October 2007 Archives
According to the July 2007 report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, "All 50 states and the District of Columbia have child restraint laws. Child restraint laws require children to travel in approved child restraint devices, and some permit or require older children to use adult safety belts."
In the state of California, for example, the law states that children 5 years and younger or less than 60 pounds must be in the rear seat.
Clek has created a stylish, comfortable, convenient and safe alternative for kids whose height and weight are between 40-57 inches and 40-100 lbs. What's Hot for Tots featured Clek's Olli Child Booster seat this summer and provides great insight into this award-winning child booster seat. Check out ways to stylize your Clek with Olli jacket, booster seat covers too.
Having friends over for dinner, I was excited to serve something different as an after dinner drink. On a cold rainy night, hot cocoa always seems to hit the spot, but MarieBelle's Aztec Hot Chocolate is a warm dark chocolate treat, rich in cacao that is the perfect complement to a nice meal and light dessert. MarieBelle's hot chocolate is in itself a dessert and a little pick-me-up after dinner instead of the traditional coffee served.
Our friends were amazed with the richness of the drink and raved with every sip.
Visiting The Cacao Bar and Tea Salon by MarieBelle in New York earlier this year, we spent over an hour learning about cacao and the unique nature and delicacy of their beautiful boxed chocolates, hot and cold chocolate drinks and fine teas. We bought one of everything to bring home and I'm hopeful my tin of Aztec Hot Chocolate lasts until our next trip to NYC (although I know I can buy quickly and easily online).
If you like chocolate or better yet appreciate the fine taste (and health benefits of cacao), try MarieBelle's hot chocolate. You'll treasure every sip.
Century-old french fashion designer, Louis Vuitton and Japanese artist Takashi Murakami have come together to put a new twist on the famous "LV" monogram canvas. In a special numbered edition, Louis Vuitton will come alive with Murakami's signature element, the eyes. It's whimsical to me and adds some fun into the traditional LV canvas pattern.
This special collection, dubbed the Eye Love Monogram will come in 33 colors on a black or white background.
According to Louis Vuitton, this line was a technical challenge, using 93 colors and screens to create this limited edition canvas line.
Tonight, MOCA will be throwing a Member's Opening party to celebrate the first retrospective of one of today's most acclaimed international artists. The Murakami show will run to February 11, 2008 and will occupy over 20,000 square feet of exhibition space at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, Takashi Murakami's work will be on display from the early 1990s to the present. In addition, in an unprecedented move, Louis Vuitton will feature a full-service boutique featuring Louis Vuitton product, including the pieces from the Eye Love Monogram line.
Keeping those tootsies warm couldn't be cuter with these traditional European boiled wool slipper boots by Garnett Hill. Easy to pull on, these boots have a non-skid bottom making little ones on the go, easy to go. These booties come in a menagerie of fun animal prints, including Frog (above) and Elephant, Penguin, Unicorn, Mermaid, Dog, Shark, Dragon, Bunny, Ballerina. Also available are really cute holiday booties as well.
I was looking for a special gift for my girlfriend who is putting together her first nursery for her baby-on-the-way and teddy bears adorn the room. Coming across aerBears online, I was taken back by the eyes that just gaze back at you. I was touched to learn about the passion and dedication that goes in to each aerBear creation. According to creator, Aerianna Mendoza, her vision is to make the most expressive, original mohair bears made with the best quality and masterfully stitched. "I put a lot of time into my bears and it shows," says Mendoza. Mendoza's hope "is that you can gaze into these bear's eyes and join your bear wherever they are... the sandy shores of Hawaii or the snowy Artic tundra." All bears are one-of-a-kind and are collectors' items only (containing cotter pin joints, loose pellets , wire armatures and glass eyes). According to Mendoza, aerBears are not suitable for children under 14.
Karim Rashid is known for his artistic designs as a leading figure in the fields of product, interior, fashion, furniture, lighting design and art. Designing for our beloved pets, Rashid created the Yum Bowl a contemporary ceramic design that cleverly integrates the handle into its asymmetric design. The bowl is microwave-safe with a non-skid bottom. The bowl comes in two sizes for your pups. The Small Yum holds two cups dry food and the Large Yum holds enough for four.
I love candles. What girl doesn't? I've been disappointed with expensive candles though. They smell nice when you originally buy them, but when you light them, they don't burn well or they don't give off the sweet scent you were looking for. My sister, this summer, gave me a Voluspa candle as a gift and with mornings being a little dark in our office, I like to light a candle to get the day going. Surprisingly, this candle from Voluspa does not disappoint. In fact, this candle has surprised me on many levels. It's scent is very light and clean. It burns endlessly it seems without burning down. It makes for a lovely gift and I look forward to trying the other candles and incense collections Voluspa has to offer.
So, have you ever had to walk away from something you loved and it stays on your mind for days, even months. This Murano Glass Chandelier hanging in our local Design Within Reach studio is just haunting me. I fell in love with it the minute I saw it. I started re-decorating, even painting, in my head, to work this gorgeous glass chandelier into our home. It's breathtaking in person. It's extraordinique!
I love designer, Kat Nouri's origin of inspiration for her very cool "PJ Pocket Pillows." A mom of three kids, Nouri used to fold her kids pajamas and put them under their pillows. Inevitably, the kids would chuck the PJs and pillows on the floor. Using her creative and entrepreneurial spirit, Nouri designed a simple pillow modeled after the Japanese anemone box (which is traditionally used to hold family heirlooms).
Nouri puts a Modern Twist on home accessories. These PJ Pocket Pillows are good for kids and the kid in you.
Seems like wallpaper is making a comeback and I am glad it is. There are tons of new and vintage prints that really can impact the look and feel of a room. Cole & Son, a company offering the finest in wallpaper since 1873, has both the history and amazing craftmanship when it comes to producing the most amazing designs. Cole & Son can be seen in Buckingham Palace to the White House.
James Dyson's vision was simple -- he couldn't find a vaccuum that did the job he wanted it to, so he created one himself. His product design was innovative then and continues to be a leader in design and functionality. Go in to any store that sells vaccuum cleaners and not only do the old standby's try to emulate the look of Dyson vaccuums, but they are constantly competing to match the features and functionality James Dyson sees as necessary features to create a good vaccuum.
Thumbing through the pages of a magazine, I saw the Dyson Root 6, a handheld that touts "twice the suction power of other handhelds," I have to admit this got my attention. Subtely, it looks somewhat like a leaf blower, but I have to admit that leaves me witht he impression that I can do some serious cleaning with this one.
As a kid, I was an absolute fanatic about dinosaurs. In fact, while most girls were playing with dolls, I had a large sand box my mom made me filled with plastic dinosaurs which used to keep my attention for hours. 30 years later, Pleo is about to make every kid (and kid at heart) go bananas over this robotic dinosaur -- or "truly autonomous life form" as Caleb Chung, creator likes to describe them.
What makes the Pleo so amazing is that it is designed to interact. The Pleo, according to the Website, "is equipped with senses for sight, sound, and touch. He learns as he explores his environment. He will exhibit genuine reactions to sensory stimuli. Every Pleo begins life with certain tendencies but, interaction with his environment has subtle effects on his behavior. Every Pleo eventually exhibits a unique personality.
Pleo is capable of expression. He can feel joy and sorrow, anger and annoyance. When Pleo is tired, he will become drowsy and go to sleep--even dream. Two or more Pleos will recognize one another. Be careful though. They can transmit colds to each other. Achoo! Pleo even sneezes!"
How cool is that?!?! The Pleo is stirring major buzz this year as the holiday's near and I can see why. Checking out the PleoWorld website, these cute juvenile camararsaurs are worth getting in line for. Santa -- This little feller is on my list!
Back in the day, the way to share a special message with that someone special, was to make a mix tape. It often was an all afternoon process. Figuring out the songs, writing down the order, hoping it would all fit on your 90 minute cassette tape, and then listening to song after song as it recorded. Part of it was science, the other was pure love of the songs you were recording. It took time, but it was meaningful and fun.
Now, mN has brought that "touchy-feely stuff" back to the digital world with the Make a Mixa - a USB cassette for your digital "stuff." It's a totally fun and creative concept. You get a blank Mixa USB blank cassette (with 1GB of storage), a DIY label or label designed by MIXA, MIXA designer stickers to "pimp your cassette" and a USB extension cable to make the magic happen.
mN has come up with this great idea out of passion for creating cool interactive design. The MIXA is £19.99 and ships worldwide.
With my iTunes, this should make "MIXA" tapes a snap!
We came across Klobs when we did a post last week on the Arrabesque heating unit. Klobs are a series of flexible "hot bubbles" that can be rotated for the perfect position in a stand-alone unit or on the wall. Add as many Klobs as you want for the righ amount of radiant heat and the personalized sculpture you desire to cozy up to. Tubor excels with over 20 years creating exceptional design and functional heating units for the home.
About three years ago, I was buying lunch at Whole Foods and decided to be adventurous and consider something different to go with my 5-star sandwich. I didn't want anything high in sugar or had too much caffeine, but a bubbly pick-me-up sounded good to me. Scanning the shelves in the beverage aisle, these tall bottles stood out to me that said GT's Kombucha (flavors Original and Citrus). It also had some "funny looking stuff" floating at the top of the bottle. Reading more on the label, I found that this wonder tonic had touted health benefits, increased energy and had little sugar which was all a win for me.
Going with "Original" I have to admit I must have made the funniest face and the thought bubble over my head must have said -- this drink must have expired and "gone bad."
Taking another sip and another, then reading the bottle again, I realized this uniquely-crafted drink was effervescent and had live kombucha cultures (probiotics) in the drink as part of the fermentation process. Drinking the whole bottle down, I felt a surge of energy, clarity and a calm stomach after digesting lunch. I bought one bottle, then two more, then next by the case at any store I could find it because it was in short supply where I lived. Now, fast-forward three years later and GT's Kombucha comes in over nine other flavors and each one is unique and delicious.
Over the years, my friends have grown accustomed to me encouraging them to taste, try, and buy this drink. In fact, a friend-of-a-friend (FOAF) learned about my passion for this drink and learned more about the backstory connection she and the Dave family shared. Like others who have read Laraine Dave's story my FOAF began drinking it immediately because she was just diagnosed with breast cancer. She liked it so much that she then shared it with her breast cancer support group. I'm happy to report my FOAF is doing well and I'm glad GT Kombucha could be a part of her regimen in recovery.
This is a drink that is refreshing and healthful. The next time you see it on the shelves. Give it a try.
As the first drops of rain begin to fall, we've found ourselves caught off guard a couple times without an umbrella. I'm the type of person who welcomes the rain and likes to splash in the puddles whenever possible, but running in and out of meetings or errands, I find myself on the lookout for a fun and fashionable umbrella that can suit work and play.
Luckily, I found one that might just do the trick by the late designer Tibor Kalman, who brings wit and whimsy to all of his designs.
Always on the go, with lots of gear (iPod, laptop(s), cameras, mobile phones) the idea of keeping everything charged for the day or a trip can be tricky. Reware recognized this challenge and has created a introdcutory product line to turn free sunlight into clean electricity without moving parts, heat or sound. The Juice Bag (1.0) has a seven watt solar panel that is made of 52 solar cells. While Reware notes this product cannot fully charge the likes of a large laptop battery (yet) it sounds like they are working on it.
Juice Bags come with a built-in Car Lighter Adapter (CLA) socket which you can use in the car that is approved for your phone, PDA, MP3 player or other 12 volt device. The moment sunlight falls on the Juice Bags solar panel, the bag generates electricity.
Reware also offers an accessory line of SolarReady Batteries so that you can store the sun if you want. Just plug the SolarReady into your Juice Bag, store up sunlight, then plug the battery into your device later.
First wi-fi unteathered our access, now Reware gives us juice to talk more, navigate by GPS longer, take more pictures and listen to more music while out and about.
As their tagline says: Renewable. Sustainable. Cool. We couldn't agree more.
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We are headed to the Neo-Crocker: A Modern Culture Party tonight at Crocker Art Museum. As its last major event until until the New Crocker is fully constructed in 2010, this evening should be "off the chain," as the kids would say. They are even including the Playa Vision Series from Burning Man by Andy Pischalnikoff. In preparation for the event, we'll have to visit our favorite Friday night hang-out at Mikuni's for a little food and drink, which leads me to Sake. Having a terrible cold, I'm looking forward to some four-alarm wasabi and sake to burn this cold out. Sounds crazy, but a girl's desperate!
I tried unfiltered Sake for the first time this Summer and it's a taste worth acquiring. Add a little lemon to the ice cold drink and it's tasty!
Recently, I came across Sake2me, a hand-crafted sake imported from a Japanese brewer that has been creating sake for 200 years. Out of Sausalito, California Sake2me has a mouth-watering product line with naturally infused flavors, including Asian Pear, and Ginger Mango. Yummy! It looks like Sake2me has not made it to Mikuni's yet, but the next time we are down in the Bay, we'll have to give it a try.
If anyone has tried it and likes it, let me know. For now, try Sake the next tiime you order your favorite roll. Warm or cold, you can't go wrong.
Walking down Sutter Street in San Francisco, I've always been drawn to the window studying the intricate detail, color and crisp presentation of RICHART chocolates. RICHART chocolates have a long legacy in producing fine chocolates for chocolate lovers around the world. Since 1925, the RICHART family has been devoted to creating chocolate that is unparalleled.
Like the full body of an aromatic wine, RICHART chocolates are pungent, smooth, fruity, herbal, even spiced. Made with a committment to quality and beauty, RICHART is a unique chocolatier. RICHART has many ways to buy these amazing treats - by collection even by occasion. This Fall, the Autumn Garden Ballotin gives you the first taste of chestnuts, a bite of refreshing pear, even a slightly sweet pumpkin ganache is in the mix.
The Little Gourmet Ballotin is one of their most cherished ensembles since 1992.
Try one. Try them all. Share with others.
It's been a cold and dreary Autumn day, but when I saw this three-dimensional heating unit by Tubor, I instantly warmed up. This is not your Grandmother's radiator. The Arabesque has been exclusively designed to run on water and can be configured to your needs. Ron Arad is the designer, who created this series of mesmerizing figure eight's to be the perfect solution to the classic tubular radiator. Ahhh...
Today, I got a really nice surprise in the mail. No, it wasn't a mailbox free of unwanted direct mail marketing or nagging bills. It was a really cute and thoughtful Halloween card designed by Mina Lee Studio. Raised in a family who owned several Hallmark stores, my immediate reaction (jokingly) is always to flip the card to see who created it.
Browsing the Mina Lee Studio website, I was pleased to find a great backstory about a young mom who started doing original paintings and mixed media collages between Spaghettios and soccer games.
Mom and artist, Mina Lee Sergenian has a whimsical approach to her greeting cards, magnets and other fun pieces, including the placard above for you Princess!
Sergenian's philosophy is "Life is very short. Let's have some fun, laugh a lot, celebrate and most of all...let everyone you care about know that you love them. And don't forget to be good to yourself along the way."
Thanks to Dan and Samara for sending us this great card. It was a very sweet and loving pause in the day. My Boo is here on our inspiration wall reminding me of you, so thanks!
With two very active and playful 90-lb pups sprawled across our office floor like throw rugs this afternoon, the "K9-Unit," as we like to refer to them, tend to go through dog collars at least every 6-12 months from active play and regular wear and tear. Recently, we noticed their collars have run the course. This time around, we wanted a collar that would be bright for Fall evening walks, water-resistant for rainy day outings, and durable during "polar bear" play. In other words, we were looking for something just like Teafco's Fydo Action collar -- a fun, sporty yet safe and functional collar for the two. What's even better, it's a product made from recyclables which also has great appeal to us as well.
Teafco's products seem uniquely designed and built for animals on-the-go. Teafco says the Fydo Action Collar is "an innovative collar that is techno-trendy and environmentally friendly." The Fydo action collar is made from 100% recyclable plastics and is touted as superior to leather or nylon collars because the collar itself is made from a revolutionary non-porous rubber that will remain free from foul odors and harmful bacteria. I think these will become the standard dress code for the Extraordinique K-9 Unit this Fall. Now, which color bests suits the pups -- Petal Pink, Berry Blue, Kiwi Green? There's 13 attention-grabbing colors to choose from.
Both my iPod and Nano have taken a beating over the years and no cover has ever matched my preferences. Incase seems to have gotten it right. Incase specializes in protecting innovative products like the iPod and most recently the iPhone. I have my eye on the Rome Folio for my (in-the-car) iPod. (Interesting note: Incase created this folio as a one-of-a-kind historical piece in honor of Apple's grand opening of their Rome store in Italy.)
Incase is partnering with like-minded brands and popular icons including DC Shoes, Undefeated, HUF, DQM, Arkitip, Kaws, Rogue Status, Fender Guitars and John Mayer to make unique, stylish and functional products.
Partnering with DC Shoes, for example, I know a couple people who will just drool over the DC Skatebag -- its built to carry Mac products and a skateboard for the shredder on the go! Ripper!
So, I have to admit as soon as I came across the EnergyPod by MetroNaps® I had to believe there was some deep-rooted inspiration attributed to Woody Allen's 1973 movie, Sleeper. (View trailer.) While it seems like something "Miles Monroe," Allen's character, would create (with some additional added features, of course), the EnergyPod in all seriousness is designed to help the "overworked" fight fatigue, and ultimately, improve job performance. Companies, like CISCO Systems are bringing in EnergyPods as part of their efforts to "support employee well-being," according to an article this summer in Business Week.
Working sometimes endless hours, I can totally appreciate the value of a good 15-minute power nap. While I don't ordinarily give in to them often enough, I've found huge benefits in rebooting the brain and bod -- often working better and faster than if I just sludged through the 4 o'clock dip I often experience.
MetroNaps seeks to be the world's premier provider of professional napping products and services. Founded in 2003, MetroNaps continues to be a leader and innovator in the field of employee energy and productivity. MetroNaps currently conducts seminars and installations in the United States, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The next time I am in New York City, I am going to make it a point to visit MetroNap's New York Nap Center to further ward off Jet Lag.