May 19

How To Keep Everything (Including The Kitchen Sink) Clean!

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imageLike a lot of people I know, I love cooking but hate the cleanup that’s involved. I mean, I just can’t help using multiple spoons for every taste test, dripping sauces everywhere I go, and getting flour everywhere (including my nose). So it’s no wonder why my kitchen looks like a war zone and I’ve got no one volunteering to help clean. When you want things done, you have do it yourself, right? Aside from the usual sponges, mops, and towels you already have, I’m sure there are some cleaning supplies and gadgets you wouldn’t mind having. If you’ve been working with smelly foods like garlic, onions, or fish, use a stainless steel bar of soap to get rid of the odors from your hands. My California upbringing definitely contributed to my love for recycling, so these recycle bags are a convenient way to organize your glass, metal and paper recycling. Take a look at my slideshow for more kitchen cleaning items you’ll love to use!

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May 18

Hot In The Hive: “Don Banana” Kitchen Box by Alessi

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imageOk, let’s be honest here. Are you still storing your dry goods like flour, sugar, coffee, or tea in the big bulky packages it came in? Whether it’s a flimsy cardboard box with tape all over it to keep it from collapsing or big, bulky, and ugly plastic containers, it’s no wonder why kitchen cupboards are such a mess. That’s why I fell in love with Italian design team, Alessi and their “Don Banana” Kitchen Box! I don’t know about you, but I’ll certainly crack a smile every time I reach for my tea leaves or sugar in the morning. I think the box could also be a fun storage idea for candies and nuts (provided you and your guests eat them before they get stale). Or how about bath salts or cotton balls in the bathroom? The storage possibilities are endless!


Price: $50
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the “Don Banana” Kitchen Box to the Hive.
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May 17

DIYthing’s Favorite Designers From The 2009 BKLYN DESIGN Show

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imageHave you been reading 3Rings lately? This design blog has a host of reviews about the recent exhibitors at the May 2009 BKLYN DESIGN Show in Dumbo. There are lots of great interviews and videos as well. There’s even a piece highlighting one of our favorite Brooklyn designers, Daniel Moyer of Daniel Moyer Designs. 3Rings offers reviews of a range of product designers, from Warp Designs’ Perforated Steel Vases to the delicate lamps of Levent and Romme. We really love the many designers who are using green design principles – check out the fun bamboo plywood furniture from Boo-Coup. Alicita Rodriquez introduced us to two great wallpaper designers – Shanan Campanaro and Jill Malek. Campanaro’s Eskayel line is based on her original artwork. And, Alicita, we agree, Jill Malek’s hand-screen printed wallcoverings are enough to make one swoon. Check out our slideshow to see some of our other favs.

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May 14

Hot In The Hive: The Lego Cake Mold

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imageLEGOs have been a staple childhood toy for so many generations and they always bring back nostalgic and happy memories for me. What else gives me happiness? Dessert. Now there is a way to combine the two for ultimate fun-time ecstasy with the LEGO Cake/ Jelly mould. Use them like any other cake pan and build cool creations for parties or potlucks! Each mould allows you to make six individual cake treats for a fun and unique portable dessert, or make a few batches and let your creativity go! Make a simple LEGO cake fort, or build an entire castle (just make sure there are friends around to help you eat it)! Add food coloring to the batter to make then look even more like gigantic LEGOs and you, your friends and your kids can all have a delicious and innovative dessert time from your very own kitchen. These moulds are microwave and oven safe and you can use them again and again for only $14.99. The possibilities are truly endless, just like actual LEGOs, and you can take you cake and jelly creations as far as your imagination will take you! Adorn finished desserts with the actual tiny LEGO men– just be careful not to eat them!

Price: $14.99
Who Found It: idabone was first to add the LEGO Cake/Jelly Mould to the Hive.

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May 13

Hot In The Hive: The Sphere Sleep System By Karim Rashid

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imageEver had one of those days when you wake up and just wish you could stay in bed all day? Oh, just about every day, right? As comfortably inviting as your current bed may already be, imagine if it also had a built-in massage system. And a 32-inch TV and theater system. And a champagne holder! Basically, what if that tempting bed of yours was literally an all-in-one pleasure cove of relaxation, entertainment, and pure sleeping bliss? Clearly, The Sphere by Karim Rashid is a bed/haven only for the extremely self-disciplined, because with its advanced massaging capabilities by Hollandia International and its built-in entertainment system, mustering up the motivation to actually set foot outside its cozy high-tech enclosure would be a daily battle. Though I guess with its LED canopy lights, you technically could get reading and work done without even having to get out of bed to so much as flip a light switch. If it weren’t for the need to actually eat, I could probably justify living in the thing — I guess the only thing it’s missing is literally the kitchen sink! Until that upgrade comes along, check out the ridiculously luxurious customizable bed at the Hollandia International official site!

Price: contact Hollandia International for ordering info! My guess is not cheap…
Who Found It: xgalexy was the first to add The Sphere to the Hive.

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May 13

Update Your Room’s Look With Just One Piece!

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imageMaybe it was that furniture design class I took in college, or maybe it was my mom allowing me to re-layout my room every few months, but I love me some small home updates. Whether it’s a simple rearrangement or a bold change, nothing can freshen your outlook faster. I challenged myself to gather a few snazzy, well-designed, conversation pieces of furniture to brighten up a room, all under $450. Imagine giving your bedroom a sense of Old Hollywood glamour simply by placing Target’s Button-Tufted Chaise Settee at an angle. Or spice up your studio with Target’s Small Room Divider in Espresso. It’s a great way to organize some of your media, but also give your room a little more flair. Check out my slideshow for other great room-spicing options!

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May 12

Hot In The Hive: Throw Some Green Around With CB2’s Astro Balls!

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imageI love living in the city and would rather be nowhere else. The excitement, the variety, the convenience, the interesting and unique things around every corner. I love it all. The only thing I don’t love about the city? The lack of green. You can find gourmet salad bars and veggie burgers piled high with leafy greens and fresh produce on any block, but you’d be hard pressed to find a lush yard in between apartment buildings or an overflow of trees and flowers on any given corner. Now, there is an easy and fun way to add the illusion of thick vegetation to your living environment! Thanks to CB2 and their Astro Balls, livening up your garden is no problem! They are made of high-quality polyethylene and look like giant Koosh balls made of grass! Their fun and unique shape add interest to any yard or lawn, regardless of size. They are not real grass so you can enjoy the look of green plants, but not have to worry about the care and maintenance that usually come with them. These CB2 Astro Balls are great for interior decoration too! Add a few into a large, glass vase, or set them individually in small bowls for a sophisticated look with a quirky edge. They come in light and darker green shades and at $3.95-$4.95 a piece, get a few and have fun decorating your urban area!

Price: $3.95- $4.95
Who Found It: idabone was first to add the CB2 Astro Balls to the Hive.

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May 12

Unique Toothbrush Holders For Your Stylish Bathroom

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imageI love being invited to other people’s home not only for their amazing company, but to also get different home decor inspiration. I would have never thought of pairing a zebra print rug with leopard print pillows on a solid couch! Of course in these visits, one always has to use the restroom and it’s in the bathroom where you really get a sense of your hosts. Are they neat and tidy with everything in it’s place? Or are the towels all mixed up and beauty items all over the counter? My latest home decor organization obsession is with toothbrush holders. So some people use an old mug or the grimy metal one that came built-in with the bathroom. If that sounds like you, then I’ve got a ton of unique toothbrush holders you’d be proud to show off. From the quirky stag toothbrush holder from PerpetualKid.com to a chic coral reef inspired one, who knew you could have a conversation showpiece right in your bathroom? Take a look at my slideshow for more unique toothbrush holders!

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May 11

Hot In The Hive: Crate & Barrel’s Ice Cream Pint Tub

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imageWhenever I go to the grocery store, I stock up on all the essentials: pasta, salad greens, orange juice, and of course ice cream. But more often than not, I’ll run into a friend and end up going to a cafe for long conversations over coffee and cookies. When I finally get home, I discover that the salad greens have wilted, the orange juice is warm, and the ice cream is soup. Sound like a familiar story? Well, I can’t help you with the wilted greens or the warm orange juice, but I do have a solution for the melted ice cream. The Ice Cream Pint Tub from Crate and Barrel is designed with freezer gel (like the kind in ice packs) in the lid. Just freeze the lid for 2.5 hours and bring the whole thing with you the next time you buy ice cream at the grocery store. Not just for ice cream, it’s also handy for other small things that need to stay chilled.

Price: $12.95
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Ice Cream Pint Tub to the Hive.

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May 08

Hot In The Hive: Animal Shower Caps

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imageIf you ever had to share a bathroom with your family or roommates, then you know it’s hard to tell things apart. Don’t get me wrong, I’m close with my family, but I don’t want to be that close if you know what I mean. So you’ve color coded your towels, stitched a name tag on your loofah, and labeled your shampoo bottles with your name everywhere, but what about your shower cap? Those clear plastic shower caps everyone has may do a good job in keeping your hair dry, but they don’t really differentiate themselves well. That’s why I’m so glad I found these super cute shower caps from Urban Outfitters! Choose from animals from a toothy hippo (our fav!), cute panda, menacing shark, and more. Buy one of each for everyone in your household and still have something leftover for your monthly hair color treatments. And I wouldn’t be surprised if you start hearing the Jaws theme song or funny animal noises the next time you pass by the bathroom.

Price: $6
Who Found It: facadeindreams was the first to add the Animal Shower Cap to the Hive.

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