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At first glance I had a rather negative response to this ring- it’s huge, made from a cowrie shell, a little too luxury-in-excess etc., but after looking at it a while I kind of love it, probably for the same reasons. And, yes, you did read that right, it’s $800.

Faceted onyx nestled in a wreath of silver droplets sits atop natural cowrie shell, hollowed to accommodate ring sizes 6-8. Black.

Whole and half sizes 6-8.

Our travel section was mainly created as a place to put travel gear, yet we also thought that maybe it could be a good space to feature certain places we’ve been to. Now I haven’t been to this place (yet), but
I’m completely smitten with the images of this hotel located in Yelapa, Mexico. While perusing many travel sites* in order to find a vacation spot later on this year, I happened upon this one and found quite a bit of photographs that seem to categorize this one as a viable candidate. If anyone’s been here, please pass on your thoughts- I’d like to know what you thought of it.

*kiwicollection.com has a rather thorough review on the hotel- take a look.

There’s also an interesting travel site that was born from the Verana experience:
Been/Seen “approaches travel from a creative and visually artistic point of view. We roam the world in search of places remote and beautiful, created with imagination and vision, and that reflect simple luxury.”

8 Rooms & Suites, prices range from $380 – $610 USD

Activities available: Jungle Treks, Bird Walks, Mule Back Riding, Day Trips & Whales, Kayaking & Fishing, Beaches, Spa Treatments, Cooking Classes, etc.

I’m certainly a fan of Harry Allen, and I’m pleased as punch that he’s got this new “books book” shelf (sounds funny). I might have to add this to my list of things to get once I figure out where I would put it.

“The Books Book Shelf by Harry Allen has a matte white resin finish and is wall mounted. From his famed Reality series, the Books book shelf has been cast from actual books.”

18″W x 11″H x 9″D

I keep waiting for that moment when I see someone walking around with one of these plugged into their cell phones (one day I know it’ll happen). If you’ve been wanting one of these, there’s a significant sale on the white and green (discontinued), so get to it.

– Adaptors are included for compatibility with the majority of mobile/cell phones
– Reduces exposure to radiation from mobile/cell phones by around 95%
– Button answers and ends calls on most mobile/cell phones
– Base plugs directly into MAC + PC to become an internet telephone
– Plug-and-play, no need for software installation
– Works with all VoIP services (Skype, iChat, GoogleTalk, Vonage, Yahoo, etc.)
– Phone can plug directly into USB*ADAPTOR – ideal for use with laptop when travelling or in a WiFi zone

Phone $65.00 $39.00
Base $115 $69.00

[posted by katie]

A multi-functional piece of furniture is a must in small spaces, and something like this tray and stand is a no brainer since it would allow for serving when you need it and as a fixed side table by a sofa or bedside when you need a more permanent solution.

Stand available in two heights, 15.75″ and 21″.

Tray: lacquered metal in red, black, olive green or cream. Size: 20.5″

Dry Erase boards can look a little too ‘office-y’ sometimes, and that’s why I’m a little too excited about this paint. Right now I can think of a few walls in my house that might be perfect for this…

“Rust-Oleum Dry Erase Paint is a smooth, hard finish that creates a unique white writeable-erasable surface. Once dry, simply use any dry erase markers to draw or write messages and then erase! Application is easy and it has minimal odor making it safe to use indoors. Ideal for use on interior surfaces such as drywall, masonite, wood, cement, metal.”

If you didn’t take Art History in while pursuing your secondary eduction, I’d recommend getting a copy of this book. On it’s 16th edition, it gives an excellent introduction to art as a chronological narrative (so, it’s easy to read).

From Booklist:
“Gombrich’s The Story of Art has been a treasured standard in the field, selling more than 4 million copies since its first edition in 1950. Now in its 16th edition and available for the first time in paperback, this comprehensive look at Western art from prehistoric times on up to the present has been completely redesigned and extensively revised and updated. In addition, the illustrations have all been enhanced, and a total of 443 are now in color. Gombrich is more than an authority, he’s an advocate, and his love and deep respect for art infuse his invigorating text.”

At just over $500 off the original price, I’d say this sideboard is a serious consideration.

“This striking sideboard, designed by Terence Conran and exclusive to The Cornan Shop, has a mocha-stained beech-veneer frame and anodised aluminum sliding doors and base. It has an internal vertical divide and a shelf in the left compartment with a removable CD/DVD/Video inset in the right compartment, making it a multi-functional piece of furniture.”

W67 x D17.5 x H23.5 in

First of all, you’ll need to know a bit of Polish to navigate through this retail site, but this tablecloth is so noteworthy that I couldn’t pass it up just because of the language difference.

(I tried a translation site, but it didn’t really help too much. You can also visit the designer’s site:

Buy it here.)

This could be a great way to solve minor domestic disputes.

If you’ve got a great idea on how to make household chores easier, now’s your chance to show off your smarts. Simple Human is holding a design competition with the grand prize of $5,000 scholarship, which is enough to get you motivated into putting your thinking cap on I’d think.

“The goal of the simple solutions competition is to promote creative problem-solving among students through product design, and by doing so, increase public attention and awareness of industrial design. Endorsed by the IDSA, students at all U.S. design schools are invited to participate by designing a new and innovative product, technology, or concept for making household chores easier and more intuitive.”

The First Prize winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The competition deadline is February 29, 2008.

Visit www.simplehuman.com/design for more information and the entry form.

Truth be told, I absolutely love this chair. And now all you Missoni fans can go berserk because this chair now has a limited-edition, reversible cover by none other than Ms. Rosita Missoni herself.

“The frame, a continuous 17-foot piece of solid stainless steel, is shaped under 200 lbs of hydraulic pressure over 24 hours. The result is a sinuous structure welded in a single spot and wrapped in almost an entire hide of leather that will gain depth and luster as it ages. Exceptionally comfortable, the Paulistano flexes slightly and can be adjusted for upright or relaxed sitting positions by shifting the sling up or down the frame.”

Missoni reversible cover, 100% cotton.
Also available in vegetable-tanned full-grain, semi-aniline, double-sided leather.

H 33″ W 27.5″ D 27.5″

Holy moly, this is such a smart idea. Previously a folding wooden chair, now it’s got a few special abilities. Available from
reestore, a store whose aim is to “take everyday waste objects and cheekily turn them into charming yet functional pieces of furniture and accessories.” Worth taking a look at their collection.

‘Olivia is our first design to consist primarily of an “off the shelf” product. Her modified coat-hanger style backrest allows for unruffled jacket slinging and olivia doesn’t take offence at being reduced to size and hung out of sight.’

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery

(Thanks Christy!)

Carafes are everywhere, but this is one of the few I’ve seen that has a wood stopper that seems to fit perfectly.

Imported from Sweden.

11″ h

I have no idea if the nest comes with this or not, and it might be slightly contrived, but I kind of like it anyways.

6″ Tall