Bonne Idee

This is one of those things I come across that I wish I'd "invented" first. It's so simple, so timeless, so aesthetically pleasing.... colorful candy-like yarn-encircled balls of light on a string c/o la case de cousin paul (cousin paul's cabin). And since you pick your own color combinations they could conceivably work anywhere, from monochromatic interiors to balls-out eye popping. Pun intended. My friend recently enlisted me to help her spruce up her admittedly dark abode, and I think these are just the ticket. I'm already working on her to pick up a string or two. Even with international shipping, it looks like a string of 35 will cost you about $80 stateside. Not too shabby for a unique and versatile pick-me-up.

Happiness is a Marquee Ampersand

Obviously. I mean, oversized ampersand & bulbs, oh my! I'm glad I have neither the industrial loft space to display it nor $175 to waste on it. Because something tells me it's a character from a sign that would tell people I'm crazy. As in... well... "this girl's crazy & you might wanna stay away unless you like crazy." Which reminds me of my longstanding theory that every girl is a little crazy and every guy is a little clueless. This theory tends to offend girls more than guys, but personally I think crazy is a little underrated.

Un Peu de Chaleur

Ahhhh, that's better. I'd swear I can almost feel the warmth of this Tord Boontje garland light through the screen. Almost.

She's Crafty

This is a fun idea c/o AT. I think you could also use double-sided tape to stick yarn to the bottle (in addition to the glue recommended in the directions). Either way, they're going to be a bit delicate and perhaps best at a distance, but I like the look of the bottle shapes with added texture. I think this project is going to cut in queue before a few other (more daunting) ones I've got on the horizon. Did I mention I finally finished my origami project? The batmobile flies! One of my next tasks involves reupholstering (insert scared clueless face), and the other requires painting (insert confused indecisive face).

Impulse Buy

In the damaging impulse spectrum, these were totally benign. But impulse nevertheless. The last thing I need are more pieces of apartment flare when looming winter demands a coat rack... and new kitchen chairs (make that a "want"). Still, at $1-2 a pop, I couldn't behold these adorable zig zag pots at The Container Store (a.k.a. the devil made me do it) without picking up a few to store bathroom knick-knacks.

Cuter in person, they look like colorful cupcake cups. I've opted to use them for my sink-side daily essentials. But if you're not weird (like me) about storing cotton balls and q-tips in airtight containers (or having food-like product in the bathroom), I think it would look so cute to have the cotton tips and balls fluffing out the top to complete the cupcake look.

Mission Accomplished

Check it. The project actually worked! And, contrary to my usual pessimistic expectations (all the better to be pleasantly surprised, my dears) these were my first two tries. They're easy as pie to make, and there's something soothing in the hands-on repetition. Teehee, that sounds dirty.

Getting out the gutter, four Paste magazines support a decorative plate with keys and such on the left, while Edith Hamilton and Hester Prynne serve as a (frightfully flammable) candle pillar on the right. I'm not sure I'd use the magazine tables to hold a potted plant like they do in the instruction article (they don't feel all that stable to me), but they're certainly prepared to hold lightweight items. If you're looking for some easy decorations, give it a go!

I think I'm officially warmed up and inspired for my origami endeavours now...