Wanting to do al fresco?

I am looking (actually yearning) for some new summer dinnerware. So why I am having so much trouble finding the perfect set? I am noticing there is not an abundance of patio or melamine dinnerware out there…..I even checked our usual suspects like Pottery Barn, William Sonoma and I have to saw I am not impressed.
Pottery Barn has gone very basic and very Americana….and WS has a lovely coral motif but still not what I am looking for.
So I started to surf and found a few other options that are nice – but have I become this picky that I still haven’t found the set I am looking for?
Macy’s
Crate & Barrel
Jonathan Adler
Smith and Hawken – really nice and they’re a heavy, durable melamine!!! Close but they look similar to the china I want to replace…..

While all of these are lovely, I am still looking for a sophisticated, stylish set of melamine dishes. I wish I made it to Target in time to get the Orla Kiely collection….If anyone has any suggestions let me…..

Oh and by the way, check out working class studio for these “fashion plates” great for a girls night in! Chat again soon from…..desperately seeking nice summer dinnerware

A dream come true

Barbie's Malibu dream house comes alive - and it only took 50 years!

On the eve of her 50th birthday, interior decorator Jonathan Adler has decked out a real-life 3,500-square-foot pad overlooking the Pacific Ocean to look like the blond doll's outrageous home.

Adler, who was commissioned by toy maker Mattel Inc. to decorate the house for Monday's party, said outfitting the sleek mansion (a property that's frequently rented for film and photography shoots) took six months of planning and a few weeks to install.

Adler lined Barbie's bedroom with wall-to-wall pink carpeting emblazoned with her initial.

The closet is filled with 50 pairs of pink peep-toe heels while her kitchen is stocked with cupcake-making ingredients.

An in-house museum features 25 vintage Barbie dolls on display.

In the garage? A pink Volkswagen New Beetle with a motorized pop-up vanity in the trunk.

Following the celebrity studded festivities, most of Barbie's custom decor will be shipped to the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas to furnish a special pink-tinted Barbie Suite that will be available for bachelorette parties, birthdays or anyone who wants to live like Barbie.

Other items will be available from the "Jonathan Adler Loves Barbie" collection launching in September – I can’t wait to see this!

A gift for everyone

Gift Fair 2009 – New York

Here are some of the latest items shown at the recent Gift Fair…..looks like there are some great things to come this year!

Dwell Studios:

It's Dwell Studio's 10th Anniversary and they're playing homage to some of their early geometric-centric designs with their new collection for 2009, unveiled at the Housewares Gift Fair at the Javits Center. Named "Abstractions" the new collection includes some great new pillows, rich textural Belgian linens and their outstanding 400-thread-count sheets and duvet covers. This is a very different direction for Dwell – what do you think?

Design House Stockholm:

I have to say I am not personally that impressed with the collection….what do you think? My thoughts are this coming from the people who brought us the Carrie Bike Basket?

The first is the leaning lamp, second the industrial work lamp, and the third cotton wool rugs – what the….is happening at the Design House?

Jonathan Adler:

The bright colors and bold shapes of Jonathan Adler's designs can be somewhat overwhelming when they're all in a booth together but they can also be really fun.

This season, Jonathan Adler is debuting a lot of new products, including an updated lacquer collection, a modern rattan collection ("Shelter Island") and the adorable Banana Bud Vases (seen above in white)...typical but still whimsical and delightful!

And new on the scene – and noteworthy….

Heather Lins.

Heather was one of three designers chosen for A+: The Young Designer's Platform and her first three collections combine the simplicity of canvas with bold screen-printed graphics and typography: Eye Chart Pillows, Numbered Edition Place mats, Napkins & Coasters and the Conversation Pieces Pillows.

Here are some other random pics of items I think are great and we are sure to see soon! Recycle bins all labeled and conveniently stored on the wall of your garage! From Authentics, the German plastics company. How about this cute planter? I love the tiniest of figurines located on the side.
Tea pot – this is a piece of art!

I love looking at pics like these (thanks to Apartment Therapy), it's a nice look at what's to come!

The "licious" List

I thought instead of a category called things I like....I would give it name (like the "O" list from Oprah) so here it is...The "licious" List. These are items I think are marvelous and must-haves. ENJOY!Letter pillows from Jonathan Adler…..OMG!!!OMG!!!OMG!!!! Also available LOL, LOVE etc…etc…etc…
I adore this little ceramic frog prince – really, I mean how can you resist. I unfortunately, do not have a source for this picture – I will have to source to find where I can get one!
Being Rich is Awesome – what else do you need to say??? Oh…maybe that this little coin pouch is eco-friendly; even more awesome!!!
Wine charms from matsudabunch on esty (they had others with questionable words – which honestly I liked better – but thought I better keep it clean!)
Ants on my spoon by bailey doesn't bark on etsy. And there is also ants on my cup, plate and creamer – really clever!!! Oh, and check out the four seasons wall hanging but at $80.00 it’s a bit too pricey for me!

“If your heirs won’t fight over it, we won’t make it”

That’s the company’s motto and it reflects Jonathan Adler’s commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and panache.

Since receiving his first order for pottery from Barneys New York fifteen years ago, Jonathan Adler’s eponymous company has grown to become an internationally recognized lifestyle and home furnishings brand offering tabletop, bedding, bath accessories, furniture, rugs, wallpaper, pillows and lighting. Jonathan Adler is known for a design aesthetic which pairs modernist forms with bold colors and groovy graphics. Additionally, Jonathan Adler is one of the country’s leading interior designers, working on luxury residential projects as well as large-scale commercial projects, including the celebrity hot spot Parker Palm Springs hotel. While he is already one the best interior designers around, I think it is fair to say that his style and look will be the inspiration for upcoming designers still years away from graduating – we could be looking at another David Hicks in the making!