Pack It Up - Organizing For Kids On The Go

At last, Packtoozi! A simple, eco-friendly way to stock, pack and tote all those things you need when you're on the go with your kids.

The Packtoozi Organizational System was created with busy families in mind. It was designed to help keep you prepared, organized and save valuable time. This patent-pending system includes the Packtoozi Supply Headquarters, Packs, Tote and PacktoShop Note Pad.

The Packtoozi Supply Headquarters hangs over-the-door and is the in-home centralized storage area for everything your family needs on the go. It includes spacious pockets arranged in four color-coded and functionally labeled rows: PacktoEat, PacktoPlay, PacktoPotty and PacktoA-Z.

Like the Packtoozi Supply Headquarters, these four coordinating packs are color coded and functionally labeled: PacktoEat, PacktoPotty, PacktoPlay and PacktoA-Z. I especially love that these Packs are made in the USA with 100% organic cotton and contain no nasty chemicals or PVC that can be harmful to you and your kids.

Packs are stored conveniently in the Packtoozi Tote Bag or use side handles to grab individual packs for a quick outing or for a diaper change while you’re out.

This handy sticky note pad helps keep track of the supplies you need to restock the Supply Headquarters and Packtoozi Packs. Each row is color coded to coordinate with the rest of Packtoozi System. How handy is that!

Are you in need of one of these amazing organization systems? Packtoozi is offering all Simplified Bee readers a 10% discount. Please enter code: PacktoBee10

Voila! You are ready to go. Now don't forget the kids!

*all images from Packtoozi

She's a Grand Ole Flag - July 4th Decor

"The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government." ~ George Washington's Farewell Address, September 17, 1796

Americans spend Independence Day with family and friends, barbecuing and watching fireworks light up the night sky. Here are some designer interiors and patriotic party decorations in the spirit of July 4th.

Ashley Whittaker designed this darling red, white and blue scheme boy's bedroom. I recognized the white table and red chairs from Pottery Barn Kids - my girls have the same table with pink chairs. The white and red bedding is from Leontine Linens. Whittaker pulls this room together nicely with an American flag print by Maureen Andrews for Posh Papier.

In this lake house bedroom, designer Suzanne Kasler makes a strong patriotic statement with the American flag as the focal point. Love how she painted the ceiling blue.

This beautiful red, white and blue bedroom was designed by Meg Braff for her son. I love the geometric print in the Roman shade and bed skirt. The monogrammed red bed throw adds a nice personal element to the room.

Star-spangled family room! Designer Jason Bell kept this space fresh by painting the walls stark white. The armchair, upholstered in pale blue and navy chrysanthemum fabric from Osborne & Little and square woven coffee table help break up the navy elements. I just love those stylish and practical skirted ottomans in navy with nailhead detail.

This traditional red, white and blue living room found in Coastal Living is ideal for the seaside setting. I love the combination of red and blue striped furniture with coral-themed throw pillows to bring the outside in.

No 4th of July celebration is complete without festive decorations. Dress-up a gazebo or porch with box-pleated bunting and hanging star medallions as seen in Martha Stewart.

DIY and decorate your table by making firecracker pom-poms and table runners. Use ribbon to string stars inspired by colors and patterns in the American flag to make your own garland - both crafts from Martha Stewart.

Have a wonderful and safe July 4th!

Four freedoms: The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of everyone to worship God in his own way - everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want - everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear - anywhere in the world. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt U.S. President

*images from Coastal Living, Martha Stewart and House Beautiful.

Hooked on Girls' Bedrooms - Oh So Pretty

When I came across these gorgeous designer girls' bedrooms, I knew I had to share them with you.

New York-based designer Thomas Jayne cleverly added feathers atop the canopy bed for a bit of whimsy. To make the room feel larger and to allow for more storage, he brilliantly lined an entire wall in mirror-fronted, touch-latch cabinets. Love that idea for a small space. The monkey hanging from the canopy seems to be enjoying the room too.

San Francisco-based designer, Palmer Weiss created this tween girl's room for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase 2009 home. I was able to tour it in person and thought the bed canopy was gorgeous and was drooling of the lucite coffee table. Great mix of styles.

Pretty in pink! Usually I don't like this much pink in a girl's bedroom, but designer Steven Miller pulls it off beautifully here by adding hints of orange and blue to deliver a harmonious color palette. I love the crisp & clean lined linens on the trundle. The ceiling to floor harlequin drapes and toile chair & ottoman are my favorite elements.

If you have a favorite girl's room, please send it my way.

*all images from decorati

McGuire Furniture San Francisco Sample Sale

This one is for all you Northern California readers or for those wanting to make a last-minute weekend trip to the beautiful city by the bay.

For the first time, McGuire San Francisco opens its doors to the public for a giant Sample Sale - it starts today! Hundreds of floor samples and other near-perfect furniture & accessories at employee pricing (up to 70% off!). Sales are as-is, first-come, first-served and final.

WHEN

Thursday, 6/25/09 - 4:00p to 7:00p
Friday, 6/26/09 - 8:00a to 5:00p
Saturday, 6/27/09 - 10:00a to 2:00p

WHERE

Sample Sale
McGuire San Francisco
1201 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415)626-1414

*all images from McGuire

Nest Pretty Things - FairyTale Bird Cage

Oh my gosh, how cute is this little bird cage! It would be simply darling on a girl's dresser or hanging in a baby's nursery. Each Fairytale Bird Cage is uniquely decorated with paper roses, feather birds, vintage buttons, ribbons and butterflies. These darling creations by Tamar can be purchased on Etsy at her store Nest Pretty Things. Fly on over!

*image from Etsy

Kermie and Green Living Rooms

Who could forget Kermit the Frog's "It's Not Easy Being Green" song? Well, I don't think Kermie would have a problem with any of these designer rooms in his signature color.

image from House Beautiful

Designer Jonathan Adler, creates a fabulous colorful and eclectic sunroom for fashion designer, Liz Lange. It's that green sofa and zebra rug that caught my eye. I love Adler's collection of pillows on the sofa - needlepoint Love pillow, green concentric-squares pillows and Josef Frank's Hawaii Brown pillows. He adds to the mix a modern Arne Jacobsen Swan chair from Design Within Reach.

image from Decorati

This timeless living room by San Francisco-based designer, Palmer Weiss is formal yet friendly. The pinch-pleated drapes made of a silk fabric from Nancy Corzine are hung from Silk Trading Company’s antiqued gold rods. My favorite element in the room is the roll-arm sofa covered in a green Osborne & Little velvet. Weiss brilliantly layered a geometric design onto it using Samuel & Sons tape. Simply beautiful.

image from House Beautiful

In designing this 1950s New York apartment living room, Jamie Drake wanted to evoke the style and beauty of one of the building's famous tenants, Grace Kelly. The green palette is a nod to her Irish heritage. The living room walls are painted in Benjamin Moore's Summer Lime and the trim in Mayonnaise. The Chloe tweed sofa from Drake's furniture collection makes a most glamorous statement. The warm pair of chocolate slipper chairs from George Smith and coordinating patchwork leather rug by Edelman help anchor the room nicely.

image from Canadian House & Home

This lovely seaside inspired living room was designed by Timothy Mather. The airy ceiling is painted in Benjamin Moore Serenity, while the earthy walls are coated in Benjamin Moore Fresh Cut Grass. The circle-back turquoise armchair is by McGuire and the ceiling-height drapes in Maxwell Fabrics. The geometric print rug by David Hicks in the room's two signature colors pulls it all together beautifully. (thanks to Erin at House of Turquoise for pointing this one out!)

Hope these green living spaces inspired you too. ribbit! ribbit!

*Kermit image from flickr

Making a Beeline

She has the design world buzzing! New York's award-winning and 30-year interior design veteran, Bunny Williams launched BeeLine Home earlier this year. Not only is her new limited-edition furniture collection distinctive, it's timeless. And her company name, BeeLine Home - how could I not love it! - is a nod to a beehive, busy wonderful home.

Bunny's design work brilliantly combines styles - old with new, modern with traditional, east with west - to create unexpected masterpieces. Her home collection expresses this eclectic style perfectly. BeeLine Home consists of high-quality side tables, bedside tables, lamps, chairs, mirrors, coffee tables and accessories. They encourage you to combine them to create your own statement and version of “The Mix.” It was difficult to narrow it down, but here are the pieces I selected for "My Mix":

Naturally I gravitated to this lovely Turquoise Glazed Ceramic Lamp - in my favorite color. The lamp's design is influenced by ancient Chinese ceramic temple jars with translucent over-glazes. The gorgeous gilt finished lotus base is hand-carved. I was surprised to learn all BeeLine ceramic lamps are hand-crafted in Jingdezhen where the secret of traditional Chinese porcelain was discovered 1700 years ago.

Blending several traditional design styles, including French Neoclassical, BeeLine's Eclipse Arm and Side Chairs are ageless. This transitional oval-shaped chair would look at home in either a traditional or modern setting. The chairs' tight upholstered back and seat is available in oatmeal linen or a material provided by the customer.

This exquisite Arabesque Throw is simply a work of art. The pale blue throw combines hand embroidery on Dupioni Silk with olive ribbon detail. Both pattern and color are alive. Perfect to dress up a sofa or hang on a wall.

This is it. BeeLine's Eglomise Coffee Table is my favorite piece in the collection. Inspired by 1940s Hollywood glamour, the table's gilded iron base frames the sea green Verre églomisé, (reverse gilt and painted glass - beautiful detail image below). It's divine.

Drop by BeeLine Home, take a look at this amazing collection and let me know what's in your mix!

*all images from BeeLine Home

Bali Breeze

OK, now I've done it. I've entered the tabletop contest being hosted by the very chic online store, VIVRE. (eeeek!) Take a look and if you like what you see, please vote for me or build your own at coco+kelley.

It doesn’t get much better than dining beach side in balmy Bali. Set the right mood with these “Bamboo” Candlesticks. Enjoy a fresh Balinese Rujak salad served with this Seashell Salad Set and atop the Coral Salad Plate. Sip a Tuak - the “toddy” of English colonialists - in a hand-painted Goto Glass. But, this tabletop is just not complete until the guests arrive, therefore I have included a fabulous hand-dyed Ikat-print Tunic by Janavi, gorgeous turquoise, citrine and red shell trilogy ring by Bounkit and chic Olive “Chinese Buckle” sunglasses by Shanghai Tang (all conveniently available at Vivre). Now set yourself free and gaze into the sunset. ahhh...

This weekend I'm hooked on Bali Breezes, Vivre and blogging. Check out Julia's Hooked on Fridays post to see what other bloggers are hooked on. Have a wonderful weekend!

* All merchandise images from Vivre
* Sunset in Bali image from Flickr
* Gamelan gong image from Gamelan Anak Swarasanti

WallCandy Arts Special Discount

The darling folks at WallCandy Arts (see my post I Want Candy) would like to offer all Simplified Bee readers a special discount on their stylish wall decals. Please use the promotion code blogsupport20 to get 20% off any purchase at WallCandy Arts. Now that's a sweet deal!

Peel, Stick, Decorate!!!

My fyndes Wish List

I found it! (well from the help of Turquoise) Fyndes is an online designer's gem! Mark Castellino and Anna Capper curate Fyndes, a showcase for artists, photographers and designers. They provide a central, global marketplace (similar to 1st dibs) where independent artists, dealers and designers can achieve exposure. It's also a great place for home decorators to get inspired. I did and here's my wish list:

Beautiful reupolstered late 19th century Louis XV armchair from France.

Lovely Swedish 19th century blue & white painted clock.

Sweet 1960s Italian sidetable. Reminds me of my Grandma Virginia.

Divine French painted metal lamp. I think Erin from House of Turquoise will have to put this one on her list too.

What's on your wish list?

all images from fyndes

I Want Candy - Wall Decals

Wallcandy arts. Stylishly yummy. I guess this is one way for me to satisfy my sweet tooth. I don't eat any refined sugar and yep it's tough.

Let your little girl's bedroom take flight with Wallcandy's Fly Society sweet wall art. These delightful modern bluebird vinyl decals are reasonably priced and best part, they are reusable.

Whooo wouldn't like these Nightly News decals? They would be great in a gender neutral nursery. I am diggin' the full moon.

You gotta love it when decor accents provide beautiful form and function. This Rococo chalkboard decal (my personal favorite) inspired by mirrors and furniture from the period of French Regence would certainly make the likes of Louis XIV smile.

Do you have a sweet tooth too?

For a special discount to Simplified Bee readers, go here.

all images from wallcandy arts

Back to Basics - Breakfast Nooks

image from decorati.com

Love, love, love the breakfast nook. They are practical, inviting and social. This fabulous nook is in the Manhattan apartment of New York's very talented designer, Amanda Nisbet. I love how she brilliantly combines multiple styles with stainless steel chairs, fuschia floral upholstered bench and mahogany table.

I am a huge fan of black and white kitchens. This one found in House Beautiful and designed by Carleton Varney is striking with black & white Unity and Embrace baskets from Rwanda against the white wall (Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White). The black Catalina Chairs from Ficks Reed are divine.

This airy kitchen banquette by NY designer, Evelyn Benatar combines traditional, contemporary and retro styles. The crystal lighting fixture is my favorite element. And one suggestion - add a chair with an upholstered cushion in a fun modern blue & brown print to the table.

This breakfast nook in action was designed by Markham Roberts for this late-19th-century Southampton home is as comfortable as it is functional. He upholstered the bench in durable cotton strie. Image from House Beautiful.

What's for breakfast?

Galbraith & Paul - What's Not to Love

It was love at first sight. Several years ago I was introduced to this Zinnia upholstery linen by Galbraith & Paul and I have been in love with their work ever since.

Here's a much better image of the Zinnia fabric on a pair of chairs. The blues and greens are more accurate in this photo found in Brooke Giannetti's Velvet & Linen post Color is a good thing.

Founded in 1986, Galbraith & Paul have been creating custom lighting and textiles that strive to meet the highest standards in design and craftsmanship. Begun originally as a hand papermaking studio specializing in lamps with hand made paper shades, they've evolved into a fabric design and printing studio focusing on lighting with hand block printed silk shades and textiles of silk, linen and velvet. They also create gorgeous made to order hand-tufted rugs to the trade.

Love this pair of transitional living room chairs in Galbraith & Paul's yummy chocolate donuts upholstery linen.

This Warm Zinnia hand-tufted 100% New Zealand wool and silk rug is simply gorgeous and of course, made to order.

all images from decorati.com otherwise noted

Here are some of my current favorite Galbraith & Paul textiles. The paisley hand block print patterns are divine.

Galbraith & Paul pillows and selective lighting can be purchased online at roomandboard.com, 2modern.com and lumens.com.
Thank you Galbraith & Paul for creating such beautiful works of art!