Hah, I have found something perfect for a friend who will soon be moving from New York to live in Sydney.  This will be a cool reminder under the fruit – or under the cables, cameras and mobile phones, or perhaps just on it’s own.

The bowls are designed by dutch designer Frederik Roije.  They are scaled city maps of Manhatten and Amsterdam, and cast in Aluminium. The Amsterdam bowl measures 48 x 35 x8cm costs about NZ$394 + shipping.  The Manhatten bowl measures 90 x 23 x 5cm and costs NZ$475 + shipping.  It looked so much cheaper in Euros blast it!

Sometimes we all like a little music while we’re out and about, and not just through your earphones.  This Card Speaker by IDEA International is no bigger than a credit card and as thick as a pack of chewing gum.

It comes in either black or silver, with a mirror-polished back, and includes a protective carrying case, a 3.5 mm connection plug, and a USB battery charge cable. The speaker has an operating time of approximately five hours on a two-hour charge.  You can buy it right here for NZ$105 and they ship all over, but you need to email them for a shipping price.

[via]

Grandma use to have her lovely old oak mantle clock above the fireplace.  It told us the time to leave and head back up the road from our piano or crochet lesson.  How times have changed when this is the mantle clock of the ‘noughties’.  The glass dome is such a beautiful touch and makes it easy to dust.  Designed by Cedric Ragot for innermost, you can get it down-under from Top3 starting at AUD$299 for black or white, or $392 for one of the metallic versions.  The gold or pewter versions look more grand than the others don’t you think?

I bet you thought I had given up on my blog…..no….just busy with the kids.

When browsing home listings, something I notice are cool lights or lamps, and this is one I’ve fallen for.  The Nautilus Light by Rebecca Asquith, is such a reminder of the beach and holidays and the bach….well – perhaps the posh bach. Anyway, they come in two sizes and three colours and you can get them right here.  They start at NZ$460, which isn’t too bad considering some ‘light features’ cost thousands; plus they ship worldwide.

MMMG (Millimetre, Milligram) is cool, hip Korean stationery that is now available in Australia.  The cut-out cards are playful and remind me of cut-out people we use to make at school.  Notemaker have a large range, so go take a look here – these cards start at only AU$4.95 right now, and shipping is free if your order is over AU$59 or NZ$79.  They also ship worldwide.

The large wheel clock is cool!  I love a great big clock in the house as it can be seen from a distance and we don’t have to run over to the oven and check the time. The images above show some other cool bike clocks over at Etsy.  The second and third clocks are from 1 By Liz, and the other two by Pixel This.  Both stores have a great range of clocks and they can be shipped worldwide.  Mr Bohaute; being a mountain biker, would probably like one of these in the ‘man cave’.

Joseph Joseph always has clever ideas for the kitchen and here is their latest range.  Not sure when it will reach NZ but you can get the range now in Australia from the Gifted Store.  I have their nesting bowls that I posted about a while back and they are great to bake with and an awesome way to keep all the baking gear together.

via [Core 77]

Mum loves owls;  she always notices them in books, on cards or fabric and so I have caught that same bug.  Decoylab has a great range of clocks to choose from, but of course this mod bamboo owl is my choice.  A little soft light mounted just out of sight behind the eyes would also light up a little one’s room as their night light.  They do two sizes – large 10″ x 8″ is NZ$94 and the smaller 5″ x 7″ version is NZ$66, plus only NZ$10 shipping.

Remember I fell in love with these suspended fire places?  Well, now you can have a portable or hanging Cocoon Chiminea and better yet, you can get them down-under!  Designed by Frederico Otero it is fired by ethanol (meths) in a Strom Burner so there is no mess or clean up.  The flame can be adjusted and the chiminea has the options of being hung; or short, long or angled legs. The bummer is the price is up there at AUD$3950 – wow – but it is rather sexy isn’t it!  Get it from Top3 By Design online, or from the Bondi, Sydney store.

I would love this clock as I need glasses to see better past three metres!  The large digits are perfect when I am waken by Miss 5mths old in the middle of the night; (so I don’t have to wake up fully to focus on the small alarm clock).

Each number has a self-contained power supply and independant control.  It can be attached to any surface and a light sensor switches the clock to white at night and black in the day.  Each one measures 60mm x 110mm x 10mm.  Now all Vadim Kibardin has to do is find a manufacturer and I will be one of the first to purchase a set.

Another planter I like is this Nature Planter by Design Night.  The shape reminds me of a Lotus flower and I can just imagine a messy lot of Ranunculus spilling out of the holes….perfect for an entrance way.  The pity is it’s super pricey at US$375 (NZ$530) – add shipping down-under and you may as well buy a return ticket to the States!  Now someone just needs to make a knock-off plastic version for $24.95 from the Plastic Store (am I allowed to say that?).

via [oh joy]

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]

I have always been a fan of the Bullet Planters, but these are even better.  Pad in Los Angeles are behind these Pods Planters which were only unveiled at the Dwell On Design show in Los Angeles last month.   You can buy them here for NZ$238 each(ouch) and they ship internationally – just email for prices.  They come in six colours, with stands in two heights and can be used indoors or out as they are aluminium with an exterior grade powder-coated finish.  I would love a colourful set of five for herbs but the cost would blow my mind….will have to stick to the packaged supermarket herbs for now.

via [Apartment Therapy]

Homage in Newmarket, Auckland has just had a new shipment of furniture arrive, so go take a look as soon as you can. They have a great range of iconic mid century reproduction furniture, plus a range for your little ones also.  You can download their catalogue here for a look at what’s available and better yet, they are super helpful at making sure you get just the right piece for your home – even if it means taking a couple of pieces home.

Something I had always meant to get for our son’s room was a mobile, and it just didn’t happen.  However I found the 8 Planets which would suit him more now…and even better, each planet glows in the dark.  Julie Firth is the lady who designed it and you can buy it through her website or her Etsy shop with paypal for US$120 (NZ$185).  She ships anywhere in the world – just email for a price.  Click here for more of her Calder inspired mobiles.  

These are like a hip modern version of Matryoshka Dolls – except they don’t stack.  You can paint them yourself with their starter kit, or buy them already done.  They start at about NZ$15 and ship anywhere so go check out the great selection at Michelle and Kelly’s etsy store Goose Grease.  I would love a family of four all painted up….perhaps for Mothers Day!

via [Bloesem Kids]

This has been in my ‘Must Blog About’ folder since Taga won the Eurobike award in 2008.  It would have to be my ultimate bike for my two kids and me.  Good for the Zoo, good for shopping, good for exercising with them, good for our trips to the bakery and beach.  It converts from stroller, to bike for up to two kids, to caravan for the shopping and/or kids.  I so want one, but they don’t sell them here, only Europe and the UK. Go take a look at their gallery for more cool pics, and here for the many different options (some not avaliable yet)…..it’s my dream bike! 

This would have to be the perfect accessory for the ‘Man Cave’ – ie (guy’s apartment).  The Swissarmius Cutlery Holder is cool, masculine but still keeps things tidy.  In fact, even I would have one of these on the bench…any cooking emergency and every tool is at the ready!