above: Dolly Coaster Set
above: Baby Spoons
Spanish architects Dosmasuno have completed an apartment block in the Madrid suburb of Carabanchel. Encased in a pristine galvanished white mesh on a linear facade facing the sun, this block is designed with playful cantilevered modules on its opposite side. Kind of like a Sejima-meets-MVRDV project.
Despite the seeming irregularities on the protruding face, this apartment block actually consists of 102 dwelling units of the same layout. A wonderful example of how economies of scale achieved by repetition can also create interesting forms.
For more pictures, click here.
I guess now with 2 girls, one cannot help but venture into baby websites and blogs filled with pretty little things just for girls. Like this Marie Antoinette-like dress I saw here today. 
And the creator of this dress, Kathleen, is giving this dress away!! All you have to do is to link back to her post! Deadline is Friday 10/24/08. 
The very very talented Kathleen does bi-weekly giveaways on Grosgrain and I must say that almost everything she whips up with her sewing machine is beautiful! I also love this, and this, and this. Somehow, her pictures really captures the mood of the dresses and costumes she makes. Glad I found this site today.
I am feeling so much more refreshed now after a 2 hour nap in the afternoon. The past week has been a big process of adjustment for our family since we returned from the hospital...
Dorothy, whom I also got to know through laissezfaire, recently gave birth to a beautiful baby, Ellis. Before entering the fabulous world of fashion, she spent her days in a small cubicle at a large international financial institution. She decided to follow her passion a few years back when she took up a course in fashion design and started the Dotted Line. With her new journey into motherhood early this year, she wasted no time in getting started with her second business venture, Dote Studio when she got fed up with the lack of stylish nursing wear available in Singapore.
Dorothy had contacted me some time back to help design her new label. While I was occupied with several projects at that time, I am really glad I took on this project as I wanted to be a part of it since I was once a nursing mom myself who was frustrated with the wardrobe options currently available. The process of designing the label for Dote Studio was very enjoyable as Dorothy would be what I call an "enlightened client". She knew what she wanted...something simple, feminine and elegant, but did not limit me in terms of the design process.
I can't wait to try on the clothes that Dorothy sent me below once that postpatum tummy becomes less visible.
above: Mist puff sleeve dress (S$109, US$75 approx)
above: Slate Top. (S$69 or US$48 approx.)I probably won't look as good as the model above but at least I will feel good! No more frumpy nursing clothes....yay! Dote Studio ships internationally at S$15 (or US$11 approx) per item. For more info, do visit their website.
Dote Studio will also be collaborating with Maternity Exchange, Singapore, to offer more nursing options in the coming months. I am also glad to be involved in designing a simple clothing label for this -Dote for MX.
Besides designing 2 fashion labels, Dorothy also writes regularly on her blog Drastic Measures which covers fashion, crafting, design and daily life. Another 2 thumbs up for this multi-tasking mom who has ditched the corporate rat race to follow her passion!
While I am not a huge fan of dog tags, this is something that I would love to have. Made from sterling silver, this tag comes custom made with the words and/or date you want. Available here. 
Think these eraser matchsticks and cigarette pencils would make a good gift for someone you are trying to get to quit smoking? Probably not but it will be fun. (via pencil talk)
How cool is this? This laptop sleeve looks so much like a real envelope! You just have to make sure it doesn't go out in the OUT tray together with your laptop by mistake. Available here.
Above: Wonder Threads Laptop sleeve designed with velcro seals.
The very talented Argentinian illustrator Ana Laura Perez, designer of bang-bags recently emailed me to let me know about a big sale she is currently having. Most of the art, accessories in her etsy shop are one of a kind item and all has to go to make way for a new line she is currently working on. Do check it out and don't miss this chance to get one of her incredibly beautiful artwork! 
UK born, LA based ceramic designer, Hannah recently emailed to let me know about her new collection, The Jewellery Collection. Inspired by all things fashion, all designs are handmade in the UK from beautiful English bone china. To see more of her work, click here. 
This store is designed by local interior architects Rodney Eggleston and Anne-Laure Cavigneaux of March Studios. The entire store interior, from the display shelving, to the façade and counter tops is made entirely of industrial-grade cardboard.
(via the cool hunter) 
Now this will make a lovely home for all you cat lovers out there. There is something very appealing to me about curling up in a cocoon like this and perhaps even rolling around in it. These pods are constructed out of 83 layers of laser-cut double wall corrugated cardboard and include bored holes for your kitties to stick their little paws into and do their scratching thing. 
Literally eye-candy project that photographer Thuss Farrell did for his book 'Lines and Shapes - vol2'.
This is a brilliant project by Bruno Taylor entitled "Playful Spaces". It is a study into different ways of bringing play back into public space and asks us to question the current framework for public space. (via woostercollective)
(above) I love the strong visual effect created by the bright red tiles and clean lines in this washroom.
(above) The toilets are cleverly concealed within these custom-built antique style chests. 
(above) Mix and match a modern Ikea bookshelf with Oriental elements, such as an antique Chinese medicine cabinet here.
(above) These brightly coloured kitchen towels and tin plates with traditional kitchy oriental motifs really give this kitchen a lift.
(above) A typical 1920 old Shanghai bedroom deco. Love the deep brown typical of aged antique oriental furniture.
(above) Love the old industrial feel of this room with the bare bulbs and antique rosewood treasure chests
