November 23, 2009

Boggis, Bunce and Bean

"... One fat, one short and one lean.
These horrible crooks,
so different in looks.

were none the less equally mean."
Roald Dahl. Wes Anderson. I'm so excited.

That's saying a lot considering my general disposition these days.

November 20, 2009

beard weather

Around these parts, we're months past sweater weather and well into winter's subzero grip which calls for an arsenal of practical but puffy, lumpy and clunky cold weather wear. Imagine my happiness when I stumbled upon this beauty last year.

Quirky, original and warm? It can be done. I bring you the beard cap by Icelandic textile design collective Vik Prjónsdóttir.


The cap is modeled after the traditional Icelandic lambshed hood (think balaclava) worn in winter by sheep farmers who have to make long treks through bitter winds and snow between their barns and neighbouring farms.








Unfortunately, as is so often the case with original and inventive designs, the beard cap has fallen victim to a host of cheesy, cheaply made knock-offs. If you love it, give the designers the props they deserve and get an original. I just picked one up for my sweetie's birthday at Scandinavian Grace. They carry many other incredible textile designs from the marvelous Vik Prjónsdóttir collective like the baby seal pelts and regional blankets.

November 15, 2009

road worthy

Like so many things made for kids, car seats seem designed to be hideous. Practical? Ok. Safe? To be sure. Easy on the eyes - not so much.

Enter the Cosco car seat circa 1960/70. Fortunately we were thinking ahead and snagged one at the SF Deco and Modernist Show a few years back.



Small profile - check.
Streamlined design - check.
Easy on the eyes - check.
Eames inspired contours - check
Safe - one can't have everything.