Tape Happy!

Freida has been overly obsessive about "tape" as of late. She absolutely loves the texture and the concept of the sticky stuff. I cut a bunch of strips of light-weight masking tape and hang them by an edge off a chair - she could play for a loooong time. She goes back and froth from the chair to the wall adding strips of tape to her design. She even learned how to hang up her own art this weekend.

While browsing around for some colorful tape options (which would be more fun, more educational, and definitely nicer to look at all over my dining room walls!), I happened upon some wonderfully charming and novel ideas in the tape industry. Thought I'd share the sticky-joy!

These would make for fantastic gift wrapping options, adorable labeling, and a myriad of imaginative design ideas!

Japanese Washi Tape set, $30.o0

Blogged about this before - and I'm still loving it!! Great for so many things!

MT happy dots pair, $8.00

Hello, new friend! : )

Jewel Tape by Marie-Héléne de Taillac, £7.50

Make a simple box bejeweled!

Optical Illusion Hinge Tape

Now this, is genius!

Have fun!!

* Update: Just got linked in to a fantastic new website that imports almost all the tape goodies from Japan!! Check out HappyTape, for a heaping variety of Japenese washi paper tapes.

Culinary Arts: redefined.

The fair folks over at Ikea now bring their arts to the kitchen (other than through well designed and beloved kitchen basics) - via cookbook. Hembakat är Bäst, Homemade Is Best, is the latest in Ikea styling - shot by photographer Carl Kleiner and styled by (the very obviously talented) Evelina Bratell, this cookbook (well, it's technically a bake-book) can lend creative inspiration through even the most mundane of recipes. Guess what that abstract art above makes? Almond Buns!

New York Magazine released an article and gave props to the photographer, but in my very humble opinion - this is just as much about, if not more than about, the incredible stylist!!

Check out some of the other fabulous images:

You can pick up one of these complimentary copies at Ikea - in Sweden. : )

Khaki Craving

What a fabulous way to fall into this season: khaki nail color. I'm totally digging these new autumn shades from Chanel; they're in sync with the whole military-inspired theme on the fashion front, and they are screaming "fall". All 3 are lovely, but Khaki Brun looks like a burnt and smokey brown - delicious! Khaki nail color, from Chanel

Cardigan gone Preppy

I'm loving this totally cozy cardigan for little dudes. It's old-school/preppy fusion conjures up images from Grease and Happy Days, shrinky dink-ed. : )

Name It Iggy Cardigan, $30.00

The Cold Season

So "man plans and G-d laughs" - there goes my plans for getting back to normal... Freida seems to have picked up whatever was going around this past week. She had some symptoms of a cold yesterday evening, and came down with a wee bit of fever just in time for bed; our night was long and sniffly. I guess with the cold weather (no, I am not complaining, I am glad for a break in the heat!) came the cold season. And honestly, after a holiday like last, her immune system was really in jeopardy - the intense lack of sleep + the insane amount of consumed sugar and sh*t from shul = very vulnerable immunity. Should've seen it coming... Anyways, we are using all our favoritel tactics to nip this in the bud before it goes viral! Thought I'd share some "flu season" remedies.

Number 1: Crane Humidifier. Hands down, the best one out there! This humidifier can turn any room into a tropical rainforest in seconds using the safety of cool mist, and noiselessly, to boot! I've tried many others, and found this to be the only one that actually does what I need it to - keep her nose running and not stuffing. Plus, no need to hide these guys; the designs are sleek, streamlined, and even quite cute.

(The "raindrop" design wasn't yet released when we got ours, but it sure is super good looking!)

During flu-season last year I posted these other great remedies to keep the bugs at bay, and we're still using this insulated sippy-cup for echinachea-infused morning tea and warm doses of chicken soup.

I guess we won't be getting back to regular schedule for a few more days after all...