Virtual Outdoor Oasis + Outdoor Trunk Giveaway

If you live in a part of the world where summer evenings are in the 70-degree range, mild breezes are de rigueur, and humidity is at a solid zero percent then I am in completely and total envy. Because that is my summer dream, to work (or play) the day away and relax into a backyard oasis with perfect weather in the evenings. My current backyard is basically the size of two postage stamps next to one another, so I’ve resorted to creating a virtual oasis to satiate my longings. Outdoor Trunk is just the place to shop for such outdoor necessities, so i dug in and found some pieces I love that would make any backyard a dream.

 

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Round Bolster Pillow // Java Pillow // Vertical Garden Box // Glass Bird Feeder // Cafe Lighting //
Asia Fire Pit // Beverage Cart // Sunrise Wind Chime

 

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I dream of owning a hammock some day soon, so I’m completely envious that you have the chance to win what is possibly the most relaxing piece of outdoor furniture to ever exist. And what summer is worth anything without a great BBQ set to assist with some solid grilling? That’s right, none. Enter to win both from Outdoor Trunk and then report back with how awesome they are when you win!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Nineteen breathtaking patterns found on Earth’s surface.
02/ What I wouldn’t give for a closetful of these minimal triangle hangers!
03/ Loving these gold foiled invitations that avoid feeling overly precious.
04/ Twelve lessons on climate change architects can learn from New Orleans.
05/ Here’s that BBQ-inspired typeface you didn’t know you needed.
06/ The stunning, unexpected colors of Antarctica and its penguins.
07/ I love a good multitasking credenza!
08/ Legendary fairytale princesses have gone wild in these mug shots.
09/ Tips on bouncing back from design and DIY failures, because we’ve all been there.
10/ Are flavored ice cubes the new popsicle – same idea, different form? (And good in cocktails!)

This week on Design Crush:
This month’s music is here! Listen to Mixtape #37: In the Blackness of Magic.
Butts have never looked as good as they do in the paintings of Helena Wurzel.
An uncensored moving update on my slooow relocation to Pittsburgh.
Beautiful ceramics from Caroline Gomez for your home.
Notepads are my favorite.
Rikka Sormunen‘s super flat illustrations are so, so good.
Check out these 12 June DIYs to get your creative on.
Join me (and my pup Bebe!) for #Destination Summer’s Oklahoma City stop!
Then check out the simple summer picnic bites I put together for a little backyard get together.

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Notepads

Recently I’ve been depending a lot more on notepads than notebooks (the horror!). It’s so easy to tear a page off and tuck it into my planner, which is what I rely on more than anything else to run my life and this site. I realize it’s technically just as easy to rip a page out of a notebook, but I hate doing that. It’s not a sound or action-averse thing, I just prefer to keep my notebooks full of their paper. (Yes, I realize how strange that sounds.) Here are 11 notepads that’ve caught my eye and are begging for my professional list-maker skills to fill their pages!

 

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ROW 1: Don’t Forget – Quill & Fox // Flower To Do List (printable) – Julianna Swaney // Graphic Notepad – Rifle Paper Co.    ROW 2: Don’t Forget the Milk Notepad – 1canoe2 // Peach Bubble notes – Honizukle    ROW 3: Fox To Do List (printable) – Julianna Swaney // Park Book Club Notepad – Quill and Fox // Make Today Lovely Happy Jotter – Moglea    ROW 4: Things To Do – 55 Hi’s // Do Your Chores Watercolor Notepad – 1canoe2 // To Do Notepad – Pei Design

 

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Happy Weekend

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01/ A minimalist depiction of mental disorders.
02/ This zen rock garden is actually full of Japanese candy!
03/ Hilariously true animated gifs of basic tips and etiquette for surviving in NYC.
04/ Painstakingly crafting portraits of musicians made from cornflakes.
05/ Ringly lights up and buzzes when your phone needs you!
06/ This retired Boeing 727 was converted into a home in the woods. Would you dare?
07/ Picnic Lounge is an oversized blanket that resembles an antique rug. Clever.
08/ Smart ads for Keloptic turn impressionist art into realism.
09/ Social Planes take you offline – download, write, fold, and fly!
10/ When baristas and bartenders joins forces we are blessed with coffee cocktails.

This week on Design Crush:
Have you entered our Soundfreaq Sound Rise giveaway?! Wake up with this alarm/bluetooth speaker hybrid, it’s sure to get your day off to a good start.
Eight art prints I wish I had room for on my walls this month.
Melissa Zexter hand-embroiders her own photography in the most beautiful way.
Industrialist meets rugged glam in the design of Maslo Jewelry.
Crazy incredible paintings/sculptures from Conrad Jon Godly.
I’m slowing going minimalist with my style and this modern lamp is my latest addition.
Childhood dreams and sketchbook drawings come to life thanks to Katharine Morling.
If you’re looking for a super easy project this DIY Matchstick Holder is where it’s at!
After seven years of blogging we finally have a Design Crush identity suite like pros.

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Make It: DIY Matchstick Holder

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Yup, I know. It looks like I just plopped some matchsticks in a glass bottle and called it a day. While DIY matchstick holder is definitely one of the simplest projects I’ve ever done, there are a few more steps to it… but not many.

 

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Supplies
• small glass bottle (I picked mine up at Michael’s for $1)
• strike on box wooden matchsticks
• pen
• scissors
• tape
• glue

 

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First thing first, dismantle the box sleeve that has the striker. Be as gentle as possible and flatten that bad boy out, and then grab your scissors.

 

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Trim off the striker panel, then cut it in half. Match the two sides up together (trimming them up to match if you were a little off), then flip over and tape on the back side. Place your glass bottle on top of the joined together pieces, center and trace. Trim around the circle (or whatever shape you end up with) and stay to the inside while cutting so that the end result is slightly smaller than your tracing.

 

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Flip the bottle over and apply a few thin concentric circles of glue, align the striker shape you just created and press firmly. And, well, that’s basically it. You could add some craft paint or wash tape to the exterior for a little something extra, but I’m a simple kind of girl who prefers the look of wood and glass alone. (And though this isn’t really a Father’s Day DIY, I know my Dad would agree if it were for him!)

 

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Add as many matches as you can while leaving enough breathing room for them to move around a bit. You want to be able to actually remove them for use after all! Like I told you, easiest DIY ever. I think this guy would make a great little hostess gift when paired with a candle or grilling accessories for get togethers this summer, don’t you? Or, like I said, maybe even Father’s Day this Sunday. (wink, wink)

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Soundfreaq Sound Rise + Giveaway

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If you’re like me you prefer to wake up to one of your favorite mellow tunes rather than the jarring blare of an alarm clock. Those first few minutes of the day can determine your mood for hours (especially on a Monday), and Soundfreaq created the alarm clock/bluetooth speaker hybrid Sound Rise with just that in mind.

 

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The stacked design looks right at home on your bedside table in either black or wood tones, and the sound quality is seriously impressive. You can also enjoy solid sound while you get ready or soft music to relax to while falling asleep. Control the tone of your music with neutral, warm, and bright options for a customized experience. One of my favorite Sound Rise functions is the ability to set different alarm times for weekdays and weekends – who hasn’t accidentally set their Saturday wakeup for 6am? The worst. And you can even blackout the digital display, perfect for someone light sensitive like myself. Sound Rise features a USB power port you can use to keep your phone charging while you sleep, without having to fuss with a dock of any kind. Just one last thing: a nap timer. Soundfreaq has seriously thought of everything!

 

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And now the part you’ve been waiting for – a chance to win your own Sound Rise! Get every day off to a better start by entering any number of ways below, but do it before Sunday, June 15th at 11:59 pm.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Happy Weekend

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01/ Love this complicated photoshoot done underwater on a shipwreck in Bali!
02/ This piece on Dogs of War is incredible.
03/ I’m all about Emily Henderson’s cat rescue makeover that she shared this week.
04/ Jim Bachor took the problem of potholes into his own hands.
05/ I like that this DIY modern pet bowl stand can be height customizable.
06/ A room made out of chocolate where you can, YES, lick the walls!
07/ Beautiful product upcycling from Kurasuhito Kurasutokoro and Yusuke Komatsu.
08/ Coca-Cola has created a modular system to reuse their plastic bottles. (It’s about time.)
09/ This is fascinating, people from around the world posing with their daily food intake.
10/ The Pastello Draw Act looks like a dream with its crazy crayons!

This week on Design Crush:
Beautiful experiments with dye and the sea by Arnaud Lajeunie.
I finally upgraded to a chair fit for a boss lady!
Andy Boot gives rhythmic gymnastic ribbons a second chance at life.
Area has flat out nailed simple but quality textiles for the home.
This cut paper alphabet from Tony Ziebetzki is so good.
A traditional game is reimagined with Pieces N Play Domino.
Big Happy Family is helping me stay organized as I dash out the door.
Whimsy Milieu is creating pieces that make every day a happy one.
Show you’re passionate about the creamy treat with pudding 10 ways.

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Pudding 10 Ways

I think pudding is a highly underrated dessert/snack/midnight comfort food. It’s cool, creamy, and perfect for summer with its ease of prep and days of lasting time in the refrigerator. Not to mention the massive variety of recipes available for pleasing any and every taste palette. And if you put enough thought into it, pudding can even be healthy enough. Here are ten recipes to help bring pudding back into your life!

 

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Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.

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Happy Weekend

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01/ A monk who prayed 1,000+ times a day for 20 years has left his footprints behind.
02/ Donut Doubles partners delicious donuts with people who look just like them.
03/ A great collaboration between Edward Granger and Bend for the Lucy Chair.
04/ Fordite, not really a rock at all.
05/ Think you’d feel disoriented inside the Glass Labyrinth?
06/ The Hipster Logo Design Guide left me guffawing.
07/ If you’re in Philly you might want to swing by psychylustro.
08/Several hundred birdhouses make up Spontaneous City in the Tree of Heaven.
09/ Check out Tilt, an extension from the side of Chicago’s John Hancock Center’s 94th floor!
10/ Three generations of women model the same outfit in Mutters Schuhe (Mother’s Shoes).

This week on Design Crush:
I took Monday off to celebrate Memorial Day.
If you’re still waiting for warm weather in your parts, Summertime might help!
Vertty is a super cool beach towel that you’ll want under you all season long.
I spent some time last week organizing the past and my photo collection.
Wouldn’t you love a little corner full of hanging planters?
The heavy-handed paintings of Calvin Ross Carl.
The weekender is a summer essential, here are eleven to love.
It’s the last weekday of the month – check out my Insta May!

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