Though it carries a hefty price tag, I can’t help but stare at the Rayleigh Table Lamp. When switched off it comes off as a pretty pastel geometric sculpture, but flip the switch and light flows through a series of prisms to create a spectrum of neon hues.
I was first introduced to spaghetti squash back in the 90s when my mom was on a clean eating diet. Being a picky teenage vegetarian at that time, I fell hard for the weird squash that took on the form of one of my favorite foods. These days it’s everywhere, and in about a hundred more forms and recipes – here are twelve I’d love to try.
Click on each image to go to the recipe.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
It’s no secret that working from home can be a challenge some days. For every advantage (flexible schedule!) there’s a disadvantage (distractions!). As Design Crush has continued to grow as a business my approach has had to change, and the latest curve is one I can’t say I was expecting.
As a freelance or contract worker there’s always the fear that the current job I’m working on will be the last. It’s the nature of the beast, and in my case the anxiety – and I don’t like saying no because of it. In the past year I’ve said yes a few too many times, and found myself slogging through the last three months of 2015 with way too much on my shoulders. Namely, I was neglecting to make any time for myself.
I knew I had to change up my routine and focus on the times during the day when I felt most productive as for that hour or two that left me dragging. I used to end my day during chillier months with a cup of tea, and thought that maybe rescheduling what used to be my downtime as a time to refocus might help me out.
Then along came Pique Tea. Designed for excellence with every sip, Pique Tea has taken the tea world by storm with their new Tea Crystals. I love that even though my tea is ready in an instant the results aren’t compromised, the tea in my mug is pure and rich and tastes just as though I’d thoughtfully brewed it.
So just how does Pique Tea achieve this tea crystal sorcery? It’s relatively simple – they brew high quality organic loose tea leaves, then when the perfect brew is reached they distill it into pure tea crystals. Basically taking the guesswork out of making a great cup of tea, and helping me avoid over-brewing by walking out of the kitchen and letting my tea steep for too long. (So guilty.) The hope is that a great cup of tea made easy will cause a ripple effect of feeling well, doing well, and doing more.
But don’t take my word for it, try Pique Tea for yourself. Sign up for a free trial and receive all five flavors – Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Mint Sencha, Sencha, and Jasmine – to try on your own (that’s 14 sachets, or a week’s supply)! Now tell me, how do you make time for yourself during the weekdays?
This post sponsored by Pique Tea. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content!
Posted In behind the scenes, food, living, sponsored post
Something about January makes me feel like I should be hunkered down embroidering next to a roaring fire. The problem is I haven’t done so much as cross-stitch since elementary school, so the end results would be nothing as spectacular as the work of Lorena Marañon. The Cuban-born artist is inspired by the landscapes of her youth – northeastern coastlines, rivers, and plants – and the colors that surrounded her. The result is a beautiful body of work that’s full of embroidery, patchwork, and jewelry.
Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
Mid-Century Stainless Tea Pot with Wood Handle
It’s been downright brutally cold here in the northeast this week, and I’ve been drinking at least three cups of tea a day. When I was a kid my Grandma drilled into my head that heating your water in a kettle rather than in the microwave just made the brew taste that much better, and I’ve lived by that rule. These days I take it a step further and brew in a pot rather than the mug itself, too.
Mayu Cast Iron Teapot // White Pebble Tea Set // Vintage Red and White Polka Dot Enamel Tea Pot
Helena Teapot & Coaster Set // Vintage Metal Tea Pot // Copper Teapot
Form Tea Pot // Vintage Mid-Century Tea Pot // Vintage Royal Holland Short Pewter Tea Pot
Vintage Rörstrand Ceramic Tea Pot // Chantal Copper Whistling Tea Kettle // OXO Classic Brushed Stainless Tea Kettle
Posted In house and home, kitchen, living, round up, series
Designer-owners Amy Pastre and Courtney Rowson are creating amazing things for desktop, tabletop, and travel. Within the past year or so I’ve become a massive fan of these ladies and what they’re doing over at Sideshow Press. Amy and Courtney believe in great design and craftsmanship for everyday products and are dedicated to working with remarkable materials and like-minded American manufacturers. All things I stand behind wholeheartedly. It doesn’t hurt that they know their way around a letterpress machine like a couple of bosses either.
Leatherette Postcard // Cocktail Tray // Note Pad // 5-Inch Drink Stirrer //
Lapel Pin // Napkin Coaster
You might be familiar with HAY, founded in 2002 to provide quality, contemporary furniture at a democratic price point. The company has been collaborating with international designers for years, but recently brought HAY Mini Market concept to the United States via MoMA Design Store. It’s basically a shop-within-a-shop collection that features over 230 objects you’re sure to find worthy.
Paper Porcelain Vase // Feather // Polygon // Paper Carpet // Cord Hanger Fade //
Everyday Objects // Cap
Ilot is one of those projects that I got really excited about and then was immediately crushed, because it’s a concept and not available for purchase. Ilot, French for island, was created by Marine Hunot during a residency in Fay Billot, a village in the French countryside. Hunot used two unlikely materials – felt and wicker – to create one amazing rug.
(via Design Milk)
Posted In concept, create, floors, house and home, living
ROW 1
Ghostruck // the first app connecting you professional, insured movers by utilizing their empty or partially filled trucks.
Hopper // Track tickets to your set destination for any week of the year, then purchase directly within the app using your airline’s rewards program of choice without ever leaving.
ROW 2
Instasnoop // An app that allows you to check out anyone’s public profile and snoop by disabling likes, tagging, and commenting so you don’t need to be afraid of accidentally double-tapping.
Journal // Combine all the things that inspire you into one place where you can draw, sketch, collage, paint, or color on anything, giving you a sketchbook of boundless possibilities.
Old Sport // Tell us what you have in your home bar, and we’ll tell you what you can make.
ROW 3
Paper // A faster, better way to capture ideas using text, sketches, and photos.
Pause // Based on the ancient principles of Tai Chi and mindfulness practice, PAUSE brings the act of focused attention to your mobile device.
Timer+ // Set multiple timers at once , time by the second, minute, or hour. Runs in the background so you’re free to use other apps. Comes with 20 alarms.
Posted In living, round up, series, technology