Here’s a handbag that will keep any dodgy person from coming close…and are apparently very cool in Europe.  In NZ it is illegal to carry a gun but perhaps the small purse on the left would be great for your makeup or coins!  Actually, you don’t even have to carry your gun…the outline on these Guardian Bags is all you need!  You can get the Vlieger & Vandam bags here in Auckland and Nelson, and most major cities in Australia, just click on the stockists link to find a store closest to you or shop online and they ship to your door. Prices range from NZ$80 to NZ$450.

My sister emailed the image of this pool and I had to share it with y’all.  First, even having a back yard like that would be awesome..secondly, being able to afford the pool…even better!

More and more we are wanting an eco friendly approach to our living environment, and this pool is just the thing if you want something natural.  This Biotop pool in Chadd’s Ford, PA in the USA has separate water gardens, and nutrient friendly plants keeping the pool clean and chemical free.   These pools are self-cleaning mini environments that rely on plants from their “regeneration zones,” or water gardens/ponds, to filter impurities and excess nutrients back into the swimming area.   Skimmers and pumps circulate the water through the zones, and apparently you get all this for not much more than a regular swimming pool.  For more information on the pool above, click here. Can’t say I like the idea of frogs and dragonflies close by while I try to relax in the pool!

Hi everyone.  I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted but blogging about bits and pieces I love is not the priority when Miss 4mths old is sleeping, or lack there of….anywaaay

We need a bread bin.  After staring at the ugly bright orange bread bag today I remembered this cool bin from Eva Solo.  It’s way over priced, at AU$250.00 (buy it in Australia here), but the plain and simple muted colour is perfect for the benchtop, either in pearl or metallic.  Let me know if you have found something similar for a much better deal.

Do you ever wonder who to go to for photographs that don’t look painfully posed?  After browsing through Sandii McDonald’s website I think I’ve found just the person.  Not only does she take fantastic photos for magazines, media and the like, but also does family portraits that don’t look like they should be put away in the bottom drawer – capturing spontaneous moments with your family and children that would look great on the wall.  And if you need some stock photography, she has a range of images over at Photo New Zealand.  Go take a look and give her a call for your next sitting.

image [Sandii McDonald]

After seeing this viking doll on a calendar I had to see more!  Sandra Monat from Herzensart is the lady behind these cool dolls and she has a vast selection of girl and boy versions plus many more fairytale characters.  To see the great range click here.  They cost about NZ$190 (ouch – but aren’t they so gorgeous) and are sold all over the world.  The gallery showcases even more fantastic designs and her blog shows you the time and energy that goes into making these 42cm beauties!  I would love a pair for Master Five and Miss 3mths old – textile art in all it’s colourful glory!

Ok, I got a little carried away looking at all the houses at Sagaponac and only because I wanted to show you this one. Now there are several I like that are totally cool….go take a look sometime.  This home is the Ban + Maltz Furniture House inspired by Mies Van der Rohe’s unbuilt Brick Country House.  It has 4 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms over 3800 square feet.  What’s clever about it is the primary structure – the house is made of modular cabinet units providing loads of storage, supports the roof, and encloses heating and cooling systems. What I would give for that much storage!

via [Apartment Therapy]

If you think you’ve chosen the tiles for the kitchen or bathroom, think again!  Moving Color is the company behind these temperature sensitive tiles.  The base colour can match almost any colour you desire;  they change colour based on body or water temperature or whatever they are touching!   The temperature change point can be requested by you, so the dynamic colour change begins at the selected temperature and changes over three phases, each one is a 6 – 10° rise in temperature. Once the temperature peak is passed, the base colour returns and remains the same until the temperature drops.

The tiles can be used on floors, walls and counters and they are a green product, because they use glass that is 20 – 80% recycled. Also they come in eleven different glass textures.  How much you ask?….about US$15 for a tile 4 x 4 inches, so US$180 a square foot and they also do larger 18 x 18 inch tiles.  Nice and expensive way to make sure the shower isn’t too hot for the kids!