HSN: the new C&B?

When I think Home Shopping Network, visions of gaudy semi-precious jewelry, overpriced skincare products or old lady clothes come to mind, but the Colin Cowie line might just turn me into a HSN shopper.

The pieces are simple and versatile (if not a tad on the pricey side.) The Glass Beverage Server (pictured above) looks like the perfect modern alternative to an infusion jar. Makes me want to host an outdoor soiree!


The Double-Wall Highball Glasses and Pitcher Set also caught my eye. (I wonder if this set took its cues from Bodum's double wall glassware?)

hmm, since Husband Extraordinare bought me the succulent ball last week (thanks, Mau!), perhaps I should redirect funds towards these pieces...hmmmmm....!

so cute and so unnecessary

I really want this, but lucky for me it's out of stock because who really needs a date stamp that shaped like a mushroom? (I do! I do!)

Hopefully, my buddies who are relocating to San Francisco will stop by doe and pick one up for me just because they miss me and because no one deserves cute, useless stuff like I do. {*ahem* huphtur, klaus and charolls :) }

obsessed!

I've wanted one of these since I first laid eyes on one a few years back at the OC Fair. I wish I would have purchased one then, but at least now I know I can go to Smith & Hawken for their Succulent Kissing Ball (though I prefer the term pomander myself.) So far, the only thing that's stopped me from purchasing is the $110 pricetag, but isn't it a thing beauty?

anthropomorphic umbrellas

I doubt we'll receive much more rain here in sunny Southern California, but if I were to buy a new umbrella, it would be one of these.

No designer specified, but apparently they were designed in France, so they're naturally chic by origin alone (j/k).

One for me, s’il vous plait!

crosshatch and chambray

I really enjoy crosshatch patterns applied to all mediums. The pattern evokes a vintage, mid-century feel in everything it touches, but still manages to look modern and current at the same time.

Some of my favorite examples:

Orla Kiely for Target placemat


Two pieces by Wayne Pate [via grainedit.com]


And, a close cousin of crosshatch in the realm of textiles: chambray fabric. Seen here in a dress by Current/Elliot.

Just lovely!

lovely calendars

Even though I rely primarily on digital calendars (mobile phone, iCal, calendar widget, etc.) to figure out my positioning in the time-space continuum, I have a great appreciation for a well designed calendar. [sidebar: I know a calendar-themed post is probably more appropriate in the beginning of the year as opposed to a quarter of the way through, but oh well, just deal :) ] anyhoo...

Pictured above are two beautifully illustrated/designed calendars that are both free on the interwebs. The first is from a series by Lisa Rupp, who creates a new design each month and makes it available via Flickr.

Second, a snippet from a free pdf download from UK-based lighting and home furnishing designer, Mibo. You can sign up at 2Jane to get the file. Even though it's sized for A4 paper, a good friend printed out a copy for me on half sheets of letter-sized paper and it came out really nice. Just a tip in case you have a penchant for 8.5" x 5.5" like I do.

Public Radio

I am a news junkie and rely on NPR as my primary news source for objective and in-depth coverage, but where do you turn when you need objective and in-depth coverage about your objective and in-depth news source? I think Fast Company's write-up on NPR did an excellent job explaining the underpinnings of the public radio model. Now, the Mauhaus is a divided household, being a KCRW person myself, and Eph being a KPCC person, but it's interesting to get the lowdown on the interplay (and, sometimes, conflict) between NPR and its member stations. Knowing this, I'm going to try to not be so annoyed when stations go on 15-20 minute pledge drive rants since the point has been driven home that member contributions really are the source that keeps public radio alive.

I'm going to answer the question that Fast Company poses in the article's title: Will NPR save the news? Why yes, yes it will. ...at least I hope it will.