New Basics - Habitat

We used to have a Habitat store in the Netherlands. In fact, I think we had a few of them, scattered through the country. 

Alas, no more. Now we have to go to Antwerp for the nearest Habitat location. 

Or the Worldwideweb of course - although the original Habitat-store based in the UK doesn't appear to ship to the Netherlands. 

Damn.

Oh well, at least I can check out on-line why I would have to get myself over to London or Antwerp again.

 

1. Harrison dining chair - 2. Beckett Grey large leather & Oak desk  - 3. Photographic tripod desk legs - 4. Grid throw - 5. Flap large analogue wall clock - 6. Folio a5 leather notebook - 7. Shropshire Chopping board - 8. Garland pendant shade (Tord Boontje for Habitat) - 9. Hester dining chair - 10. Ethan small bench

Halloween DIY

Halloween is not something that's really celebrated here in the Netherlands, it's not part of heritage, I guess.
However, under the influence of American television series and films, the tradition is slowly but steadily gaining ground. We don't really do the 'trick or treat'-thing, but our stores are now carrying a large collection of orange/black/skulled decorations (by no means as crazy as in the US of course), and more and more bars organize Halloween-themed parties (usually Friday/Saturday closest to October 30th).  

Well, since I really like pumpkin-soup and Love to fancy dress, you don't hear me complain about this tradition crossing the big pond (even though it appears to mainly be about stores making an extra profit on anything that has anything to do with skulls, pumpkins and fake blood).

What I like about Halloween (a part from the soup and dress-up) is the fact that it is a very 'crafty' holiday: the pumpkin carving, the home-made fake blood and creepy decorations...
So many great DIY-ideas to be found on the WWW:

Halloween-themed candy, for example:

Vampire Blood Lollies - DIY instructions here

Or how about these very stylish pumpkin-decorating ideas? (spotted on Curbly's round-up):

Funkytime

Countryliving

Swell Designer

And this free download: Halloween wrapping paper

Mini-Eco

And don't get me started on all the cuter than cute DIY outfits... But I guess I'll dedicate a separate post to those around our own (Southern) Dutch fancy-dress tradition: Carnaval (not until next year, unfortunately).

Modern findings house tour

White, wood, vintage, plants, carpets, pillows, cats, globes.
Love this interior by Modern Findings.

All images from Modern Findings House Tour

Spotted on Miss Moss

Present & Correct

Present&Correct is a UK based web-shop specialized in stationery, set up by two graphic designers back in 2008. In the shop they sell their own work, as well as vintage finds and things they love from other designers.

This is Not a sponsored post, I just really really really love the collection of goodies they have on offer, and can't help going back to their website regularly to try and find a reason to finally order a few things.

Perhaps I can get a few of my presents from the shop this Holiday-season, that way I can save on shipping costs (+ I won't have to feel guilty about ordering most of the goodies just for me). 

Popville
(by Anouck Boisrobert and Louis Rigaud)

Midori brass stencil bookmark

Science letter set

Primary card set

Balloon good luck card

Graph tape

Baby Book

Science stamp kit

Scroll wall calendar

Know it all pencil set

Carnaval Animal by Iris de Vericourt 
(remember this post?)

Wood atom set

Wishlist

1. Petite Cuillère by Margote céramiste for Le Repère des belettes - spotted on French by Design
2. Clair de Lune Moonlight wall sticker (glow in the dark!) by i3Lab on Etsy
3. Hadley Mod Throw via CB2

Aesthetics and Function - By AMT

Strap collection - By AMT for TBD

All is Vanity (Peasant collection)  -  By AMT for TBD 

for more information and about By AMT (French/American/Dutch Allisia Melka-Teichrow), check out her website, where you'll also find a lot more designs and a web shop.

Stars we are

via here

Hanging planters

By Tracy Wilkinson / TW Workshop - spotted on All the Mountains

Via Uncovet - spotted on Pinterest

Quilts

Since we have BB on the way (some time within the next 4-5 weeks!!) I got into nesting and decided to make a nice quilt.
Since it's way more work than I thought, my masterpiece isn't finished yet. (I know, I know, everybody could have told me making a quilt is not something you do in a day)
> Update: finished!

A bit of inspiration:

Geokantha quilt by Urban Outfitters

Photograph via Decor8 - original source unknown

OYOY (the Scandinavians at it again)

Spotted on Happy Mundane: Danish brand OYOY.

No shops in the Netherlands just yet, but I'm sure it won't take long.

Here are some shots from their catalogue - which can be viewed online here.

For more information check out the OYOY website.

Diaper bag

T and I are counting down the weeks...
It's strange to think of the Little One who will be part of our lives so soon. I feel like I only just got used to being pregnant.

Still a lot of stuff to cross off our to-do/to-buy list before BB is here though.
One thing: a diaper bag.

...

Diaper bags.

...

I don't know about you, but I have yet to encounter one of those multi-purpose bags that doesn't scream 'Baby!', or is just plain ugly.
Not that I have anything against bags that are straightforward about their function, -I own a really cool vintage first aid bag that has a large red cross on it-, but why do those bags have to be either pink or baby-blue?
Of course there are those diaper-bags for guys that are black or greyish, but they look more like the lap-top bags your dad used to carry around in the early nineties (remember, when laptops were twice the size they are now?).

And no.
No thanks. I don't want a bag with a life size photograph of my kid on it. I rather just look at his life version, since he's probably close to that bag anyway.

Anyway, I went on a frantic on-line search for a cool (and affordable, I should add) diaper bag / bag that could service as one.

How about these ones?:

Waxed Canvas Backpack by Ottobags - via Uncovet

Ben by Freitag

Richard by Ally Capellino