always feeling like you're getting into a brand new bed. What a feeling! The breakfast pillow is the perfect reading and napping companion (it just fits in the crink of your neck just so) and while the square pillow starts out in the bedroom, I often bring it out to the living room with me, because the rich blue and wonderful embroidered stitching is so gorgeous, I just want it see it all of the time.

I only want bryan keith bedding from now on! The only drawback? You'll want to stay in bed amongst one of the most brilliantly designed bedding sets long after the alarm's gone off.

bryan keith is sold exclusively at Macy’s and www.macys.com. Shop now.

Theom Design's Measuring Tape Ring is Oh So Couture

I am very particular about the jewelry I wear. I don't like to wear pieces that you can find just anywhere. I like to seek out individuals who are doing something a little different.

Theom Designs by Menelaos Theodosiades out of Cyprus, does extraordinary work. Menalaos is both an Interior and Fashion Designer, so one day he is designing the exterior off a restaurant and the next, he's making fascinating jewelry and clothing.

Check out the amazing photos of his chairs, Granny Bag and necklaces, to mention just a few items.

My favourite pieces are his rings because when I wear jewelry, I like to rock a big statement piece and let it be the focus of my ensemble.

This stunning measuring tape ring (pictured above) stands high on my finger. It's like a bouquet, really, or fireworks that move with your every gesture. It says, "I love fashion and I'm not afraid to stand on the outer edges to prove it." It screams, "I know what I like and this is it." It alights when I raise my glass of wine or when I reach to shake someone's hand. It shimmies and shakes when I dance and it remains in the spotlight no matter how dim the lights.

Want to be noticed? Then get yourself  Theom Design Jewelry. Because there's nothing else like it.

ShoptoBeGreen.com Offers Organic, Natural & Sustainable Products

If you don't have a small family-owned green products retailer near you, you know have one online.

Shoptobegreen.com offers organic, natural and sustainable products for your body and your home. Many factors go into the careful selection of vendors and their products. They ask themselves,"Can this product reduce the public's use of petroleum products; lower landfill contribution either through bio-degradability, pre-cycle and recycle usage; and lowering chemical exposure by providing naturally made alternatives?"

They also prefer to carry products "made out of recycled materials created in an environmentally friendly way; like our reclaimed wood furniture, recycled water bottle felt pillows, and junk mail greeting cards. We also choose to carry a lot of products that are handmade by small family owned companies (like Tumbleweed Bead Co, GB Proudfoot, Decoylab and Beehive Kitchenware). One of the many reasons we love small companies is because their products tend to be handmade at the time you place your order so there are no large warehouses of inventory sucking up energy."

You can tell they've put a lot of thought into this:

"We look for items that can replace petroleum based products (like soy candles) and products that can help conserve energy usage (like LED lights and solar electronics). We carry jewelry made only from recycled metals and we will only carry antique or Canada mined diamonds so you can rest assured that it is not a conflict diamond. Our policy on products from outside of the US is to find companies that help reduce waste like Verterra’s biodegradable disposable kitchenware, Chaba reclaimed wood decor, and AquaOvo Therm-o glass bottle. We look for companies with Fair Trade policies such as our Pomiare Clayware, BeeHive Kitchenware Ceramics, and Himalayan salt lamps."

Not only is that a time-saver from shopping store to store, but it's a heartwarmer too - you can feel good about absolutely everything you purchase here. How great to support these smaller, independent producers!

I got to try Solay Wellness, for instance, which I'd never come across before. Their Whipped Body Butter is so luxurious and light, that I've been slathering all over my body ever since it arrived. And my skin has never been so soft! And the Detox Face Mask is the perfect way to combat a stressful day and/or damaged skin.

G.B. Proudfoot is another company I hadn't heard of and was thrilled to discover. Their Original Organic Lip Balm is not only soothing, it's got the most invigorating scent - ginger and orange - you'll want to eat it! For truly soft, renewed skin, their Tea with Lemon & Honey Scrub (pictured above) goes to work on ridding you of any dry skin and leaves behind rich, moist skin, all done with natural ingredients.

Not only is Shoptobegreen.com a fantastic place to shop for yourself, it makes gift-giving a breeze.

Shop now. Shop green. Shop responsibly.

Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers Turns Your Dinner Party Into the Event of the Season

I love to entertain, but truthfully I'd rather spend my money on ingredients instead of the decorations. But I do like to spruce the place up a bit. It really needs a lift when company's coming by.

That's why my new favourite dinner party accessory is Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers.

This line of beautifully-styled vintage looking papers dresses up your table quickly and without a lot of expense. And you can choose to reuse or recycle them, meaning they'll take up less space than your Grandmother's linens.

Perfect Serving Placemats elevate your food so that everything has the feel of a fine French meal. Whether your tableware is handmade in Portugal or from Ikea, your guest will at least know where which fork goes where. And there's 50 of 'em, so that oughta get you through the summer.

And since doilies are so passe, update your look with 8" Serving Papers (pictured above).  This pad of 25 tear-off sheets means that you can use them under everything from your leek and cheese souffle appetizer to your homemade rhubarb crumble dessert.

For the food lover who's always dabbling in the kitchen, the Cook's Journal is a phenomenal gift. It has a table of contents and each recipe is numbered (space for 40-hand written dishes), with room for the ingredients and directions. With vintage images throughout, it is the most beautiful journal and an instant cookbook - just fill in the blanks and you've got your best-seller completed!

Using soy based inks & 30% recycled content, these are treasured items that make not only wonderful entertaining accompaniments, but incredibly memorable gifts too. 

Shop the entire Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers collection now. A portion of all of proceeds are donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund at Vanderbilt.

Luxuriate in Linen Towels This Summer from the UK's LinenMe

Linen is a timeless fabric. 

I remember seeing black and white photos of Audrey Hepburn and Katharine Hepburn in linen pants and suits and yet, here they are today at stores like TopShop and Banana Republic.

But perhaps you've never considered linen for your home. Linen Me in England has a whole online shop dedicated to not only linen clothes, linen scarves and linen fabrics but bed linen, throws & blankets, kitchen linen, table linen and bathroom linen.

Inga, an interior designer who graduated from London’s KLC School of Design, explains her love of linen:

"Over years I have come to the conclusion that pure linen, like any other natural fiber, has some sort of magic powers, and I love to share my expertise, skills and passion with LinenMe customers. Making our luxury products affordable and available to any home and taste has always been one of the highest priorities at LinenMe. I’m a regular visitor and exhibitor at interior design fairs in the UK, Germany, France, Japan and USA, so I do try to produce home interior accessories suitable for various tastes, fitting different size standards and as much up-to-date as possible." 

In addition all of the designs at LinenMe are produced in a small, family owned facility in Lithuania. 

I love looking through this site because it shows that linen can be extremely vibrant and colourful like the Silk Wool Orange Scarf and this stunning Purple Linen Dress! And while looking through all of the beautiful items, I was surprised to learn that there are thick and luxurious linen bath towels. I had only seen linen tea towels and cloths before.

So I was really excited to try a Natural Striped Huckaback Linen Bath Towel Lucas (pictured above) to greet me after an energizing shower or a relaxing dip in the tub. This 100% organic linen towel is so super soft (it's been pre-washed, so it's even softer than you can imagine) that you'll wonder why you've been buying cotton towels all these years. The size (70 x 130 cm, 100 x 150 cm) means that everyone in the family will get to envelope themselves and have that spa-at-home feeling and the stripes lend a decidedly modern and exciting look to an otherwise ordinary bathroom.

I'm making the switch over the linen everything - what about you?

Shop LinenMe's incredible collection now.

Old School Meets New School with the Fun RetroFit TV

Sometimes I miss the old way we did things.

Like slipping a fresh piece of paper into a typewriter and clacking your way through a letter or rotary dial phones, where calling someone long-distance required a fare amount of finger strength.

I still dress up for dinner's out, prefer diner coffee to Starbucks, and send letters and cards by mail, so I remain a little old-fashioned, despite loving HTML, SEO and all of my technological gadgets that keep me tuned in and locked down.

RetroFit TV is the perfect marriage of past and present. Suitable for iPhones and the iPod Touch, you simply pop your device into the old school looking TV tray, slide the tray into the sleeve, prop up the stand and sit back and enjoy watching TV the way you used to.

Whether you're at home, on a plane or train or having a party, RetroFit TV is the best way to watch videos, movies and TV reruns.

I suggest having a TV dinner while you watch to complete the experience.

Illumienate - The Most Stylish Way to Light Up a Room

Sometimes someone just gets it right on.

Danielle Ericsson's creation - Illumienate - takes candle holders that are covered in beautiful papers and images.  She makes them into wedding luminary table numbers, luminaria centerpieces, favors, votive place cards, votive wrap name cards, and lumie menus.

The best part is that she personalizes them, so whether you're doing a bridal shower, reception, baby shower, birthday, christening, or any kind of celebration, she will create a look that is completely customized to you and your event.

She even made me my own candle lumie with the knack logo and background!  And Danielle showed me ones that used photos of Tarzan and Jane, which made for memorable event, I'm sure!! 

I can't think of a better way of making an event really look and feel like your own - just look at all of the possibilities:

- these gorgeous deep Damask Love Lumies are classic and yet have a decidedly modern feel (perfect for a wedding or anniversary, don't you think?)

- the Perfect Centerpiece will make your wedding stand out from the crowd

- why use standard name/place cards when you can use these gorgeous Votive Wraps

You get the dramatic feel of the candle light and the customized look to match your special day. All beautifully - and carefully - wrapped. 

Sigh.

Illumienate's Luminaries are one of most beautiful, best finds I've ever come across and I don't think I'll ever want to have an event without them.

Yep, they are most definitely a must.

Shop now and forever be the envy of your friends, family and colleagues.

Maroma's Natural Home Fragrances Make A Wonderful Holiday Gift

It drives me crazy when I see people loading up with soaps and candles from those places in the mall. It just seems so unoriginal.  And those scents? Smelling like candy canes is not natural.

That's why I recommend Maroma's Natural Home Fragrances.

I like them because they everything is made with botanical extracts and contain no toxic or harmful ingredients. They also follow environmentally responsible manufacturing practices, so you can feel good about using them and giving them this holiday season.

The essential oils used in their home products don't just smell good - they are formulated to clear and refresh the air.  And the fragrances to choose from are incredible, all at incredibly inexpensive prices, so you can afford to outfit your home as well as those on your holiday list. Take a look at what I've tried so far:

I love the large range of incense Maroma offers. I especially like their SPA line that includes not only fragrances but the therapeutic effects that go along with it. Each box of 10 includes a small incense holder (I love that!) and each stickburns for 30 minutes, allowing you the peace and calm that you need in this hectic world. New Energy is lively with its blend of Orange, Lemon, Basil, Peppermint, Lavender, Cubeb and Rosemary. And Pure Air is a wonderful blend of Pine, Vetyver, Eucalyptus Globulus, Basil, Bergamot and Spearmint that really helps make the place feel fresh, even with the windows closed.

I've never used cone incense before, but I am captivated by Devi Incense (pictured above). Blended with natural essential oils, these cones contains sandalwood powder and tree bark powder as a natural binder. What is amazing about cones versus sticks is that the ash of the cone stays in place, so you don't have to worry about any cleanup. I tried the Audacity Fragrance, which is a wonderful whirlwind of Vanilla with Jasmine, Cedrat and Mandarin. You get 12 cones plus a holder in this set. What a great gift or stocking stuffer!

And for a rich feel, I love Maroma Men's Incense. Tonka Vetiver is so sexy and alluring.

If incense isn't really your thing, Encens d'Auroville Perfume Sachets are a lovely way to bring soft fragrance into your home.  There are small squares that you can tuck in between your linens or in a drawer or sachets with paper hooks that makes it easy to bring a fresh scent to your closet, car or laundry room. Blended with natural essential oils that are infused into fine sandalwood powder then packaged in handmade paper pouches, these are a lovely way to say thanks this holiday as well as freshen the house before company arrives. I fell for Orange Blossom, Rosewood, Fragipani, Rose and Neroli.

Candles are a wonderful way to bring a scent indoors this season. Maroma's are made from 100% renewable resource farmed palm wax that gives you 24 hours of clean burn time with no smoke, soot, petroleum based residue or overriding wax odor. The wick is made of cotton and completely self-trimming. The Luminary cup and packaging are made from recycled natural materials
and the Luminary wrap is from harvested banana fiber. Once you've used up the candle, the cup can be used for tealight candles or for anything else you like. These cups are way too pretty not to showcase somewhere in the house. 

And the scents! I love the deep notes of Maroma Men's Cedar Lavender. And Maroma's Green-light Spicy Mandarin is a great choice for this time of year. The originality of Pear d'Anjou is so delightful. Just try getting anything like these fragrances at the mall.

Soap is a very popular gift at this time of year, but you'll stand out from the crowd with these Maroma blends:  

Spa soaps are 100% natural, made with certified organic soap base, with no added dyes or any synthetic fragrance. They have been triple milled, making quite the luxe gift without the hefty price tag. I think the Tranquility blend is an excellent way to unwind this holiday. 

Maroma True Soaps and Bath Salts contain no dyes, preservatives or artificial additives. I love the energy of Lemongrass. With Mango Butter, Lemongrass Leaf Powder, Lemongrass Oil, Gingergrass Oil and Palmarosa Oil, your body will be drenched in deep moisture. And for a more soothing feel, indulge in the Lavender Soap and Bath Salts.

You don't have to be a man to enjoy using Maroma Men Soap. There is the relaxing Cedar Lavender, invigorating Tonka Vetiver and the exfoliating Olibanum Citrus that uses walnut shell powder to rid you of any dry skin.

Whether you're buying Secret Santa gifts or just wanting to infuse your home with a little added warmth this season,  shop Maroma.

Celebrate the Season with The Cardboard Christmas Tree!

In recent years, there has been a real eco movement during the holidays - people sending out ecards instead of paper ones, giving less but more meaningful gifts and then there's the tree issue.

Perhaps you bought a plastic or 'fake' tree thinking that it is reusable and you don't have to kill a tree. Or maybe you believe that buying a real one is better because you can replant it.

I think one of the coolest solutions is The Cardboard Christmas Tree for a number of reasons:

1. It looks completely awesome.

2. It fits wherever you need it - there the tabletop version (1 ft) for teeny rooms and a small floor one (3 ft) for those with just a little more room.

3. It comes with its own decorations, simplifying your tree ceremony ritual forever!

4. You can colour and decorate it yourself, thereby personalizing it. Just look at what you can do!

4. It stores flat and small, so that you can finally have a tree but not have to move in order to have room to store it.

5. It is made from recycled materials, so it's your feel good tree.

6. You can mail to someone, straight from the website. Buying someone their Christmas tree tops any gift they get this yet. 

7. A portion of the profits from the Cardboard Christmas Tree sales are donated to the Arbor Day Foundation's Trees for America program. Through this program, for every one dollar donated, one tree will be planted in a damaged forest.  

8. They are so darn affordable, you might as well just get a bunch of 'em. There, your shopping list is practically done.

Shop for The Cardboard Christmas Tree now.

Need a Great Gift This Holiday Season? Shop Button Ups by Chelsea & Kerry for Beautiful Home and Office Decor!

I am not a fancy girl by any means, but I do like everything to be pretty.

From my wardrobe to my office, I like everything to be a little nugget of special: scarves shouldn't be plain in design or colour, stick it notes have to be in a pleasing shade or shape, my calendar can't be solely utilitarian (read: ugly) and my laptop is always covered in a striking image.

So when I saw Button Ups by Chelsea and Kerry, I knew I'd found design mavens that got that your work/home/live space needs to be as pretty as your jewelry, shoes, etc.!

This Canadian duo specialize in handmade bulletin boards "created with refurbished antique frames and decorated cork." They also create amazing Antique Button Push Pins (that come on teeny little bulletin board cutouts, pictured above - no need to wrap them!) and Antique Button Magnet Sets.

The pictures on the site just don't do these buttons and boards justice - they are so beautiful. Like little gems. And you can finally get rid of those hideous plastic things you've been using to hold up your postcards, photos, notes and other important documents on your wall.

And here's the thing - everything is made by hand and yet, look at how affordable everything is!  And it doesn't stop there: If you don't see what you are looking for, they also do custom orders and "will work with you to create a design perfect for your space."

There is such a range of colours and designs - it's such a joy to have each one be different than the rest. Don't you crave that kind of decor? Where everything is so special, so hand-selected?  

I love having these antique mementos facing me as I write. I wonder where they come from, who wore them and when - it's a little bit of history right there with you. What an incredible gift that is. I have a host of people on my gift list that I think will really treasure these beauties as much as I do (I can't stop looking at them - can you say that about your current board/pins?).

Chances are, you and your friends are going to be seriously talking new year's resolutions in a week or two. Why not put them up on the loveliest boards with the most dashing pins and magnets?!

Shop Button Ups by Chelsea & Kerry and have the most beautiful, exceptional holiday and new year every year!

The Holidays Just Got A Whole Lot Brighter Thanks to mt masking tape

When it comes to the holidays, I always want to do crafty, homemade things like make cards for friends or give them jam I've made in pretty decorated jars.

The fact that I've never made jam or that I really can't make things look like nice enough to give them as gifts has always stopped me. But now that I've discovered mt masking tape, it's so lovely looking that I just can't go wrong!

I love the variety of ways you can use it:

- highlight text in a journal or on a homemade booklet
- create art on canvas, a wall, furniture, fabric - wherever inspiration takes you

- as an arty label  (so much nicer than those plastic ones!)

- embellish your correspondence and envelopes

- label your food in the freezer

- frame and display photos

- wrap gifts  with flair

- keep things in sight - on your bulletin board, calendar, etc.

One of the most superb features is that there is no reside left behind when you use it, so the list of possibilities of places to use it really opens up.  And in case that's not amazing enough (it absolutely is), you can write on it with a pen and you don't need scissors in order to cut it.

Gasp. Where has this been all of my life?!

And let's not forget is that there are so many to choose from - 20 "light colours" and 20 "elegant colours" - and many ways in which to purchase them.

There is something so lovely about these embellishing tapes that you will no doubt find yourself putting them on everything, as I have done. My notebooks and journals, whiteboard, calendar and stationery are all a little prettier now, thanks to mt masking tape in border pale blue, warabi (pictured above - the olive coloured one above aotake) and stripe sakuranezu (pictured below - third from left)

Order enough for you and your entire holiday gift list.

Perhaps you'll make that jam after all, now that you've got the goods to go with it.

Share the Memories This Season with the Kodak EasyShare PULSE Digital Frame

Three of our very good friends are moving away this month.

Not far, but certainly not just a few doors away, like they've been for years.

While we are overjoyed at their new homes and opportunities, it feels a little quiet and sad without them.

A wonderful way to keep them in our daily lives has been the amazing Kodak EasyShare PULSE Digital Frame.

Thanks to built in Wi-Fi and 512 MB of internal memory, you can easily upload photos from your computer and phone via email! I've got a "Friends" folder that I've been putting digital photos in for years. Up until now, they've been on my computer in a file that I rarely look at. Now, these photos are available right in my living room. Oh, look at Ben's long hair at Scott's birthday party years ago! And Darren's of course making faces at the camera. Allana always looks so at peace, even when she's laughing at something someone said.  And our friends Jeffrey and Jonah who moved away a couple of years ago make appearances too. It's so nice to everyone together again!

I can send up to 4000 photos to this beauty of a frame. Which is good, because once I get to the Cosmo folder, it might just fill the whole thing up!

I am also using the feature that allows me to automatically receive new pictured from Facebook and Kodak Gallery albums. I am really enjoying seeing the albums I created on Facebook, because I never revisit them online and I didn't have to spend time uploading the pictures again!

Kodak also smartly allows you to create your own e-mail address for the frame to upload pictures easily from a computer or mobile phone. Then you can share the e-mail address to receive photos from your friends and family.  Sweet.

You're going to love the touch screen with LED backlit high quality display. And it takes up so little room (we have ours on our breakfast bar facing the living room) and yet offers you the chance to revisit friends, places and memories that you've likely long forgotten.

Sigh.

You'll also love the fact that it is super easy to set up - no software to install, no cables to hook up to your computer! Just turn it on and start enjoying your many, many photos (oh yes, I cut my hair short and dyed it red one summer, there's my photo of Anthony Bourdain and I, my Mom sitting in a huge lounge chair laughing....).

The Kodak EasyShare PULSE Digital Frame is available in 7” and 10” for $129.95 CDN and $199.95 CDN respectively at Best Buy, Future Shop, London Drugs, Staples, Black's, The Source, Henry's, Dell, Amazon, Sears and Kodak.ca.

Your holiday shopping just got a whole lot more exciting!

Get Organized with Rubbermaid's NEW Modular Canisters

My kitchen is ram-jammed with so much stuff, I can barely move in there without knocking something over.

So when I heard about Rubbermaid's NEW Modular Canisters, I was over the moon - they provide 48% more storage in 31% less space vs. standard canisters!

Which means I can actually buy the pantry items I need and keep things on hand for cooking. 

And who wants everything in cardboard boxes? There was a recent magazine feature article and cover story about Jamie Lee Curtis and her organizing style - she takes as many things out of their boxes and containers and labels containers similar to these, which she feels gives an uncluttered look. I agree!

I got the 8 piece set - perfect for my tiny kitchen.

The canisters keep everything super fresh, so instead of clipping the top of your coffee bean bag or rolling down the cereal bag (we all know that doesn't help), you will never have stale food that you have to throw out. Ever.

 

I really like the size. You have a range from small to large to choose from, so you can store everything from spaghetti to tea bags and grains in bulk. 

I love that you can drop them and they won't break like glass canisters (we have ceramic tile floors in our kitchen!). And I love that finally my pantry looks good and I can see everything and find it in an instant.

Oh, and let's talk about how easy Rubbermaid makes it for you to stay organized:

• One lid fits all containers

• Lid snaps tight to base for a secure seal

• Space Efficient: Stack smartly (side by side), saving space in your pantry

• Clear base to easily see what is stored inside

• Comfortable grip allows you to handle container with ease

• Graduation Marks make measuring easy

• Rectangular, slim design maximizes shelf space

• Dishwasher Safe

Rubbermaid Modular Canisters are the best designed I've ever seen - and sooo affordable. 

If you've been looking for something to finally get that kitchen of yours organized, this might just be the thing that turns it around!

p.s. And who says you can only use them for the kitchen? I'm recommending them to my Mom for her sewing room and my father-in-law for his garage. I think they'd be great in every room actually. Oh, see what's happening here? Once you start seeing the simplicity of organizing like this, it's catching!

Discover The Fascinating Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2011 Calendar!

I know that you might not understand the calendar's title yet.  Just bear with me and I promise it will be worth the wait!

If you love art, design and type, you're going to swoon for the Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar 2011 Calendar, as I have.

Since 2006, Noa Bembibre has created these fascinating calendars that are comprised of phrases that include the letters of the month. Take the title for instance. If you highlight certain letters, you'll see a word form: Cats Let Nothing Darken Their Roar. Isn't that amazing?!

Noa started out with making just 30 copies back in the beginning and now makes a limited edition of 500 copies.

The calendar is printed in four colours on 16.5" x 11.6" matte paper, finished with signature black ribbon binding and silver print packaging.  And for the first time, the 2011 calendar includes a little black pencil, made exclusively for CLNDTR by Viarco in Portugal.

The 2011 Edition is unfortunately sold out (you can share mine in the meantime!), but you can sign up to be notified of the latest releases.

There aren't many wall calendars that you keep the pages well after the year's passed. This one, you will.

The Pleat Sheet Rocks My World - And Keeps Me Covered!

Lately, I've been at war with my fella and our cat.

At least when it comes to our sheets.

Both Scott and  Cosmo have this crazy habit of somehow hogging the sheets, so that I wake up in the middle of the night f-r-e-e-z-i-n-g!

That's all in the past now, thanks to The Pleat Sheet!

We've been testing it - a sheet made with expanding pleats to create "extra wings of cover and warmth" - all week and I'm happy to report that every morning, I awoke with the sheet still wrapped around my shoulder, with plenty of sheet left to further ensconce myself in.

It's sheer bliss - and a miracle!

So whether you've got pets, kids or a partner that likes to take hold of the sheets, there is finally a solution.

I love that when you purchase The Pleat Sheet, you get not only the expandable top sheet, but 1 fitted sheet (will even fit deep matresses) and 2 pillowcases, so you don't have to hunt around for sheets to match your Pleat Sheet.

Each set comes in Full, Queen and King, and you can choose White or Ivory (we rockin' the White Queen). 

And in case you're wondering, yes, the 300 thread count, 100% cotton sateen striped fabric not only looks amazing, but is incredibly soft and comfortable (Is that part of the reason I've been going to bed early to read this week? Perhaps...).

Order yours now and have a warm cozy winter FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Photojojo's Mobile Phone Camera Lenses Add A Whole New Dimension!

Photography has become a viable hobby for many people, know that we all have digital cameras and cellphones and can post things online in just a few seconds.

Photojojo is one of the best places online to learn how to take amazing pictures and use simple tricks to take them up a notch. Their newsletter drops them right into your inbox twice a week.  You won't believe how much fun it is to do their suggested projects like How to Turn Black & White Photos into Full Colour Images and How to Make Your Cell Phone Look Like Your Favourite Camera!

 

And you've got to check out their store - there is so much to see and do!

As a person always on the go, I don't always remember to bring my camera with me, but I do keep my cellphone on my person at all times.

That's why I am lovin' Photojojo's Fisheye, Macro, and Wide Angle Camera Phone Lenses. I can be quite the photog without having to lug around big, heavy equipment or have to remember to pack my camera wherever I'm going.

And since Photojojo is all about quality, you get high-clarity glass cell phone lenses that are just like what the pros use, except these are made camera phone-size. Aww!

The fisheye and combo wide-angle/macro lenses can be bought bundled, or separately. I recommend getting both, so that you have a range to choose from when out in the field!

Buy the Fisheye, Macro, and Wide Angle Camera Phone Lenses at the Photojojo Store!

What I love is that they don't just work with iPhones (in fact, the sticky lens rings don't actually work with the new iPhone 4, so ha!), but with my Blackberry and older flip phones. Soo cool!

You simply stick the detachable magnetic ring around your cell's lens and then add either the wide-angle/macro lens (good for capturing a lot of stuff in one frame or great detail, like the picture of the couple at the top of this post) or the fisheye lens for a psychedelic take on things.

Here's a photo of my "home office" (read: desk at the end of our bed - sorry for the mess) using the fisheye lens.

Isn't that fun?

Each lens comes with 2 magnetic rings (4 in the bundle) and a lens cap, so you can keep them tucked away in your bag safely for when you want to capture the moment.

Buy yourself some and then get a bunch of gifts.  Because we both know it's a way cooler gift than that sweater you were going to buy. And with Christmas less than 2 months away (I know, I know), you'd better start thinking about this stuff.

Photojojo rocks my world. Go ahead and rock yours too!

Add Beauty & Intrigue to Your Walls With Kindling by James Jean

Many of our friends and neighbours are moving over the next couple of months.

After you've moved the boxes and unwrapped the dishes, the next place you tend to concentrate on are the walls.

If your friends are like mine, and are adventurous and excited by contemporary art, then I've got the perfect gift!

Kindling by James Jean contains 12 large-format removable prints that are ready for framing or can be hung with wire and pegs.

This artwork is like nothing you've seen before, though it might seem a little familiar.  Maybe you're thinking of Jean's award-winning covers for DC and Vertigo Comics or the "large-scale wallpaper drawings for Prada's Epicenter stores were turned into fabric prints and applied onto bags and shoes for their Spring /Summer 2008 collection."

I love the moodiness that he creates with each piece. His paintings have been described as "the worlds of animal, vegetable, mineral, and man merge in haunting dreamscape fantasias."

They are dark, yes, but not depressing. And the use of lines changes - sometimes bold and determined, sometimes soft and sketchy, like in Maze (pictured above).

Each piece has the painting on one side and sketches and preliminary art on the other. What a fantastic gift for an artist or art lover.

It comes in a beautiful portfolio that can be to tote and store drawings and papers

For me, the way you make your house a home is by the way you decorate it and fill it with things that mean something to you.

I'm putting Hare (pictured below) up in the living room. We might not be moving, but I love having artwork up that makes me feel good, that makes me think.

James Jean is one of the most important artists of our time. The worlds and characters he depicts are original, and yes, sometimes disturbing.

But I like art that pushes the edges and evokes a strong feeling.

And do you really want art that just blends into the background, that doesn't say anything?

I know art is subjective and not everyone will love Jean's work as much as I do, but I hope you'll take a look at it because each piece tells a different story and perhaps there will be one that speaks to you.

Buy the collection for your home or someone else's.

Your Laptop 's New BFF: Laboratory 424's Mini Riser!

Sometimes, simple is best.

Laboratory 424 is one of those companies that tackles issues that we deal with everyday with simple, yet brilliant design.

Thank goodness.

See, I have this wonderful beautiful laptop that I work to the bone, each and every day.  

So it's no wonder that it gets hot.

I have tried various fans and lifts in the past, but none as been as good - or as simple - as Laboratory 424's Mini Riser!

It is the only riser I've ever used with such ease and that's worked so incredibly well. 

It holds my laptop securely off my desk and doesn't bounce up and down at all, like my last contraption (that had me typing like I was in an offroad vehicle every day of the week). It takes up no room, is super light and damn good looking (they should clearly move into making appliances and dating services).

Simply said, the Mini Riser is a dream come true.

And it comes in 10 colours, 2 to a pack, so you can outfit the house in style (you wouldn't want it any other way) and you could use the other one for another laptop or just raise your computer's keyboard for the most comfortable typing experience of your life.

If you are looking for a solution to your computer needs, look no further than Laboratory 424.

Paper Blossoms Are The Perfect Dinner Companion

I am not much of a flower girl.

I admire them in stores and appreciate them in other people's homes, but I have a few low-maintenance plants around the house and that's about as flora/fauna as I get.

But when it comes to having people over and hosting dinner parties, I like to spruce the place up a bit with decoration and colour.

That's why I love Paper Blossoms: A Book of Beautiful Bouquets for Your Table.

This book features 5 incredible pop-up bouquets that will amaze and delight your guests.

And the best part? You never have to worry about watering them!

You can open this book flat to any page to reveal deft cutouts of flowers created by the amazing talents of pop-up artist, Ray Marshall.

Feel like the warm weather was so long ago? What about a springtime bouquet or a vase of lilies to brighten your mood? There is a lotus water garden (perfect for your Japanese sake-tasting party next week),a garland of roses (because who doesn't love roses?) and a tropical arrangement to bring the sunshine indoors.

Ahh, that's better.

Get yourself Paper Blossoms, the flowers that never die, for your next big event or to simply enjoy over breakfast or at the dinner table.