A Great Blog

And Now for a Public Service Announcement...

2010-04-27T10:23:00.005-05:00

Its time for a new look, a fresh outlook and more.

First - as a destination location on South Osborne we find traffic a little ho hum in the early part of the week. There is much for us to do, but some of it is better done with the doors closed (like painting) or away from the store (as in out pounding pavement seeking treasure).

With that in mind we are announcing new store hours. Effective May, 2010 we will be open for your enjoyment during the following days/hours...

Monday ~ Thursday: Closed or By appointment

Friday ~ Saturday: 11:00 am ~ 6:00 pm

Sunday: Noon ~ 4:00 pm

We will continue with these hours in effect until further notice. Exceptions will be Statutory Holidays, where hours will be announced on the blog and at the store. We will be closed on the Saturday and Sunday during long weekends... Summers in Manitoba are all too short and I want to ensure we all enjoy time with our families.

I just want to take a moment to remind you that you can take a virtual browse of the store during the hours we're not here. Our online store has very nearly all that we offer in house and we there are excellent descriptions (and even a few customer reviews!) of products with thanks to our web wizard.

I am presently working on a new blog and will be making an announcement soon with links to our new pages. We will keep this blog up for reference. You can look forward to; daily content, more product reviews, monthly incentives, guest bloggers, and more!

Stay tuned....

Very Soon...

2010-02-08T13:50:00.010-06:00

www.chichihome.com

Very Zen.

Very cool.

Very chic.

Very illuminating.

www.chichihome.com

Live! From...

2010-02-07T18:12:00.000-06:00

www.chichihome.com

...errm, Winnipeg!

Okay, so that's not some grand opera house in Manhatten. But it is on Broadway. Just not the Broadway.

So - it seems I never got around to posting from New York. My intentions were good. Honestly. But the show was huge and time was short.

The very first thing I wanted to share was a snap of our accommodations. Having just mentioned the new trend of using wallpaper in unusual applications, say... like on ceilings, wasn't I surprised to find the ceiling of our room wallpapered! It was actually quite nice, though I wouldn't consider using it in that fashion unless I had at least 10 foot high ceilings. It seemed to compress the space somewhat.

We managed to complete a five day show in three days thanks to my ~~drill sergeant~~ better half ~~cracking the whip~~ urging me on starting ~~a half an hour before I went to bed~~ early in the morning and ~~non-stop~~ throughout the day.

As an aside, it is truly amazing the punishment one's feet can endure. Granted, there were moments when I had to promise them a proper pampering with a luxurious pedi to get them to keep going. Note to self: Never wear new shoes to a show again. Or to New York. Or, ever (Okay, not likely. I think most of us know how much I love the art of the shoe.).

Our House is going to be a hub of activity starting the end of this month and the UPS man is going to feel ever so special as he's greeted with squeals of delight each time he walks in the door.

We found a host of terrific new lines, incredible luxe goods by accomplished designers and some truly clever new items we think you're going to love.

I'm going to put up a 'sneak peek' of some of our finds every day this week... the rest you'll have to see for yourself. You may want to begin frequently checking the "New" page at our online shop as new products are listed there as soon as they arrive. Take me there!

Today's teaser...

www.chichihome.com

It Isn't A Sale!

2010-01-26T12:59:00.016-06:00

Make room.

Its a Make Room Event!

We leave this Friday for New York to attend the latest International Gift Show. What that means is I'm going to be shopping! Not likely for me, as time is crunchy this visit, but certainly for the store.

There are going to be oodles of new and the usual attendees showing off fabulous new wares and we intend to bring in some great new lines.

And that means that some of the lines we've been carrying are reduced in price to make room for the newest kids on the block. Many of our great products are available now to our customers at drastically reduced prices, in many cases at our cost! You'll find...

George Nelson Clocks

Bright Times

Chalkboard Candles

Sun Jar and Moon Jar

And much, much more. We won't be restocking these clear out items so once they're gone, they're gone!

We'll be reporting back from New York later this week. In the meanwhile, stop in and see Kendal, have a latte and see the full range of clearance items.

Make room.

Design Trends - 2010

2010-01-20T12:26:00.016-06:00

Fusion is the new buzzword. Its something we've been promoting since opening our doors and it is being widely embraced by designers helping clients create a completely personal look in their homes. . Industrial girly, as an example, mixes chandeliers with concrete. Its all about modernizing older styles and selectively blending old with new.

At left... Farmhouse Industrial

Bolder color is being injected into homes, primarily used on feature walls and in accents. Grey is supposed to be the new beige and black is back with a fever ~ although we missed that it had gone anywhere because its a fave of ours for accent pieces. Citrus is on its way out but green is still hot in a variety of rich shades. Wallpaper (Wallpaper? Yep, wallpaper.) is being used in unexpected fashion - like on the ceiling and fabrics are being used on walls.

Behr's Color Trends Pallette

Green is still, well... Green. And big. From energy saving appliances to repurposed pieces (and thats something we love and know well), choices that are kind to mother earth are playing a large part in the things we select to outfit our homes.

Vintage items are hot for accents and furnishing. We are seeing plenty of new replicas of vintage items in the marketplace now. We prefer the originals and continue to up-cycle vintage baroque style mirrors to complement Debby's oh-so-chic up-cycled vintage furnishings.

Lux.

Inconspicuous luxury. Velvety toss cushions, super chic small pieces of furniture or a majestic vintage chair. A modern mobile (watch for Flensted mobiles coming to our house soon!) or a unique piece by a designer or artist you love.

The key is not to go crazy by mixing too many elements. You know your style and tastes. If you are looking to be a little adventurous start small and branch out from there.

Charity Rocks!

2009-12-22T11:21:00.004-06:00

We have a winna!

The last set of Whisky Stones in our possession officially left the building last night, bound for Vermont to a delightful woman named Elizabeth Bluemle. How do I know she's delightful? Well, for starters, she saw our auction for Whisky Stones and didn't hesitate to send us her bid, along with a note telling us what a wonderful fundraising idea our auction was (and we DO love compliments so we, of course, liked her right off.).

Also, being the curious Kat that I am, I've spent some time perusing Elizabeth's two websites. After reading her personal web page I felt like she was somebody I would want to be friends with. She's bright and sincere and interesting. She has a terrific sense of humor. She's also an author of children's books and co-owner of a bookstore in Shelburne, Vermont. I'm wired to admire people who have a way of stringing together words, like shiny little pearls, to make something beautiful. It was this snippet, from her About Me page, that did it for me...

"I love words, especially the ones that sound like blown glass or have chewy textures."

Well, that and the title, cover illustration and introduction to one of her books...

Feel free to visit either one of Elizabeth's sites here Elizabeth Bluemle or here Flying Pig Books.

In honor of her father, Robert Bluemle, Elizabeth has chosen the Visiting Nurse Association (Care Connection) in Burlington, Vermont as the beneficiary of her winning bid. You can learn more about that fine organization here Take Me There!

Now, I'm off to figure out how to Wokka-Wokka.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-20T14:38:00.005-06:00

We, at ChiChi, would like to take a moment to thank you for your support and referrals this year and to say happy holidays.

Whatever occasion you celebrate at this time of year... with whomever you choose to celebrate with... we wish you the very best. For now. For the new year. For always.

I, personally, would like to suggest we all cherish the people close to us. Not just now, or other special times of the year. Every day. Do kind things simply for the sake of doing them. And try not to look so far beyond tomorrow that we forget about today.

We will be taking time off to enjoy our families and friends and will be closed, after 3:00, December 24th until January 5th. We will be operating under new hours for the remainder of winter from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm on Tuesdays, 10:00 am until 5:00 pm (Wednesday to Saturday) and will be closed, or available by appointment only, on Sunday and Monday.

We look forward to continuing to serve you next year and introducing the most unique goods we can find.

Warm regards from Terry, Kendal, Kat and Harv

Whisky Stones Charity Auction

2009-12-19T10:43:00.006-06:00

Whisky Stones have been the hot grown up gift this season. We tried to keep up with demand. Heck, we tried to anticipate demand. We ordered and re-ordered and did so again. We even flew a case in. The great thing about web sales is that we didn't have to watch grown ups tear each other apart trying to score a set a la the Cabbage Patch doll phenomenon of the 80's.

We have one set left. One special set we have reserved for auction and the proceeds will be donated to a cause close to someone's heart.

We will be accepting bids, via email, until Monday, December 21st at 4:00 CST. The winning bidder will determine which charitable cause the funds should be directed to and we will have the charitable receipt issued in the winner's name. ChiChi will cover the cost of shipping.

For full details, and to place a bid... Take Me There!

Whisky Stones Canada, Whisky Rocks Canada, Whiskey Stones Canada, Whiskey Rocks Canada

For Him

2009-12-07T09:06:00.029-06:00

I don't know about you but I find men terribly difficult to buy gifts for. Ask a woman what she would like to find under the tree at Christmas and she'll likely rattle off a list of lovely things. Ask a man and he's more likely to suggest socks and underwear.

Socks and underwear??? How.... um.... boring and totally pedestrian and lacking imagination.

Instead of filling his stocking with daily needs, rock his socks with something like....

Golf Ball Paper Clip Holder

Desk accessories seem to multiply like a warren of rabbits on store shelves this time of year, obviously a big gift choice for men. This brushed stainless steel golf ball drives home the point that desk accessories need not be mundane. Nicely gift boxed and replete with paper clips, this magnetic beauty is about the size of a real golf ball.

Carrying a Torch

The Tykho Torch makes a mundane flashlight seem so last century.

If its something we need, something everyone should have on hand to light the way, why shouldn't also be beautiful?

The anodized aluminum body is coated in silicone rubber and available in a plethora of colors.

Arriving in store this week.

Whisky Lovers Set

You may have heard of Whisky Rocks - the hot grown up gift this season.

The Whisky Lovers Set steps things up a notch with two distinctive mouth blown glasses and six rocks.

We have a limited number of these sets arriving in time for the holiday season and don't expect they'll last long. If you have someone in your life who enjoys the company of a good friend to share a dram with, then you may want to consider pre-ordering a set before they're all gone!

Retro Bicycle

What is it about a vintage bicycle that charms us so? Is it a yearning for simpler times when kids could safely pedal many blocks to school, books strapped securely in their place? Is it the quality craftsmanship from a time when things were built to last?

Whatever it is, this piece is certain to evoke a certain nostalgic yearning.

This precisely built model has moving pedals and chain which turn the back wheel.

Whether for the cycling enthusiast or he who has always wanted a vintage ride, this unique piece looks great on display.

Self Balancing Tray

If your guy loves gadgets then he is going to flip over this. Not just any ordinary tray, the Self Balancing Tray is exactly what it implies. It is physics made beautiful. Words do not do justice...

Retro Inspired Radio(s)

Arriving this week, two styles of retro inspired am/fm radios...

Mini Dolmen is ultra modern technology with a vintage feel. Aluminum wrapped in bamboo, with a telescopic antennae. By Lexon, where emphasis is on design, quality and value.

Also by Lexon, and winner of seven prestigious design awards around the globe, we're pleased to offer the Tykho Silicone Radio. Available in six vibrant colors (white not shown here), the silicone rubber encased Tykho is splash proof and shock resistant. The antennae does double duty as a rotating tuner to search out favourite stations. Not only does it look great, it has terrific sound and is part of the permanent collection at MoMA, New York.

ChiChi Home

Holiday Gift Guide ~ The Foodie

2009-11-27T13:49:00.000-06:00

My love of good food and great kitchen gadgets made it easy for me to pick the Foodie for my next round of unique gift suggestions. If you have a Foodie in your life, especially one who loves to cook - and cook for you! - then you are in luck. It was hard for me to narrow the in house choices down to six items, but here they are....

Garlic Crusher by Royal VKB

This is one of those kitchen tools you wish had been around years earlier. You've tried all the other garlic presses, peelers and crushers. You get minute amount of useful garlic from most presses - the bulk of it stays squashed inside the press. You've tried to get all Chef-y with your knife and, if you're me, have to start over after you lose some fingernail bits in with the garlic. Ugh! No more, no more. I can't explain it as well as the video shows it but I can say this is the one I want by my side, forevermore, when I'm cooking.

Letter Serving Set by Sagaform

This product is often overlooked and that is a shame. Pesto, chutney, salsa, pastes, tapenade, sauces, spreads and dips. Forked, flat and concave - each one of the three piece serving set is designed to hang from a jar. As each piece is assigned its very own condiment, you will no longer find chunks of pepper relish in your mayo. Thoughtful, clever and available at a terrific "stocking stuffer" price point. I think this product's time has come.

Hot

Whether baking in them or just using them for serving dishes, Hot stoneware goes from kitchen to table in stunning style. Generously sized, pristine white and with a simple, elegant, natural wood trivet to rest upon. The trivet is smart and elevates your dishes to new heights!

Big Time

So, yeah, your oven has a built-in timer. You don't really need a kitchen timer. Though I've been known to sometimes point out the differences between needs and wants, in this case I say need schmeed! Its big, its boldly colored, its fun, it looks good on the counter!

Herb Pot/Herb Pot Trio

Freeze dried herbs will do in a pinch (nyuk, nyuk), but for the ones you use on a regular basis why not use fresh? Because we live in a temperate climate and winter tends to kill vegetation? Oh, pshaw! With an Herb Pot old man winter can't impose his blandness on your dishes! Place your fresh herbs in the pot, add water via the corner hole and extend the life of fresh cut herbs. I use mine with planted herbs in a 2" terra cotta pot. Water via the base keeps the pot moist which provide my herbs with enough moisture to keep them happy. Rather than buying fresh at the store I can simply snip and enjoy!

Make 'Em Smile with...

Batter Finger and Equal Measure

I couldn't pick just one so here's two products from the folks who make great things with a sense of whimsy... the nice people at Fred. No need to get fingers all gooey when going for the last bits of batter in the bowl. Measure, mix and then lick your Batter Finger clean!

I've been promising myself I was going to do it and today is the day. I'm putting up one of my favourite recipes with ingredients as measured with the Half Measure cup. Why not copy my fabulous, super chocolaty, chewy and just crispy enough on the outside brownie recipe, pop your printed version in the Half Measure and gift it, along with a Batter Finger to your favourite foodie? Guaranteed for a giggle or two.

Equal Measure Brownies

2 Sticks of unsalted butter

8 Ounces of bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate

4 Large eggs

1/2 Teaspoon of salt

A smidgeon less than the water in a cumulus cloud the size of a bus of Sugar

1.25 equivalent of five thousand drops of water o Firmly packed brown sugar

2 Teaspoons vanilla extract

1.75 amount of table salt in a large human of All purpose flour

Butter and line a 13" x 9" baking pan.

Bring a saucepan of water to a boil and turn off heat. Combine butter and chocolate in a heat proof bowl and place in pan of water. Stir from time to time until chocolate is melted.

Whisk eggs until well beaten. Add and continue to whisk; sugar, salt, brown sugar and vanilla.

Stir in butter and chocolate mixture.

Fold in flour.

Pour batter into pan and spread evenly.

Now, here's the trick to a nice crispy outside... Place your pan of prepared batter in the fridge for at least an hour! When your batter is nicely chilled pop the pan into an oven preheated to 350 degrees - on the center rack. Bake for approximately 45 minutes. You can be sure they are ready when the top is shiny and they are somewhat firm. Enjoy!

Foodie

Holiday Gift Guide ~ The Love of Your Life

2009-11-19T10:07:00.012-06:00

Its The Little Things.

Life, in general, isn't comprised of a series of great, big events. Great big events are typically the defining moments in our lives... buying your first car. Taking possession of your first house. Getting married. Having a baby, or three. We remember these things well as they alter and impact our lives in a drastic way. What shapes us, and influences the Big Events, are the little things.

I know. Cliche. But true.

If the man you marry turns out to be a couch potato with the tv remote grafted to his hand - that is what will define your marriage twenty five years down the road. If, on the other hand, he brings you flowers now and again (cliche again - but sweet nonetheless), tells you how happy he is he found you, makes conversing with you a priority over that Cheers or Mash re-run and, in many other ways, makes you aware that he appreciates and loves you... you will likely weather inevitable storms together and do it well. Twenty five years down the road you will likely still feel like a honeymooner.

It really is the little things that make a difference. Which is why we paid special attention to little somethings when searching for sweet things to stuff a stocking with. Here are six ways you can say "I adore you." "You really are special." "I was paying attention."

Share your music - up close and personal.

SplitterBot looks to me like he's about to lose his head over a big crush - wide eyed and trying his best to impress with a cool smile. Actually he's ready to lose his head for you and your crush. Load up her (or his) mp3 player with 'your songs', pop off SplitterBot's head and plug him in to the player, insert two sets of ear buds into the ports and snuggle up together to trip down memory lane.

Say it and say it again...

Nothing warms the cockles (what, exactly IS a cockle anyway?) like hearing those magical three words. You can never hear that too many times. When you're not around to say it, let this little sprout say it for you. Laser etched bean lets love bloom with its sweet sentiment.

Saving for something special?

I hear, from time to time, "we're going light on gifts this year cuz we're saving for.... a house, a vacation, our wedding". Celebrate that commitment with a Nest Egg. Big, beautiful and clean ceramic egg with a wide slot for deposits. Um, but you have to actually break this bank to get the goods out. That seems like a waste, and a shame because it really is pretty to look at. What to do? Save your deposit slips! When you've reached your savings goal, make a note and date the egg. Then keep it somewhere special where it will tweak memories of that special occasion!

Take a cooking class together.

I like to cook but I'm not good enough to teach anyone else. I can suggest it, though, as a great couple gift. And a great way to spring that on your love is by tucking a note, or certificate, into something more substantial than an envelope. Say.... the Intelligent Apron! What makes it so smart? Little things, always little things! Like... the button adjustable neck loop. The elasticized ties (I hate 7 miles of tie to trip over on an apron). The buttons on the bib for hanging dish towels (clever!) and the split apron with (are you ready for this?) built in oven mitts!

Add a little ambience to your ambiance.

I don't have to tell you candle light sets a mood. Usually a warm, tender mood. A Chalkboard candle, a delightfully scented soy wax chalkboard candle, can make everyone in proximity glow with a sweet sentiment on prominent display. Use the included chalk to draw a picture of love, suggest something naughty, write a poem or simply say "I love you". Wipes clean so you can share your mutual admiration. Burn time of the candle is approximately 30 hours. Vessel can be used forever more.

Celebrate.

Rejoice that you found each other. In this big old world disappointment is relatively easy to find. I believe that every convivial couple is a miracle of sorts. A line from one of my favourite movies goes something like this... "Two people could be across the room from each other and never find each other. Two others could be on opposite ends of the world... and nothing could keep them apart." One bottle of something sparkly. Two beautifully quirky glasses. And thou.

Gal on the Go!

2009-11-01T19:47:00.013-06:00

Up. Dress. Breakfast. Dishes done. Kitchen tidied. Homework checked. Kid(s) badgered into being ready on time. Laundry in the dryer. Recycling out. Messages checked. Emails answered. Bills sorted. Appointments double checked. Grocery list updated. Pets fed. Lunch(es) made. Lights out. Door locked.

And now you're ready to start the day!

Working women, working moms, stay at home moms.... we're all busy. I've always likened our minds to a file-o-fax. Little cards constantly triggering new cards as we flip through them in the course of a day. We barely have time to take care of ourselves (she types as she notices that the polish on her fingers is badly worn).

We know we feel better when we treat ourselves well but we often put other things ahead of ourselves - usually with a sigh of "some day".

Want to treat yourself better? Then treat yourself to one of these....

Contents: Hairspray, Clear Nail Polish, Nail Polish Remover, Emery Board, Lip Balm, Earring Backs, Clear Elastics, Sewing Kit, Double-Sided Tape, Stain Remover, Deodorant Towelette, Pain Reliever, Tampon, Breath Freshener, Dental Floss, and Adhesive Bandages.

This handy little kit fits in the palm of your hand and contains 16 essentials for the Gal on the go!

Deodorant towelette! There's a 'why didn't I invent that' if I've ever seen one! Earring backs? Now that's a thoughtful inclusion! How, I know you're wondering, do they fit all that in a teeny tiny pouch? Because the smart gals at Ms & Mrs package them all up in adorable, wee little vessels and single use pouches. Emergency servings of beauty essentials.

Refill your handy pouch from your vanity drawers and, for those brilliant, single use items (did we mention deodorant towelettes!) you can pick up refills at our house, by the six pack or in singles.

Sure, you can try and put together your own kit. But I defy you to do it for $12 (and find deodorant towelettes!).

Carrying a large-ish bag? Travelling? Just not feeling all of your needs will be met with a Mini*mergency kit? Of the go-big-or-go-home school of thought? The brilliant mother and daughter team at Ms & Mrs know how to think small in a really big way....

She*mergency

Contents: folding hair brush with mirror, hair spray, clear elastics, earring backs, hand lotion, nail clipper, emery board, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, mending kit, safety pin, double-sided tape, lint remover, shoe shine wipes, stain remover, static remover, breath freshener, lip balm, dental floss, pain reliever, deodorant wipes, tampon, adhesive bandages, facial tissues.

I took my She*mergency kit on a recent trip overseas and used 6 items which I was glad to have readily available!

I think these will be a hit as unique gifts and stocking stuffers for the busy women we all know!

Kat

Mmmmm, Mywalit

2009-10-28T09:02:00.015-05:00

Have you ever beheld a cacophony of color so delicious you've wanted to taste it?

Have you ever encountered a leather product so sensually soft, so lithe, that you wished you could have bedsheets made from it?

Satin? Meh.

Now combine the two experiences and you have Mywalit. Purses, wallets, accessories and bags you want to live with.

The high standards of the good people at Mywalit are easy to see by simply handling a piece. Folded, double stitched edges. Carefully selected color combinations. Beautiful linings. Thoughtful inclusion and placement of compartments.

It is immediately obvious, both visually and to the touch that there is a stringent demand for exceptional standards throughout the entire process - from design to finished product. What makes the quality demands perfectly clear is the back story...

Hides are selected from Japan where there is the assurance of better quality and are free from the physical damage which can occur from ticks and barbed wire. German chemicals, renowned throughout the industry as being of the highest quality, are used in the tanning process. Hides are then dyed at a progressive tannery which employs a larger number of smaller drums in order to provide a wide range of color selection. Smaller batches also allow for greater quality control and color consistency.

Does knowing these details make the Mywalit selection of products more desirable? Well, it certainly explains a great deal. But I think the only thing one needs to do is to simply handle a piece. The moment I touched one I fell in love.

If you stop in at our House, we'll share the love with you and let you fondle a bag. I won't even be too jealous if you insist on taking one home with you.

Mywalit at store.chihihome.com

On The Rocks

2009-10-20T10:09:00.010-05:00

Love the complex flavours of a single malt? Enjoy a rich, smooth whiskey? Hate when the 'rocks' melt away and dilute that fine spirit? Then you, my friend, need these...

Whisky Rocks.

Designed by Andrew Hellman, Whisky Rocks are sweet little cubes of cool comprised of Vermont soapstone. Soapstone is food safe and soft, so it won't scratch your glass. Store them in your freezer in the muslin bag, pop three in a glass, allow your beverage to chill for five minutes and enjoy!

When you have enjoyed that last drop of perfectly chilled elixir simply rinse the stones off and they are ready for cold storage.

Ice melts. Whisky Rocks! You know you want them..... Take Me There!

>

Objects of Desire

2009-10-20T10:08:00.000-05:00

Nick Foley, as much as I can learn about him, is an Industrial Designer located in Brooklyn, New York.

His portfolio as shown on Coroflot (a terrific website for finding inspiring new design by really talented people) centers around three incredible lighting projects and one whimsical origami project. All lights shown are prototypes only. It was just over a year ago when I first saw them and I've been searching since then, from time to time, to see if they've been picked up for production. So far they remain prototypes. Should that change, I'll be sure to let you know!

Cube Lights...

utilize rare earth magnets to connect the blocks which can then be arranged in a myriad of shapes.

Precipitous is a six foot tall lamp, lit by white LEDs, which was inspired by " Bioluminescent deep-sea creatures, falling water, and (as always) a desire to transform light from transient to tangible." The lamp "fills itself with light" as it is turned from off to dim, to bright. There is a video on the website which demonstrates the effect however the plug-in on Coroflot will not load for me.

I would love to see all of Nick's lighting go to production. His designs are fresh, playful and entirely unique. The one I wouldn't hesitate to line up for - overnight - in a storm - in January - (in Winnipeg) - is the Pear Light....

A hand forged hollow steel tree is the charging station for urethane pear lights. The pears are 'attached' with rare-earth magnets allowing them to be plucked from the tree. They will remain illuminated for over an hour.

I'm smitten.

Projecting

2009-09-27T13:17:00.014-05:00

I've been accused, more than once, of projecting when ordering things I love for the store. I have something to say about that. First of all... yeah. Okay. I do.

I think we've got some pretty fab stuff that more people than just I identify with.

Some of our orders from the NY show have arrived. Guess which items I chose considering the sensibility of how saleable they are and which ones I chose because I love them. I'll share my answers with my next post.

Zuny

Bookend. Door stop. Paperweight. These guys are heavyweights in the cute department. Hand crafted and limited to production of 9,999 each, they come with a 'dog' tag and birth certificate of authenticity.

DEK Kits

Designer Emulation Kits, by Mark McKenna, are a tribute to iconic classics of revered designers. You assemble the printed circuit boards (with circuitry about the thickness of a human hair). Pay homage to a classic by Ingo Maurer, Achille Castiglioni, Phillipe Starck and/or Richard Sapper with a DEK Kit of your choosing (or the entire collection if you are so inclined).

Pull + Push Products

We discovered incredible Japanese designed goods at the NY gift show. You will soon discover our selections at the House - some of which will be available on North American soil for the very first time! The finds which made me positively giddy, though, were the architectural structures created by Nobuhiro Sato. What is so special about little concrete buildings? Each item is personally handmade by the designer himself. Created from mortar, using glass for the windows and brass components, like the exposed portion of the Truss Planter and the chimney on the Cottage Incense Pot. I find them achingly beautiful in their starkness.

Block Lamp...

has been a part of MoMA's permanent collection since 2000. Hand cast with a sandblasted interior, each part undergoes a long cooling process to ensure the glass withstands strong temperature changes. Designed by Harri Koskinen, Block Lamp has become one of Design House Stockholm's most coveted products.

Next up... Objects of Desire.

We Say...

2009-09-17T10:35:00.000-05:00

Vinturi

The Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator has become one of our most popular items, and with good reason.

Not so long ago I did not drink red wines. It was a rarity when I would encounter one I truly enjoyed. Decanting, I've since learned, is essential for young red wines. It isn't, as I mistakenly assumed, just for show. I may be the only person on the planet who suffered from red wine ignorance, but I've been schooled. Big time.

My guy and I discovered Vinturi quite by happy accident and am I ever glad we did.

Properly decanting wine is primarily a waiting game.

Expose the greatest amount of surface area of the wine to the air by pouring it in to a decanter...

Then wait.

For an hour...

an hour and a half.

Once decanted, the bouquet of red wine opens up. The tannins soften which removes what I called the bite of wine (which is what always prevented me from enjoying it). Decanting softens the wine and exposes flavors one might not otherwise notice.

But who wants to wait an hour and a half? Not us. Which is why I never fully appreciated the complexities of a good red before.

And this is where the Vinturi comes in....

This fantastic wine gadget will fully aerate your wine, by the glass or by the bottle, in mere seconds. There is nothing extraordinary you must do except pour! We like to say the Vinturi has an audio feature as it makes a unique slurping sound, not unlike that a sommelier might make when sampling a wine.

What we like about it...

It has a simple, clean appearance with the upper bowl resembling a wine glass.

Vinturi comes with a thoughtful stand which will catch the drips and a little drawstring bag so that you can take it out with you (we take ours to restaurants all the time).

It really works and it works really well. In fact, there is nothing we don't like about it so we say...

Its Hot!

In a New York Minute

2009-09-11T08:07:00.013-05:00

Wow! Almost a month since our last entry and it seems like it passed in the blink of an eye. My bad.

Without stumbling all over myself apologizing for those who expected to see at least something new here let me show you how the time has been passed...

You all know someone, I'm sure, who has a garage they can't use because its filled with stuff...

Well, our basement at the House had become similarly crowded. We had a lot of stuff. Stuff left over from our earliest days when we first took over that shabby chic store known as Simplify. Stuff that was edited out of the store as we grew into what we are today. And, though it seemed like a never ending job, we spent a great deal of time going through that stuff and packing it up. Much of it went to good homes. Some of it went to a charitable thrift shop. Now, our basement is wide open and tidy and we are in the process of moving our stock to shelves lining the walls down there.

Soon, you will be able to venture beyond the kitchen into an expanded ChiChi House. Our trip to New York played no small role in deciding we needed to expand but we had another, more urgent reason...

Shortly before leaving for New York we fell in love. We met someone special with a keen eye, a background in design and a knack for breathing new life into old furnishings. She uses only environmentally friendly products. She utilizes techniques she has worked hard to master. Her thoughtful, clever finishing details make a piece shine.

Her name is Debby and when she is finished with a piece it is something anyone would be proud to display in their home. Clean. Modern. Luxe. Debby's work will be available exclusively at ChiChi and we want to tell you more about both her and her work so we will feature a piece about her pieces soon, replete with pictures. If you simply can't stand to wait, drop in to have a look... but do it soon. Debby's pieces have been moving off the floor and into new homes fairly quickly.

Now, if you'll excuse me...

I'm almost

to the

bottom of

that stack of catalogs

I lugged home

with

me...

Neon Lights of Broadway Calling

2009-08-17T01:00:00.008-05:00

When I was in my 20's they would have been luring me to the stage. I would have been glammered by the call to adoring audiences. Today they draw me to... well, sometimes its easier to say with pictures...

and...

Unfortunately we didn't get inside, we checked in to the hotel and got back out on the street after midnight. Though Broadway was still overflowing with people, most of the shops had closed at the witching hour. Pfffft. And I thought this was the city that never sleeps.

And now, with very little sleep ourselves, we're off to a different kind of show...

Playthings

2009-08-15T14:09:00.010-05:00

As a collector of artist/designer vinyl toys I am always drawn to whimsical playthings. While visiting Dwell magazine's online site the other day I noticed a recurring theme. Okay. Maybe I only imagined a 'theme' - so attracted am I, like a fish to a shiny lure, to cutesy and/or macabre whatnots.

Robots. Robots on prints. Robot toys. Futuristic robotic looking housewares.

This adorable little guy is a MoMA exclusive. Created, using reclaimed wood, by Brazilian designer Alberto Pretel this is one little guy who will be coming home with me from New York.

3Fish Studios artist Eric Rewitzer not only creates super cool retro style robot linocuts.... he also creates modern furniture prints. And, as if that isn't enough, the best of both worlds can be had with his limited edition "Better Together" series. At $35 a pop, how can you choose only one?

Visit 3 Fish Studios to acquire and see more... Take Me There!

Our Children's Gorilla is a collective of in house, and select freelance, designers. Their designs are primarily geared toward children (and big kids like me). Quirky and irresistible, I see more than one thing I'd be delighted to make space for in my collection. At the top of the page we feature Albert - strong (laser cut sheet metal), eco friendly (the metal is recycled!) little robot buddy to hang your what nots from.

And then, there's Gary. Sturdy little natural wood and hemp robo friend. A friend to last through the ages. To tell secrets to and to pass down to the next generation of robot lovers. And if one is good, then two is even better! Just keep him out of reach of the dog.

See more by Our Children's Gorilla... Take Me There!

Real robot themed goods from a virtual world? Until last year, the Museum of Robots could only be found in a virtual world known as Second Life. Now, they can be found two places online - as a Second Life museum dedicated to robot appreciation and as an online store. Think robot housewares might be weird? Think again.

Flying Saucer Bowl

To see the full line of products and learn more about the Museum of Robots... Take Me There!

I don't presently have any robots living at my place. But I think that's about to change. I am, after all, going to be in New York next week. My vinyl guys are going to have to make a little room for some new companions.

Objects of Desire

2009-08-12T11:28:00.007-05:00

From the moment I started blogging for and about ChiChi, I wanted to ensure we had a wide variety of content. Pitching products is one thing, and something we really need to do as we are a business, after all. But all work and no play makes for a dull read, even if we do have really great merchandise.

I love to search the web for great new design and find that I can spend hours meandering and finding surprisingly wonderful things... many of them just prototypes. Some are destined to remain a one off, others may go into production. The only thing to make finding cool new design even better is to see something in its infancy come to fruition as a tangible product.

Objects of Desire will be a weekly feature where we share some of our finds. If we're lucky, perhaps one day we will see them in our "House".

Icelandic designer Thorunn Arnadottir hasn't had any of her designs go to production... yet.

Clock

A necklace by which one counts the time by beads. Red and Orange beads represent hours. A silver bead represents midnight and a gold bead indicates noon. As described on her site, Take Me There! , the beauty of this clock is that the beads can be removed and worn to represent your freedom from time.

Tree

A three dimensional painting which adds function to form. An experiment by the designer which resulted in something fabulous. I'd purchase one tomorrow if I could.

There are other interesting and unique objects, a radiator which makes one wish they had at least one heater of that type in their home, a dramatic wall sculpture on which to hang jewelry. Well worth a visit to learn more about the designer and explore her work.

Learning Curve

2009-08-11T17:43:00.003-05:00

If you follow our blog regularly you have likely noticed some changes on the side bar. Lots of 'em. This is me wading into the social networking pool much to the chagrin of my guy's 14 year old. People 'our age' have no business being on Facebook or Twitter or the myriad of others out there. We should stick to email and telephones - preferably the rotary kind - if she were to have her way.

Well, we say "pffffft!" You kids may have popularized social networking but that doesn't mean our generation - who, by the way, paved the virtual highway for you - can't jump on board (albeit a little late).

Granted, we've been sticking our toes in the waters tentatively. But we've been finding the water is warm (translation: its not so hard to learn after all) and we've decided we're jumping right in - sharks be damned (translation: we don't care that you think we're unhip dinosaurs)!

I'm even going to go and Tweet this post as soon as I'm done!

We Say...

2009-08-11T07:06:00.002-05:00

Sagaform Letter Serving Set

Sagaform creates uncommonly beautiful and entirely clever and useful goods.

One of our favourites is the Letter Serving Set. We put these cleverly crafted serving tools to use each time we barbecue or have company (or both!).

Consisting of three pieces - a spoon, a spreader and a fork - each has a curved handle designed to hang from a jar. Goodbye goopy handled knives! So long spoons which disappear into larger jars! Hello juicy dill pickle!
Cleverly contained within a ready to mail slim package - like a thick postcard - this is an easy product to love, and to send to someone you love who likes to entertain.

We Say... its Hot!

In Great Company

2009-08-09T13:36:00.036-05:00

The ChiChi Show and Sale featuring Tara Davis and Johanna Brierley was our very first ChiChi Event. We couldn't be happier.

Thank you to all of our ChiChi friends who attended. We are always happy to see you and we're delighted we were able to introduce you to Johanna and Tara.

It was much effort, for all of us, but I was delighted they were introduced to a number of people previously unfamiliar with them.

I consider myself their biggest fan (after their supportive and lovely families) and truly wish to see them both be successful in their endeavors.

We also met numerous lovely new people who had their first experience with the store and I also want to extend my thanks to them for helping to make the evening a success.

We've already started planning our next event so stay in touch!

We'll reveal more as we get closer to nailing down the details.

Gratitude and Platitudes

~ Warm and heartfelt thanks to Johanna and Tara for thinking enough of us to have their event at our House.

~ Big smooches to Harv for tending to all those last minute details, for being my rock and for his unwavering support (and for the official iPhone photos!).

~ Thanks to Chelsey for throwing herself into the fray with very short notice and little experience with the ChiChi ropes.

~ A very special thanks to two Moms who support their daughters with unyielding devotion. Such lovely and talented people are not simply born ~ they are nurtured, encouraged and know they have warm arms to fall into should the going get tough.

Join Us...

2009-08-04T09:14:00.012-05:00

For an evening out at our House!

Where? 515 Osborne Street

When? Thursday, August 6th

What time? 6:00 ~ 10:00 pm

Who? You. A friend or two. Your special someone.

Why? So we can introduce you to two very special and talented local artisans and their wares.

Let me tell you a little more...

Johanna Brierley

Johanna creates stunning and unique pieces to adorn yourself with. Bands of sterling silver with the facets of diamonds carved into the surface. Thick glossy circles of gold inlaid with tiny precious gems and diamonds. The contrast of a delicate setting of stones set atop a bold, modern band. I wear my sterling 'diamond' rings every day and never fail to receive at least one compliment.

Tara Davis

Tara is a fiber artist with a focus on weaving. She is well known for her stunning traditional pieces such as scarves and tapestries. She also incorporates found objects with various fibers to create bags, scarves and neo-abstract expressionist art. Tara also has a flair for creating unique jewellery pieces in two different lines... A series of necklaces using found vintage items and a collection of simply stunning crystal pieces.

We're delighted to introduce you to Tara and Johanna. They will have their work on display and available for your consideration.

We will have refreshments and tasty things to nosh on while you get to know them and their work. We'll also be offering a special shopping opportunity with a discount of 10% across the board on all ChiChi goods not already on sale.

We will be closing our doors at 3:00 on Thursday afternoon to prepare for the Show.

We look forward to seeing you there!