Soap Flakes!

This is incredible! I have always been pretty anti bar soap. I don’t like how slippery they get, how multiple people handle the same bar, and mostly I just really dont like soap dishes that collect water and suds that just looks messy!

Liquid soap contains a lot of water and bar soap is much more concentrated, giving it the ecological upper hand. Not only is it more concentrated, but it eliminates the need for additional plastic bottles by being wrapped in a simple paper. There is also a benefit for storing ~ bar soap can stack much easier than bottles of soap.

This invention solves all of issues that I have with bar soap that prevent me from using it. The handle on this {soap dispenser} pushes the grater back and creates tiny flakes that dissolve easily in water.

via {Apartment Therapy}

Dunk Mug - Genius!

This has got to be one of the most creative and functional designs I have seen in a while! Several people I know would LOVE to have one of these! No more juggling a mug and a plate :) This would make a great gift item.

Goldiehome ~ Eco-Conscious Homewares

I came across the home furnishing designs by {Goldiehome} on the {2Modern Blog}. Not only are the designs beautiful and sophisticated, but the products are also eco-conscious and inspired by the geometry and tactility of nature. Goldiehome has begun to set a whole new standard for luxurious organic modern design, all made from certified organic cotton.

Some vintage gems on Etsy

Here are a few vintage gems I found at the {Little Byrd Vintage} shop on Etsy.com. I might actually be purchasing a few of these things. Exciting!

The Mod Shop ~ Napkin Rings

I was really drawn to these napkin rings while I was looking around on {Etsy} today. Usually, napkin rings are more round, and well, ring-like. I love the contemporary shape and design of these, with the traditional and vintage feel that the wood gives it.

Moufelt!

So here is another post about {felt}. I really like how clean cut and simple these coasters and trivets are. Also, the necklaces that incorporate the felt are pretty sweet too! Nicely done {Moufelt}. Felt, in my opinion has a very warm and vintage feel to them but the way they have designed and created these is quite contemporary.

DIY Cake Stands

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that I found this {tutorial} linked off of {Design*Sponge} I can't wait to actually do this. I went out today and found some cool glasses to use for the base, now I need to find the perfect plates to top them with. My friend Natalie and I also hit up the San Luis Obispo Swap Meet this morning and here is what I was excited to find:

Stay tuned to see what I decided to do with this old window frame. So cool!

Cake Lace Coasters

I went to {Paper Sky} today to pick up some paper supplies for a project I'm working on and came across these awesome {Cake Lace Coasters}! If you are in San Luis Obispo and like these...go check 'em out :)

Staying Warm & Getting Tax Credit

{Morso} cast iron fireplaces and wood burning stoves are not only aesthetically pleasing and totally functional, but purchasing any of the {qualifying} products can get you up to $1500.00 in tax credit. This was also found via {2modern}.

Swiss Underground Moutain House

I think this is one of the most interesting works of architecture I have seen. I have never seen a modern home built essentially underground with a hillside entrance like this. The unusual house plan was the collaboration between the Netherlands architects at {SeARCH} and {Christian Muller Architects}. It is located in the Swiss village of Vlas, among many other mountain houses. One of my favorite parts is the stunning Alpine view through the wide, oval shaped hillside opening and the many windows which provide a flood of natural light into the house. Also, there is a nearby barn which has an alternate entrance into the home though an underground pathway.

London Townhouse

Check out Beth's amazing {townhouse} in London, found on {Apartment Therapy}. Her parents bought this townhouse in the 60s, 2 weeks before her birth. When Beth was given the opportunity to move back into the family home 4 years ago and she didn't hesitate. She was able to respectfully renovate, maintaining the building's aesthetic and an interior that is reminiscent of the time it was bought. I love the retro furnishings and accents throughout the place, along with the charming mix of contemporary and vintage style.

Dimmalimm

I don't know about everyone else, but I always seem to forget which glass of wine is mine after setting it down among others'. The slip-on coasters are not only functional as coasters and a way to known which one is yours, but are beautiful as well! {Dimmalimm} is a mother/daughter team from Iceland working independently with Los Angeles designers on fashion development. They are 3rd and 4th generation dressmakers and have been working together on things such as costumes, interior textiles, and high fashion since the early 90's. From time to time they are inspired to do their own projects and sell them, these being some of them. They are believers in ethical manufacturing and sustainable fabrics, so they make all of their products and fabrics are purchased from local vendors. I love these pillows as well!

Italian Espresso Set

I LOVE this mid 20th century Italian stainless steel and ceramic {espresso set}. I have been missing the delicious cappuccinos and espresso from my trip to Italy last summer - so I found this at the perfect time :)

Crate & Barrel Faves

With the 4 weddings this summer and one more in the fall, I have been spending a lot of time taking a look at gift registries! I am going to have to say my favorite for now is Crate & Barrel. I have selected some of my faves they have out now - I want 'em all!

The Big Ben - Stylish Recycling

This was a pretty sweet {Apartment Therapy} find: The Big Ben - stylish modular recycling solution. This is a new product by {Reestore} that makes recycling easy and fun! Ben is a cute and stackable, washable recycling receptacle made of 100% recycled plastic. This is meant to hold you recyclables in the first thing it recycles - plastic grocery bags!

The Do It All Knife - Concept

I love seeing all sorts of concept products out there in hopes of them one day being on the market - this is one of them. This set of multi-use knives is pretty awesome, cramming many functions into one and saving space in your drawers. This is a concept by {Caroline Noordijk}, and it includes three knives. They make use of the unused side of knives, which is pretty smart. In theory this would be a nice idea for those who need to save space, but for the most part I enjoy having all my kitchen tools and gadgets separate and would be too accident prone to try and peel a potato with a giant knife...

Melin Tregwynt - Woven in Wales

I am always, always, ALWAYS cold. You would think I would be used to it by now...but no. I am constantly looking for warm clothes and blankets. So, it should not come as a shock that I was immediately drawn to the beautiful blankets from {Melin Tregwynt}. They feature gorgeous patters and look just about as warm and cozy as I would need :) In addition to the blankets, they also make clothing and accessories. Many of their items can be customized to your taste/needs - you can match your blanket or robe to your slippers! Besides blankets and clothing, they also make ceramics, lampshades and upholstery fabrics. Melin Tregwnt is a delightful white washed wool mill to be found in a remote wooded valley on the Pembrokeshire coast. There has been a mill on this site since the 17th century, when local farmers would bring their fleeces to be spun into yarn and woven into fine Welsh wool blankets. It has been owned by Melin Tregwnt family since 1912 and now employs around 20 people.

High Fashion Home

I always love finding different kinds of typographic solutions - I thought this was a pretty cool and clever form of advertising for {High Fashion Home}, a Huston based home furnishings store. Customers are given the freedom to choose among this large selection of high style and high end design products that caters to intelligence, creativity, and individuality - quality and value are not compromised. This 4-story, 125,000 squar food home furnishing store is a sanctuary of inspirational choices for an eclectic, modern lifestyle. There is a nice mix of furniture, fabrics, drapery, and home accessories from all around the world. "Explore. Experience. Imagine the possibilities." Below is some of my faves from their furniture collection.

Here is a glimpse of the amazing experience inside this furniture emporium!

Drinking from Mason Jars

I have been seeing more and more restaurants these days serving drinks in mason jars, even some pretty nice restaurants. I personally love the way it looks :) However, if you like the idea but don't want to use an actual mason jar...I found these cool multi-purpose working glasses from {Crate and Barrel}

PS: Sarah Garza...this is for you :)

Brabantia - Solid Company

Everything today is becoming more and more "disposible" - you purchase something new, it breaks, you replace it, use it, throw it away. There seems to be no end to the cycle of having things "now and new" over and over again. {Brabantia} is challenging this. They put all their expertise into developing solidm reliable products that are made to last - a longer life means continued use and less waste. These products are developed around the trends and styles of today while maintaining a timeless design. So, what they have done is created lines of products, for kitchens, laundry, and bathrooms, that are meant to last 20 years! Also, with the super cool "Color Your Bin" line - what more could you want than to be able to choose one of 210 colors available for your trash can!?