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.

One Day on Earth 10.10.10

I'm sure most of you have heard of the global history-in-the-making that is One Day on Earth. The enormity of this communal effort is mind-blowing. The world unity of this project is unequivocal, and I'm a total sucker for this kind of stuff. For those of you hearing about this for the first time, here's the original trailer: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3Nj72EZZvs]

I know I'm totally last minute, being that 10.10.10 is on Sunday, but I still haven't landed on exactly what/how we will be filming.... Either way - the prospect is absolutely amazing! And October, 10, 2010 is bound to be a day to go down in the books!

Those of you interested in joining in, please visit One Day on Earth and apply.

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. : )

The Novelty of Nordstrom

I've always said that there are 4 places I can walk into, anywhere in the world, and immediately feel like I'm home: Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Walgreens, and Nordstrom. The reasons are namely, the familiarity, the repetition... the way each and every branch is laid out in the same fashion. The service never wavers, and the selection is akin - no matter where on the globe you may find yourself. Nordstrom is a world all its own, it stands out from every other department store, and never seems to change its goodness. A recent run-in with their fabulous customer service has compelled me to share the shopping-joy!

Nordstrom has an official policy that they do not deal with consumer's Bugaboo issues, rather customers must contact Bugaboo offices directly with problems. Now, after months and months of Bugaboo back-and-forth-ing me without so much as an ounce of actual physical problem-solving, I headed back to Nordstrom. I brought with me a file of printed e-mails (the complete and ongoing dialogue), and stated that this is only item I've ever purchased from Nordstrom that I feel fully dissatisfied with the lack of service to back up their product. The manager (thank you, Kathrine!!) leafed through the e-mails, apologized for my inconvenience, and provided me with an even exchange right then and there. Retail simply just doesn't get any better than Nordstrom!

(Oh, did I mention Freida received her first hand-written post-card in the mail? Nordstrom shoe department checking in if her shoes still fit!)

Keep in mind, as a customer you retain the right to be satisfied. Shop happy, dear friends. : )

Going "green" Under the Green!

With cardboard furniture a current rage, I figured I'd join the party! Freida had fun helping put up her own little version of a sukkah, decking out the interior, and making an "art show" (freelance marker scribble, stickers, pictures etc.) on the outside walls. I let her mess around with tape and experiment with its stickiness, putting tape on her pictures and letting her have fun sticking them up all over. We just used cutout cardboard (from random boxes), and some green drywall tape (leftover from renovations) for the scach. Cardboard makes for super simple, low-tech play space. Children love having a little fort/house/booth to crawl into and play in; it makes them feel independent and gives some much needed personal space.  We gave ours a corner of the dining room, and Freida crawls under there at random to read a book or two, add a finishing crayola touch, or share some snacks with her "freinds". A great way to (literally) bring a mitzvah to the little guy's level.

Check out some other cardboard furniture goodies:

1 & 2. Forty-two Roads Cardboard play kitchen & washer/dryer

3. Cardboard Castle

4. Cardboard Chair (David Graas)

5. Belkiz Cardboard High Chair

6. Foldschool Cardboard Furniture