Of Moss and Bunnies

Earth Day celebrations and Easter/Passover prepping seem to be on everyone's mind this week. Tomorrow I'm decorating eggs and cookies with a friend's 4 yr old and celebrating Easter with my cousins Sunday with what undoubtedly promises to be a delicous brunch. My holiday decorations are always subtle and often humorous, so when I spotted this mossy bunny bank, I knew he'd be right at home for Easter and the rest of the year. Available from Greener Grass Design for $20 {back in stock this May 2011}. Wishing all a Happy Easter, Passover and Earth Day!

285 Sheets of Paper

As a graphic designer for all of my adult life, I pretty much feel I was born with a #11 xacto knife in my hand and I'm very handy with it. But certainly not as deft as graphic designer Taras Lesko is. In this fast-motion video he creates an anatomically correct scaled-down paper model of the new Audi 2012 A7 with 285 sheets of paper, a glue stick, tape and a xacto blade. The assembly took 245 hours and I would imagine quite a few blades and perhaps a few bandaids. If you are in New York this week, stop by the New York Auto Show where Audi will have it on display.

Festivals Abound

I’ve been too old to withstand an open-air 4 day concert in the desert for many years, so while all my young friends head out to Coachella this weekend I'll be headed to Artisanal LA in Santa Monica. Over 100 local, artisanal and handmade food vendors will gather in a vast space overlooking the bay at Santa Monica beach for a foodie extravaganza. I plan on sipping on Dry Lavender Soda and munching on handmade tiny pies and rustic chocolates. A wonderful event with expert-led panels, chef demos & speakers on craft beer, local honey, urban homesteading and much more. Ah, how times have changed :)

Oh Deer

When I saw these antler ceramic spoons I instantly fell in love and then I fell even a little more in love when I saw they come pre-dipped with dark chocolate to make a perfect cup of hot chocolate. COCO A is all about creating a unique chocolate experience. Hand-crafted in San Francisco by chocolatiers using locally sourced cream for their ganache from happy Sonoma cows, the finest cacao beans and premium spices from around the world. The collection of truffles and caramels come in a array of exotic flavors, my favorites being the Smoked Sea Salt, Cayenne Pepper and Sage truffles. The Hot Chocolate ceramic spoons are available in the Deer Antlers, Vintage Keys and Cupid's Wings, making a most lovely gift for someone. For more gift ideas they offer a ceramic jewelry box that comes loaded up with either the truffles or caramels in a 6 piece set. Enough of this sweet talk, I'm off to exercise some of this chocolate off, smiling all the way.

Help Japan

It’s been difficult to even think about posting anything frivolous while the people of Japan are suffering so deeply while facing re-building and recovery from this catastrophic event. The design community has responded in a great effort to raise money for the Red Cross. W&K Studio has a simple and direct poster they are donating 100% of their proceeds to Japan recovery. Zac Neulieb designed the stunning text Red Cross poster with a simple message, donate $10 to Red Cross. Put them in your front window and show the support the whole world is rising up to.

Wow Factor

Show-stopping window installation of neon typography designed by Studio XAG in London for Christian Louboutin. Photos by Susie Rea

Love Day

Wishing everyone a day filled with love and kisses :) Bulb from an edition of three bulbs from artist KAWS for the Standard hotel.

Le Cube Orange

Simply spectacular. Visually arresting. Happiness for the eyes. Another reason to go to France. Le Cube Orange by Paris-based Jacob & MacFarlane architects, a soon to be completed commercial and cultural complex in Lyon.

Speaking of Cats…

Great music video for cat lovers from the group Best Coast, a track called Crazy for You directed by Bob Harlow/Somesuch & Co Productions.

Cat Scratch Fever

Anyone who owns a cat knows only too well how independent and fussy they can be, especially when it comes to where they sleep, scratch their claws and feed. My 5yr old male cat has suddenly starting started sleeping on my furniture and bed instead of the throw rug under the coffee table, scratching the couch ends and clearly having nocturnal kitty parties with strays leaving dry food scattered around the kitchen floor. Realizing it was time to buy him an actual scratching post but not wanting most of the ones I've seen at the pet supply, I headed over to CSN's AllModern store for attractive alternatives to the hideous choices at the pet store. I love this site where I can find great wall art and decor to George Nelson lighting and knew I'd find what I was looking for. The Kittypod Couchette Modern Cat Scratcher is perfect and would not look out of place in my mix of mid-century and current furniture. I already have this great Holden Designs bentwood feeder and the cat loves it too but I needed a good mat for underneath. I think this vibrant orange Chilewich Pet Mat is a stylish solution for the crunchies spread around by all the critters that seem to come in and eat.

You’re Glowing

This is certainly not a blog about just lighting design but I keep discovering such beautiful fixtures! I love the simplicity and clean design of these glass pendant lamps from Hanna Krüger.

Lost in the Mail

The fact I'm even writing about stamps after the USPS lost nine of my bills I paid out last month is surprising to even myself. Despite the hours spent on the phone and setting up to pay bills on-line, I still want a sheet of these new stamps coming out this month. An ode to 12 very talented industrial designers, the new Forever stamp hosts the Pioneers of Industrial Design in a beautiful sheet perfect for framing :)

Pack Rack

Simply said, I want! The Pack Rack, a jewelry or light clothing rack made from sustainable woods and plastic animals from The Future Perfect.

Let There be Light

This winter has brought so much rain and stormy weather, I literally have had to keep my lights on all day. In turn this starts tempting me to change out some lighting around the house and hang some new lampshades, just to mix things up. My friend Krysta sent me a link to these Skull lampshades from textile designer Amy Aardvark that just make me smile. Printed on organic fair-trade cotton, these shades might just bring some much-needed sunshine into any home. Available from the wonderful Hidden Art Shop.

Merrie Merrie

The last of my cookies are baked, gifts wrapped and my waistline is already suffering from all the indulgent snacking. Kept my decorations pretty simple this year, lime green felt tree from CB2 last year and my favorite little birch reindeer standing in some grass ornament from Small Stump. Wishing all a very very Merrie Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Secret Desert Lodging

If you have ever wanted to re-live a vintage postcard from the 40-50s then the Hicksville Trailer Palace and Artist Retreat in Joshua Tree, CA is the place for you! Secreted away somewhere in the surrounding area of Joshua Tree in the California desert, this sweet set-up has so much appeal. Each individual accommodation is in a vintage themed trailer all set up around a common swimming pool and outdoor activities area. It is doggie friendly and run on solar power. There is no way to know where it is exactly until you book a trailer and get instructions from the hosts. Truly an under-the-radar kind of place and I love it!

Raising Monies

The Eat My Blog winter 2010 charity bake sale raised over $3,750 this weekend for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank! My lavender honey shortbread cookies sold out as did most everything else at the sale. Great fun, great sweets and a great cause!

Sweets for a Cause

This coming Saturday, December 4th the Eat My Blog charity bake sale returns with a menu of sweets that literally makes me swoon! There will be over 2,000 baked goods from 50+ bloggers and bakers all in one location for all your sugar needs. View the menu and drool over such delights as Smoked Salt Toffee, Crack Pies, Curry Macarons, Bacon Caramel Popcorn and my Lavender Honey Shortbread. Founder and organizer Cathy Chaplin of the blog Gastronomy has been such an inspiration and the event has rapidly grown into quite the food event here in Southern California. The first two bake sales raised over $8,000 for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and this sale promises to be a huge success.

I feel honored to be a part of this event and I believe I am the only non-food blogger in the mix, although I do blog about food from time to time. I certainly tweet about it constantly with my food-loving friends on Twitter. So come on over to West Hollywood this Saturday and indulge yourself with this spread of sugar temptations!

Photo: Lavender Honey Shortbread by the very talented Ryan Tanaka

Lucky Love Chair

Simple, clean and very reminiscent of Scandinavian and Japanese design, the Lucky Love Chair by Dutch designer Maarten Baptist is rather breathtaking. So very inviting, it makes you want to sit in it. A series of them will be launching in early 2011. Via Contemporist

Sweet Tooth

It's no secret that I have a wicked sweet tooth and the holidays are full of temptations everywhere I go. When I saw these mini iced donut ornaments from Urban Outfitters, I almost got a little sugar rush! Decorating a little tiny tree just with mini donuts or any of the other charming food-related ornaments Urban Outfitters carry could be a fun alternative to traditional tree trimmings. For years I have always tried to come up with an artistic or modern tree solution, one year I had a giant tumbleweed decorated with mini lights as my tree. It didn’t last long between the cat and dog:)

The Lucky Winner Is…

The lovely Abi has won the $45 CSN stores gift certificate! Enjoy shopping and thanks for stopping by Design Nomad to join in on the fun:)

Sunday Snaps

It's a clear, crisp and beautiful fall Sunday here in Southern California and a perfect day to explore the quiet streets deep in downtown’s industrial area. Astounding painted walls and a toy factory were my eye candy for the afternoon. Enjoy this lovely weekend!

CSN Gift Certificate Giveaway

I’m very happy to be hosting my second giveaway with CSN stores and bestowing a $45 gift certificate to a lucky reader. CSN is a super-sized online mall where you can find everything from upholstered headboards, iconic furniture from manufacturers such as Knoll, Blu Dot and Dwell Studio, modern baby products to fabulous cookware.

CSN is my go-to spot when indulging in adding to my Bodum collection and shipping is free on a lot of their items. I truly am in love with everything Bodum produces. What caught my eye on this most recent window shopping visit was their acid green Bistro juicer, the double walled tumblers, an orange Bistro burr coffee grinder and an acid green Bistro hand mixer.

Here's how to enter:

1. You must follow Design Nomad either through Google friend connect or Twitter @Designomad. Please leave a comment letting me know how you follow.

2. Follow me on both networks for an additional entry. Leave a comment for each network that you follow.

3. Tweet about giveaway with a link to my blog and leave me a comment letting me know and the link for another additional entry.

Contest is open only to US and Canadian residents and will close next Friday, November 12 at 6:00 pm, PST. The winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced on Saturday, November 13. Good luck!

Circle of Skulls

By now most everyone has their Halloween decorations up and costumes all planned for a big weekend of parties. Here in West Hollywood, the city shuts down Santa Monica Blvd and hosts a huge Halloween Carnaval and parade. For me, I'd be simply happy with this fabulous Alexander McQueen Skull bracelet and maybe a Dexter-inspired bloody wall covering. Wishing you all a safe but scary Halloween!

Steamy & Modern

Every winter when it gets cold and dry I make an effort to find a humidifier that is pleasant to look at as well as functional in offering some comfort but have never been able to find one that doesn't look like a prop from a hospital room. The Middle Colors Humidifier from designer Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi is a beautiful tear-drop shaped vessel that will produce moisture and ultra-sonic steam for up to ten consecutive hours and do it in such style, I would keep this out all year long! Available in small and large sizes from the good folks over at Gizmine in a palette of colors that are delicious to the eye as well as kind to the pocketbook.