Goodbye Gunn

My beautiful dog died yesterday morning. This has been a huge blow. Athough she was diagnosed with a heart condition some time ago, I really didn't think she would go yet. She had what seemed like a heart attack and passed quickly. It was a terrible thing to witness, but at least she got to die at home with her loved ones around her. For 11 years she was there welcoming me with an ever wagging tail. I'm going to miss her terribly.

I'm dreaming of a white christmas tree

Ever since last christmas I've been wanting a white christmas tree. I have never wanted a fake green tree, but a white one is not trying to look like a real tree plus it has a different decoration feel altogether in my opinion. This one from Urban Outfitters is the best one I've seen so far, but unfortunately they don't ship to Norway :-( So, the search goes on...

Wish list II

Here are a few things I wouldn't mind owning... Orange desk clock from the MoMA store, Ultima Thule on-the-rocks tumblers from Iittala, Finland,Similaisydämet duvet cover and pillow case from Marimekko, Sarpaneva cast iron pot, Icon wrist watch from the MoMA store and mp3 player pouch from Jonathan Adler.

Nice cuppa

I set a cup of tea to brew while catching up on all the lovely blog posts on my RSS feed tonight. The orange looked so great I had to get the camera out... Lipton tea, if you're interested. In a big Ego cup from Arabia.

More TwentyTwentyOne purchases

This was the only really good shop I had time to visit in London last weekend (I even had to give Orla Kiely a miss :-o). I could have bought a lot in TwentyTwentyOne, but limited myself. For once. I was intrigued by this simple and beautiful notebook by Korean company o-check design graphics. The words on the cover reads: Another day, cloudy memory Recollected. I looked up their website, and they do some interesting stuff. I'm curious about the Swedish influences to some of the items in their online shop .

I also got this Lucienne Day teatowel, which I think is fantastic. There was 4 different ones to choose from, which wasn't easy as they are all great. Here's a snippet from their web about this product: Produced in pure linen, these designs differ from the repeat-pattern of much of Lucienne's other design work. Though not undermining the functionality and everyday value, the Lucienne Day teatowel works as a stand-alone artwork, as well as a household tool.

Desperate measures

What do you do when your 2-year old refuses to sit strapped into his seat on the plane? Distract him as best you can! Buy him a way too advanced radio-controlled airplane toy from the tax-free trolley if necessary... (The trick worked for a few minutes.)

Cold War Modern Exhibition at the V&A

I'm kind of kicking myself for not having time to go and see this exhibition at the V&A over the weekend when I was in London. I heard it was very good. Maybe I have to go back in January...

Favorite purchase

This is my favorite purchase from my trip to London over the weekend. It's a silicon cake mold that fashions different sized slices. You know how some people go 'oh, give me just a small slice'? Well now they can have THE small slice. Or if you're like me, go for the BIG one... I think it looks brilliant as well as being fun. And the graphic designer in me is also thinking 'pie charts'.

The design is by Konstantin Slawinski and I bought mine from TwentyTwentyOne on Upper Street, Islington.

Packing my bags

I'm going to London on Friday, and have started packing my bags. Looking forward to meeting up with some old friends and hopefully a new one, Francesca ;-) A bit of retail shopping is also on the cards, hopefully I find something so fantastic that I have to post it when I get back next week.

Unfortunately I'm coming down with a cold at the moment, which I guess is just typical when going traveling... Hoping for the best!

Etsy shop update

Here is my third product type for JB design at Etsy. It's a collection of brooches made from vintage china/faience plates. I might add a few rings to the collection soon. I'll keep you posted.

Not so good vintage

These made me laugh.



For more retro crafty fashion pics, go to: Flickr. Thanks to The Mid Century Modernist for leading me there.

Congratulations, America!

This photo is borrowed from Khoi Vinh's website (via SwissMiss). The caption reads: Just a few minutes ago, some of my colleagues noticed a line forming out in front of the Times Building. People are queuing up to buy already scarce copies of today’s newspaper, presumably as mementos of the historic election of Barack Obama to the office of President of the United States.

It made me think of Robert Frank's photography series 'The Americans', which I love. I think this one fits well today:
(Political Rally, Chicago 1956. © Courtesy Pace/MacGill Gallery, New York)

60s/70s ceramic lamps

I got these vintage lamp bases from my local fleamarket today. I'm thinking of making some funky lampshades for them using retro fabrics.