Toys for tots, or not?

I don't know about you, but there are some toys I'd rather keep for myself than give to children ages three and up. Case in point, these cute little wooden City in a Bag sets from MUJI, a Japanese brand that describes itself as "rational, and free of agenda, doctrine, and 'isms.'"

Your choice of:

New York

London

Paris

or Tokyo

A whole iconic wooden cityscape for just $14! I'd put these on a mantel, or maybe arrange them on the console table where I drop my keys, etc.

Also on a rational note: These sets may present a choking hazard so don't put them in your mouth. I probably didn't have to tell you that.

Neighborly decor

Since I seem to be in a bit of a slump for blog-worthy material lately (meh), I thought I'd share a little side project I took on. My neighbor is doing a whole lotta renovations to her house and one day we started talking about art and decor and things to do with her living/dining room. Just for fun, I came up with a sort of fantasy collection of items for her amusement, taking into account some of the furniture she already has. Here it is:


Lighting:
ALÄNG Floor lamp - IKEA, $39.99
Capiz Hanging Pendant - World Market, $69.99

Furniture:
Ikat Slipper Chair in Natural - Urban Outfitters, $325
Chrome Chinese Porcelain Stool - Overstock.com, $89.99
Smooth Suede Shorty Dining Chair Covers - Overstock.com, $19.99/2
Asian Black Wine Cabinet - Pier One, $299.98 on sale

Pillows (left to right):
'Sparks of Light' Pair of Cotton Cushion Covers - Novica.com, $20.66
Ikat Pillow in Green - Pier One, $17.21 on sale
Estrella Embroidered Pillow - Pier On, $34.95
Embroidered Paisley Pillow in Rust - Pier On, $34.95
Patchwork Cotton Ikat Pillow Cover - Fabricadabra.com, $35

Rug:
Hand-woven Dhurry Arrah (5'6 x 8') - Overstock.com, $139.99

Window Coverings:
Suzani Print Panel - World Market, $26.99 ea.
1/2 in. Slate Tortoise Bamboo Blind (72" long) - Pearl River Mart, $52.50

Accessories:
Novica.com - 'Windblown Leaf' Wood Statuette, $42.95
Decorative Glass Vase - Pier One, $35
Pair of Nickel Glass Wall Sconce Candleholders - Overstock.com, $69.99
Set of three Wrapped Mirrors - Overstock.com, $50.99
Decorative Glass Vase (left) - Pier One, $35

Paint:
Living and Dining Room main wall color - Shoji Screen, Sherwin-Williams
Fireplace color - Fenland, Sherwin-Williams
Living Room focal wall color - Lemongrass, Sherwin-Williams
Dining Room focal wall color - Sierra Redwood, Sherwin-Williams

Incidentally my own spectacular living/dining room transformations lag behind. FYI, I know I haven't posted proper floor photos yet (or even house paint photos) but I will. Really.

Thomas Paul at One Kings Lane

Hi there! Do you happen to know about One Kings Lane? I got hooked up with this site back in April after reading about it at Ali Mode's blog. As a former editor for Domino, I trust her judgment!

For anyone not in the know, the deal-io is this: private home decor sales featuring top designer brands for up to 70% off retail. You have to become a member to take advantage of these savings, but once you do you'll receive email alerts when new sales are starting. Sound good? Yeah, I thought so.

From now until 9/6, they're featuring a selection of pillows, totes and dinnerware by Thomas Paul. I've had a quick look and here are my faves:

Chrystanthemum Green Pillow – $22 (retail price $55)

Chinoiserie Corn Pillow – $49 (retail price $125)

Flock Black Pillow – $49 (retail price $100)

Goldfinch Small Tote – $29 (retail price $70)

Hong Kong Garden Melamine Dinner Plates, Set of Four – $25 (retail price $50)

What are you waiting for? Sign up now!

P.S. Please feel free to mention me as a referral: beautymeetsbudget@gmail.com :)

Ten things that make me happy – August 2009

Okay I'm a day late, but...

1. Organic Cotton Union Jack Pillow from Fabricadabra
2. Heirloom and Hybrid Tomatoes – I'm obsessed with growing some. These are called Oaxacan Jewel.
3. Bird Shopper – I love cool grocery totes.
4. Parrot Garland from Pearl River Mart – Great for an end of summer celebration!
5. Diamond Bamboo Chair from Kanibal Home – They've got a blog too.
   
6. Routtura 3-light blue glass and chrome chandelier – Only $99 from homedepot.com! Also comes in amber glass, which I also find beguiling.
   
7. Dresses from Mod Cloth
8. Tiffany Blue – This approximation is Aquaduct from Sherwin-Williams. Perhaps my hall wants to be decked out as a little blue box.
9. Pushing Daisies – It's twee, it's clever, it's surreal and it's canceled. Should have known this one was too off-the-wall for network.
10. Big funky earrings – And this particular pair is on sale.

Homegoods Scouting

I went over to my local Homegoods to see what I could see. Here are some photos from my decor reconnaissance mission:

Black lacquer table with shapely legs – $199

If you want to personalize a bit, it would most likely look pretty-as-you please with this knob:

Anthropologie Gothic knob – $14
(Yeah, it's mother-of-pearl and although I'm not 100% sold on it I don't deny its appeal.)

Racy red lacquer chest – also $199

Methinks this one could use some different knobs too. Any of these would do nicely...

Anthropologie Pietre Garden and Flower knobs – $12

Anthropologie Toscana and Nacre Daisy knobs – $16 and $12

Anthropologie Royal Menagerie Crow, Ram, Stork and Squirrel knobs – $12
(Why not try one of each?)

Okay, moving on.

Nifty black lamps with shades that have pattern on the inside – $39.99 each

Lovely green lamps that would look pretty great in my living room – $39.99 each

This lamp on clearance sports a nifty textural pattern and a vivid turquoise shade – $32

These lanterns are HUGE and marked down – $30 each

Another shapely metal lantern on clearance – $15

Flame stitch patterned wing chair – $349
(This looked much nicer in person than in the iPhone photo.)

I like this patterned rug for a kitchen – $14.99

Not sure why it was sitting horizontally, but this gold chain link mirror is awesome – $24.99

I could easily be persuaded to buy this sunburst-y mirror and spray paint it the color of my choice – $24.99

I've had a soft spot for Poe ever since I did a term paper on him in high school. I dig this black bird figurine not only for its poetic significance but also for its slight resemblance to a certain Pigeon light I've been coveting – $12.99

Moorish pattern quilt – $39.99

Trellis pattern pillow on clearance – $7

Why, why did I not buy that pillow?

Oh and by the way. If you've ever wanted a moose sculpture that's roughly 3/4 actual moose size — and who doesn't really — you're in luck!

And for the bargain price of $249. Fantabulous.

If I happened to be going back to school...

...I think these items would come in handy.

Oilcloth Lunch Bag from All-Pop.com, $10.00
Cavellini Sticky Note Set from Touch of Europe – $12.99

French Marble Paper (for book covers!) from Paper Mojo – $7.25/sheet

Lovin' you is easy 'cause you're beautiful...

I have a thing for grey velvet. Especially grey velvet sofas.

Anthropologie Ditte Sofa (Sadly no longer available, but I'm sure it was pricey.)

Urban Outfitters Basketweave Velvet Pillow



Pottery Barn Velvet Drape

Giovanni Grey Velvet Chair


Overstock.com Cary Gray Velvet Sofa

photo from Kishana Perera's blog

Urban Outfitters Velvet Tufted Headboard

I generally like my grey velvet a bit more on the charcoal side, but here's my pick for an affordable grey velvet sofa — and with a great shape to boot:

Macy's Chloe Custom Color Sofa in Granite – $899

Best in Show

For some reason this morning my boyfriend and I started talking about our favorite varieties of cats. Later on, curiosity led me to the Cat Fancier's Association website where I enjoyed some of the photos so much I wanted to share them. But since doing a post solely about cats seemed a bit too off-topic, I thought I'd imagine what chair would be most suited to each one for their lounging pleasure. Cats do love to lounge, after all. So if you'll kindly indulge this eccentric little voyage, here's what I came up with...

Abyssinian
+

Kartell Mademoiselle D&G Chair



Japanese Bobtail
+
Pottery Barn Brooks Slipcovered Chair in Bettina



Singapura
+
IKEA Stockholm Easy Chair in Blad Brown

I have this chair and the curtains that match in my chocolate brown den. I don't have the cat.

Oriental
+
Anthropologie Astrid Chair in Naive Tropical



Sphynx
+
Room & Board Loring Chair in Slate Velvet

No cat hair on the velvet! Genius.

Cornish Rex
+
Urban Outfitters Lulu Chair in Red Pepper



Siamese
+
Anthropologie Cleo Chair in Polly

Reminds me of the Siamese cats in Lady and the Tramp stalking the pet bird and fish.

Devon Rex
+
Jacobsen Egg Chair

Bet you thought I'd put the Sphynx on the Egg Chair for the whole Dr. Evil theme. Nope, too cliché. I think this cat belongs on it. One of his eyes matches!

This experiment has confirmed what I already suspected to be true: I like my pets more angular and pointy than round and cuddly. I'll round this up with of my pets on a chair:


Happy Friday!