And Then Some Are Wood…and Fast…and Beautiful.

Some cars are fast.  Some are beautiful.  And then some are wood… and fast… and beautiful.  Designed by Joe Harmon, Splinter, is the first wooden sports car.  Did I mention it’s faster than both a Porsche and a Lamborghini; going from 0 to 60mph in just over three seconds, and hitting top speeds of 240mph?  Rather than continue attempting to praise this perfectly designed product with mere words, I have posted a few pictures below for you to “oo” and “ahh” at, as well as it’s website so you can investigate further… and I definitely suggest further investigation.

http://www.joeharmondesign.com/

P.S.

Joe- if for any reason you feel that giving me one of these cars feels right, don’t fight it.  I will more than gladly accept =)

They’re Back & Better Than Ever

Around the time I graduated high school, watches seemed to have become a thing of the past.  Seriously, who needed them- we had cell phones?!   Lately however, I’ve begun to notice a trend towards the other direction; mid-20-something year olds are wearing watches again!  Perhaps it’s because wearing a watch is becoming trendy, but I think more likely what it is, is us growing up.  We have real jobs, and real responsibilities; we need to look professional, and whipping out a cell phone to check the time in front of a client isn’t going to cut it.

This however, is not a blog post about my watch-wearing observations- this is a blog post about watches.  But here’s where it gets good.  These aren’t your parents’ watches; these are modern and immaculately designed watches.  I hope you enjoy them all as much as I do, and hopefully for some of you, may this end your tireless search for an amazing new watch.

 

(I own & love this watch)

Nooka | One of my personal favorites, Nooka has devised a new way of telling time.  Their watches are well designed, easy to read, and fun to wear.

 

The Icon Watch | For the computer geek in all of us, this watch gives a nod to the 8-bit computer graphics

 

 

Found online at the MoMA Store, these watches designed by M&Co incorporate whitty graphics with a well designed timepiece

 

(I just bought this tonight, and can’t wait until it arrives!)

Sent to me by friend & fellow designer Zachary Feltoon, WeWood makes environmentally conscious watches 100% out of wood.  They are beautifully designed, AND as the kicker- WeWood, partnered with American Forests, promises to plant one tree for every watch sold

 

 

the Extra Normal Watch by Normal Timepiece | Minimally designed, this watch offeres something most watches dont; the absence of an hour hand.  Instead, it has a rotating disc which allows the current hour’s number to show through.

‘Tis the Season to be Gifting

Well, it’s that time of year again.  No, not the holiday season (indirectly I guess), but I meant this time of year- the time of year where you have to figure out what presents to get for which person, and how much you can spend (because you can only spend so much on everyone, even though you’d like to be able to spend an unlimited amount so long as they’re happy), but for most of us- a budget is necessary.

Although my holiday shopping is done, I have decided to share a few of my holiday tips with you, in hopes that they may trigger a gift idea of your own.

Tip #1) Find A Cheaper Version

I know, I know- it sounds horribly stingy, but sometimes it’s just smart shopping.  Perfect example:  There is this ring in the MoMA store that I (as well as my friend Michala) love.  I of course, would love to be able to drop a few hundred dollars and buy her (and myself) that ring, but alas- it’s just not in the cards for this Christmas.  Instead, I googled the artist and purchased the acrylic version.  They may not be as glamorous, but they definitely are just as modern, fun, and expressive.  Kudos to artist Alissia Melka-Teichroew for designing such an amazing ring.  (I have the black acrylic one, and LOVE it!)

|| A silhouette of the classic Tiffany Setting engagement ring ||

|| Gave this one as a gift ||

|| Gifted myself with this one… ||

 

Tip #2) Remake Something Beloved

My father (aged 57 years) has this Fila zip-up sweatshirt; it’s gray and has a yellow & red striping running down either arm.  The kicker?  He’s had that sweatshirt since he was 19, and he will not get rid of it.  Given, it’s in pretty decent shape being as old as it is, but it’s definitely on its last thread (…pun intended…).  My gift for my dad this year?  I went out, purchased all new fabric, and brought his sweatshirt over to the tailors to be recreated.  The striping down the arms will be reused, but other than that, his old sweatshirt will donate itself to be a pattern for the new one.  In the interrum however, I had to lie to my dad and tell him I threw out his sweatshirt.  At this point, I’m sure you’re thinking either one of two things.  1) How dare you take his beloved sweatshirt and tear it apart?  To which I would reply: He was planning on throwing it out anyway (just not as soon as “I did”), or 2) You are a wonderful daughter; he will be thrilled.  And for that, thank you- I hope you’re right!

Tip #3) Make Something!

It’s true what they say- some of the best presents are homemade.  Aside from being an Interior Designer, I am a part time nanny for 3 kids: Sonia, Oliver, and Max.  For their Hanukkah presents this year I decided to spread my artistic wings and give the homemade gift thing a try.  For Sonia, I made 2 adorable headbands; one pink with a giant, sparkly, purple butterfly on it, and the other a black headband with sparkly flowers ranging in color from pink to yellow to green.  But I must admit my crowning achievement this year was for the boys’.  Both of them are skateboarders, so I thought what better than to custom a skate deck for each of them.  Below are images of the boards I painted for Oliver and Max, and both were thrilled with their gifts.

I hope these few tips come in handy- if not for this year, perhaps for next (or whatever occasion may come prior to, and calls for gifting).

From me to you,

Happy Holidays!

-A