Cool Stuff: The Perfect Tote for These Economic Times

Sad but quite possibly true. ;-)

Get yours for £4 (about $6) here.

(Via Switched on Set.)

Cool Stuff: Flowie

I'm loving these fresh and pretty hand-screenprinted designs from Flowie, the company launched last year by Bay Area textile designer Yaling Hou. Above: Bela Tea Towel, $22

Bela Pillows, $68 each

Dear Mika Napkin and Placemat Set, $32

Garden Love Napkins, $38 for two

Gerrie Tea Towel, $21

Gerrie Big Tote, $68

Saki Coin Purse, $11

Garden Love Bow Bag, $72

Check out the entire Flowie collection right here (pssst ... use coupon code HAPPY15 for 15 percent off your purchase between now and November 15), and also here.

Cool Stuff: Jenny Hurth Recycled Vinyl Goods

Made right here in Oaktown: Jenny Hurth's bags, bins, folders, and other goods crafted from repurposed vinyl signs and banners that would otherwise be destined for the landfill.

Each is different, depending on the materials Hurth has available -- though you can choose from pieces made primarily with images or type, specify your color preferences, and even request Bay Area-centric imagery. I love not only these items' Earth-friendliness, but also their bright, graphic design.

Portfolios, $10 each

Notebook, $14

Grocery Tote, $24

Laundry Hampers, $65 each

Door Curtain, $55

If you're local, Hurth's vinyl goods can be found at Oakland's Pro Arts Gallery. She also sells many items via her webshop.

Cool Stuff: jefdesigns Melamine Plates

Some fabulous new additions to that summer picnic basket, courtesy of Portland, Oregon's Joe Futschik of jefdesigns and New York City's brother-and-sister team of freddy&ma: Melamine plates made with Futschik's gorgeously vibrant nature-inspired designs. The plates are $80 for a set of four at DesignPublic. Above: Marine

Abstract

Botanical

A selection of jefdesigns patterns has also just been introduced for freddy&ma's customizable bags (genius idea!). Simply choose your bag style, pick a pattern, and specify your strap and hardware options. A bag will be made to your exact specifications and arrive at your door in about four weeks. Prices range from $65 to $295. Give it a whirl right here.

And check out more jefdesigns goodies here.

Deal of the Day: Free Bag With RianRae Purchase

Jeni Crawford, the proprietress at the gorgeous new RianRae web shop, just wrote in to tell me about a promotion she's running: Make any purchase of $200 or more from RianRae during the next week, and Jeni will throw in one of these beautiful India Rose Ruffle Bags in the color of your choice.

The large, machine-washable bags, which retail for $51 apiece, come in a choice of three colors. Any of them would be equally lovely looped over a doorknob to collect dirty laundry, or stuffed with towels and plastic shovels for a trip to the beach.

To take advantage of the offer, simply make a purchase of $200 or more at RianRae between Thursday, May 15, and Thursday, May 22. Once you've completed checkout, send Jeni an email and let her know which color bag you'd like.

Here are some of my favorite picks from RianRae that are right around the $200 mark:

Halo Chandelier, $270

Square Capiz Chandelier, $218

Minimal Pendants, $220

Small Moorish Table, $270

French Cafe Chair, $195

Set of Three Tall Botanical Jars, $199

See all the goods at RianRae right here.

Cool Stuff: New Pillows from Henry Road

I'm just loving these bright new pillows from Henry Road. If you're not already in a summer state of mind, the latest hand-drawn and -printed designs from Henry Road founder Paula Smail will definitely put your there.

Take a look:

Blossom Pillow in Crimson (also available in Sage and Teal), $75

Patch Pillow in Aqua, Tangerine, and Black, $85

Fleur Pillow in Sage (also in Teal and Passion), $75

Leaves Pillow in Teal (also in Sage), $95

In other news, Henry Road has a great new collection of bags as well, and will soon be opening its very own store in Los Angeles.

See all of the offerings in Henry Road's online store.

(Thanks for the tip, Vanessa!)

Cool Stuff: Summer at IKEA

I slipped, you guys. Despite my resolution to lay off the IKEA crap once and for all, I bought a whole bunch of stuff there yesterday.

I know it will all fall apart in a few months, and I suspect that it was probably made with toxic, non-sustainable materials by obscenely underpaid workers in Far East sweatshops. But I stopped in to pick up a bunch of Ribba frames so I could finally hang my growing collection of Etsy prints, because those are the only simple white frames I've found that I can afford to buy in mass quantities.

And, well, my resolve to drastically limit the amount of IKEA in my life fell away when I saw all the happy, super-cheap new summer stuff and other recent additions at my local Swedish superstore. (And yes, today I feel hung over with guilt -- but not so much so that I didn't spend most of the morning moving things around to make room for my new scores.)

Sommar Cushions, $8 each

Sommar Paper Tablecloth, $3. (There are so many different ways you could use this large roll of fairly durable laminated paper: wrapping a lampshade, lining dresser drawers, staple-gunning it over a worn table- or dressertop, mod-poging it to cabinet or closet doors ...)

Sommar Food Domes, on sale for $1 each

Sommar Cloth Bags (a little Orla-ish, no?), $8 each

Sommar Gardening Bags, $3 each

Sommar Hanging Planters, $13 each

Sommar Picnic Blanket, $30

Sommar Throws, $13 each

Greno Cushions (I like the yellow), $20 each

More Greno Cushions, $6 each

Hemon Rugs, $15 each

Flyn Ofelia Curtain Panels, $45 for three

Hjordis Fabric, $4 a yard

Knubbig Lamp, $17 or $9, depending on size

Pjatteryd Wall Art, $70

Tripp Storage Tins, $3 a set

Jutanas Decorative Figures, $20 for a set of five

Trollsta Sideboard, $349

Ange Chair, $129, and Hejka Chair, $139

Oh yeah, and they finally have that Egg-like Karlstad Swivel Chair ($329) that I lusted after last summer, when it was only available at overseas IKEAs. Not loving it so much in person.

I didn't actually buy all of this stuff, mind you -- but I bought some of it.

Damn you, IKEA.

(How do you all feel about the Blue Behemoth? Great for deals on fun, disposable decor -- or poor-quality environmental and economic scourge? Post a comment and let me know.)