Surplussing Army gear

After receiving today's "Etsy Finds" email, I became intrigued by these amazing bags made by twomaisons.

Etsy seller twomaisons: Painted Post Bag ($344)

Etsy seller twomaisons: Military Satchel ($424)

I love the structured look and renewed military-like materials. I started looking up military surplus shops online to browse through these relatively cheap design materials. During my search, I also came across some fun basics, like these all-weather notebooks.

gr8gear: All-Weather Journal Maxi-Spiral Notebook ($12.95)

gr8gear: All-Weather Field Book- Tan ($14.99)

I love these thin wool blankets. Growing up, we used my dad's old military blankets when we went camping. If you laid them under your sleeping bag you stayed warmer at night. Somehow, I've been attached to them since.
gr8gear: French Blanket ($14.99)

These seem like an excellent source to make your own bags from.gr8gear: Genuine Issued Laundry Bag ($4.99)

gr8gear: Genuine Issue Flyers Kit Bag ($36.99)

These bags already have great structure to them, but you could easily reconstruct them to your liking.Army Surplus World: Medical Eqpt/Magazine Bag (Starts at $16.99)

I couldn't resist adding this flexible bowl and cup set.gr8gear: Squishy Bowl & Cup ($14.95/set)

This bag is great for a basic look.Army Surplus Warehouse: Danish Canvas Bag ($6.95)

These are some more great fabric materials to work with.Army Surplus Warehouse: Bag for Rings ($2.49)

Army Surplus Warehouse: Rain Drop Ammo Pouch ($3.99)

And of course, the heavy-duty military zippers.Army Surplus Warehouse: Heavy-Duty Zipper ($4.99)

These scarves actually are very beautiful and come in many colors. They show you how to wrap the scarf like below, but wrapped around the neck or draped over your shoulders would look amazing as well.gr8gear: Desert Scarves- Shemagh ($9.99)

More great materials to work with...Army Surplus Warehouse: Spare Parts Bag ($1.99)

Army Surplus Warehouse: US Panel Marker ($4.99)

Even add your own name to your items.Army Surplus World: Name Tapes (Start at $2.75)

Supporting the Arts

I think everyone who loves design always considers themselves supporters of the arts. I consider myself a supporter because of my love for art and design. A friend of mine pointed me to this sale on ebay that a friend of hers wrote up. After reading the details of this sale, I began to question whether just my interest in art was a true support of the art community. Check it out and see if you find yourself questioning your own support of the arts.

Sale: West Elm

Don't miss out on the great discounts at West Elm online. I've got my eye on some furniture here.

Cube Mirror Lamp ($69.99)

Antler Table Lamp ($69.99)

Narrow Leg Wardrobe ($299)

Square Metal Armchair ($34.50)

Round Canvas Nesting Boxes ($49.99/set of 3)

Metal Rimmed Clock ($24.99)

Tigerlilly Shop

I came across Tigerlilly Shop on Etsy today and I'd love to take home a bag of goodies from this store.

Silver Hydrangea Earrings ($30)

Silver Maple Seed Necklace ($38)

Turquoise Lizard Ring ($12)

Japanese Bird Print Ring ($7)

Blooming Cherry Tree Ring ($7)

Poppy Rubber Stamp with Cling Cushion ($8)

Feather Necklace ($25)

Floral Brooch ($8)

Acorn Necklace ($45)

Orange Goldfish Ring ($7)

Elegant Wing Copper Necklace ($40)

Stumps [clusters]

I'm having an obsessive day with stumps. These are some of my favorites:

Etsy seller LittleSeedlings: Tree Stump Beanie ($12)

This natural stump planter is so earthy.
Etsy seller Kindlingshop: Small Stump Planter ($35)

I love the colors of these stumps!Etsy seller AshleyG: Stumps print ($20)

This would definitely show off your love of stumps.Etsy seller Sodeco: Big Stump Wall Art ($55)

I am really digging this print.Etsy seller Seasprayblue: Be Different Print ($17)

Secret message?Etsy seller StudioLyon: I Heart U Print ($20)

I think this is so cool- especially in blue. Etsy seller Poodlebreath: Glassy Blue Tree Stump- Business Card Holder ($25)

I think the red plant really pulls this vase off.Doe: White Porcelain Stump Vase ($22)

I really like the idea of adding a stump to your home decor, but I don't like the idea of paying $200 for it. There are so many other ways to get a stump in your home.West Elm: Natural Tree Stump Side Table ($199)

This print is very romantic.Etsy seller Tugboatprintshop: Stumps print ($45)

Etsy seller Groundwork: New Growth Print ($20)

Etsy seller SmallStump: Genuine Bark Birch Tube (sold out)

Esty seller Fragments: Determination Print ($20)

This is a stump cover you can slip over a plastic bucket to turn it into a fun stool.Etsy seller Allicoate: Stump stool-red ($40)

Etsy seller Seasprayblue: Keep on Growing Print ($17)

And coasters...come on. How can you say no?Etsy seller LittleOddForest: Tree Trunk Coaster ($10/pair)

Halloween: More decor

SM and I are planning a Halloween party and I've been dreaming up ideas for decorations and games. I love this easy idea for making everyday chairs a little ghoulish.
Better Homes & Gardens: Haunted Chair Covers

This is an all-time winner:Better Homes & Gardens: Webbed Chandelier

I'm thinking of making up my own labels to replace the liquor at the party, but you can buy some pre-made labels if you don't have time.Grandin Road: Halloween Bottle Labels ($24/pack of 24)


I am in love with these eerie owls.Grandin Road: Feathered Owls ($29)


Because there will be drinking, we've decided to have a pin the bones on the body game. We're going to disassemble a paper skeleton like below and after spinning contestants around they'll be asked to stick the bone onto the right location.

Oriental Trading: Glow-in-the-Dark Jointed Skeleton ($5.99)

Another game...we're considering bobbing for apples from a galvanized tub.

Ace Hardware: Hot Dipped Galvanized Oval Tub ($15.49- $30.99)

Fun Cameras [clusters]

Urban Outfitters: Leica Mini Digital Camera ($225)

Urban Outfitters: Lomography Diana Dreamer Camera ($60)

Urban Outfitters: Lomography Diana F+ Camera ($95)

Urban Outfitters: Rolleiflex Mini Digital Camera ($399)

The Land of Nod: Kids Fisheye 2 Lens Camera ($70)

The Land of Nod: Action Jackson Camera ($60)

Uncommon Goods: Fisheye Camera ($50)

Uncommon Goods: Pop 9 Camera ($40)

Portable Items [clusters]

This is the classiest Swiss Army knife I've seen yet. The scissors and nail file are staples for my purse and this pocket knife makes them even more accessible.
Amazon: Victorinox Swiss Army Money Clip ($18.07 - $35.99)

Because I am a cook who likes to multi-task, I like the idea of this small and portable timer.
Amazon: Tempo Time Tag ($21.95/2)

How can you pass this up?
Design Public: Fauna Chico Key Fab- Zebra ($18)

Oh, the lucky rabbit's foot. Now available without the shedding.Design Public: Harry Allen Rabbit's Foot Keychain ($45)

Pick o' the Day: Frozen Smiles

I am so having these ice cubes at my Halloween party!

Archie McPhee: Frozen Smiles Ice Cube Tray by Jason Amendolara($8.95)

Halloween: Decor/Party Ideas

During holidays, you can always find great decorating/party ideas on magazine websites. Some of my favorite ideas for Halloween come from Country Home and Martha Stewart's websites.

Witch's Curtain via: Martha Stewart

Halloween Gift Boxes via: Country Home

Isn't this image just smashing?! I would love to have a snack table set up with several of these labeled jars filled with dark punches.Halloween Potions via: Country Home

Another great idea from Martha Stewart's website is to purchase flicker bulbs to replace the lightbulbs in your house. These bulbs flicker like candlelight and add some spookiness to your party.

Schweppes: Slow Bursting Balloons

I dream of being in this room of people with water balloons.
via: theinspirationroom
Watch the Schweppes commercial here.

Wisteria's Item of the Week

Be sure to keep your eyes on Wisteria's Item of the Week. Each week they choose an item to offer a great discount on! This week's item:

Wisteria: Glass Decanter with Wooden Stopper and China Marker ($22)

Adorned [Anthropologie]

Anthropologie has just added new jewelry to their collection that reminds me of the many necklaces I have accumulated and added to from flea markets.

Anthropologie: Pearl Menagerie Necklace ($68)

I miss seeing so many flea markets- there aren't many in New Orleans. Instead, you find antique stores that take the same items and try to squeeze you for them. I miss digging for my finds and displaying them proudly...like a hunter.

Pick o' the Day: Belvedere Mirror

This mirror is fantabulous! I wonder if it is possible to cut my own similar mirror. Which country would you hang on your walls?

Nova 68: Belvedere Italy Mirror ($592)

Recycled Tube Light

How brilliant is this?! Castor Canadensis has created this hanging lamp out of old light tubes. It really is beautiful.

via: Inhabitat

Horse Project in Portland

via: Joseph Robertson

via: General Malaise

via: Gwen

via: 39forks

I just love unspoken communities like the Horse Project. The horses are tied to old horse ties on the streets in Portland to mark the past. You can read all about the project here.

Stargazing

Get your gear together and hike out into the night to watch the stars. The nights are starting to cool down and they become an excellent time to plot your course in the skies. You can invest in a classy, all-clad telescope to turn your nights searching the sky into a hobby.Edmund Scientifics: Celestron StarHopper 6 Dobsonian Telescope ($249)

Kohl's: Galileo Reflector Telescope ($199.99)

Or you could buy a small portable telescope to tote along. Either way, you will enjoy the stars with or without a telescope to look through.National Geographic: Portable Family Telescope ($39.95)

These lights would be excellent to pack along on the trip to add some light to your surroundings without interfering with the dark night needed to see the stars. Both of these lights are rechargeable so they can be used night after night for your outings.Land of Nod: Glow Light and Tops ($39.99 + $2.99 per Glow Top)

Land of Nod: OXO Luau Rechargeable Light ($199.99)

Pack some coffee and some wine for this late night outing. You can put it all in this backpack and hike to your favorite star gazing spot on the hill.Beverage Factory: Brighton Coffee Backpack for 2 ($76.45)

You could also pack along some soup in these canisters. Bring some sandwiches or bread for dipping.Pottery Barn: Ceramic Canisters ($16-34)

Grab a comfy outdoor blanket to lay back on.West Bend Woolen Mills: Woolrich Hudson's Bay Blanket ($295)

Pendelton Woolen Mills: Roll-Up Blanket ($98)

Ballard Designs: Sunbrella Outdoor Blanket ($139)

Pick o' the Day: Play Kit Bins

Genius Jones: Play Kit ($28.50)

These play kits would be perfect to store small projects by the couch when looking to multi-task (i.e. while watching television). The maple top gives you a flat surface to work and lets you slide everything right back into the tub when you're ready to start another projects.
You can use the bright colored bins to color code your projects. Mine would be something like:
Orange= Halloween party ideas (we're planning a Halloween party for our neighbors and friends and I have way TOO many ideas!)
Pink= Photos & Frames (we're adding more to our wall, but I'm getting picky on matching up frames and photos)
Yellow= Pillow making pieces (I'm making my own pillows for our couch)
Red= Christmas presents (I have- of course- too many lists and cut outs for diy Christmas gifts and last year I slacked on getting started early enough to complete the majority of them, so this year...I will conquer!)

Toiletries [clusters]

Okay. Its time to do a fun cluster on bathroom accessories.

These are supa-dupa cute and stores your floss as a reminder to keep using it! :)
Wrappables: Kai Dental Floss Holder ($17.95)

I love the bright colors of these bath mats.Basic French: Square Bathmats ($48)


This soap provides a french air to your toilette.

Basic French: Savonnerie de Bormes Bath Soaps ($3 each)


I LOVE these basic toothbrushes- how classic!

Basic French: Striped Toothbrushes ($7.50)


Another basic look but a great new version.Urban Outfitters: Hold Me Close Toothbrush Holder ($10)

Pick o' the Day: Vintage Piggy-Bank

I love this little piggy-bank and it's dainty papier-mâché look.

Etsy seller shopworthy: Vintage Piggy Bank ($12)

Setting schedules straight.

Well, this hurricane season is messing with my schedule, so I've been having to make a new schedule....and lists on top of lists. Yes, I am a list person with piles of lists everywhere for everything! Like, lists of recipes I might want to make for dinner, lists of people I need to write letters to, lists of songs I want to download, or just a general to-do list. Here's to those of us who like to make lists and keep a schedule:

I love this daily planner because the pages have been hand drawn to jot down your plans onto! You can see the pages in the next image below.

Beautiful!

Etsy seller TheAyBeeCees: Days of the Week Calendar ($26)

I think these little strips would help me cut down on the number of time I have to remind M. when and where we have plans made- especially for the weekend.Etsy seller elles: Date & Place Strips ($3.25/12)

Elles also makes these mini calendars that are amazing.Etsy seller elles: 2009 Calendar Mini Album ($7.99)

This is a great idea to cut down on the sticky-notes I go through!

See Jane Work: Ceramic Memo Board ($15)

An amazing flip-top notebook to pack around to jot down your last minute notes. The cover is made of wood.

Night Owl Paper Goods: Star Flower Jotter ($9)

You can pick your own cover from these day planners.Etsy seller Sarahpinto: 2009 Weekly Planner ($25)

I love cloth calendars. It makes the year feel permanent. Etsy seller cicadastudio: 2009 Tea Towel Wall Calendar ($28)

Ok. How cute are these?!Etsy seller YeeHaw: Pink Cupcakes Make People Happy Mini Calendars 2009 ($20/2)

The wood block with this calendar is an added bonus.See Jane Work: Eco-Chic Desk Calendar ($23)

Hello. We are here!

image via: Telemegaphone Dale

If you've noticed, I've been delayed in posts due to our "hurrication" we took to leave New Orleans for hurricane Gustav. We are back at home now and have cleaned out the fridge from spoiled food after the electricity was out for days. It is strange to return to a city that was empty for days- its amazing to realize what would happen to a city that remained uninhabited for a period of time. Nature definitely sets in. While we were gone, I received an amazing email from Very Short List that featured Telemegaphone Dale, which is a loudspeaker set up on top of a mountain in Dale, Norway. You can place a phone call to the loudspeaker, which will project your voice across the surrounding mountains and valleys. Can you say, sweet? I would wish for my own personal line so I could speak out at any time, like when I am furiously angry or I need to share an idea.