Would you buy a cute design handkerchief to save the Earth?

I came across this little design studio in Vancouver that is making cute, 100% organic cotton handkerchief. Hank and Cheef can also custom make handkerchiefs for weddings corporate events and promotions.

A Little Bit of History

Kleenex was intended as a facial removal tissue at first. It became a handkerchief substitute later when some employees with allergies at Kleenex started to use the disposable tissues.

Let face it, handkerchief should never be used in our modern societies to blow your nose. What about our other facial little cleanup needs?

In Our Daily Life

We use disposable tissues for things that we could do with a piece of cloth. So maybe for these facial tasks, we could envision a more eco-friendly alternative. People with allergies and parents with young children will find them useful for drying the tears.

I am not ready to do it at this point. Maybe at some point, handkerchiefs will become fashionable as the reusable shopping bags. I cannot predict.

One thing for sure is that if you want to try the experience, Hank and Cheef makes it easy for you. The current collection is split in 7 themes. Each handkerchief on a pack display a different illustration. You can distinguish them all the time. Everything is designed, printed and sewn in Vancouver, BC. The patterns are cute, modern and fun.

What do you think of this product? Do you think the eco-friendly movement will revive the handkerchief?

>>> Sourcing:
Buy online: Organic Cotton Handkerchief at Organically Hatched – price: $39.99 CAD for box of 7
Learn more: Hank and Cheef – navigation is at the bottom of the page
Via: Sustainable Sniffles [Savvymom.ca]

Categories: FAMILY style  LINENS 

posted @ Thursday, May 08, 2008 4:21 PM | Feedback (1)

New Modern-Twist Placemats Designed by Matte Stephens and Rex Ray

Kat Nouri of Modern-Twist sent me an email where she informed me of their exhibit with Rex Ray designs at SFMOMA. 

I am thrilled. I think we should encourage companies that hired known artists to design their patterns. This way we get more exciting patterns on everyday items.

Matrix and Tangle by Rex Ray

Rex Ray is a fine art artist doing collages, paintings and design work,. Rex is also a celebrated graphic designer who worked extensively for the music industry. He designed book covers, more than 100 historic Bill Graham Presents rock and roll tour posters and music packaging.

Now, you can invite Rex Ray to your table with the two patterns he designed for Modern-Twist. Take your pick between Matrix and Tangle. Matrix is available in green or black. Tangle is in orange or copper.  I am showing you Matrix because I enjoy it more. 

Owl and Monster by Matte Stephens

The art of Matte Stephens has a naive side in the execution that charms everyone. His Owl duo and the Monster character target children. This is a kid line that will enchant young at heart adults.

Kat kindly sent me a sample of the Owl and the Monster mats. I received them today and they look even better in person. My husband thought they were pretty cool. I got the feeling they will become our breakfast placemats.

Beauty and Function

I acquired six brown Birds ‘n Trees Placemats, 2 sets of writable coasters Notz and the Vinotagz stem markers, all from Modern-Twist last winter at Lekker. So I can vouch for their excellent quality.

The 14 by 16 inches dimension of the placemat is more practical than the standard placemat size. The glasses fit comfortably on the placemat. The silk-screened non-toxic silicone feels soft to the touch. It is very sensual. They are easy to store. You can fold them or roll them without leaving any marks.

With Mother’s Day in two weeks, your mom will be happy if you show up at the door with any of the Modern-Twist Placemats.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Owl or Monster Placemat by Matte Stephens for Modern-Twist at Twig – price: $15 USD
Buy online: Matrix Placemat by Rex Ray at Modern Twist at Twig – price: $19 USD
Buy online: Tangle Placemat by Rex Ray at Modern Twist at Twig – price: $19 USD

Categories: FAMILY style  LINENS 

posted @ Thursday, April 24, 2008 12:40 AM | Feedback (0)

Cool Gift Ideas from Simplemente Blanco

I felt in love with the work of Fernanda Bourlot, an artist from Buenos Aires, Argentina who now lived in Boston, Massachusetts. She likes simple things that feel luxurious. As suggested by the name, everything at Simplemente Blanco is from the white palette.

The Design Philosophy

Her collection carries a modern rustic charm. Simplemente Blanco believes in balance, symmetry, calmness and pureness. Fernanda Boulot design brings us peace via the simplicity of the forms and the serenity of the spaces. Simplemente Blanco loves fresh interiors and I would add: comfort.

I compiled two lists of outstanding gift ideas. You bring on any of them as a housewarming gift or as a hostess gift that you are staying over for a few days.

For the Kitchen

The Oval Wooden Tray is perfect for the upcoming summer cottage season. From the Eating section, check out the Special China section and the dandelion table linens.

Gardeners Knee Pad is a must for anyone who enjoys gardening. It can be practical and decorative. You may question the wisdom of a white textile if you wish to use the object. But if you can wash in the machine, this knee pad will stay clean. Unfortunately, the Web site contains no product details.

The flower carrier is wonderful. You can also use it as a shopping bag when you buy bunches of flowers at the flower market. A message to my friends and family: this flower carrier is on my wish list for my upcoming birthday.

For the Bathroom

Fernanda Bourlot thinks that a home must contains just what they need and nothing else. You do not need to forgo style and beauty to live by this philosophy. Her bathroom collection is a proof of that.

You can decorate your bathroom with pleasing bathroom products. The irresistible Assorted Soap Boxes certainly qualify.

The Golf Ball Soap is a set that any hostess can provide to her stay over guests. Mark the Golf Ball Soap Bag on your Father’s Day gift ideas. The linen farmer bag is a wonderful packaging. I think it looks more precious this way.

Where to shop

These were my favorites but there are more to see of their Web site. The showroom is a by-appointment only. Consumers can visit Simplemente Blanco retail place called On the Side located at 40 Waltham Street in South End, Boston. On my next trip to Boston, I will schedule a visit for sure.

Sourcing:
Learn more: Simplemente Blanco
Via: What To Do... Fernanda Bourlot on decor8

Categories: HOME decor  GIFT ideas  TABLEWARE  LINENS  HOSTESS gifts 

posted @ Saturday, April 19, 2008 1:19 PM | Feedback (0)

Laminated Fabric Trays and Coasters by Simrin

One year ago I told you about the Surya table linens by Simrin. Earlier this year, Simrin introduced rectangular trays, round trays and coasters.

The Construction

The trays and coasters are made with the same 100% handmade woven cotton from India used for the table linen collections. The fabric sits between ridged vinyls. The trays and coasters are shaped under heat and high pressure.

The trays are spill resistant and stain resistant. Manual labor plays a big role in making and finishing a tray. Therefore, each piece is unique.

The Patterns

Two out of the three linen patterns are available: Surya and Nature. The back of the Nature tray is brown while the back of the Surya tray is white. The Surya line carries a spring /summer breeze. Both patterns would look great at a party any day of the year.

I appreciated the level of sophistication impregnated in the collection. I refer especially to the the fact that the patterns differs from size to size and shape to shape.

Shopping Watch

Note that the Nature Coasters are cheaper at Velocity Art & Design than at Elsewares. Everything else is at the same price. Other online retailers carry Simrin products; simply Google them.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Surya Rectangle Trays at Velocity Art & Design – price: $50 small, $70 medium, $100 large
Buy online: Surya Coasters at Velocity Art & Design – price: $30 USD
Buy online: Nature Trays and Coasters by Simrin at Elsewares – price: $40-$100

Categories: KITCHEN tools  PARTY supplies  GIFT ideas  LINENS 

posted @ Friday, April 11, 2008 12:52 PM | Feedback (0)

Prepping the bathroom for house guests

With Easter at the corner, you may visit friends or family from out of town as home guests.

Beside taking care of their sleeping quarters, I feel the bathroom is the most important room to prepare in advance. For a stay longer than one night, you can plan on having an extra key ready at their arrival.

I gave you some tips on how to prepare the bathroom so you and your guests enjoy their time together.

My checklist

1. Set everything in advance, so you will get more time to enjoy the company of your guests. Your guests will feel welcome right away and enjoy a more comfortable stay.
2. Vary the colors or the patterns from one towel set to the next. Your guests must be easy to identity which towels they were assigned to.
3. Prepare a well-stocked basket / shelf on the linen closet with the basis: soap bars, body wash, hair products, razors, hair dryer, moisturizing lotions. Place in jars: cotton balls, hygienic cotton swabs, adhesive bandages, and tampons.
4. Have enough space to hang the wet towels. Since you may not have enough wall space in your bathroom, install a few extra double hooks instead of more towel bars. Install temporary over-the-door hook on the guest bedrooms. A fun idea from Finland is the towel clips. The kids will love having their own clip to hang their towels. You never know, the towel clips may persuade your kids to clean up every day, at least for a while.
5. Leave some free storage bin or shelf in the shower or bath tub so you get can leave their products. The cling corner bin by Umbra is a simple solution that you can remove when you guests return home.
6. Provide a pair of plush slippers for each guest that you can throw in the washing machine. Get the average size for women and for men.
7. Do not worry if you forgot something. Your guests would not mind since they felt welcome from the start.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Grosgrain Dobby Bath Towels at Pottery Barn - price: $8 to $24 USD
Buy online: Marimekko Kaivo Towels at FinnStyle - price: $9 to $37 USD
Buy online: bali double hook by Umbra - price: $13 CAD
Buy online: aarikka Leivonen Bird Towel Clips at FinnStyle – price: $11.95
Buy online: cling corner bin by Umbra - price: $15 CAD
Buy online: Cozy Slippers at Pottery Barn – on sale at $7.99 USD
Buy online: PB Classic Glass Canisters - price: $19 to $44 USD
Via: Marimekko for the Bathroom published on Apartment Therapy Chicago

Categories: EVERYDAY  FAMILY style  LINENS 

posted @ Saturday, March 15, 2008 3:09 PM | Feedback (1)

Having fun with the shadow placemats by Sandra Bautista

This talented artist grabbed my attention because her work titled A light's drawing. The usual suspects appear as silhouette shadow on the placemat.

Regarding at her portfolio, Sandra Bautista probably did it for an artistic purpose. But I find the concept to be chic and fun for entertaining. If you find a place where we can buy those, please inform me.

About A light's drawing, her creator Sandra Bautista says:

Everyday light draws for us...but we never realized...
The graphics on the whole set come from the real shadow so that all objects are related to each other and when using it you will discover all of them.

A time saver for entertaining

If you are too busy, you would not have to bring the plates at the table. But make sure the glasses, the napkins and the utensils are on the table before your guests arrive. One inspiration that complements those placemats is the diner restaurant experience. You can insert the flatware in three ornate glasses, jars or flower vases.

Pursue further the fun aspect

You could make your own silhouette by tracing the dimension of your own dinnerware in the color of your choice.

If casual chic suits better your event, rest the flatware inside a pocket fold linen napkin.Then, draw the shape of your own utensils on a cotton placemat or a fine paper. Just the dimensions are big enough to cover the right utensil shadow. The idea is to surprise your guests as they sit down and gently lay their napkin on their knees.

Having an immediate ice-breaker at the table ensures that the dinner starts well. Your guests feel more welcome. You can continue with charades or write fun facts for each guess to read. What games do you play at the dinner table?

Sourcing:
Learn more: Sandra Bautista - photos are all rights reserved by sandra bautista

Categories: EVERYDAY  TABLESCAPE  LINENS 

posted @ Tuesday, February 26, 2008 8:26 PM | Feedback (1)

Doing errands in style with the Oktak bags that are now on sale

I usually suggest kitchenware as hostess gift ideas. But etiquette does not rule out bringing something else. If you are staying for the weekend at a friend house, you can give her something more personal.

Magazine bags, tote bags and wallets will thrill the fashionista and the ones that like to be organized. I received an email from Oktak announcing that everything in the store is 10 to 30% off until August 7, 2007.

For a hostess gift, take a look at the Pink Kitchen fabric. Select either the magazine bag or the square rainy day bag. Or you can choose zipped pouches or framed mini pouches in other fun and colorful fabric.

Arriving with a handmade product is usually perceived as more thoughtful gift. It feels more special. And you are almost sure that the hostess does not own the exact same thing.

About Oktak

Oktak produce handmade bags designed by Manhattan-based Aki Takada. All bags are made of 100% cotton fabric with a few in rare vintage textiles from the 60's or 70's. One exception is the line of "rainy day bags" made of bright-colored, water-repellent fabric.

I am the proud owner of an Oktak going out purse. I adore it. Have a look at their summer collection while the quantity lasts.

Sourcing:
Buy online: Bags at Oktak

Categories: GIFT ideas  LINENS 

posted @ Sunday, July 29, 2007 11:45 PM | Feedback (1)

Housewarming and Hostess gift ideas: Tea towels on etsy

Beautiful tea towels are a little indulgence. If you let them hang around your kitchen, even your everyday dish cloths must look good.

Make sure to keep a few special ones in your entertaining supply kit. Typically, friends end up washing the dishes. The stylish hostess proudly reveals her exceptional tea towels when she has company over.

So why not get a set of tea towels as a housewarming or a hostess gift? To make it simple for you, I compiled by top 3 dish cloth sellers on etsy.

PataPri from Chicago: Designed and Hand printed by Yuko Uemua

Make your kitchen happy by adding colorful and pretty kitchen tea towels is the mantra of PataPri. I bought several tea toweIs from PataPri last June. I adore them. The color palettes, the hand printed patterns and the strong sewed hanging hook. Their tea towels are made of 100% white linen.

The look is modern, the color combination looks fresh and the pattern themes are diversified. This is my favorite kitchen teat towels seller. Every towel arrived nicely folded and tied with a string in a clear protective envelop.

This is one thing that is so amazing when you buy on etsy. The packaging is much an excitement to see than the products you buy. This fact simplifies your gift wrapping.

PataPri tea towels cost $14 each; money well spent if you ask me. There is a set of three for $40 USD.

Skinny laMinx from Cape Town

I really like the chic innocence vibe that you get from the Eep Tea towel available in olive, tomato and slate. It is called Eep because that's the noise these kinds of birds make.

This cotton hopsack tea towel has been screen printed with her bird of a feather drawing.

These towels are the cheapest at $10 USD each. By looking at the pictures, they appear to be of similar quality than the PataPri. Except that PataPri kitchen towels are made of linen and they have a better made hanging hook.

Run by a talented woman that is an illustrator, writer and designer, Skinny laMinx has a broad production. Take a look at her cushions and her magnets for the fridge.

Tea towels for the cottage with Artgoodies

In summer time, we are often invited to the lake cabin of a friend. For nature lovers and summer houses with a rustic charm design, I found the perfect tea towels from artgoodies.

There is a lot of drawings to choose from. You can opt for a squirrel, an owl, a quail, a deer, a rooster, a bunny, birds, butterflies and even a sailboat.

What is great is that you can save by buying a six pack or a set of 2 themed towels. Take a look at the barnyard buddies towel set or the woodland friends towel set.

These 100% cotton kitchen towels have been hand printed with linocut block prints. Each towel measures 20x28 inches and comes wrapped in a green satin ribbon.

July 25th, 2007 update:
PataPri and SkinnylaMink have each their own blog. See below for the links.

Sourcing:
Buy online: PataPri etsy seller
Learn more: Blog of PataPri
Buy online: SkinnylaMinx etsy seller
Learn more: Blog of Skinny laMinx
Buy online: Artgoodies etsy seller

Categories: GIFT ideas  LINENS  HOSTESS gifts 

posted @ Tuesday, July 24, 2007 12:41 PM | Feedback (4)

Artsy placemats and aprons on sale at LU Prints

While you are shopping at LU Prints, take advantage of the reduced prices through July 15th, or while supplies last!

I suggest you take a look at the set of 4 Leafy Placemats on sale at $16, the Leafy Apron on sale at $25 and my favorite, the Geese Apron. The Leafy is slighty shorter than the Geese Apron.

LU Prints creates beautifully crafted waist aprons and kitchen linens. All their textiles are hand screen-printed patterns.

The characteristics of a good entertaining apron

I suggest you wear a waist apron instead of a full size apron when you are throwing a party.

First of all, waist aprons look more fashionable because we can see your top outfit. Secondly, your apron will not appear on lots of photos. So, you will get the impression that you spend more time hanging out with for your guests.

The simple design of LU Prints aprons do not take away anything from your outfit. That is something to consider when you wear an apron at a party.

Why every hostess needs several entertaining aprons?

It is best to not wear your entertaining aprons everyday. Your apron should look fresh and new for your guests. The best hostess keeps a few entertaining aprons on her closet. Aprons are not an expansive item, so you can afford to get several.

You want to get different styles and patterns so you can complement what you wear. After a while, you recycle your entertaining aprons for everyday usage.

Made it easy for you: stock up a few hostess gifts

If you want to be invited to lots of parties, keep on reserve a few hostess gifts for unexpected invitations. You can wrap them in advance. This way you look like the perfect guests and you did not have to run.

LU Prints kitchen collection includes artsy napkins and tea towels with patterns as lovely as the shown placemats and aprons. 

Any host will be delighted if you show up at their party with LU Prints artsy placemats, napkins or an attractive apron. But this does not exclude the idea of keeping one for you.

About LU Prints

LU is the first name initial of its two founders. Graphic designer Lisa Komuro and screen printer Ulla Clark come from Pemberton, British Columbia.

Founded in 2006, LU Prints strives to create fun and fresh linens and clothing for modern everyday living. Their 2007 Spring/Summer Collection is inspired by nature.

Link: Web site of LU Prints
Buy online: Kitchen collection at LU Prints online shop

Categories: GIFT ideas  LINENS  HOSTESS gifts 

posted @ Thursday, June 28, 2007 2:05 PM | Feedback (3)

Any hostess needs at least one tasteful apron

I have a love affair with aprons since I started to cook in my teens. But finding a good looking one is a hard task. My love affair with aprons is well known fact. My brother gave me one or two aprons over the years for Christmas or my birthday. He even got me a practical gardening apron that I use when I planting my flower boxes.

I discover domistyle long time ago in a Sweetspot.ca newsletter. I fall in love with their funky aprons right away. Two young women started domistyle out of unfulfilled desires. Like me, Jessica and Vanessa did not find in stores aprons that were cool enough for a stylish hostess. They create two lines for women in 2003. Since them, they add a fun collection for kids.

Called Fresh and Funky, their two collections are best described with the words sleek, sophisticated, feminine and fun. Canadian and US retailers are listed on their web site. The aprons are sold for $39 CAD, the mini-aprons are at $32 and the kid aprons at $30.

You can add a free embroidered message by shopping at some of the online stores listed on the home page. The happy modernist in me selected the funky dots pattern just like it is. I played the Gourmet Goddess with an organic flair by wearing the clean flower design of my Baby Blue Mocha apron.

Aprons for Kids

The mini apron collection brings even more of your feminine side to the table. Perfect for when you entertaining intimate dinners. Some are a shorter version of the Fresh and Funky collections. For a girlie girl, I suggest the Meshy Mini. It is a delicate see-through mesh bib with dainty pink bows and a pink ribbon binding.

These funky aprons have been featured by Style at Home, Elle, House & Home, Lucky and Wish Magazines, Designer Guys, Metro, National Post, Now, Toronto Star, Sweetspot.ca, and the Toronto Sun.

Link: domistyle web site

Categories: FAMILY style  LINENS  HOSTESS gifts 

posted @ Wednesday, March 07, 2007 3:07 PM | Feedback (0)

Casual luxury in household linens with Simrin

Dish towels are a necessity but we indulge ourselves by getting groovy ones. If you put them on display in your kitchen, the typical brands from Wal-Mart or the supermarkets won’t do.

Household linens can set the mood of a table and a kitchen. If you dinnerware are monochromatic without patterns, you can use geometric, organic, bold graphic textiles for your tablecloths and napkins. This is part of the new wave to set up a table.

Finding cool dish towels that are part of larger household linen collections is a dream comes true. That is what you got with Simrin. Introduced last year, we did not know yet of any stores that carry the brands. Hostess with the Mostess blog, a fan, discovers that you can get the surya collection at Plum Party. Tablecloths, table runners, napkins and kitchen towels are available in chartreuse, aqua, brown and orange.

The catalogue of Simrin speaks in these terms about their design

Inspired by vintage fabrics, organic forms in nature and algorithmic patterns, these three distinct collections create standout prints in complimentary colors perfect for mixing or matching. A combination of metallic inks, embroidery and hand screen-printing make each one unique.

On the entertaining front, luxurious household linen items make great hostess gifts or housewarming gifts. As long as your choice shows consideration for her taste and the style of her kitchen ware, the hostess will feel pampered by your gift.

Link: Surya collection by Simrin available at Plum Party online store
Via: hooray! Simrin at Plum Party! on Hostess with the Mostess blog

Categories: GIFT ideas  LINENS  HOSTESS gifts 

posted @ Saturday, March 03, 2007 4:14 PM | Feedback (0)