forcute

I love this website - Branch. They sell only the best sustainable products and gifts for the home, and everything is just so much fun. New merchandise is always being added and the prices are very reasonable too. Nearly everything is made in the USA, and most of that is handmade quality stuff. Love it!

Vintage Belt Floor Mat by TING

Vintage leather belts on a reconstituted leather backing.

Handmade in the UK $698.

Blanket + Poncho

100% recycled cotton and polyester. Comes in lots of great colors.

Handmade in the USA $56.

Figure Pillow (Cat) by K Studio

Made of 100% organically grown cotton

Handmade in Grand Rapids MI $108.

Childrens Chair by Daniel Michalik

100% pure cork cast with non-toxic binders

Handmade in Brooklyn $238.

I am always on the hunt for a cute wallet. Not that I acutally buy all that I see, but its fun to look at the endless supply of the beautiful shapes and materials that are available. Patent leather is starting to look really interesting for fall, although I still do love metallics. Here are a few of my favorites. It appears these small and square wallets are referred to as ‘french wallets’.

 Yves Saint Laurent ‘Belle De Jour’

Dolce & Gabbana anthracite metallic

Balenciaga black leather hinge

Wow, I think I’ve decided….Gucci ‘Royal’ in brown suede. Nice.

I have no idea how these smell because they are not out yet, but I think I would consider buying one on cute factor alone! Actually I think they are for younger gilrs, but they are fun all the same with names like Lil’ Angel, Baby, G, and Love. Made in the USA, $25.

Harajuku Lovers

My new favorite earrings. Amazing.

Lotus Earrings by Farrah Dragon Jewelry $750

Find this and more great stuff from auto 

I love maps. This is a set of twelve city plates which make up 3 collections. Cities include Berlin, Shanghai, Los Angeles and Cairo (Set 1 - “gateway cities”); New Orleans, Washington D.C., Las Vegas and Dubai  - (Set 2 - culture and capitalism); Brasilia, New York, Melbourne and St. Petersburg (Set 3 - Capital Migration).

New York 

These beauties are made in porcelain and are individually boxed with a key. $480 for the full set. They are avaible for purchase separately too, if you have one place thats extra special to you!

From notNeutral - Rios Clementi Hale Studios

I am not feel particularly inspired by shopping deals today, so what I thought would be fun instead to share with you a few pictures of Barcelona, from a sidewalk perspective. I find that doorways are all to often neglected parts of architecture, leaving room for little more than basic function and utility. Not all doors are aluminum and glass. They are unique gateways to the places we live, work and play. If only all doorways could be as beautiful as these. I get the they feeling this may not be my only installment of “doorways”. Enjoy.

I saw the coolest bike this morning outside my building. Its called De Fietsfabriek. Made in Holland. Anybody who knows the Dutch, knows they love their bikes. These bikes are rustproof and made for durability, and can accomodate up to a 90 lb. basket in the front.

It might not the be the space-age titanium alloy-type bikes we are all used to using, but I think bikes are meant to be ridden, not carried. Comes in a variety of models and prices, from about $1,200, and yes, they are available in the US. I want one!

De Fietsbabriek

Simply Silhouettes is a great concept. They create custom products using images you give them to create great products for your home, including stationery, dishes, mugs, mouse pads, room decor, pillows and t-shirts.  Its all just so adorable and sounds like the perfect gift for grandparents or just to add a little something special around the house.

Here are a few more examples of their work:

Simply Sihlouettes

Amigos Kangaroo

Amigo Dog

I don’t know much about the company Vacavaliente, other than they make really great sculptural toys from leather. Each toy is handmade in Argentina from eco-friendly reconstituted leather. Each one also serves a useful purpose, such as pen holders or piggy banks. Love it!

Only in stores - Barney’s bronze piggy 

Tom Ford Elizabeth 

Lately, given the hot summer weather and bright sun, Ive been thinking more and more about sunglasses. When I recently misplaced my pair of black sunglasses, I realized how inadequate my collection truly is. Ive spent lots of time in the stores and have never really been interested in them until now. Depending where you shop, there are some really great deals to be had. I find that sunglasses made in Italy are of great quality and wherever I look, I try to find not only a good style, but something that will feel good wearing. And yes, I never pay retail and you shouldnt either!

Tom Ford Samantha

I recently discovered the Tom Ford brand. We are all familiar with his sunglasses on famous celebrities, and with frame styles such as Whitney, Samantha, and Lauren, its easy to ID which style you love most. His frames are also quite tasteful, sparing us from much of the “bling” that too many in the stores have. I suppose if you are the creative director of Gucci, you must be doing something right.