We have a bunch of boat sheds on the Orakei basin looking rather dilapidated and in need of a good spruce up, so when I spied these over at Inhabitat, I thought they would be a fantastic replacement.

The Crib prefab can be used anywhere – from your backyard, to a spot on the water to house the boat and chill-out upstairs. It’s inspired by the traditional American architecture of corn cribs, a common farm building used to store and dry corn. The smallest is 175 sq feet upstairs with an ideal garage style front opening (for those water views). Then there’s the additional 125 sq feet of exterior deck space. The larger of the two has 250 sq ft upstairs!. Of course, it’s only in the US, which would make these super exey to ship out and there are no prices on the website. And I should not forget to add, the Orakei boatsheds are privately owned – so perhaps the owners are happy with them just as they are.

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Last weekend, I took Mum and Dad up to Matakana Markets outside Auckland so we could eat some great food and enjoy the crisp cool morning outdoors.  While we wandered around, Miss 15mths steered me into the shop Red Letter Day.  No, she is not a stationery nut – she saw a large poster of a camel and wanted to go and say ‘baa’ (like a sheep)…hehe.

Well, I fell head over heels for the Cavallini & Co products, (of which there were many) – among a lot of other lovely writing accessories.  Flora, fauna and geographic notebooks…box sets of divine stamps…flashcards and even decorative wrap – that you just couldn’t use because it’s too beautiful.  You can buy from Red Letter’s website, though really it is worth a drive to Matakana for the food, and the bunch of specialty shops tucked around the market area.

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AT posted a while back about designing and printing on different mediums, and it’s not all that expensive. Often I have wanted to take a great image and put in on a plate, or a handtowel, but never got around to investigating further.  Below is a list of places where you can make it happen…..so what are you waiting for!

1. Spoonflower – design your own fabric
2. Teeny Tile – custom print tiles
3. The Wallpaper Maker – print your own designs on wallpaper
4. Ponoko – laser cut materials like felt, plastic and wood
5. Absorbent, Ink – screen printing onto glasses, coasters and handtowels plus more

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Always at this time of the year, I go looking for options for heating your home – (in fact as I write, it’s supposed to drop to ZERO degrees tonight) ARGH!

Radiators now are becoming part of your decor and like this option, a piece of art.  This wall hung radiator is called ‘Splash’ and was designed by Chritian Ghion for Runtal.  It has a cool ripple effect across the front and looks fantastic in this bathroom.  Would like the whole ensemble thanks!

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It’s Mr Bohaute’s birthday next month so I am looking around for a gift.  As he’s quite a – ahem, shall we say, ‘computer enthusiast’, I thought these would be fun.   Designed by Ravi Ratan, they hold 2GB each and can be engraved with up to 8 characters, available in gunmetal and gold finishes.

However, I am wondering if he will laugh as to the ridiculously small memory they have.  Hmmm, perhaps I have already talked myself out of them…..cool though!  Oh yeah, and they are only NZ$281.00 per pair…ouch!  Probably could get about 32GB or more on a regular flashdrive for the same price.

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Now winter has arrived, it’s skiing time again, so I went hunting to find property in the ski area of Queenstown in New Zealand.  This beauty sits on 3.2 hectares of land, and has wide views of Coronet Peak ski-field, the Crown Range, the Shotover River and The Remarkables mountain range.  Wow, those alps will have snow all over them now.

I love the amount of land to run around on with family and friends on those crisp clear days, and no one would get sick of that view. Plus, the living areas look really inviting after those long days on the hill.   Click here to see more of the property or to contact the real estate agent.

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As I try to find clever ways to store ‘stuff’, I had to go through my library for these images to inspire you in your home reno. Clever systems that utilise space that we often don’t think of.  The top right image shows how the top of the steps open up to use the deep cavity underneath.  It’s not often I wish we had stairs, but these would be cool.

second images via [AT]

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Oh dear, we have fish!  And a sea snail!  It was not the plan.  Now we have moved back to NZ (yes that’s 4 moves in 17 months) – Master Nearly 6 was desperate for a pet, and how perfect was the timing when a friend needed to give hers away, as her new cats were fishing!

These tanks above are totally cool for a fish, though I am probably guessing they are for the ‘fighting fish’ rather than the common goldfish due to their size.  How hip are these for a kids room, or even your kitchen.  The white ‘Fish Hotel’ is by Teddy Luong and it can stack on top of each other to make an apartment building for fish.  Measuring 7.5″ x 7.5″ x 8″, you can buy it here for US$25 (about NZ$37) plus shipping internationally.

The other called the ‘Retro Room Aquarium’ can be bought here for US$20.  It measures 6″ H x 7″ W x 5″ D, and takes only 1 litre of water.   Happy fish shopping!

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While we are still in temporary accommodation, I did not bring books for bedtime.  And so each night either myself or Mr Bohaute makes up a story for Master 5 & 3/4.  He absolutely loves them and I think they just might be more fun than us reading from a book, as he gets to imagine the story in his mind! I am quite surprised how fun it is, and have started typing them out after I’ve told the story as it’s impromptu all the way.

So I smiled when I came across this great bowl from Ayda Anlagan, the designer of this and other great story bowls. They can be purchased through her website or, here for about AU$29, plus shipping. What a great way to add another story to a child’s world.

via [If it's Hip It's Here]

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Time I posted about music huh?  Usually other than nursery rhymes or the lovely Baby Einstein, I don’t get to listen to grown up music, however, while reading my RSS feeds, I chanced upon this little ditty by She & Him.  The dancing makes me smile and remember the good ole days when I loved to ‘modern dance’; in my blue leotard in my parents room in front of the old dresser that had the biggest mirror in the house. [hehe]. I think you’ll love this one too….enjoy.

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If there is something that frustrates me in the morning when I am running out the door, is a flat mobile phone battery. Either I forgot to plug it in, or Miss 9 mths flicked the switch off at the wall.

This solar charger would be perfect and would live in my car or be charging my phone while on the top of the stroller. The P-Flip, by Dexim can be flipped vertically or horizontally for hands-free use and can extend your talk time up to eight hours, 15 hours for video or gaming and 60 hours of music.  The best part is you can buy it very soon and will be priced at about US$80.

[via]

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This stuff rocks!  All those things around the house that need fixing and you can’t find stuff to fix it.  Well, SUGRU is silicone clay that you whip out of the packet, roll it in your hand to soften, mould into or onto what your ‘fixin’, then it starts to cure within 30 minutes, leaving it overnight to fully cure (or about 24hrs).  Click here for their website, to buy and to watch the video.

PS – this stuff is so popular it sold out…you may have to keep checking back for the next shipment.

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I like the look of this glass benchtop, and even better, hot pots can be placed anywhere.

The Californian company behind these is Jockimo, and their ColorFuse™ products include color and air bubbles captured inside of the glass creating a three dimensional aspect to the panels. Texture, color, finish, laminating, edge polishing and back lighting are available.  Unfortunately, there does not seem to be a distributor or dealers for down-under installation.

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‘Chop Stick’ is a clothes hanger designed by Andreas Saxer.  Inspired by the traditional methods of Japanese wood joinery, and of course, chop sticks.  Only four wooden sticks are loosely joined with a sleek aluminum pole and apparently this loose system becomes very stable with heavy clothing.  I like the idea that you can move it around your home, and if you are a flatter, then it’s the easiest thing to move with you.

Can’t seem to find it anywhere to purchase, but if you are handy with a skill-saw and sander, you may like to try your hand at making a set.

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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?

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What a great piece of simple furniture.  The Tschutschu designed by Dominik Lutz can perform as a bench, stage or table and the stage walls are painted with chalk paint. The base of the stage floor is painted as a railway system, but the ideas are endless depending on what your child is interested in. Because this is way over in Germany and is NZ$416 without shipping, I had thought it would make a great weekend DIY.   It’s made from Birch Plywood and measures: W 94 cm x D 47 x H 47, seat height 31.5 cm, table height 47 cm, height 20 cm.  Go get your tool belt on boys…or girls.

via [Ohdeedoh]

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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.

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Whoa, how about these kitchens to inspire a change on your reno.  My favourite is Duality – the silver version – it works well as a room separator and you can view the other room while ‘in’ the kitchen. And for those who use and have a load of cookbooks, the Library kitchen is perfect.  Phillippe Starck designed these for Warendorf (formerly Miele kitchens) in Europe.  No ideas yet when they will be available, but they WILL be available – at least in Europe.

via [Apartment Therapy]

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While the sewing machine is at my sisters (hers gave up after 20 years!), I’ve decided to give this easy Martha Stewart DIY a go. As yet, all the bits and pieces are in a plastic bag for when I get the chance to try it.  Quite good to throw all the soft toys in, and you can hook the smaller ones on to it when taking it to friends homes.

1. Download and print 2 copies of each template section. (Template A and Template B)

2. Cut out rectangles, and tape together to form template for bag.

3. Lay a piece of Ultrasuede fabric slightly larger than the template on a cutting mat. Attach template to fabric with masking tape. Using a craft knife or a quilting wheel cutter, cut through template and fabric along marked broken lines, working inward; then cut along border to remove excess fabric.

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Now, I myself love my laptop just as it is, but if anyone out there doesn’t, then this site has a great selection of laptop skins that are cool.  Should I ever tire of seeing the lovely apple, my fave is definitely Hokusai (the waves).  Just select if you own a mac or pc, what size or model and they start at only US$19 (NZ$25) and shipping overseas is only NZ$10.  You can also custom design with your own image or they cut and custom fit from the large range available.  If these don’t light up your life, they also do mobile phone skins and wall schtickers.   Go take a quick look at the Schtickers website for some inspiration.

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