I am going to spend Mother's Day weekend with my mom, so I will not be posting Monday or Tuesday; however, since I will be away those days, I will be posting Wednesday–Friday. Hope that you have, or did have, a Happy Mother's Day!
A soft vintage color palette of inspirations by The Rug Company.
That's it for this week. Check out the categories section for more inspirations. Have a wonderful weekend!
A more eclectic style...
The first time I saw Method products was at Target, and I thought that it was a Target brand. Not true. The company was founded by two roommates, Adam Lowry and Eric Ryan. They started with an idea. That idea transitioned into creating products that didn't have to be "hidden under the sink." Thus creating Method, a line of products that clean, but are gentle to the user and the environment. The designs of Method products are simple, elegant, and eco-friendly, and they smell really good, too!
A friend introduced me to the Zara clothing line a few years ago, but I didn't know that they had home decor, too! The designs are rich in color and texture. You can find anything from understated and elegant to exotic and luxurious. These are some of Zara Home favorites.
For those days when you don't want to to bare-necked, littlebluebirdstudios has a variety of pendant styles and colors that can go with anything in your wardrobe. These are some of my favorites.
Well, that's it for the rest of the week. Don't forget, if you have an inspirational quote that you'd like to share, send it to treatblog@gmail.com, and I will post it in the Poetreat and Quotes section of the blog. Have a great weekend!
Find dozens and dozens of fabrics with inspirations from pre 1900s to the 70s at Reprodepot Fabrics.
There are loads of inspiring quotes out there, but I want to know what quotes, poems, or songs really get you moving! Share a favorite quote, poem, or stanza from a song that you feel will uplift, inspire, or put a smile on someone's face, and I will post it under the Poetreat and Quotes of the Week.
You're at work spending hours and hours on your computer. As you trek your way home, you pull out your Blackberry to call a friend. After you've gotten your mail and walked in the door, you hang your coat and turn on your computer to check your e-mail. You grab a bite to eat and then on your TV to look at "reality TV." So, you're starting to feel like a drone, right? Or, maybe you've been a drone and hadn't quite realized it yet. Well, drone no more! There's a company that wants to make you feel more human! That's right! Feel More Human is an eco-friendly company, with loads of modern style, founded by Jill Stalowicz, a woman who at one time felt that her life was being driven by big brands. So, she started Feel More Human, a company that blends her love for modern design, building brands, and "helping to propel the shift towards a greener society."
...and realized that you had to be a registered user, I've changed the settings. I didn't realize that I had activated that feature. So now you can comment as much as you'd like! Thanks again Larkyn!
The rugs at The Rug Company are simply beautiful...to the point that I don't even want to call them rugs. The word rugs evokes something that's just thrown on the floor, walked all over, and doesn't put up a fight. No, these beautiful pieces need a title much more elevating than that. These "rugs" let you know what masters the room. Perhaps, floor art or OCA, for opposite ceiling art, or PCD Parallel Ceiling Designs. Ok, so maybe those names aren't the best either, but you get the idea.
No post Thursday and Friday, so have a great weekend!
HAPPY EARTH DAY! Every day, the earth does something great for you. Why not do something great for the earth?
If you aren't hip to the grocery tote, then you'd better get to moving! Grocery totes are not only reducing the number of plastic and paper bags used at grocery stores, but they're becoming fashionable items. I've seen people in downtown Chicago carrying not only groceries, but work items in these totes!
Check out these totes from Whole Foods. So designer-friendly! They're great for the planet, and they're so much easier to carry and use because they hold so many more groceries! The colorful one to the left is made of 80% post consumer waste. The one to the right is made of a thick canvas and has two straps. One long, one short. So you can carry it in whatever way is more convenient for you.
If you don't think you'll be in a Whole Foods anytime soon, many grocery stores, at least in the Chicago area, carry their own grocery totes. Design has been a really important factor in the creation of these bags. It seems that grocery stores are becoming more competitive with their designs. Who could blame them? The more people who carry the tote, the more advertising the store gets. My favorites have been these Whole Foods bags. Do you have a favorite in your city?
Check out the YouTube video below, Earth Day 2008: Be a Part of the Solution, to learn more about what you can do to be more eco-friendly.
Find an Earth Day event in your city.
I was really inspired by the work of Gemini Studio Art. I love all of these posters, but I especially love the all-type ones. I really love the Obama poster, and the cupcake one is really cute, too. The asparagus one would really work in my kitchen. Ok, so they're all equally awesome! This artwork would look great in a home that's vintage or modern. Stephen, a Chicago based graphic artist has a great eye for design and creates inspirational and delectable posters inspired by city life, tasty treats, current events, and cute animals. Stephen was gracious enough to share his method.
Method: He starts by creating a rough sketch then refines it. After scanning it and creating vector art of the image, he works some Photoshop magic for tones, colors, and effects. It's then printed on newsprint and assembled onto canvas with layers of antiqued papers, allows them to dry, and adds more layers of antique paper, sealer, and ink rubbings. Depending on the size of the posters, they usually take about two hours to complete. The Obama poster that you see in the image below took a little longer because the poster size is bigger. Don't you just love his artwork?
No post today and Friday, but check out the Categories section to view past posts. Have a great weekend!
Just wanted to let you know that today is National Start! Walking Day! Take out your sneakers, and start walking for better health.
Treat has to support its very own Chicago artists. That's why I am happy to present to you Haley Handmade, an Etsy shop of products made for women, children, and home. Haley loves fabrics, and she loves to sew. Find small purses, cosmetic cases, vintage book handbags, headbands, and other handmade items that you won't find anywhere else. All items are handmade by Haley and created in her downtown Chicago studio.
