eat.live.modern. A modern design blog for modern lifestyles.

Southern Flourish Magazine Launch

Southern Flourish, a new, 100% digital magazine that dishes out modern style and reveals Southern lifestyles, launches in a week on March 15th. It is such a joy to have a publication with inspirational, modern content at our fingertips - especially since Domino magazine is no longer.

The launch issue features 15 writers living in 9 Southern states - and I am one of them! Check out the sneak peek below for my article on Save.Spend.Splurge: Quatrefoil. It was such a pleasure to piece together and write about a design that has roots in history but also appears in many moderns finds. In addition, the Southern Flourish launch issue is packed with amazing articles about Southern style and beauty, what to do on a long weekend in Charleston, discovering local farming and much more.

Be sure to check out Southern Flourish!

 

Origami - Design and Culture

The art of Origami is much more than paper airplanes and animals. Here are some inspiring sources of modern origami design and highlights of the culture that surrounds it. 

Girligami is a new book by Cindy Ng that unfolds twenty original designs and provides step-by-step instructions. Those that love fashion, friends, and folding can find enjoyment in her carefully thought-out origami projects. Each origami design comes with preprinted paper, and the book provides tips on other fun ways to use your crafty creations, like adding them to cards and gifts.

Next, Between the Folds is a documentary that was released in 2008. It taps into the modern world of origami with artists and scientists using the art form in various ways. Whether it's captivating beauty or modeling mathematical theories, the film pushes the envelope and shows how folding paper can reveal connections between art, science and philosophy. I found Between the Folds inspiring and surprising at the same time. Enjoy the trailer below.

Finally, here is one dress that truly represents the crossover between modern origami and fashion. Marisa Tomei rocked this dress by Versace on the red carpet for the 2009 Oscars. What a stunning dress - the folds and details are amazing!

 

 

New Orleans Design Guide

via www.designspongeonline.com

Here's a good, in-depth post for a New Orleans Guide to design on Design Sponge. Happy Mardi Gras to all!

H&M The Garden Collection - Spring 2010

via www.hmthegardencollection.com

Look forward to the new collection coming in March at H&M featuring sustainable garments - there are some very cute pieces.

French Macaroons - Ooh la la

The French macaroon is a heavenly delight. Derived from the Italian word "maccarone" meaning paste, the french macaroon is recognized by its smooth, domed ends, color variations and ruffled circumference.The mouth-watering confection takes accomplished culinary skills to form the mixture of egg whites, almond flour, and granulated and confectionery sugar into the perfect egg-shell like texture. Then, the creative chef must add in special ingredients to create flavors like pistachio, raspberry, and vanilla - the possibilities are endless.

Laudree in Paris is one of the most famous places to whip up macaroons - selling around 15,000 a day! The macaroons come in various colors, shapes and sizes. Pick up a tasty treat next time you are in Paris, search for macaroons at your local bakery, or brave into the bakers world and attempt to craft the delicacy on your own.

This French Macaroon recipe from Martha Stewart worked very well for me.

Hello Handmade Valentines

Get romantic this Valentine's Day with a handmade card from Hello Handmade. The creative duo is offering hand-painted valentines with a Jane Austin type feel. Each valentine has set printed and water-colored swallows to show your special someone how really special they are. Not to mention the uniquely romantic calligraphy which will capture all hearts, and the copy can be something you provide or they can compose sweet nothings for you. Finally, the notes are topped off with a wax seal. (C'mon feel the love.)

Order on the Hello Handmade Etsy page by February 5th!

They are happy to be donating 10% of each sale to American Red Cross relief for Haiti.

Branch: Sustainable Design for Living

Branch, a home design online shop, based in San Francisco is the type of website where there is no buyer's remorse. The thought behind the goods they sell is that products are appealing on every level, but they are also manufactured and brought into market in a way you don't feel guilty about buying them. They put a big emphasis on sustainability including materials, manufacture, transport, and use. You can also feel better about disposing of them later down the road if you ever decide to part.

Now, let's get into some of the goodies:

Produce Bags - Set of 5 by Flip & Tumble

 

Wall Balls by Amy Adams

Browse www.branchhome.com for more...

50 of the world's best design blogs - Times Online

These blogs are full of inspired home-styling ideas, suggestions of how to support small-scale, affordable designers selling handmade items and vintage and modern homeware, as well as tips for upcycling old furniture.

via property.timesonline.co.uk

Good way to get inspired at the start of the year...

Goby.com - Find Something to Do

At goby.com you can search things to do by category, US location and timing (which is optional). The displayed results are very customizable based on your preferences, and they include a map with pinpoints on the highlighted activities. If you are looking for a festival in Houston within the next 7 days or horseback riding in Virginia, goby.com has you covered. According to a WSJ article, goby.com is the new search engine specializing in FUN.

 

Best Modern Green Stores Marketplace 2009 | Apartment Therapy

Over the past year, we've noticed that it's getting easier to find green stores that strike a balance between style and sustainability. Many green designers and retailers have embraced a modern aesthetic that's crisp, not crunchy. Here are a few of our favorites.

via www.apartmenttherapy.com

Check out these stores for some last minute shopping ideas.