friday pic & pin

With everyone talking about Fall being just around the corner, I'm psyching myself up for 24/7 summer living. It's a world of difference from last year when I barely saw the sun so this time around I'm definitely thankful to be closer to the equator.

This chair would be my perfect "endless summer" piece; reminiscent of the rattan furniture that Malaysia is known for but totally modern in material and with a retro design twist. I can imagine the shadows it casts while out on a sunny patio or inside a dining room with an overhead lamp. It's rocking my world, it really is.

Hopefully I find more endless summer inspirations while out and about this weekend. Have a good one and stay cool!

This week's three rad links...

• it's a #patternparty and we're all invited via August Empress

• i wanna wear this t-shirt on my wrist, do add recycled gold via EcoSalon

• a girl who knows what she wants and goes for it - let's all make a list via Mrs. Lilien

(image left: mock-rattan in Penang, Malaysia by Ana Maria Muñoz, right: Pin via Blue Dot)

{diy} ikat inspired beach bag

I love a good basic bag that will stand the test of time. This one from MUJI comes kinda close to the coveted quality of Filson so I was very excited to snatch it up and bring it home. The simplicity of the canvas and leather is great but since it's summertime, I thought that I'd have a little fun with an easy DIY. I chose Ikat weaving as my design inspiration and am so happy with the results! The colors, the lines, all very subtle but they give the piece a totally different personality. I think I might do this in the future with simple cotton totes as re-uasble gift bags...lots of possibilities.

If you're not familiar with MUJI (I wasn't until we moved to London) they are an awesome Japanese company that keeps things focused on simple yet practical design. They have barely made their way to the US with stores in NYC but I hope that they expand if/before we move back. I can't imagine life without them now - they're like a small-scale, more earthy, back-to-basics Ikea. I couldn't find my exact bag in their web store but they have a ton of great styles to pick from. Happy stitching!

Wanna see more? Click on over to Poppytalk for the full DIY tutorial!

colors, patterns, and textures - oh my!

It's all about the little details and Penang certainly had a few hidden gems. Most of these shots are from Chew Jetty, a colorful waterfront community, where I could have spent hours had we not made plans to meet with a friend for the evening. So much inspiration to take into the week and beyond.

If you're jonesin' for more colors, patterns, and textures be sure to visit this mega post from Marrakech, Morocco - I go back to it often!

color, patterns, and textures - oh my!

When you're not busy dodging motorcycles and donkeys there are plenty of design details to catch your attention in Marrakech's Medina. I was fascinated by the intricate carvings on both wood and stone, the pretty pastels of the buildings, the bright bold colors in the souks, and the rough and smooth texture pairings on the walls. I peeked into a few craftsman workshops near our riad to see how they use stencils to carve the repeating designs - what a work of art!

Any design details or colors catch your eye?