Not Your Ordinary Home: Patterned Wall Paper Interiors

I may not incorporate these patterned wallpapers on my walls but they sure are fun to look at. And if you think that these are real homes, no, they're not. These are actually doll houses but I'm sure interior decorators and enthusiasts can use these as inspirations. It is interesting to read the story behind these interior design photos and you can read about it below.

all photos from: mawphoto.com

This presentation gets its name from my September 2007 HAUTE DOLL Magazine feature on diorama dollhouse furnishings, and it serves as a laudatory hommage to Bravo TOP DESIGN guru Jonathan Adler (age 41), who first fell in love with ceramics at age 12 in summer camp, but took a brief detour in the movie business before launching his initial line of pottery at Barney's in 1994. The line was an instant success, and in 1998 he opened his first store in Manhattan's SoHo neighborhood, which has since been followed by several boutiques across the country, as he expanded his line into a glamorous new furniture collection, along with bedding, towels, and pillows (some of which are licensed and carried by Bed, Bath and Beyond and department stores). He even redesigned the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in Palm Springs, now a hot resort vacation destination.

-- mawphoto.com via flickr

Bold, Quirky, Colorful

This is the photography of Flavita Valsani. It is truly a more colorful world behind the lens of this photographer. I am drawn, not only to the boldness and the striking contrasts of the hues, but also with how the most ordinary things turn into something interesting, amusing, beautiful.

It is raining where I'm at but these photos are sure far from drab. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do.

all photos via: flavita.valsani at flickr

The Papemelroti Giveaway Contest

One of my favorite local shops, Papemelroti is hosting a giveaway and I'm more than happy to blog about it:) It's called the Shiny Shinies Jewelry Contest. Everyone can enter, even those who live outside the Philippines and this is what you could win:

This unique chain necklace has accents of fish, a flower collage, heart, emerald, wreathe and fish beads all strung on a faux silver chain.

Deadline for entries is on 10:30 AM, August 8, 2009. Go here to enter!

Happenings and Giveaways from My Blog List

If you've been wond'ring what happened to the Shop of the Week segment, it's still on. There were just some delays with the interviews but I'm so excited that two of them has already given their Q&As and they're waiting to be featured this coming weeks.

The reason I decided not to post for this week is because I wanted to give these shop owners the entire week, all 7 days for themselves. As you can see, those who will be featured as Shop of the Week will have their Etsy widget or button on the sidebar for the whole week. I know that most of these wonderful sellers already have a huge following but I hope that my blog can help somehow in inviting more people or customers to their shops. So again, I'm calling out to anyone who's interested to be participate, send me a note at theshopbug@yahoo.com

Anyway, I'm posting some of these lovely happenings and giveaways from the beautiful people on my blog list.

Ennui is hosting her 100th post giveaway over at her blog . The giveaway at stake? A pair of leather sandals created by the Tamahumara Indian tribe sold over at Nikki's shop, Zuzsi. Hop over Ennui, and you have until the 15th to enter.

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Have you heard about it from High Street Market?

This lovely set of tables and chairs are perfect for your patio or garden:) It's on SUPER SALE at Anthropologie with the table and chairs marked down from $498.00 to $99.95 & from $248.00 to $69.95!!! Btw, her blog just got a facelift and it looks great=)

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Have you heard it from Tea for Joy?

Orange Pekoe is offering a giveaway- a free afternoon tea for two. If you live in London, you surely know the place and you are eligible to win. So hop over Tea for Joy now to enter.

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This cute elephants printable notecard is yours for free from Rachel B. Blog.
Makes you smile, does it? :)

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Do you live in Philly?
oh Joy! is having a sample shop sale in the area.
Drop by her blog to know more!

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Another great giveaway from How About Orange:

these Brown Links Vase Set from Accent Furniture Direct.

You have until Friday, (7/10/09) at midnight CDT so go here to enter.

ALL COFFEE LOVERS:
Jen of Made By Girl has new print on her shop.

For someone who loves blogs and coffee, i really think i should have this on my wall.

hmmm... never too late, maybe one of these days:)

A Kitty Needs Help

I've just been over Caroneko's blog and read about this. I don't have much so I hope by spreading the word about Nikki, this sweet kitten, more people will be able to help her:

My name is Nikki. I'm a 1 month-old, loving kitten. Unfortunately, I have a heart murmur. My family is trying to raise $1500 (half of what is needed) for life-saving surgery for me. I won't survive without your help! Even a few dollars will help. For more information, visit this link, or donate directly through PayPal at sheljackson@hotmail.com.

Make Believe Shopping: Sandals for Pretty Feet

Sandals are sooo flattering and goes well with any attire: dress, skirt, shorts, and jeans:)
Found these supper pretty sandals over at shoes.com:

L-R: jessica simpson ; vince V camuto

guess ; rampage danika

dolce vita ;
steve madden

diba ; naughty monkey
madden girl ; sam edelman

blowfish ; chinese laundry
kenneth cole ; luichiny

Vintage Theme Wall Art Reprints at Chef Decor

I checked out Chef Decor today and I must say I enjoyed browsing around the shop. It offers lithographic and serigraphic art prints, and although not the originals, these print reproductions are said to be of the museum fine-art quality.

Looking at these drawings and doodles make me yearn about Paris -
I dream of walking on its streets, having good conversations in its cafes...

Limoncello and Olio d'Oliva by Sophie Hanin

Nouvelle Cuisine 1v by Sophie Harding ; Chef to Go by Jennifer Garant
Tossing Chef by Dena Marie ; Chocolat, Paris by Katharine Gracey

Cafe de Venice by Kate McRostie ; Miel de Lavande by Katharine Gracey
Guacamole by unknown artist ; Finest Espresso by Kate and Liz Pope

Pastry Chef by Stephanie Marrott

The vintage shop signs would make fabulous wall decor for a kitchen, don't you think?

Spaghetti al Fresco by Rob Scotton

Maison de Ville by Katharine Gracey

Mes Amis II by Jennifer Garant

These last three art works are my favorites: Rob Scotton's Spaghetti al Fresco (the cow chef is sooo cute), Katharine Gracey's Maison de Ville (this reminds of Babe, the movie) and Jennifer Garant's Mes Amis II (I imagine these girls are me and my best girl B, in Paris, someday).