Selective Lifestyle Trends
To anyone studying or working in home decor, learning about trends in interior decorating is one of the most exciting parts of life. And it should be, aside from work, the home is where we spend the bulk of our time, and like clothing it needs to be a reflection of us. Style Bust searches the web for the latest and greatest trends for the home; our hope is that you can use some of our findings in the environment you’ve created at home!
Trendy Strollers For Mom
12 years ago
Away from celebrity nights out on the red carpet, even the rich and famous have to admit that life as a mom means dressing like a mom – most of the time! Dannii Minogue has admitted that life with her toddler Ethan has seen her high-fashion threads swapped for T-shirts and sneakers. “I can’t just totter around in heels carrying a 30lb baby,” she admitted to Glamour magazine. Flats, she claims, are the only footwear option when you have to “wrestle a stroller”.
Looking good through the baby years:
With days in the sandpit, naps and liquidized food all playing their part in the life of any new parent, dressing up in dry-clean only designer chic just doesn’t make sense. But that doesn’t mean you can’t look great when you’re out and about with our little ones.
In recent years, brands like bugaboo and Italian family company Mamas & Papas have created a fleet of pushchairs, prams and strollers that will light up any outfit, jazzing up even the most comfortable of jeggings and sweatshirts.
3 eye-catching strollers under $600:
1. From-birth comfort: Mamas & Papas Sola Pushchair, $570. Saving you the hassle of having to replace your pram with a buggy as your baby grows, this pushchair is a worthwhile investment and ideal for newborns and sleepy three-year-olds alike. You can even add a matching carrycot or infant carrier to create an interchangeable travel system. Voted a Which? Best Buy for 2011, the Sola comes in a rainbow of gorgeous fabric options, allowing you to mix and match your buggy with a selection of footmuffs, parasols and changing bags.
2. Nippy, lightweight style: Cosatto Swift Lite Supa Stroller, $224. In a contrasting black and bright, flower design, the Swift is the perfect option for those on the move, helping you to navigate public transport with your baby in one hand and your buggy in the other. At a skimpy 6.5kgs it’s easy to carry and can handle tight corners at the shops, whilst keeping even the tiniest of newborns safe and comfortable.
3. Compact three-wheeler: Quinny Zapp Xtra, $299. When the Quinny first launched it was an instant hit with parents who wanted the style of a three-wheeler without the handling of a truck! Uniquely shaped to suit tight spaces when open, the Quinny will fit into the smallest of car boots when folded, making it perfect for life around town and family weekends away.
My CAN CAN Juice Cleanse Experience
12 years ago
Are you irritable? Feeling sluggish? Bloated? I was. And I had been reading up on the benefits of juice cleanses, and felt it might make me feel better. So I decided to take the plunge! I did the 3-day CAN CAN cleanse last week. My only other experience with a cleanse was the Master Cleanse, which I did back in 2007 for 4 days (I was hoping for 10 days, but I got too hungry). The CAN CAN cleanse is SO much better.
The CAN CAN Cleanse was developed by local nutritionist and restaurant industry vet Teresa Piro. The cleanses are designed to help you “check in” with your body and get back on track. Each day, you get eight old-school mason jars of seasonal beverages two fruit juices, two veggie juices, and two herbal teas, nut milk, and soup. Making it all easier to swallow, Piro gives you detailed instructions on prepping your body, and getting back to solid food after the cleanse is complete. I also appreciated Teresa’s list of acceptable snacks. She is realistic and knows that beginning cleansers may feel the urge to have something to chew so she provides a short list of healthy acceptable snacks should one absolutely need to have a bite.
Insights by day:
On day one I woke up and had the first of 8 daily 12 oz. mixes. This was the Lemon Ginger Juice. This was my least favorite of all drinks, mainly because it includes lots of cayenne which reminds me of the Master Cleanse (the worst cleanse in history). By lunchtime I was about to start my fourth drink of the day. This drink is actually a soup, which came at the perfect time because I was longing for something with more substance. This soup kept me feeling full for hours. In the evening I got a headache. I’m used to them though because I’m very inconsistent with my coffee intake, so the headache wasn’t anything out of the ordinary for me. Later that night I got to drink the nut milk, which tastes better than dessert. I wish the nut milk came in a 24 oz. jar; it was THAT amazing.
Image of four daytime drinks. The Winter Orange Soup is the third item shown.
Day two was a breeze. I was so busy at work, I didn’t have a chance to realize I was on a juice cleanse. By evening I fell very behind the cleanse schedule due to meetings. That sucked big time! I got so hungry I felt like I could vomit (of course this was my own fault, not the cleanses). But as soon as I gulped down my next juice I was as good as new.
Day three was the most challenging for me. I got really hungry around lunchtime and even after having the soup I wanted more food. I drank lots of water (both hot and cold) to get me through the afternoon. By the time I had my dinner drink I felt fantastic again. And of course I savored every sip of my last nut milk drink since it was by far my favorite drink.
Summary:
Overall, I thought this cleanse was fairly easy for someone like me who hasn’t cleansed in years. The juices, teas and soup are delicious and fresh. During the cleanse I did feel better and sleep better. Oh, and I did lose 5 lbs! I think ridding my body of bad foods for three days and starting new is a great way to kick start healthy eating habits. I think each time I fall of the horse I’ll turn to CAN CAN to help me get back on!
Do your body a favor and CAN CAN — it’ll thank you.
Extending Your Living Room To Your Events
12 years ago
We’ve covered home decor extensively on Style Bust. The topic of decor and furniture trends come up frequently since the home environment is an extension (or reflection) of our personal style and fashion. Like fashion, home decor has 4-5 seasons per year. So there is never a shortage of new and exciting colors and prints to add to your home. Home decor and furniture also has its short lived fads, like in fashion, that we need to steer clear of. Otherwise we’ve broke the bank on something that’s ‘so last season’…it’s embarrassing when that happens. Luckily furniture retailers like IKEA, West Elm and cb2 make affordable, modern, fashion-forward furniture and decor. These retailers allow us to properly furnish and accessorize our apartments and homes with pieces in the correct sizes, colors, patterns, textures, etc. for our personal style. And now we can all live comfortably and within our personal style at home.
But what happens when big events in life come along that we are accountable for styling? The big events I’m talking about are weddings, dinner parties, charity events, fashion shows, and so on. How do we properly furnish and decorate event spaces to meet our personal style aesthetics? There are a plethora of furniture rental companies that have us covered. Whether it’s chair hire for fashion events, table decor, rugs, or lighting that we need; nowadays with an easy google search we can find event rental companies to hire. You can find rentals, like the ones shown below in nearly every major city around the globe. Tip: Be sure that the furniture and decor you rent goes with the color palette of the venue.
If you are unsure what type of decor suits you, or your event best. Read up on leading decor and furniture trends in 2012 in Interior New York Magazine.
Go ahead, play with your food
12 years ago
I love DIY projects – especially when I have all of the supplies on hand and the steps are easy to follow.
When I’m feeling crafty (or when I want to kill some time), I visit Honestly…WTF for a little inspiration. I recently saw a post for a DIY Satsuma candle and wanted to share with you this simple and clever idea.
All you need:
Satsuma oranges (with stems attached)
Olive oil or vegetable oil
Serrated knife
Spoon
Matches
Satsuma oranges are known for their loosely attached peels, so the orange should easily be removed using a spoon.
Once the flesh of the orange is taken out, the pith connecting the outer stem should remain. The pith will be the wick of the candle.
Pour a few glugs of olive oil into the orange, leaving just the very tip of the pith exposed. Use the spoon to submerge the top of the pith into the oil for just a few seconds.
Tip: if you’re having trouble lighting the pith, it’s probably because it has too much moisture. Try letting the peel dry overnight (without oil).
*All images from Honestly…WTF – my own images coming soon!
I attempted this project and used a tangerine instead (I didn’t have Satsuma oranges at home). The process was pretty simple, but I cheated a little – I wasn’t able to light the pith (I should’ve let it dry out overnight), so I dropped a tea light in for a similar effect.
I will definitely try making these candles again (but I’ll make sure to have the right oranges on hand) – how perfect are these Satsuma candles for a dinner party?!
1.25.12
As promised, I tried this project again, using Satsuma oranges instead of a tangerine. And I’m pleased to say that this was probably one of the simplest DIY’s I’ve done!
“St. Art”
12 years ago
In hopes of finding the perfect piece for my living room renovation in light of the new year, about three weeks ago I attended San Francisco’s yearly Divisadero Art Walk. I specifically wanted to stop by Big Umbrella Art Studios located at 906 Divisadero Street. The small neighborhood studio is a strong supporter of young emerging bay area artists, and is a great place to find amazing pieces at affordable prices. Their shows which are held monthly, also offer free beer, wine, and delicious on the spot cooked ethnic food; always bringing together a fun and interesting crowd!! This year’s art show featured Becca Vershbow’s art work, titled; “Peeling Back the Layers” which was truly inspiring. However, what really caught my eye was the work of Ryan Vicente, a resident artist at Big Umbrella. I found his series “St. Art” particularly moving not only because of the medium used and how well the pieces collaborate, but because each piece is both something we San Franciscans can find comforting and relate to, but at the same time each piece holds our own personal stories. These stories, we can all share and laugh about over a glass of wine, or keep to ourselves as a special or personal moment to remember. Regardless, we have all walked on these streets, and when looking at these pieces our stories and memories bring us together. Having these pieces is perfect for a San Francisco home, and can be quite a welcoming moment for visitors, friends, and family.
Here is an short interview that I had with Ryan the night of the show.
What is the process to create these pieces?
Ryan: As far as process goes, I photograph the pictures and then digitally go and make separations for silkscreen.
Why do you like print making over any other medium?
Ryan: What I like about printmaking is the process, the fact that it is very hands on. I don’t get the opportunity to sit in front of a canvas with a glass of wine all day. I am in and out of the darkroom and constantly washing out screens and mixing tubs of paint. I love paper and experimenting with other mediums, printmaking allows me to incorporate so many different elements like lace, leaves, collage, and embossing. I once thought art was only for people who could draw really well. I try to make up for my lack of talent in that area in creative ways. The more that I learn about fine art print making, I realize that talent is only a small part of what it takes for a successful print. Creativity and discipline go a very long way.
What other kinds of work do you like to do?
Ryan: Iv’e also really liked doing relief prints on linoleum blocks. It’s probably the most rewarding feeling I’ve ever had; finish cutting and printing a successful relief print. I like the idea of not being able to go back and fix any mistakes, I understand why a lot of artists have referred to it as a “suicide block.”
Here is Ryan Vicente’s “St. Art” series photographed.
To check out the rest of Ryan Vicente’s art work and look at what else Big Umbrella Art Studios has to offer.
Home Away From Home: Indulgence Divine, Malta
12 years ago
I’m in love with the retro beauty of Indulgence Divine, a 16th century townhouse rental in the ancient Maltese city of Vittoriosa, Malta that has been transformed to a modern-day residence by London-based art director Gattaldo. Throughout the townhouse custom-made furniture sits comfortably alongside retro “found pieces”, yet the history of this 16th century house aren’t diminished by its luxe overhaul by Gattaldo. This is the prefect home away from home retreat for two (there is only one bedroom). Indulgence Divine is a perfectly chic rental residence from which to explore Malta, the up-and-coming island that is somewhat of a secret party destination. The townhouse is located in the beautiful historic marina, and the staggering capital of Valletta. Just a short water-taxi ride away – Malta has some of the best architecture in the Mediterranean. Throw in a delightful rooftop terrace, and quite possibly the nicest wardrobes I’ve ever seen, then top it off with an affordable nightly rate, and Gattaldo’s splendid town house conversion may just be one of Europe’s most desirable rental properties.
Image source: Indulgence Divine
Review: Raleigh Cadent i8 Performance Hybrid
12 years ago
My husband, Tyler, gave me a nice new bike for Christmas. I suspected he’d get me a bike because I’ve been talking about biking for about 5 months now. Plus, he’s always been a big gift giver. In previous years he bought me a new laptop (a DELL studio XPS) and a widescreen monitor for my home office set up.
Getting a bike for Christmas, for someone as thorough a buyer as Tyler was a relief. I knew instantly that this was the best bike for me. He’s really good at taking my considerations into account when buying me gifts. In this case, I wanted a road bike, but he thought a mountain bike (like he has) would be much more practical. So, it’s no surprise that he got me a road/mountain hybrid bike. My new bike, the Raleigh Cadent i8 is a light weight, high performance bike known by the experts as a “Flat-Bar Road Bike“. In my opinion, and 1 week of riding experience, the bike is a road bike with upright (mountain bike like) handlebars. This puts the rider ins a position that is slightly more upright than your typical road bike, but other than this…it’s a road bike. He purchased the bike from Mike’s Bikes here in Soma. The sales people there claim the tires are wider than typical road bike tires, but I can’t tell the difference.
I really like the look of this bike. The internal gears keep the look very clean and sleek. The bike handles to road very well, and its lightweight aluminum frame and carbon fork make biking a breeze. I used to ride a 1970’s Peugeot road bike, which was too heavy for me and made biking miserable. The bike can handle paved roads, gravel/dirt and grass well (I’ve already tested these surfaces out).
The biggest disadvantage of the bike is the standard seat the comes with the bike. It hurts my toosh. I assume I’ll get used to it soon enough, if not, we’ll get a more cushiony seat to swap the original seat with. I’ll need to put on a good couple hundred miles before I know if the seat is really a problem.
I would recommend this bike for any novice or intermediate biker, the price seems just right for someone who is serious about biking, but doesn’t want to pay $1000.
12 in 2012
12 years ago
Here’s my little 12 for 12 list:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Read more books
- Go on weekend getaways more often
- Spend less, save more
- Be more organized
- Clean up after myself in a timely manner (not a day, or two later)
- Do 12 30-Day Challenges (one per month)
- Travel to Europe to visit Amy & Robert
- Meditate at least two times a week
- Mail more cards to family and friends
- Enjoy the moments as they happen instead of feeling guilty for what hasn’t been completed
- Stay optimistic