just give me a velvet cushion

Urban Outfitters stunning array of lovely colored velvet cushions make me wish I had a room to furnish. I'd buy several in every color and toss them about haphazardly, inviting guests to stop and rest a while. I especially like how this pleated style fits with a bunch of different home decor eras: the sumptuous Victorian age, 40's savored splendor and 60's eclectic hodgepodge. Luckily for us, these cushions are on sale right now!

urban outfitters, velvet pouf pillow - $20

feel like a kid again

Boy does this kit bring back memories!! I was a crafty kid, never without a supply of foam (I loved the way craft foam smelled... is that weird?) embroidery floss for friendship bracelets and that plastic gimp for keychains. Pom-poms and pipe cleaners were a plus. I have absolutely no idea what I'd do with the parts in this kit, but just looking at them makes me feel like a kid again, and that alone makes it worth buying!

Let's get crafting activity kit - Fred Flare - $22

Possibly the weirdest/coolest sofa ever

I was browsing for furniture online for my Interior Design project when I came across this wacky sectional:

Yang Modular Sofa
All together, it looks like a mod version of a baby playpen.

loverly

via the Poppytalk flickr photostream

A very Fred Flarey Holiday

Ice Cream Kitchen Timer, $10...Elephant Cutting Board, $14...Table Saw Cake Cutter, $9...Measure Your Love Cups, $14...French Toast Stamp, $6...Mini Panda Skillet, $26...Pop Friend Spatula, $6 each...Giant Cupcake Mold, $40


Recession Coin Purse, $8...Sparking Toothy Earrings, $12...The Crazy Cat Lady Game, $22...Silly Face Stickers, $9...Frozen Smiles Ice Cube Tray, $10... Hello Kitty Band-Aids, $9...Space Ice Cream Set, $9 (I know Kate loves these!)...Tchotchkeys Key Caps, $8


USB Tulip Hub, $22...Lights, Webcam, Action! USB webcam, $40...LOMO Diana F+ Camera Kit, $99...The Keepsake USB turntable, $149...Pink Princess Phone, $49...Tetran Headphone Winder, $14

The Spiffy Urban Outfitters Gift Guide

Over the next few weeks we'll be posting some suggestions for holiday shopping at different online shops-- first up is Urban Outfitters.


The fashion emergency kit ($12) contains a nail file, elastic hairbands, blister bandages, a mini sewing kit and more-- a fantastic stocking stuffer!

Neff knit headphones ($42) These look like the most comfortable headphones ever!


Pet Playhouse ($32) I have two cats, and I know from experience that they will choose an ugly cardboard box over a pretty cat house every day of the week. But what about a cute cat house that's made out of cardboard?! I am SO getting this firetruck for my kitties - little will they know that I've finally outsmarted them. (They also carry one that looks like a tank)

Faux Fur Muffler ($28) UO carried this last year, and I decided not to get one despite my years-long search for a faux fur muff. Once they sold out I realized my mistake and spent endless hours perusing the listings on ebay for a used one. As soon as I saw this posted on their site today I knew I'd be regretting it for the rest of my life if I didn't cave in and purchase.


Cateye Readers ($6.99) I've always had 20/20, but when I was little I wanted glasses so badly that I'd pretend to read the wrong numbers & letters on the eye chart at the doctor's. I never fooled them, but I eventually realized that bad eyesight isn't necessary to sport a cute pair of cheaters.

Chunky Bow Beret ($34) This perfectly adorable hat would look perfect with just about any winter ensemble but I'd prefer to see it wrapped neatly in red and green and waiting under the tree for me on Christmas morning.


Oui Posts ($12) I think these are delightfully French, even though I'm pretty sure that real French people would never wear them.. (would we wear earrings that said "yes, yes"?) Nevertheless, I think they're adorable.

Fish Plaque Sculpture Ditsy Floral ($9.99) Not quite sure if this is really awful or out-of-this-world-awesome yet. What do you think?

Flapper Flask

This is the most adorable flask I've ever seen -- okay, to be honest it's probably the only flask I've ever seen. I'm not that kind of girl. But you know, it doesn't have to be for liquor.

I'm thinking that this would be the perfect vessel for my love, grapefruit juice. Constantly in my bag, at my side, wherever I go. Refreshing ruby red at my fingertips whenever I feel parched. Of course if grapefruit juice isn't your thing (what's wrong with you?) you could fill this flask with anything from water to jelly beans, it doesn't matter. Even if you carry it empty- it's just too cute to pass up!

From Modcloth - $34.99

{vintage rotary phones}

Anthropologie's lovely thick Christmas catalog just arrived yesterday with many exciting gift ideas. These phones are so thrilling, we just had to share them with you. Each is newly restored in Argentina. Who needs cell phones with vintage beauties like these?

Vintage Rotary Phones...5 colors...$198 each

Fred Flare finds

Space Ice Cream Set - $9
Russian Doll USB Flash Drive- $28

Pink Princess Phone- $49

Price and Prejudice w/Ruben Toledo- $16
Ice Cream Lamp - $48

Giant Cupcake Cake Mold - $40

favorites from the IKEA 2010 catalog

What does summer mean to me? Bugs, hot sticky humidity, bee stings, and broken air conditioners. What is the one redeeming quality that makes summer bearable for a winterite like me? The IKEA catalog.

It's that big. It's that important. The minute I know it's "out there" in post office land, I start checking the mailbox eagerly every day... anxious to see all the new layouts and price reductions from last year. Well, dears, it finally came today!! Here are some of my favorite features, but keep in mind this is a super abridged version of the real thing. You need to get a (free!) copy for yourself!

This room combines two of my favorite elements in any room, ever. A library that is so tall you need a ladder to access all of your books, and a loft bedroom. Can you package this room in a flat box for me, I'd like to take it home!

I don't have a dining room yet, but I'm seriously considering buying one of these sets and keeping them in storage until I can finally use them.

Can you say "dream closet"?

I'm just speechless... I love it too much.

Minimalism is a bummer.  I love the irony in this typography artwork! And I've been looking for a chic hat/coat rack for years now... I think I've finally found the one for me!

Awesomeness.

One of my favorite color schemes ever. I officially want to re-create this look in my kitchen.

If I can't have the closet I pictured above, I think I'd settle for the one here on the left. I love the colors and oh! the organization!! And would you look at this little bathroom on the right? Perfect look for a tiny powder room!

This was one of my favorite pages in the catalog. IKEA pays tribute to the man who designed BILLY, perhaps the most iconic, widely used bookcase in history. My parents purchased Billy bookcases over 20 years ago and we are still using them today -- they are in perfect condition and never go out of style. (And by the way, how much do you love that they are making it in blue now?!)

One of the most clever ideas in the new catalog is this innovative way to display artwork in the photo on the left. I love how the unframed images are hung side by side around the doorframe! It's just genius. And in the picture on the right, IKEA finally gives us magazine collectors a solution for storing/displaying our treasures!

Hang On!

Hangelier 2.1 by organelle

This amazing work of art appeared in the daily Etsy email today. I'd buy this in a heartbeat if I had the cash and a place to hang it. Even though it can't be mine, it's been in my thoughts all day today. I've been wondering what other amazing hanger inspired pieces were out there. Have a peek at some of the amazing stuff I found:

 clothes hanger greenwear earrings
by ArtToWearByDee

handknit set of hanger covers by strikk


Vintage 1940's Hangers by elizabethwrenvintage 

Hung Up On You by tinytokensdesigns

uncommon goods

1. Flybrary bookshelf

2. Cassette tape scotch tape dispenser

3. Soup and Sandwich ceramic tray duo

4. Airswitch Breaker Lamp

FancifulForm

White Rose Ring

Lauren Knuckles' hand sculpted jewelry is a joy to behold. Each perfect but unique little piece is a lovely surprise, begging you to add it to your wardrobe of accessories. Her pieces remind me of vintage Bakelite jewelry from the 1940's, something I've always adored.

{Lauren's Etsy}
{Follow Lauren on Twitter}

Leaf Posts

Very Bright Orange Rose Pendant
I included this beauty especially for Kate, who is a big fan of orange! :)

Bright Teal Lotus Ring


Hand Sculpted Violet Rose Post Earrings

Aside from the amazing jewelry, Lauren also sculpts home decor items like the lovely Dahlia Sculpture and gorgeous Trinket Box below.

Dahlia Flower

White Chrysanthemum Trinket Box
Ooh, I wish I could have this on my vanity!