I want to ride my bicycle...

I want to ride my bike..

Recently my 1976 green schwinn bike was stolen right out of my backyard...so scary, but I won't go into that!

Since I've been honoring all of my bad luck recently, I thought it was only natural to honor my stolen wheels. Without further ado, here are some cool bicyclette items on one of my favorite sites...you guessed it..Etsy...

My Vintage Bicycle Pillow $26.99

Octopus on a Bike T-shirt $18

Bike's Got Back Bicycle T-shirt $17.99 (if I looked good in yellow I would totally get this, but alas I look like I have a severe case of jaundice in yellow)

Tiger on Bike T-shirt $18 (it's the year of the Tiger right!?)

And a t-shirt for your little dumpling...

Screen printed unisex onesie $16

Bicyclette hand screened silk tie $30 (uh..great price and great gift)

Bicycle Eco Key Rack $19 (great price and love upcycling!)

Upcycled Rubber Oakleaf Necklace $30 (another great upcycled item and great for fall)

Fox on a Bike Cork Trivet $10 (so cute and unexpected)

Vital Bicycle screen printed glassware 2/$20 (wuv these)

I can't seem to stop..

Bicycles Vintage Dictionary Art Print $7 (great way to re-use old dictionaries)

Thanks a bunch for hanging in there..

4 Thanks a Bunch Vintage Bicycle Card Set $7.50

I'm done...I promise!

Cheers,

Danielle

Well maybe not totally done...

Vintage Bicycle Poster $15.95

Get into the Loop...

for your kids with Loop Scoops by PBS, directed by Annie Leonard from The Story of Stuff!

For those who have children these short videos brought to you by PBS are awesome for inspiring kids to be more environmentally responsible.

I know this is not design, but I think it is all related. If we teach our kids that we don't need stuff to make us happy, to recycle and to reuse, then that is a wonderful step for the future of design. As I have said before we don't have to sacrifice the environment for good design...the two can work together for a healthy and happy future!

To get your kids started maybe get them a re-usable water bottle. Here's a BPA free one by Klean Kanteen that comes in a myriad of colors...

Hope your kids like the videos as much as mine did!!

Cheers,

Danielle

Gourds Gone Ghoulish

This is the first year, in 6 years, I have not grown my gorgeous gourds and I am depressed! Every year the vines would spin around my front lawn and I would sit in my living room and enjoy listening to all of the families go by and point out the pumpkins to their children. It was a delight to watch the kids count the pumpkins and ask if they could grow pumpkins too. And it was doubly wonderful to see my son take pride in our petite pumpkin patch. We would give many away, but we always had enough left over to carve...

So in honor of my pumpkins here are some gourdgeous pumpkin infused interiors that I think would be easy to replicate using craigslist or eco-friendly furniture...

Stunning Living Room by Jill Sorensen (I've seen this in person and it's beautiful with many antiques)

Courtesy: LiveLikeYou (can't wait for the e-commerce site to be up...it's going to be fun)

A creamy dreamy bedroom...

Amanda Nisbet

Love the chairs...find similar ones on Craigslist all of the time and check out the blanket, these are always on Ebay...

Image Via Domino - Barry Benson

I would think you would be pretty bold to do this blood orange staircase...

Sorry can't remember where I found this

And my all time favorite front door color (totally regretting painting my front door yellow) from an incredible local designers home...

by Lauren Leiss at Pure Style Home (you all have to check out her blog...she's not only beautiful, uber talented, but one of the nicest people I have ever met and her boys are adorable!)

I hope you all enjoy carving your pumpkins!

Cheers,

Danielle

Fridays Finest Craigslist Finds

Every Friday I plan to highlight what I think are the top Craigslist finds in the DC Metropolitan Area. Craigslist is a wonderful resource, but so many do not have the time to search or see its potential.

This is a recent West Elm picture showcasing a sofa and furniture. I really like the pattern on the sofa with the rich color on the wall and have been searching Craigslist for something similar (just a little hobby of mine)...

And here is a sofa on Craigslist in the same style...

Neutral Comfy Sofa $250

Do you see the similarity? I do and if I got it I would bring a picture of the awesome West Elm sofa with me to the upholsterer. I would take off the pillows and opt for two small back and side pillows and I would upholster it in this...

John Robshaw Atti Indigo

or this...

John Robshaw Kochi Lapis

or for a darker sofa...

Katherine Rally Afrique in Midnight Blue

or for less expensive fabric...

Traditions Chocolate/White (not really the same vibe, but still nice)

Add these legs (very easy to do)...

Bun Feet $8.75/piece

And viola you have a newish sofa that is TOTALLY personalized...I love it!

Here are a few more Craigslist finds...

Large Old School Sofa - make an offer (imagine it upholstered in something a little less 80's)

Antique Globe Wernicke Barrister's Bookshelf $750

Williams Sonoma Beverly Sofa $750

Check out all of these from a Designers close-out sale...

I seriously could go on forever...it's amazing how much is out there!!

Good Luck and hope you find something you like!!!

Cheers,

Danielle

Cover Me Up in Sustainability

Now that the cold weather is here to stay, it is time to keep warm without turning the heat up in your home,

Green Tip: For every degree you lower the thermostat, you'll save between 1-3% off of your heating bill...just imagine how much energy that would save if everyone lowered their thermostat in the winter.

instead turn up the heat under an eco-friendly blanket...

Angela Adams Baby Alpaca Throw in Olive currently on sale for $165 instead of $395 at One King's Lane (sale ending soon)

Designer Micheal Smith

Serena and Lily Alpaca Throw $148 in a variety of gorgeous and rich colors

Designer Miles Redd

Pendelton Glacier National Park Blanket $160/twin (my parents have had theirs for over 20 years and they look brand new...the blankets, not my parents ;)

Image via House Beautiful

Jonathon Adler Baby Alpaca Throw $295

eBay (a great source for gently used wool/alpaca blankets...the most eco-friendly way to go)

Vintage Fotrama Alpaca Wool Throw (Sold for $80)

Raid your Grandmother's Closet for some great finds...

Image: Apartment Therapy

Stay warm with wool, alpaca and used blankets (you can always clean or shrink and make a lap blanket)!!!

Cheers,

Danielle

Leap into Organics

I was shopping at Whole Foods in Arlington yesterday, doing my usual...sniffing soap (at least it's not something else). And I came upon a new brand of soap...Leap Organics. The soap smelled divine and was packaged in super fun box's (that would be great to reuse for mini-gifts like earrings, small ornaments or gift cards). And I loved their mission statement:

WE BELIEVE in harnessing the purity of the best thing in nature - and then giving something back. That's why we use recycled packaging and renewable energy, pursue ZERO-WASTE, SUSTAINABLE business practices and DONATE 3% OF SALES to non-profits THAT MAKES CLEAN SKIN FOR A CLEAN CONSCIENCE.

This is my favorite and love the fun play on words and octopus image (so does my son)...

This smells so fresh and summery...

And this is a great holiday gift...

Every year I make a bunch of unique (unique b/c they can look a little odd) hand-built pottery pieces and I usually put soap or chocolate in them and wrap in lemon wrappers (you know the yellow or purple net looking stuff) and give them away to family and friends.

If you don't make pottery or have the time, then Etsy is a great place to go.

Here are my 2 favorite stores on Etsy...

ginamstudio

and

oneclaybead

I used the soap last night, after giving it a good sniff, and loved it! Looks like Leap Organics is a fairly new company that will be offering more organic products in the future...can't wait to see the packaging!

Cheers,

Danielle