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Ingenious Planters

By lilybee

Saw these brilliantly up-cycled planters on the walk to my local farmers market. Love the chair! »MORE

July 02, 2008

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It's called Smart (Actually it's got those dot thingys over the 'A' but I don't know how to do them on my computer) and it is... I Found this fellow whilst perusing Ikea for a desk lamp. I was astounded. It doesn't look like a 20 Dollar lamp. It looks well, designery. It comes in various different patterns and it's mouth blown, and awesome. »MORE

July 01, 2008

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Wanna Hang Out? Clotheslines YAY or NAY?

By lilybee

"There's a whole generation of kids growing up today who think a clothesline is a wrestling move," Dalton McGuinty, Ontario's Premier, (on lifting Ontario's clothesline ban.) Clotheslines have a lot going for them, they're free, they make things smell nice, they don't use fossil fuels, you don't have to plumb or plug them in, you don't have to sit in a non-air conditioned laundry room guarding them so no one makes off with your unmentionables, when they're not in use they practically disappear... all good stuff. They're also ILLEGAL in some cities. Until April Toronto was one of those... »MORE

June 30, 2008

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The House Stays in the Picture...

By lilybee

Last September Ed Norton and chums were filming some scenes for the new Hulk movie on Yonge Street in Toronto, about half a block away from our flat. Whilst watching the movie we played 'spot the subtly altered landmark'. It got me to thinking, how does one get one's house in the movies? A bit of research came up with this info. I'd say it's probably easier to be a pushy stage parent to your house if you live someplace like New York, L.A. or Vancouver, But you never know... The image is from The House of Sand and... »MORE

June 27, 2008

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Hitting the Big Time...

By lilybee

Over at Ohdeedoh they have a post about oversize baby bottle lamps, with a link to a company called greatbigstuff.com. Now I LOVE stuff that is either comically large or perfectly miniature. (I clutch the tiny booze bottles on airplanes and pretend to be a giant... for hours... sometimes out loud.) Here's a roundup of the house ware type stuff you could acquire if you are similarly afflicted. A Great Big Alarm Clock $79.77. This fellow is a foot and a half tall, just think how grateful your neighbours will be when they too receive a wake up call... »MORE

June 27, 2008

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Make A Light Show Lamp

By lilybee

So. It's not exactly a Kanye style light show, but it does throw pretty patterns onto the wall and ceiling and it's dead easy to make. I used a Grundtal lamp base from Ikea a Skimra lampshade from Ikea These just happened to be the most uh, 'cost effective' shade and base that Ikea had, but I'm pretty sure this would work with whatever you happen to have around. craft paper or wrapping paper a craft knife scissors a bit o' tape. First you'll need to trace around your lampshade to find the surface area you'll be working with, It... »MORE

June 26, 2008

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Death Star for Kitties

By lilybee

Looking for a sinister place for your feline chum to hang out and plan the downfall of the rebellion? Found! This is the Litter Robot 2. (I'm assuming Litter Robot 1 got a taste for kitties and had to be shut down a'la Robocop) It's selling points? It self cleans! It's really really sinister! Apparently you can also "Say goodbye to those expensive special receptacles or waste bags, the Litter Robot uses regular kitchen garbage bags". It's 'only' $369.99 (CAD). If you're even a tiny bit of a Starwars fan check out the slide show here, it's just brilliantly evocative.... »MORE

June 23, 2008

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How To Create Wall Art With Electrical Tape

By lilybee

Electrical tape. My dad firmly believes that electrical tape can be used to fix anything, from lamps to broken hearts. I've used it here to give my balcony wall a temporary Mondrian kick. To do this you'll need: A roll or two of electrical tape a spirit level a few coloured acetate sheets a craft knife. First give the wall a quick swipe with sugar soap or something, as stickiness and dirt are mortal enemies. Next roughly plot your design on paper, it doesn't have to be to scale or anything. Now you'll need to create a 'frame' for your... »MORE

June 21, 2008

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'Taters for Dummies

By lilybee

Fried, mashed, boiled, however you roll, potatoes are delish. Your VERY OWN teeny weeny potatoes dug up and boiled quickly and doused in butter are like a potato party in your mouth (thanks Richard). They are also super easy to grow. (Apparently). Even, according to these folks, INSIDE. As in without a garden, patio, balcony. I'm gonna give it a go, and I should be in good company as apparently 2008 is the International Year of the Potato, which simply makes me happy in my brain. Find instructions for 'Tater joy Here. Mr. P via ToysRUs »MORE

June 20, 2008

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Aprons = Really Good Idea

By lilybee

I am sure this is not exactly a Revelation to the apron initiated but it was news to me. I have been wearing a slightly insalubrious looking Christmas apron pretty much 24/7, on account of the INCREDIBLE QUANTITY OF GOO that my kid produces. Now I'm looking for something cooler and am awed by the sheer variety out there. Here are some of my favorites: The 'Dorothy' bib apron $40 from girlyaprons.com 'cause if you're going to rock the '50's housewife look, might as well do it wholeheartedly, same goes for this one$25.95 (also at girlyaprons) Or there's the 'I-work-at-Starbinkys-what-can-I-get-you'... »MORE

June 17, 2008

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Geeks? Us?

By lilybee

As soon as the paint was dry and the furniture was up in our baby's room my sweetie fished around in a box and retrieved these: They are survivors of the great parental toy cull of '84 and it means a lot to him to have them out. My problem is that they attract dust and they blow over if a gnat sneezes. I've been looking for ways to display them, this might be a bit too much: but I quite like the look of these: So does anybody else collect anything? and how do you display your collection? »MORE

June 16, 2008

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Magic Lamps?

By lilybee

Lamps, powered by Dumbledore or possibly rechargeable batteries. Candela Glow Lanterns by OXO ($39.99 for two) sit on their base to recharge and light up automatically when removed, they last for 8 hours after a full charge and unlike candles you can leave them unattended (and not worry about still having a house to come back to). There are different sizes and shapes available including these funky little slug chaps. Should you desire a change of ambiance there are different coloured tops. Seem expensive? They also do a less glamorous nightlight/portable lantern, the Candela Guardian for $29.99. All pictures are... »MORE

June 11, 2008

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Pleasantly Plump Utensils

By lilybee

Some things are just better plump (babies, puppies and bank accounts, to name a few). You can add kitchen utensils to the list, OXO does a range called GoodGrips that are bordering on the obese, which makes holding and using them much easier. We discovered these because my brother has reduced gripping ability and slightly dodgy fine motor skills since his accident. While he is not up to cooking he is able to say, open a can of tuna, our old can opener was frustratingly fiddly for him but this one works well. These are also a lot easier on... »MORE

June 10, 2008

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That hollow feeling...

By lilybee

This phone, the Thomson Symbio has to be at least a second cousin (design wise) to the grandfather clock that DIY Maven posted about earlier, so what do we think, delicious minimalist homage or gimmicky ridiculousness? I have to say, I'm not to sure about it's availability, as I spotted it in a french deco magazine. »MORE

June 09, 2008

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Make Linens Smell Yummy

By lilybee

Snuffling down between starchy crisp, lavender smelly bed sheets is my own personal version of nirvana. Lavender oil is a multi tasking wonder, want to relax into a restful sleep while treating your skin complaints and repelling moths and ticks? Lavender is your guy. I found this recipe for a linen spray while frantically searching for something to make my kid feel better, (he has a cold, not Bubonic Plague, as I first suspected) lavender is also pretty good for stuffy noses. To make Lavender Linen Water for spraying on sheets or other linens before/during/after ironing, You'll need: Half a... »MORE

June 09, 2008

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Don't Panic...

By lilybee

A few things have gotten me thinking about first aid just recently, firstly of all there was DiyMaven's post about disaster readiness kits, (thought provoking stuff that) and then there is the fact that DIY involves lots and lots of sharp objects, power tools and relatively dangerous stuff. Lastly there was a minor incident involving a broken glass and an errant finger. All these things made me realise that a pack of Batman Band-Aids and some kitchen towel don't really cut it first aid wise. This is what first aid kit should include, according to the ready.gov folks Two pairs... »MORE

June 08, 2008

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Eggs Over Easy

By lilybee

Urban chickens, they drink Starbucks and take a yoga class at the Y. and they live here in the Omlet Eglu I know beccajo posted about these here, but I was wondering if anybody had actually gotten one. My dad, who admittedly lives in rural France (which is SO not an urban environment) is eagerly awaiting the delivery of one of these. The makers have big claims, they reckon you only need a 20' x 30' garden, you can move the whole shebang one handed and simply hose it down when it gets grubby, the house not the chickens,... »MORE

June 08, 2008

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Rock Beats Dirt, Scissors. Paper Undefeated.

By lilybee

Last year I managed to perpetrate The Houseplant Apocalypse. Our living room was littered with plant corpses, it was pretty gruesome. Now I have New Plants, and in the manner of abusive plant owners everywhere I have promised them that this time things will be different and that I can change if they'll only give me a chance. In the spirit of reconciliation I have popped some decorative rocks in their pots. Rocking out houseplants has a couple of advantages, firstly rocks are prettier than dirt, (well, in my opinion) secondly rocks help retain moisture, so less watering is needed.... »MORE

May 10, 2008

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Shaken Not Stirred? Stock a Home Bar...

By lilybee

This is a guide (as compiled by my brother, the cocktail barman) to the gadgets and goodies that you really need to stock your home bar/cabinet where you keep the booze. 1. A SHAKER Elliot recommends a Boston shaker, these are the ones with the glass top. They are apparently better than the three-piece 'traditional' shaker. When I asked why this was Elliot stared into the middle distance with a look of abject horror on his face and whispered "They jam".... huh. So, the Boston shaker is the sort used by professionals, they let you see how things are... »MORE

May 12, 2007

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Make Shiny Flowers

By lilybee

DiyMaven's post about the Cherry Blossom Lights made me drool, SO. PRETTTTTTY. MUST. HAVE. I'm going to get my sister in London to order them for me .... but in the mean time I made these: I used some fake flowers from the Dollar Store... ...And Christmas lights, these fellows are the indoor/outdoor LED kind, so they don't get all toasty hot or use heaps of electricity. I pulled the petal-y parts off of the stems, then enlarged the holes at the bottom so that they just... »MORE

May 10, 2007

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lilybee's blog

Ingenious Planters

Smart Lamp....

Wanna Hang Out? Clotheslines YAY or NAY?

The House Stays in the Picture...

Hitting the Big Time...

Make A Light Show Lamp

Death Star for Kitties

How To Create Wall Art With Electrical Tape

'Taters for Dummies

Aprons = Really Good Idea

Geeks? Us?

Magic Lamps?

Pleasantly Plump Utensils

That hollow feeling...

Make Linens Smell Yummy

Don't Panic...

Eggs Over Easy

Rock Beats Dirt, Scissors. Paper Undefeated.

Shaken Not Stirred? Stock a Home Bar...

Make Shiny Flowers

lilybee

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