tools/wares

White Sneakers are Your Blank Canvas for Graffiti and Dalmation Spots (DIY)

Like many white things, plain white sneakers are a blank canvas just waiting to be embellished with permanent fabric markers or paint. Here are two favorite iterations for summer.

Chandelier from 1980’s Berlin and Alexander Calder “On the Cutting Edge of Architectural Experimentation”

We found this divine, completely original and inspired chandelier buried in MondoBlogo’s riff on 1980’s interiors. It’s right up there with this ceiling light Alexander Calder fashioned for his friend Miro.

Shoelaces with Messages (Not Logos) and Where to Get ‘Em

The messages on the shoelaces of the guy sitting across from me ready “Do I love you?
Do I lust you?” Yeah! Where could I find shoelaces that really said something?

Combine Summer Camp Pleasures with Personal Growth (and Digital Empowerment)

One of the most magical places I know of to take stock of life and transform it is Omega Institute, a true catalyst for change and possibility thinking. I’ll be teaching a workshop there this summer…

How Wigs Changed My Life (Fran Black)

Fran Black resorted to wearing a wig while she was growing her dyed hair out gray. Then she realized how fun and transformative wearing a wig can be, and bought more.

Video Conference (and Cocktails) with Your Clan

Every Sunday as many as 14 family members over 4 generations —from 1 to 102-years-old — in six cities gather virtually to visit and hangout. It is just one of the ways video conferencing platforms can provide remarkably deep connection between far-flung family and friends.

Ephemeral Curtains and Room Dividers Strung on Wires Are Easy to Do

In these images of gauzy curtains hung on simple wires via Clothier Aurelie Lecuyer, the lack of an imposing curtain rod achieves a pleasingly minimalist and ephemeral quality that’s easy and inexpensive…

Favorite Things: Really Big Cotton Dish Towels

We’ve used these these HUGE dish towels for many things in addition to drying dishes…

Taking ‘Keep Warm with Layers’ to a Chic Extreme

“LAYERS” is the essential strategy for achieving the right level of warmth in a dicey climate. At Balenciaga, Demna Gvasalia took the idea a leap farther…

Endlessly Useful, Morphable, Stylish Photographer’s Apple Boxes

When I worked as a food stylist in photo studios, I came to appreciate the endless ways apple boxes could be used. They are just as useful at home. Witness Le Courbusier.

Your Clothes Embellished with Simple Stitching

Over at Kleidersachen, we occasionally spot boldly stitched clothing that makes us wonder why we don’t take a need and thread to our clothes more often to jazz them up.

What to Eat When Hiking Naked and Other Essential Info

While reviewing Greenbelly Meal Bars, I also found a trove of useful information about navigating the outdoors with pleasure and ease. Even naked.

Simple Ways to Create Private Space with Fabric Room Dividers and ‘Slung Cloths’

The quest for a calming, private space can feel like an impossible dream, particularly for those who share tight living quarters. Here are some ideas…

Make Your Mark with Sculptural Drawing Chalk

Designer Nikolas Bentel designed the ultimate chalks for sidewalk graffiti and chalk-board painted wall decoration. Each one is a little sculpture onto itself with which you can draw parallel lines, dots and circles.

Simple Furoshiki Cloth Becomes a Carry Bag, Apron, Kitchen Towel, Scarf…

This useful little video and chart demonstrate ways of using furoshiki cloths — large multipurpose squares of cotton fabric — to make carry bags, aprons, more…

Brandless’ Will Deliver Some Seriously Good $3 Bargains, and Ideals, to Your Door

Brandless is a unique e-commerce platform that sells its own food, personal care and household items for $3 each. Intrigued by its premise and high ideals, I placed an order.

Better stuff, fewer dollars. Just what matters.

Online retailer Brandless’ mission is ‘Better stuff, fewer dollars. Just what matters’. Skeptical that generics could

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