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.

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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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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!

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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.

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Only the other day my dear friend was watching Miss 9mths put things in and out of her shape sorter.  She said that Miss would probably like a mail box….so I went hunting and discovered this one.

It would make a great DIY, but if you aren’t into building then you can buy one at How Now Design’s Etsy shop for US$30 (about NZ$68) plus shipping.  It would last for quite some time with all the games kids play, and this one is clever in that it can hang on any door.

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Glass is everywhere in my house.  I love it because it gives the illusion of space.  Cleaning it hasn’t been as bad as I thought, even with two kids.  The vinegar and water mix just sits in the cupboard under the bench with a cloth ready to go.  Though my sisters have said they wouldn’t do it after watching me shine mine after nearly every meal!  Each to their own…

After spying this coffee table, I want to replace ours; it’s not going to happen though as they are not available down-under, so just may have to dream about owning it.  The best thing about the Tetra by Della Robbia is the groovy colourful seating that comes with it.  When we all need to cram around and draw, glue and make cut-outs this would be perfect.  Also Miss 9mths old could walk around the ottoman rather that the table and not sweep everything off the table.  If you live in the US, you’re in luck, click here to find a store or stockist near you.

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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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I love the story behind these wooden birds.  From Sanna’s site it reads ‘In Karelia there was an ancient belief in the Sielulintu or Soul bird. The Sielulintu was thought to deliver the soul to newborn babies and also to transport the soul to the afterlife at the moment of death. It was believed the Sielulintu protected a persons soul at it’s most vulnerable; when dreaming, and it was tradition to keep a carved wooden bird by the bedside to keep the soul safe during sleep.’

You can purchase the large (14 x 22cm) or small (14.5 x 12cm) and Sanna ships internationally. Only bummer is that they are quite costly – at NZ$162 for the small version or $206 for the large.  But there are only 100 of each, made from sustainable solid brown oak,  you could be one in 200 to own one special Soul bird.

via [Freshly Blended]

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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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A while ago I showed you Polli’s tealight shades and now have fallen in love with their jewellery. I just can’t choose between all the beautiful necklaces and earrings for my sister’s Christmas gift, so perhaps will just let her choose.  Take a look here at their large and striking range of adornments and they also do cufflinks for yourself or the man in your life.

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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.

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Why do I like this shoe…all those facets, it’s a bit like jewellery; and for sure, people will notice these babies on your feet.  Also they look waterproof, which is great in rainy Auckland.  United Nude is a ‘brand at the intersection between design and fashion’, making for some crazy looking footwear – go take a look here.  If you desire any of these fantastic pieces of art, they ship down-under for NZ$45…and the heels above (called Lo Res) are NZ$335.00.  Otherwise, here is the link to stockists in Auckland, Christchurch, Palmerston North, Taupo, Timaru and Warkworth.   Oo, might have to call and see if they stock these, but probably are ridiculously priced here.

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Vapur in California have come up with a re-usable water bottle that can be folded flat when empty.  It stands upright when full, folds flat and rolls up small enough to put in a pocket or purse, has a Carabiner for easy carrying, a writeable text area for your child’s name, is dishwasher safe and also can be frozen and used as an ice-pack.  It comes in three colours and is only US$8.95 (NZ$12.00).  You can purchase it from their website right here and they ship worldwide.   The Vapur sure would save some space in Master Five’s school bag.

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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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These rings are gorgeous and mod and different.  Some of my precious stone rings are my favourite pieces of jewellery and I sometimes get lovely compliments on them.  Now, I don’t own any of the above, but one day would like to.  Seventy Six Design is based here in Auckland, and you can view some of their rings online here or go and visit their store.  They can also design something just for you.

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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’.

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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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I am always on the lookout for lunch boxes with many compartments, so myself, my husband and my son has a selection of goodies for the day ahead.  The Goodbyn Lunchbox is cool and you can fit a banana inside which is a bonus, plus it comes with over 200 stickers to personalise.  They are US$29.95 each but Goodbyn don’t ship down-under, however, this website will send it for a ridiculous US$35 making this one expensive lunchbox (about NZ90).  That’s a pity, as I wanted to buy each niece and nephew one for Christmas. We’ll just stick to the Sandwich Keeper Plus for now.

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