Saturday 31 January 2009

Cath Kidston Magazine

As promised in my previous post, here is a look at Cath Kidston's new catalogue.
There is a definite shift from "catalogue" to "magazine". The publication features as a magazine in the company's homepage, too,where we are urged to request their "new magazine".

The change is made definite, as on the spine there is a number 1 printed and there is a price of 1,5 pounds, printed, too, although I did receive it free of charge and there isn't a charge if you request it from their website. Inside there are magazine-like features, like the one below, about Dublin, celebrating the opening of the first Cath Kidston shop in Ireland.

There is also a competition for a mother's day card inspired by and promoting her new book, Make,which, by the way, is quite nice and useful, not just pretty pictures, and comes with a cotton bag for you to customize.

There is also a special collection of presents for Valentine's day, as you'd expect from a Country Living kind of glossy.

All this shows that retailers, too, get the message of the times. If you want our custom, you've got to do more than showing off your stuff: create a lifestyle, and then promote it. It's beneficial for the retailer and the spoiled for choice customer.
That stack of fabrics above is my favorite picture of the catalogue. I love the harmony and freshness of the composition.
Finally, for now, instead of showing you the front cover, as happens usually, I am showing you the back cover with many intersting photos from the cat...sorry, magazine.

ENJOY!

Friday 30 January 2009

Good news, bad news

Two sets of feelings today upon receiving the mail:
My new Cath Kidston catalogue arrived today. The bigger she has ever produced, with nice big pictures and lots of new beautiful stuff to feed the romantic souls (buyers).
I cannot show you pictures because the scanner at work does not work, but I'l try to use the new scanner at home and post some pictures later today.

The bad news is that I got a postcard informing me that "Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion magazine has ceased publication with the January 2009 issue. We are delighted to send you Martha Stuart Living magazine to serice erc...". Nice of them, but do I like Martha's magazine?
First Domino, now Home Companion. The crisis hits hard the world of glossies.

Thursday 29 January 2009

Empty Space


Hello dear friends and passers by.

First of all, I want to thank you from my heart for your comments on the passing of our dear cat, Taki, a week today. We are all very sad, but we were trully blessed to have him live with us his short life. He was a handsome prince of cats, both in mind and body.

You may read some lessons of his passing here.

For my post today I picked Shaker Workshops. Simple, empty spaces, where chi may move freely and breath healthy, fresh air into the rooms. Plus lots of info on the Shaker movement. I love the tree index. One of my favorite tricks of the site.

Be happy.

Friday 23 January 2009

Taki the Noble Cat



It is with great sadness that I am writing to you about the passing of our darling cat, Taki.




Taki has been with us since May 2008. He was hardly one year old.


He will be greatly missed by all of us. But particularly by our daughter F. He was her prince. He slept at her feet and pulled her duvet once the alarm went off in the morning. She doesn't know it yet, but we shall tell the kids over the weekend.



I believe that God in His beautiful garden has our little kitten playing on His lap.

Wednesday 21 January 2009

Sharing the Love


It seems people are happily intoxicated around the blogosphere. I have stayed up very late though I have to wake up at 6:30, clicking from happy to happy, sharing the enthusiasm. So, I have decided to be extra nice and share a lovely post I found here, but you really need to read here.

So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years:

1. Ignore everybody.

2. The idea doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

3. Put the hours in.

4. If your biz plan depends on you suddenly being “discovered” by some big shot, your plan will probably fail.

5. You are responsible for your own experience.

6. Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

7. Keep your day job.

8. Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion creativity.

9. Everybody has their own private Mount Everest they were put on this earth to climb.

10. The more talented somebody is, the less they need the props.

11. Don’t try to stand out from the crowd; avoid crowds altogether.

12. If you accept the pain, it cannot hurt you.

13. Never compare your inside with somebody else’s outside.

14. Dying young is overrated.

15. The most important thing a creative person can learn professionally is where to draw the red line that separates what you are willing to do, and what you are not.

16. The world is changing.

17. Merit can be bought. Passion can’t.

18. Avoid the Watercooler Gang.

19. Sing in your own voice.

20. The choice of media is irrelevant.

21. Selling out is harder than it looks.

22. Nobody cares. Do it for yourself.

23. Worrying about “Commercial vs. Artistic” is a complete waste of time.

24. Dont worry about finding inspiration. It comes eventually.

25. You have to find your own schtick.

26. Write from the heart.

27. The best way to get approval is not to need it.

28. Power is never given. Power is taken.

29. Whatever choice you make, The Devil gets his due eventually.

30. The hardest part of being creative is getting used to it.

31. Remain frugal.

32. Allow your work to age with you.

33. Being Poor Sucks.

34. Beware of turning hobbies into jobs.

35. Savor obscurity while it lasts.

36. Start blogging.

37. Meaning Scales, People Don’t.

38. When your dreams become reality, they are no longer your dreams.

One more thing:

“Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America” and all of our countries. God Bless, Mr. President.

Tuesday 20 January 2009

US...celebrate


"Can you feel it in the air? The buzz of anticipation, the excitement. It feels like the dawn of a new day. Sexy black men are becoming presidents, planes are gently landing on water, there are cease-fires all over the place. I will go as far as saying, judging by the insanely low temperatures, that the planet is experiencing global cooling (okay, i'm kidding about that.) Still, I can't help believing that things are going to get good, very, very good and that we're at the tipping point of America's new consciousness".

What better way to introduce the day, than those of a dear blogging friend?
(image from LanaKole at Etsy)

A cat in wintertime

It's a cat's life, my friends...

For a suitable narrative and great pictures, please visit Sew Liberated.

Monday 19 January 2009

Obama here, Obama there...

It's Obama day, January 20th, 2009, a day everyone hopes will mark a more humane era in US politics both inside and outside the country. The creative community couldn't miss the occasion, so Etsy has some interesting examples of human inspiration and craft. centered arounf President Barak Obama.

From seriously blinky...

...to minimally cute jewellery...,

...from toys....
...to paper goods marking the occasion...


...from the practical....
...the clever...
...the memorable...

...to words to remember...
...to commemorative prints...


...it's good to see that the President inspires the people, in so may ways. And now, to work!

(Items from aymujer, ecoworks, lana kole, sherrytruitt, dutchblythefashion, found objects, blinkphoto, fun2wear2, citrus tree, and jean cody).

Want a blog makeover?

It's my giveaway day, today! I am glad to include an offer not for just one, but two free blog makeovers. Lucky participants will receive a blog makeover by the generous and talented Tara. She is just getting her business off the ground, so go ahead and join in.

Life with boys

Don't forget to spread the word about her business, too. With prices starting at $25 including the design kit, her offer is fantastic. Even if you don't win, you can still get a makeover for $13 if you order by February 1st! Love month is ahead, go on, show some love through your blog! Good Luck!

New Fabrics and a Giveaway


I am addicted to colorful fabrics. Ever since I was following my mom in her shopping trips for fabrics, buttons and patterns for her sewing projects, I love breathing in the smell of fresh fabric. Here is an opportunity for touching-feeling-smelling a new line of fabrics. I have seen them before but have somehow missed finding again in the vast cyberspace. It is called Andalucia and it is by Patty Young. It will ring a bell if you are Spanish, Portuguese or Jewish, but will equally touch you if you are prone to Alpine, Central European charm.
Here is what you have to do to win a sweet little Andalucia pendant and a Fat Quarter Bundle of said prints as seen above. Visit Lanie Jane and follow the instructions. Given that not that many of y'all read this, and with some luck, I may win and share!

Friday 16 January 2009

A colorful appartment in Athens

I very rarely find interesting houses in Greece. But when I do, I share them with you. This is the refurbished home of a young couple of graphic designer and art director, in Athens' southern suburbs. A new generation comes forth, well travelled and with different cultural experiences, improving tastes and styles from the hideous 60s,70s and 80s. The problem is that very rarely these homes have anything Greek about them, at all.


Having said that, I love the mushroom colored fabric on this sofa and the fuchsia jacquard one on the chair next to it.

The airy yet warm kitchen is another favorite of mine.

I also love the color combination in the white chair picture.


Painted steps, hmm! I wonder how long they'd last in a family home.

And the american stylistic touch. All fabrics Designers Guild from the Obrione collection.
(House and Garden, Greek issue, December 2008)

Thursday 15 January 2009

Anna-Maria Horner's 'Good Folks' collection

I am a fan of Anna-Maria Horner's. It's her prints. It's her character. It's the whole deal that I like. And I have to like the people to like the product. So, I am very happy to see her new collection of fabrics.


In her own words:

Good Folks was inspired by various sets of things, but all of the notions in my mind had kindness involved. Odd? Perhaps. But can't think of how else to say it. Old European linens. Family. Hand-loomed wool bedspreads. Meals. Fields. Embroidery. Needlepoint kits that I spent summers in Greece as a child occupied with. The icons of the village churches. Layer upon layer of mismatched bed linens piled on top of my floor palette in the upper room of my Yiayia's house to keep me warm even though it was the middle of the summer. Tablecloths drying in the sun. Memories of what my cousin's dowry of linens looked like. All the details. All the work. All the warmth. All the good wishes. Weddings. Wine. Love. Goodness.


Old woolen blankets, may I add. A little itchy against the skin. Priests' ceremonial dresses. Vitraux. Sweet memories that distill themselves slowly inside us, and look for ways to be acknowledged and to live on.

Wednesday 14 January 2009

It's about Freedom, stupid!

A friend and I have been drooling over pictures of homes at Cookie mag. She was all oohs and ahhhs, because she had never seen it before, nor had she seen homes like the ones featured in the magazine.
Why don't people make houses like these here, she asked?
Oh the freedom of the space that YOU create because YOU like it!


WE have just moved into a new house, and the pressure is still heavy on us, as to how the house should look like. DH does not put pictures up by fear that we may change our minds, and destroy the walls. Can you imagine that? Being afraid of using your own home's walls?


Am I totally irresponsible? Or should I give up and free my workroom that actually works as a warehouse, and put up whatever I like?


(Pictures from Cookie and Design Sponge)

Saturday 10 January 2009

9th Annual Weblog Awards:I nominate....

Another weblog award is up, and this time I know of it quite early, so as to nominate my personal favorites. Do stop by and check my nominees, and then head here to nominate (by Monday, January 12, 10:00 PM EST) and vote between Thursday, January 22 and Monday, February 2
10:00 PM EST.

Best European: Bleedinng Espresso
Best Photography:Soulemama
Art,Craft,Design: Posie Gets Cozy, A Petits Pas
Food: Canelle et Vanille
Best Topical:Spiritually Unequal Marriage
Best Writing: Hidden in France
About Politics: Taki's Magazine
Best Kept Secret: Shortybears Place

And if you do, do let us know. I'd love to see your hidden favorites!

Thursday 8 January 2009

2008 Weblog Awards-Vote for Blissfully Domestic!


Blissfully Domestic is a finalist for the 2008 Weblog Awards. Please vote for them!

Apart from being a great site for everything domestic, my dear friend, great inspiration and Christian mom Melissa of The Inspired Room is an editor to Blissful Home and I'd very much like to make her happy!

Blissfully Domestic is currently in the 4th place, so go HERE and vote NOW. You may also want to visit my list of last year's favorite blog list. It's here.

HAPPY BLOGGING YEAR!

Paradise


Paradise
Originally uploaded by hannahlasco
Hello beautiful, creative people. I hope you all had a good festive season. This is my first day in the office for the new year. Better start with something happy. You know how I hate it when people 'spaceball' their pictures on Flickr. Come on, people, the world is not your copyright. Still, although I generally don't post on spaceballing people, I am beginning the year with this little piece of heaven, situated in the Philippines, to get the year off to a good start. Yes, life is beautiful, thank God!

Best buys