Style At Home Blog

25th anniversary of apple

by Lauren McPhillips
Jan 23, 2009
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Do you ever watch movies from the 80′s and think, “Oh wow, that boxy computer is so ridiculous looking”? When I notice these blasts from the past, I often sit and think about how much technology has evolved over the past few decades. Proof of this lies in tomorrow’s big date: January 24th, 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Macintosh 128k, Apple’s original Mac.

This milestone makes me adore Apple even moreÂ â€” the pace at which they have developed a technological empire is astounding. Only 25 years and they have since dominated the market with their Macbooks, iMacs, iPods, and most recently, the iPhone. Amazing. All hail the king of the technology orchard.
Have a neat gadget you’d like me to feature? Shoot me an e-mail at
techstyle@styleathome.com

recycled yarn throw

by Laurie Grassi
Jan 22, 2009
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mohairthrow recycled yarn throw

Louise Campbell of Vancouver-based online site Lavish & Lime let me know about the great sale they’re having until Jan. 31 on this fabulous mohair/wool/acrylic blend throw.

I love the way the robin’s egg blue of the mohair blend throw is accented by the frivolity of the incredibly generous recycled yarn fringe in a multitude of colours. It just makes me smile!

The throw is 70″ x 53″, dry clean only and also comes in White Snow, Dark Grey and Deep Chocolate Brown.

Check out the other products Lavish & Lime has on offer, too; the site focuses on Canadian-made and eco-friendly products and has lots of lovely items.

Available at: www.lavishandlime.com or call 877-216-5463

Price: $112 (regularly $160)

Do you have a something you’d love to recommend for this blog? Just drop me an email at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

green works winner!

by Laurie Grassi
Jan 21, 2009
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The first winner of a Go Green Works Starter Kit, including the following products, is Steven Miscione of Dundas, Ont.! (To see the original post announcing the contest, click here.)

Green Works Dishwashing Liquid
Green Works Natural All-Purpose Cleaner
Green Works Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner
Green Works Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Green Works Natural Dilutable Cleaner
Green Works Natural Bathroom Cleaner

You still have a chance to win one of the remaining three kits. All you have to do is be a subscriber to my blog. If you’re not a subscriber already, sign up to have the Natural Chic blog delivered directly to your e-mail inbox for a chance to win. To do so, just click this icon:

I`ll pick one more winner a week for the next three weeks. Good luck!

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

zune mp3 contest

by Lauren McPhillips
Jan 20, 2009
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(This contest is now closed. Thanks to all who entered!)

With all the MP3 players available today, it’s hard to choose which one is right for you. Look no further, because I’m giving you the opportunity to win one of two 4GB Microsoft Zune MP3 players with your zodiac sign graphically etched on the back!

I love the Zune player because it’s sleek and sexy and allows you to wirelessly share tracks with friends. It also holds all of your songs, videos and photos and features a built-in FM tuner. Basically, this sucker has it all.

All you need to do to win one of these super slim devices is leave a comment below telling me how technology has made your life easier. At the end of February, I’ll pick my fave two comments to determine the winner. Whether it’s heated flooring that keeps you toasty warm during the winter, or MP3 players like the Zune that make working out bearable for you, we want to know how a specific gadget (or technology in general) has simply made things, well, simple.

*Contest closes February 28th, 2009. Open to all residents of Canada, except those in Quebec. Not open to any Transcontinental Media employees, their families, or any other persons with whom they reside.*

Have a neat gadget you’d like me to feature? Shoot me an e-mail at
techstyle@styleathome.com

must have: harry allen picture frame

by Brett Walther
Jan 20, 2009
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frame1 must have: harry allen picture frame

One of the most valuable tenets of antique-hunting that I’ve picked up? Look past the art â€” look at the frame! There are so many grand, baroque frames wasted on awful paint-by-numbers pieces (you know the type â€” creepy clowns, and possibly even more disturbing, those crying kids… Eek…) that are just dying for reinvention with a lick of pristine white paint. Or, if you’re not so DIY-inclined, you can get the look with Harry Allen’s gorgeous picture frame. Based on an antique frame Harry found in his brother’s closet, it’s recreated in glorious detail in trendy resin.

My Brother’s Frame (23 x 18.5″; fits 4 x 6″ image)

Price: $189 US

Available at: Generate Design, 514-295-4678

in honour of barack obama

by Laurie Grassi
Jan 20, 2009
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obamalaurie in honour of barack obama

In honour of Barack Obama’s inauguration today, I’m posting about a fun little site where you can create a version of yourself in the style of the now-famous election poster. OK, it’s not really anything to do with the environment or nature, but it is chic, no? Pictured above an image of me.

Just go to www.obamiconme.pastemagazine.com, upload an image of yourself (or whomever you like — your family, friends, etc.) and follow the instructions. You can add any of the preselected words or customize the poster to say something near and dear to your heart.

Have fun!

grand hyatt mumbai

by Natalie DiScala
Jan 20, 2009
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It`s been a few days but â€¦ back to my Indian adventure! After leaving the jungle, I was off to Mumbai, where I stayed at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. This five-star luxury hotel was imposing and impressive, from the moment I stepped foot inside. I was pretty hungry on arrival and was thrilled to see the dining options, of which there were plenty. Dinner at the Italian restaurant Celini was delicious — I had a mouthwatering ossu bucco (I`d had my fill of curry and needed a change!). China House serves a menu of typically Chinese cuisine and M is a grill and martini bar. Of course, there`s an Indian restaurant, too; Soma dishes up authentic regional and tandoor-grilled cuisine.

The rooms are bright and tranquil and feel strangely out-of-place amidst the chaos of Mumbai that resides right outside the hotel grounds. But it`s a welcome respite and a wonderful place to rest and relax after wandering the streets of one of the world`s most intriguing cities. Pictured here is the Grand King room, with floor-to-ceiling windows (you can have a courtyard or city view) and the minimalist, modern decor is totally Zen. Crisp, white linens, golden Jaisalmer stone (an Indian sandstone) and light sycamore wood paneling give the 40-square-meter interior a spacious and airy feeling and ensure a good night`s sleep. Sweet dreams!

Click here for more information on the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.

hot and cold therapy pillows

by Laurie Grassi
Jan 15, 2009
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acacia hot and cold therapy pillows

I’ve had one of these therapy pillows for ages and love using it in the winter. I pop it into the microwave after I get back from riding my horse and am chilled to the bone, and it’s perfect for warming me up really quickly.

This version, though, is way better than my Plain Jane one. Not only is it much prettier, it also smells fantastic — the organic buckwheat and flax seed filling is laced with lavender flowers. Unheated it smells great; heated, the aroma fills the room and is incredibly relaxing. And in the midst of the bonechilling cold Toronto’s currently experiencing, you can bet I’ll be using it when I get home tonight!

Measures 15″ x 7.5″. The pillows also come in a Neck Hugger version that’s shaped to fit around your neck, or you can get an eye pillow to chill and use as an eye compress. A bonus: the covers, which come in lots of different patterns, are removable and washable.

For availability visit: www.mettevangso.com

Price: approx. $48 for Classic pillow (Acacia pattern pictured)

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email me at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

makeover: white house style

by Brett Walther
Jan 14, 2009
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The White House is gearing up for its new tenants, and this means redecoration is in order! Michelle Obama has already selected the man for the job, and I’m thrilled that it’s famed American interior designer Michael S. Smith. With his healthy respect for the integrity of historic interiors and family-friendly design approach, the East Wing is in great hands. Above is a sampling of some of Smith’s work, already acclaimed worldwide (he’s decorated spaces for Steven Spielberg, Dustin Hoffman and Rupert Murdoch, amongst others), but sure to be even more in-demand than ever with these new high-profile clients! Check out more of Smith’s work at his website.

What I love most about Smith is the “livability” of his spaces â€” there’s absolutely no pretense, and shines through in his exchange with the editor of Domino magazine in a recent interview:

Editor:Â How do you feel about the decorator-karate-chopped pillow?

Smith:Â That move should be punishable with a jail sentence.

Yay! I hate chopped pillows too! lol

must have: silhouette art

by Brett Walther
Jan 14, 2009
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picture 21 must have: silhouette art I was scouting for product online late last night â€” scouting in PJs is highly underrated, btw â€” and made one of those “Eureka!”-esque finds that was totally unrelated to what I was actually on the hunt for. I was on the website of Karl Johnson, an absolutely brilliant cut-paper artist who I’d actually interviewed for STYLE AT HOME not long ago â€” read the interview here! â€” and came across one of his prints that I knew I had to have. (For my own work-in-progress digs, that is â€” not for the STYLE AT HOME story I was working on… Oops!) It’s a totally clever “spot the Hitchcock movie icon”, and plays into several of my obsessions â€” black and white art, Hitchcock, and Johnson’s breathtaking silhouette artistry. What’s more, it’s art I can actually afford. Bonus!