Genius.

Makes trash look great! =)

[via interiordesignroom; brought to you by the great peeps at suck uk]

Steep in style!

If you're like me and addicted to beverages that require steamed water (mostly tea personally, coffee not so much) you'll definitely dig this high-design/tech teapot by stock graphic image company Veer: The Sorapot!


VEER says:

Make way for the modern teapot. Short and stout, with striking architecture, the Sorapot updates teatime with contemporary style. The 11oz chamber steeps tea for two beneath a graceful arch. A marvel of design you can sit back and pore over, before it’s time to tip over and pour out. Made from stainless steel, borosilicate glass (Pyrex), and food-grade silicone.

Dimensions: 8" x 6" x 5"

The pricetag may get you steamed up, but for form and function I don't think you have any other choice now for making water boil!

Whaat 'chu Say?

In ode to the sweet return of Comic Con to America's Finest City, I say from now until Preview night, FOREVER, we should eat on these:

[another great "fabulous find" from hwtm]

"Chat Plates" Ikuko Nakazawa, 2007

Miz Hostess and her good pal Chambord

We here at O K E E d O R K E E have different likes that we obsess aka 'dork-out' to, but if there is one ultra fave thing we all have in common, it's partying and drinking! After a long day, why not relax and unwind with a nice beverage with friends, right?!? =)
[photo below courtesy of hwtm and chambord. manipulated by juligie]
Murse1 and I attended the Hostess with the Mostess' Hip Hostess Series in San Diego, which was the first of her 12 month tour. The hip hostess Jennifer Sbranti, along with Chambord Raspberry Liqueur, will be traveling to 7 cities in the U.S. to share cool party and entertaining ideas. This ain't no stuffy workshop. While picking up pointers to create chic, yet affordable decor and fantastic recipes that incorporate the fabulous drink of choice, Chambord, you'll also be showered with yummy food and yummier cocktails! I'm telling you, this will be the best Happy Hour you'll ever attend. And the best part, The Hip Hostess Series is FREE! Okay, okay, no really, the best part is meeting Miz Sweetie-pie herself, Jenn, and learning tons of helpful tips! The Must-bring-checklist when attending: a camera, pad and pen to take notes (and exchange blog and email addys with other attendees), your appetite,and a happy-go-lucky attitude!


[l: party over here! r: on the loggia patio overlooking balboa park. with one of three signature drinks, the french martini.]


[lovely decor, pretty people...my kind of shindig!]

The theme for the San Diego event was "Tropical Zen." The venue, The Prado, was decorated with gorgeous arrangements with vibrant oranges, deep reds and zesty greens that intertwined both Hawaiian and Asian motifs. Why does it work so well together? Because both share similar decor aspects --- bright and bold colors and bamboo and green foliage. Told'ya she's good.

Jenn explained that decor and entertaining should be simple. Let's stay away from the cookie-cutter, party-in-a-box sets at your local party stores. What are we, 5 years old? No, we're grown and sexy now ;) Let's act and decorate accordingly.

One of the tabletops she displayed was inspired by a plant she saw in Hawaii. The plant was her muse. Find your muse and use it to inspire your color palette. And just because you're throwing a party, doesn't mean you gotta cook (thank da lord!) --- go to your fave eatery, take some dishes to go, and throw it on a swanky platter and wha-la! Mighty fine (and worry-free) dining! And be daring --- try using other food containers like take-out boxes to hold individual portion dishes. Isn't she the greatest?

A must for every party these days --- Signature drinks! Like I said, fine ladies and handsome gents, byob is so last season. I hate going to parties with a byob rule and all you see is the cheap stuff with no complimentary mixers. Don't get me wrong, I'm an on-the-rocks kinda chica as well, but really, hosting parties are meant to be a fun, catching-up soirre, not hold someones hair all night next to the porcelain god. Ok, rant over. Continuing on....yes, Signature drinks!

[diy bar --- guests will love playing bartender! ]

[my two faves: chambord berry sorbet and champagne & chambord]

Who knew Chambord could be so useful?!? At the event, there were 3 signature drinks that included Chambord in the recipe --- French Martini, Chambord Margarita and Chambord and Champagne. The 3 drinks were perfect because the 3 recipes covered all types of drinkers --- stiff to light. And for those who didn't really want to drink it up but wanted to try out Chambord, they served Chambord sorbet which just had a hint of it. Another fun idea --- make pouring drinks fun by giving your guests options. They'll have fun pouring their own concoctions. Set up a table and frame the recipes of the signature drinks around the various ingredients. And don't forget the garnishes --- raspberries and blackberries make your champagne flute look more fun! Really, who isn't wearing a 'i heart jenn' tee yet?

And the magic word of the day, Details! The details is what gets everyone talking! Follow through with your theme in all aspects of your decor. Jenn displayed a dining table that incorporated banana leaves (real and fake! yes, fake is ok. it's genius!) on and around each dish setting. And the magical detail --- she took a shred of a banana leaf and tied it around the napkin setting! Also seen around several of the displays were little bamboo toothpicks that are perfect for hors'douvers or fruit garnishes for your drink. Tiny embellishments like those make the entire 'look' so put-together. Ok, isn't Jenn our new BFF?!

[some of my fave details (fr l to r) -- faux flower in a bamboo vase filled with black river rock, banana leaf napkin ring, coconut cup embellished with a faux orchid flower]

Everyone loves giveaways! Each attendee received a coconut favor filled with goodies --- a tiny Chambord, Chambord shot glass, bamboo toothpicks, a party tip guide, and my favorite, an OPI nail polish --- color called French Chambord-tini --- how perfect is that name?!?

We had a great time. So great that I have been having Chambord and Champagne since the event and I totally want to go to all the cities! Jenn, I so can fit in your carry-on. Ok, check-in luggage. ;)

Yes, even Murse1 had a great time. He even suggested that "Tropical Zen" should be our next party theme. Like whoa, he's interested in decor and being an ultra hostess too?!? Ladies and, yes, Fellas, check out the Hostess with the Mostess when she comes cruising to a city near you! Her Chicago event is filling up fast --- she's got two events there and the first one is all ready full! Sign up soon! And keep up with the fabulous Hostess with the Mostess on her blog and find party inspiration on her site.

[click on photos for detail. all photos, otherwised noted, were taken by MURSE1. All rights reserved.]

Clingy Chicks

Luke Feldman (remember, our homeskillet from Comic Con and WonderCon?) kindly let us know that he debuted a few prototypes of his life-size vinyl adhesive ladies and fairies at his "sell-out" Melbourne show at Paper Shadow Gallery last month.

Statement:

"SKAFFS launches life-size vinyl adhesive female prototypes at the sell-out Melbourne show last month. These life size sexy chicks and fairies provide the perfect opportunity to decorate your shop or apartment walls."

Thanks for keeping us in the know, Luke! ^_^

[Photo Courtesy of SKAFFS-- go here to see the other 2 pics]

You Light Up My Life

Valentine's Day is fast approaching.
Who doesn't love handmade presents? Score big and turn on (silly pun intended) the romance with a cool DIY project brought to you by those cool peeps at FredFlare.

Chris helps you step-by-step. Totally nothing to it and I'm sure you all have MOST of the materials at home:
*scissors
*single hole punch
*heart shaped choclate box (don't have this handy? buy one and chow down the chocolate while creating the masterpiece!)
*scotch tape
*duct tape
*rikrak (or a ribbon of your choice will work too)
*beads (recycle those mardi gras beads!)
*old lampshade
*lamp base of your choice
*light bulb

Check out their podcast and learn how to make Chris' self-proclaimed "World Famous Heart Shape Lampshade!"

[screenshot and podcast courtesy of fredflare.com]

Don't forget to include:
*a mushy card with cheesy light puns!
*a mixtape using the word light
my faves:
Bob Marley featuring Lauryn Hill - Turn your lights down low
World Class Wrecking Crew - Turn off the lights
TLC - Red light special
Debby Boone - You light up my life

Handbags to lug into combat!

Sundae Best is a collection of handbags by Wisconsin designer and artist James Piatt. Born in San Diego California, his influence of Southern Californian Conceptual Art is seen of his many works of furniture, lighting, and in particular, his handbag collection. (Yeah being a male, I know I'm not the target market, but the military/combat designs were just too awesome for me to not take notice!)


The Pursuader (purse-suader! get it?!) is a sub-machine gun shaped laser shaped leather purse complete with a cell phone holder in the clip. For those who like to live life like a battle, they're available in silver or pink.

Knock people out with "The Peacekeeper 300", a handbag with brass knuckles for a handle. Its available in multiple colors and materials, and guaranteed to make you rule the streets.


For those not into weapons here's something a little more morbid! "Tinkerbell" is inspired by Paris Hilton's denied dog of the same name addressing the issue of carrying a small dog as a fashion accessory. Unfortunately, as of this writing, these puppies are sold out.


Finally, there is the less intimidating but just as fashionable "Chesterton", which combines the best of old and new style and technology.


Ladies ready for war will immediately report to James Piatt/Sundae Best. Dismissed!
All photos Copywright 2007 James Piatt

Mama always said...

...to put moola away for your Nest Egg.

this genius product makes it so easy!


[photo courtesy of fredflare.com]

you got ten days left ( O_x )

head over to fredflare and find more kooky gift ideas
and take advantage of their free shipping...now until monday.

Quotation bookends!

For those that like to quote their literature comes Quote/Unquote bookends by designer Eric Janssen. The bookends have a synthetic heavy rubber exterior with a concrete core. The stylish quotation marks are available for at Unica Home.

i don't think a bookend has been so appropriate. And you can quote me on that!

Hamster for Hire

Will PETA be mad???

Hamster helps you with work...
( Hamster Shredder )

...and he'll help u count down 'til quittin' time.

( Hamster Clock )

He's your BEST coworker ever!

Word to yo MUTHA....

Yeah boyeeee...Mother's Day is coming up (sunday may 13) and boy, you better be ready. Wouldn't want Mama to open up a can of whoop a$$ on ya. Show yo Mama --- and yo baby's Mama and all mamas of the world, whether they're your gal pal, sister, neighbor, grandmama, or best friend's MILF --- your appreciation with the following gifts:


Square Egg Mold :: These will stop those slippery varmints from rolling off your plate!
High Heel Cake Server :: Oh so chic!

Chew By Numbers :: Your Personal Masterpiece!
Pantone Purse :: Looks like an actual Pantone Color Chip! Genius!


Abusive Stamps :: Express yourself.
Happy Knives Set :: Isn't pink so peaceful?

Collision Kit Organizer :: For those accident-prone Mamas.
Paper Orchid Flower Kit :: For Mamas with brown thumbs.

Herb Growing Tater Pots :: Great for Mamas with a Chronic disease ;)
WWF Adopt an Animal :: Forget a pony, Adopt a Zebra!

Smashbox Tokidoki Collection :: Mama will look Fab with these stylish palettes.
#1 Mom Trophy :: Add this to her collection of pageant trophies.

Animal Mugs that give you an Animal Mug

These funny animal mugs designed by Attua Aparicio Torinos through the Thorsten Van Elten website have animal noses on the bottom, so you look like a dog, pig, or bunny as you take sips of your bean or leaf brew.

They're available for sale here for £10.00 (or $20.034 for us Americans)!

Comfortable Comfort Food

I never use to be a big fan of sushi. First of all, I don't really like fish, so the idea of eating them raw totally threw me off. I'm still not too big on the fishy taste of most seafood, but I have grown a liking to sushi... at least some sushi rolls. California rolls and spicy tuna rolls are among my favorites.

So why all this talk about sushi you ask? I just happened to come across this website, thanks to rye-uhn-air-ick, that sells sushi roll pillows! The Original Sushi Pillow was created by Mel Maghuyop and Cindy Tomm, two actors who thought of the idea while on the U.S. tour of Miss Saigon. Cindy thought it would be a neat idea to have pillow that looked like a California roll and after failed attempts to find one, Mel decided to make his own... the first sushi pillow was born.



How cool is that? Now, even those less adventurous folks who may be a little apprehensive about raw fish can enjoy sushi with other sushi lovers! I personally cannot wait until I can get my hands on one, maybe more, of these unique pillows to decorate my house, which already includes artwork from Tokidoki, Takashi Murakami, and several Dunnys. They'd also be perfect for decorating apartments, dorm rooms, or wherever really. Hand made using premium fabrics and a unique airbrushing technique, these pillows can be purchased for around $33-$69. The Original Sushi Pillow's menu of delectable pillows include:

Sushi Rolls [pictured: Tuna]



Nigiri Rolls [pictured: Ebi, Tuna]





Appetizers [pictured: Edamame]



To see the full menu and/or order one of these tasty pillows for yourself [or me], head over to The Original Sushi Pillow. Don't see your favorite sushi roll on the menu? Not a problem! The Original Sushi Pillow offers custom orders - just send them a picture and they'll do their best to replicate it.

Until my next obsession...

Itadakimasu!