Is this roughing it?

Thanks to one of my fav blogs design mom, I came across this great B&B.

In Moscow, Idaho, Mary Jane Butters has a farm that forms the center of a business aimed at selling back to us the good life that we have lost track of amidst the urban jungle...
Centered around an organic farm, and called, simply, Mary Jane's Farm, her business extends to a magazine (without ads), a line of products, newspaper columns, books, a school and a bed & breakfast that allows you to live on the farm and soak in all the goodness. I was particularly interested in the lovely walled tents and out houses that they offer to their B&B guests. I think these beautiful simple outdoor spaces can work anywhere if not for sleeping it would make for a lovely outdoor retreat!

Then it got me thinking about other tent retreats and where better then in the African outback….check out these luxurious accommodations….

Now this kind of camping I could get into!

The science of style

I came across nice on-line store of vintage-inspired decorative objects and furnishings. Not exactly my style but really pretty to look at – they definitely fit the “objects of desire” category.
Love the Heavy Canvas Bordeaux Buckets with Leather Handles
(small $16/large $24)
Eau Minerale Glass (Mineral Water $9.95 each)

Mercury Glass Pendant Lamps ($50.00 each )

Handwoven, Over sized Red Striped Grain Sack Runner ($62.00)
Handwoven cotton/hemp tote bag w/ leather handles ($82.00)

These items are so fresh and crisp, they make me think of spring (is it here yet?).

New frontier – pop culture cosmetics

I have been noticing a pop culture trend here….cosmetic companies seem to be going with iconic limited edition collections. There are 3 in and making their way to market right now, Barbie, Hello Kitty and Smurfette. Each of these collections is brought to you by top cosmetic companies….and from the blog buzz they are grabbing people’s attention.

The first is celebrating Barbie’s 50th anniversary.

Stila Cosmetics is introducing the limited edition Barbie Loves Stila spring collection. You can get the signature Barbie looks you love with four Stila paint can sets and the Barbie Loves Stila Talking Palette! The collection includes 4 beauty cans and a talking palette.

Four "Decades of Beauty" paint cans are filled with everything you need to recreate your favorite iconic Barbie looks. The sets also include a "Barbie Look Book" that includes a history of each top-selling Barbie doll over the last 50 years!

Here they are:

1959 PONYTAIL DOLL STRIKING & GLAMOROUS
The original Barbie® doll wore the famous black and white striped bathing suit. Striking red lips and black-rimmed cat eyes made this doll the epitome of 1950s glamour!

This set includes:
3 Pan Palette with a deep blue eye shadow with white shimmer, a matte black eye shadow, and a luminous coral cheek color
Lip Color in Ponytail (matte cherry red)
Liquid Eye Liner in Black

1971 MALIBU DOLL FRESH & SUN-KISSED Malibu Barbie® doll debuted in an aqua bathing suit, groovy sunglasses, and an L.A. tan! A sunny beach look featuring aqua shadow and pink lips made this doll the epitome of 1970s fresh, natural beauty!

This set includes:
3 Pan Palette with a soft shimmering pale pink eye shadow, a sky blue eye shadow with white shimmer, and a golden bronze bronzer
Lip Glaze in Malibu (pale pinky peach)
Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara in Black

1980 FOXY DOLL BOLD & STUNNING
Foxy Barbie® doll made the scene in a hot red outfit with golden accents and big earrings. A warm, sultry look featuring red lipstick and earth-toned shadow made this doll the epitome of bold 1980s glamour!

This set includes:
3 Pan Palette with soft wheat eye shadow with white shimmer, mid-tone brown. with gold shimmer, and matte soft berry cheek color
Lip Glaze in Foxy (sheer tangerine color)
Lash Visor Waterproof Mascara in Black

2000 JEWEL DOLL PRETTY & SASSY
Trendy and glamorous, Jewel Girl™ began the year 2000 with fresh style. A hip, sparkly look featuring blue shadow, shimmery pink lips, and faux gems made this doll the epitome of pretty in the new millennium!

This set includes:
3 Pan Palette with a tan eye shadow with pink shimmer, a brown eye shadow with gold and brown shimmer, and a shimmering pink cheek color
Lip Glaze in Jewel (shimmering vivid pink)
Multi-effect Mascara in Black

The Barbie Loves Stila Talking Palette
Barbie Loves Stila Talking Palette features four pretty in pink (and purple) wet/dry eye shadows that create the classic Barbie eye look, and literally talks you through every step of easy application.It also includes an insert card with instructions on step-by-step makeup application, and information on Barbie through the decades.Palette includes shadows in cool pink shimmer (base), bright lilac with gold sparkle (lid), deep pink (crease), and dark purple with blue sparkle (liner).Hello Kitty – arriving this February!

The limited edition collection will be available at MAC’s website on February 10, 2009 and in MAC US stores on February 12, 2009 (just in time for Valentine’s Day too!) and overseas stores in March 2009- mark your calendars ladies this collection is going to fly off the counters!

Not only did they create a range of cosmetics, there’s also a line of accessories: a Petite Makeup Bag ($22), a medium Makeup Bag ($35), a plush doll ($42), purse mirror ($22), three-brush collection ($49.50), a mirrored key clip ($16), beaded bracelet ($34), a tote ($45) and soft vanity kit ($55).The Hello Kitty collection consists of two collections: the Hello Kitty Colour Collection and the more high-end Hello Kitty Kouture. The Hello Kitty Colour Collection includes “six shades of lipstick with names like Fashion Mews and Strayin’, each $14; six Lip gloss shades, each $14; and two tinted lip conditioners, $14.50 each; two eye shadow palettes, which each contain four shades and retail for $38; two shades of pigment are $19.50 each, and two Reflects Glitter stock keeping units — one blue, one pink — are $17.50 each. Four Glitter Eye Liners, each $16.50, two shades of Beauty Powder, each $22; three shades of nail polish, each $11; a black mascara, $12, and false lashes, $12, round out the color offerings. Shades range from pinks and turquoises to lavenders and greens.”

The Hello Kitty Kouture collection is more of a high-end line and great for collectors as well. The range consists of “two shades of Dazzle gloss, each $28, each feature a reusable silver chain pendant with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black with a pink crystal bow. Sheer Mystery Powder, $90 and available in three shades, is packaged in a silver powder compact with Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals with a pink crystal bow on a black background.”

A now for a little blue….

Trendy cosmetics brand, is releasing its newest product – The Smurfette Collection. Inspired by the popular cartoon character Smurfette, who was seen on the '80s TV series "The Smurfs – who by the way my 5 year old daughter loves! The limited-edition Smurfette Collection is a five-piece set featuring Smurfette images, lip gloss, face powder, eye shadow collection and liquid liner.

Smurfette Mood Swing Lip Gloss, $18.50: A mood activated lip gloss that starts off Smurfy blue and then magically blossoms into countless shades of Smurf-berry pink depending on the wearer's emotional state!

So Smurfy Illuminating Face Powder, $26.00: Created in the image of Smurfette, this multi-shade palette brightens and tones with a combination of soft, color-correcting shades that blend together for wear on any skin tone.

So Smurfy Eye Shadow Collection, $32.50: A chic palette that includes four complimentary eye shadow shades -- two of which are debossed with the classic Smurf daisy and Smurfette's silhouette.

Smurfy Eyed Liquid Liner, $17.50: Two long-lasting, fast-drying liquid eyeliners, in Smurf-inspired blue and white shades formulated with sparkling, micro-glitter for added impact and edge!

The collection is “designed to appeal to the young at heart, hipsters looking for a dose of trendy nostalgia and any glamour girl that lives to play with makeup,” the company said in a release.

PS: I did break down and buy the lip gloss (which goes on blue and changes color depending on your lip color and heat), it’s ok – not the best gloss I’ve tried – but if you love the novelty of it, it’s worth the spend!

I think we're seeing a pattern here

Folklore and folk-art seems to be the hot new thing. What is modern folk? It’s an eclectic mix of traditional folk-art imagery with the vibrant color trends of today.

Think of Urban Outfitters and Anthropolgie these stores have been bringing you modern folk-art design for years….and I think this newly updated trend is about to really take off!

Here are a few examples that I am sure you have already seen around.

Wall hanging from Bride & Wolfe Cards and notebooks from Night Owl Paper Goods
Bedding from Anthropologie and Matryoshka Measuring Cups
Urban Outfitter pillow and jewelery holder
Other types of traditional folk-art that I think we’ll be seeing more of:
wycinanki {pronounced vi-chee-nahn-key} is a polish folk art that involves paper cutouts, bright colors and intricate patterns. Wycinanki dates back to mid 19th century and originated with polish sheepherders cutting designs out of tree bark and leather. In rural areas of Poland this craft is done for relaxation and passed down for generations, all the while designs and themes have become more intricate and detailed.
Here is a similar example in a beautiful pop-up placemat and reindeer wall hanging or check out the traditional print on the apron!

Another fascinating form of folk art is colcha fabric. This folk art has been practiced by the otomi Indians (from the tenango region of the Mexican state of hidalgo). Each piece of fabric usually comes in very bright colors and takes up to three weeks to complete. This region has been an impoverished region, and buying these fabrics helps the women who spend so much time making them and it also helps to sustain the viability of this tradition of endangered textiles.

Here is a beautiful bed spread and a stunning Kate Spade purse – keep your eyes open for more this spring//summer I think this look is very Pottery Barn!

Juju (or tyn) hats are a ceremonial accessory to the villages of cameroon. It is worn by chiefs, prominent officials and important dancers. The hats are made out of brightly colored feathers that are sewn onto a raffia fiber base. The feathers are utilized as a symbol of prosperity and positive qualities associated with birds.

Here is an example of the head piece and how it can work into your décor!

I hope you are inspired by these pictures and add a little folk to your space.

HORNE (you gotta check it out)

HORNE was imagined, created and brought to life by Ryan Walker and Alissa Parker.

The pair worked endlessly for several years to bring us the most beautiful items they could find. Each piece offered on the website is hand selected by Alissa and Ryan and was created by talented designers from around the world.

A blend of their personal styles (Ryan is a classic minimalist while Alissa is a free spirit) and the styles of their perspective upbringings (country rustic and eclectic European) helped the pair create a unique point-of-view for their boutique. Whether you're browsing for yourself or for someone else there’s tons there to enjoy!

Cheese Dome - Landscape Products

As it's name suggests, this stunning piece is perfect for cheese storage but also for showcasing those hard to place precious objects. The glass dome is mouth blown, signed and dated. The base is handcrafted from solid walnut.

Night Igloo - Tsé & Tsé

These very thin porcelain candle holders magnificently glow when a tea light is placed beneath it – great inside and even better for a dinner served alfresco!

Signe Tealight Holder - Karin Eriksson

Dress up your candle up with these Swedish-designed tea light holders. The thin porcelain allows the soft glow of the candlelight to shine through. Each piece is adorned with enamel transfers designed by the artist.

Mad Hatter Bowl Set - Jorine Oosterhoff

This lyrical line by the avant-garde Danish designer, Jorine Oosterhoff, tells a store every time you have your morning coffee or tea. The outside is smooth-sanded porcelain and the inside is finished with a clear glaze. Each piece comes dressed with it’s own lid to protect whatever little treats you may put on the inside. How cute!!!

Crushed Cups - Rob Brandt

This Dutch designer’s whimsical take on the oft-disposed plastic cup is both versatile and fun.

I hope you find as many goodies at Horne as I have!