Picking up

Apologies for the prolonged and unannounced hiatus, but a series of projects all came to fruition at once and I was unfortunately a bit overwhelmed for quite awhile. Expect InHeels to be back in full swing from now on though!

I'd like to share with you all the beautiful creations of Dutch industrial designer Tord Boontje. There's something in the clean, elegant aesthetic of most Dutch design that I've always admired, but Boontje has recreated that feel with more than a touch of fairy tale. His lighting designs are surprisingly elegant and incredibly emotive. These are pieces which truly speak to their environment.


Garland Light


Realto Deco Table

Head-to-toe: Adventure Stylings

Okay, I admit it. I've always wanted Indian Jones' job description, whip-cracking included. Alas, that sort of swashbuckling doesn't always go over too smoothly with the bosses. So, here's an exponentially sleeker way to wear that style to the office while supporting Indie designers.

Incorporate whip at your own risk.

Too Much Fun

While cruising around the Domino Magazine forums, I came across a post titled "New Time-Waster" and of course had to look into things. The poster offered a link to Polyvore.com, a site of images that you can mix and match to create outfits, room designs, whatever you can dream up. She even had a few examples of lovely interior designs to check out. I tried it out and before long was signed up, clipping images of my own to use. It really is a fun creative space and some of the work being done there is quite lovely, go have a look-see and go wild!

Hot art

The East Bay is boiling today, and I can't make it out to the beach. Bummer. To tide me over, here are some lovely prints by Etsy artists with a beach theme. These are some truly impressive, fun illustrations that I'd love to have in my own home. The expressiveness in the lines of "Down By the Sea" just blows me away.




I mean really, Merbots! What's not to love?

Head-to-toe: Indie Night Out

Harajuku Marilyn Dress, $59.99 Elegant Junque : A truly classic shape with a lot of flirt in the swirling skirt and daringly deep neckline. This is a beautiful dress and because it's a sample it's listed at a fraction of the price! Make this your little-black-dress and have a lot more fun in a classic.

Fuschia Fling Earrings, $26.00 Tilley Jewels : There are so many beautiful pieces in this shop! But these earrings look ready set for a night out on the town. Bold and sparkly, they'd look fab paired with a sweeping up-do and all black.

Fuschia Dancing Pearl Bracelet, $25.00 Tilley Jewels : The perfect bracelet to match those lovely earrings. Compliments without being too matchy-matchy.

Supernova, $120.00 Ndeur : Yesterday I suggested listening to Muse's "Supermassive Black Hole" to spruce up your day and, these Supernova shoes by Ndeur are the perfect heels to slip on and dance about to that song in!

Italia-flora-phile

I've had a small collection of barely budding dried pink roses peeking out at me from my dried flower drawer for a full year now. Every time I reached in to pick out on of their pressed sisters, these little buds would catch my eye and just beg to be used. I just couldn't decide what would best showcase them.

So I waited, and plotted, and scrapped one idea after another until the other day I was about to toss some excess resin and.. wait a minute! These little buds deserve to stand on their own. So here they are, fully preserved, wholly durable, and glorious in their simplicity. Look for them soon on Raphaelina.

Also, if you're of the rock-n-roll persuasion, listen to Muse's "Supermassive Black Hole." It makes me dance... A lot.

She's a lucky girl

For Indie Fixx's one year anniversary, they handed out packs of sampler items to the first 200 people to sign up for the newsletter. I had planned on signing up for that little gem anyway, not thinking I had gotten there nearly quick enough to partake in the goodies.

Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I received a package a few days ago of really wonderful goodies I hadn't expected! There's still time to be entered in the grand prize raffle, so head on over and sign up for the list!

Here are just a few of the designers I loved from the packet of goodies.

Artful Sentiments : Amazingly beautiful prints, check out the penguin design. It looks as if it has texture, I kept expecting the paper to feel bumpy!

Little Flower Designs : Beautiful painted ceramics with a prevalent blue bird theme all handmade by Linda Johnson. Her new wall hangings are beautiful!

ShortCake Gifts : They sent along an adorable cloth button-style hairpin that really caught my eye. Their shop is full of sweet little things for mom and baby, go check them out!

Mi : A handmade spa bodycare company, these guys have a really beautiful website- almost as relaxing as going to an actual spa! I have not yet had the chance to try out their products first hand, but that green tea & honey rice based soap is definitely calling my name.