Friday, March 27, 2009

horay.


horay., originally uploaded by krista baugham photo.

Happy hour awaits!

Thanks to Flickr contributor, Krista Baugham for contributing this week's Happy Hour sentiment. See you Monday!

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

My Beautiful Distraction: SF to Marrakesh and Back


It all starts off innocently enough. I sit down with my morning coffee to catch up on the massive number of emails accumulating in my inbox. I have about a million things to do today so I can't spend an enormous amount of time salivating over someone else's fabulous website.. as much as I'd like to. The goal today is to get the roses pruned ...sometime between shuttling the kids to and from school, tutoring and swim practice, 5 loads of laundry, running the dog, prepping for tomorrow's scout meeting and oh, did I mention making a living? It's nearly the end of March for crying out loud... and the roses really can't wait! Maybe just a quick peak at a couple of garden sites...



I have been aching to go back to Flora Grubb since I stumbled upon her site earlier in the month. Flora is an absolutely amazing landscape designer who has been featured in just about every noteworthy publication imaginable... and she is located right here in San Francisco!! I know I am in for a real treat.



Sure enough I am not disappointed. I am absolutely blown away by her style. I love the way she mixes her selections. Check out the crazy spider-like tentacles of this gray-green cacti. Looks almost like a gorgeous sea anemone. Love the juxtaposition against this amazing Chinese red vessel...(I am in official covet-mode now)...all against the distressed wood back drop...





We're on to the succulents... I never really considered myself much of a succulent fan until I saw this. Talk about inspirational! I have read about vertical gardening, but this is truly an art form. I am getting an urge to run to Home Depot right about now, but force myself to continue poking around Flora's site.





I'm wonderin' about this time if Flora has a blog or not. I find the blog... there are only a few posts. This one catches my eye...if Flora says she LIKES this blog...I can't very well just ignore it..so by now I am completely sucked into the gardening vortex...





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We have arrived at Studio G's homepage



I have always had a thing for lilyponds... this is getting dangerous.


Sure enough, Flora is dead-on. I have now linked to Studio G, a blog by founder and editor Rochelle Greayer who is a writer and landscape designer who runs Greayer Design Associates LLC. (a Boutique Design Firm that specializes in creating luxurious outdoor environments for Spa and Hospitality properties and Private Residences worldwide) is based in Harvard, MA. Ok, now you REALLY have my attention... did somebody say spa properties? Rochelle is formerly a resident of London. Studio G features innumerable fabulous posts that definitely necessitate a return trip! This is a gardener's dream come true...incredibly interesting and wonderful posts, a wide variety and very diverse.

I am intrigued by her post on screens, stickers and garden art from dgarden collection Naturally, this is too good to pass up...so I take a take a quick diversion to see what it's all about.




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Ok, now we're talkin' very fab fabric screens...



garden art....




And let's not forget these groovy waterproof pillows....I am now racing back to Studio G ..trying desperately to stay on task. By now dog is shooting me dirty looks about missing the scheduled doggie day-trip.


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Jet back to Studio G Something out of the corner of my eye... there it is, is it possible? Rochelle is inspired by a blog called My Marrakesh . This is just too good to be true. I am now in full throttle. we have reached the point of no return.



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It's true. I have reached the My Marrakesh homepage. I read on and discover that Maryam, is an American woman, a human rights and democracy specialist, also a freelance writer who is building a boutique hotel, Peacock Pavillions with family in tow in an olive field in Marrakesh. If you want to feel truly inadequate, be sure to read About Maryam and her ridiculously fabulous life on her blog. I am a glutton for punishment, so I press on...



Beautiful, talented, and inspiring. Always makes for a winning, yet lethal combination. Should I shoot myself now, or after seeing her incredible musings and enviable lifestyle?



I'm opting for after looking at images of children playing in almond blossoms....


friendly camels...


...and of course, the rugs.


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I scroll further down and spot this post in Maryam's sidebar.
OK... Maryam has a Twitter homepage and is posting photos thru my new favorite app, TwitPic, which let's you post photos through Twitter. I think I died and went to heaven.



It is here that I finally snap back to my own reality...my 15 rose bushes..that sit waiting...begging to be pruned, (dog now having chewed his way through front door, laundry still piled mile-high in hamper)... I have received my internet high, traveled from San Francisco to Marrakesh via Massachusetts and Paris. All in under an hour. Life is good :)


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Music finds


sxsw
Originally uploaded by kellywaltos
Wish i had gone (Austin TX, SXSW). A band new to me is Shearwater. They were there. Okkervil River (wasn't there) is an offshoot of this band. i guess some people are too talented to have just one band...

Monday, March 23, 2009

Recycling Karma. One man's trash really is another's treasure



Hey, Wally, I LOVED your Wee-World post...what fun! I'm finding myself preoccupied with the fabulous spring weather and am unofficially looking at the world thru green-colored-glasses. Today I came upon several fabulous and fun selects, via my new favorite webchannel, Style Hive that I can't wait to share with you...Some of these are especially meaningful, due to our advertising roots. Check out this eco-friendly shower curtain made of recycled billboards ! No two are alike. This one is made from two different billboards sewn together, handmade in Tucson, Arizona by Iraqi and Afghani refugees. Unbelievable. Enjoy the rest of my "Feel-Good-Finds Dujour" , they're all come from Uncommon Goods and are recyled wonders. Can't wait to hear what you think.


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These recycled glasses are made from the bottom halves of Bordeaux bottles that were "rescued" on the way to the landfill. A beautifully silk-screened branch design is accompanied by the phrase 'Protect Our Earth' in four languages: English, Spanish (Proteja Nuestra Tierra), Afrikaans/South African (Bewaar Ons A Arde) and French (Proteqez Notre Terre. Made in Wisconsin.


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Environmentally friendly,this recycled pendulum wall clock by designer Graham Bergh is made out of retired bike parts and home accessories. Handmade in Oregon.


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Fun earrings made from recycled records. Made in Canada.


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This journal and note paper box are actually made out of elephant poop! That's right, eco-friendly and innovative, this journal and note paper box are 100% recycled, and odorless. Handmade in Thailand.


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This wristwatch uses the black keys of vintage typewriters to create a watch band. Created by designer Ward Wallau. There are also cuff links,id bracelets and necklaces. Handmade in the USA and Mexico.


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Set of four coasters made from recycled road signs by award-winning artist, Boris Bally. Each is hand cut and die formed, then scrubbed clean and softened with a hand filed finish. Handmade in Rhode Island.

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Ever wonder what happens to all those billboard ad campaigns? Well designer Nicola Freegard has turned to recycling the PVC vinyl into reusable totes. Each billboard usually used for an advertising campaign, runs for as little as 3 months and is then either stored for many years in facilities or placed in landfills. Genius.


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Unique bag made from a reclaimed hot water bottle used during the 1960s by the "Bundeswehr" (Germany's Federal Defense Force). This bag is made of recycled truck tarp; the army water bottle serves as a flap. Handmade in Stuttgart, Germany.

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Floor mat made from 100% recycled truck tires with durable nylon flocking.


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This clutch is made from crisscrossed, graphically great candy wrappers. Has a nylon zipper closure and recycled rubber grab loop. Handmade in Mexico and Peru.


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This necklace is handmade from used or broken skateboards that have been retired from a life on the streets. Fun to wear and even more fun to talk about. Handmade in Nova Scotia, Canada.


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Recycled Newspaper Market Tote.

This funky tote is made of recycled newspaper (from the Arts and Leisure section) Handmade in Los Angeles. Each is one-of-a-kind and will vary. Newspaper print can come from style, arts, travel, or home sections.

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