Three's a Crowd Pleaser /// Cork

Waterproof, durable, versatile and most importantly, sustainable; cork is just all round awesome. Stop thinking about cork in the 70s...It's had a makeover and it's going to save our planet*. Cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees, native to the Mediterranean area. It's extracted every 9 years giving the tree enough time to develop the superficial layers of bark, so the tree is never cut down and the surface is not damaged. These trees can live for hundreds of years.
There are some beautiful accessories and kid's toys made of cork, as well as this great tableware (also available in white and lime green). Take a browse here for more goodies.
From a practical point of view, if you're looking for a stool for your bathroom or other wet areas, you can't go wrong with one of these, by Jasper Morrison for Vitra. While we're at it check out this clutch by Monki, my new favourite clothing label.
Here are my favourite suggestions for an earth friendly holiday season.

1 | 2 | 3

*not single-handedly but it will help.

Resin-ate

My uber-creative sister-in-law, in the 'world down under', introduced me to some pretty awesome stuff from Dinosaur Designs this week So, in turn, I am sharing them with your lucky selves.
I never get bored of resin. I think it's the smooth-but-matt texture that makes it so tactile...and those colours are just so milky sweet. The new and old collections are all worth a look, here.

As you may know, if you follow me on twitter, it was my birthday on Saturday and said 'SIL' sent me this awesome message via Instagram. Foooolly seeeck maayte...x

You may be able to tell from the images, that I also received a new toy; a Wacom Bamboo, from the husband, son and dog! So expect more of my handwriting splattered all over images, á la the ones above! I did well!

A little bit of sunshine...

So, that's it. It's the end of August and we didn't get a massive amount of sunshine (nor did I get much blogging done, sorry!). If you follow me on Instagram (@yeahokbye) you'll know that I unabashedly wear my Havaianas in the rain (it's a skill) and you will learn that I abstain from socks till well into the autumnal months. A stranger once commented on my stubborn footwear ways in late October.
So, in the spirit of ignoring the chill, already in the air, I've compiled a little collection of yellow brights to add a ray or two to your home (and handbag collection - I can't help myself).
A little splash of colour on a neutral palette can lift an entire room. From neon to mustard, if any colour can do it, yellow can!

Image by Birgitta Wolfgang Drejer Pattern fabric: Jurmo, Marimekko
1 Nanet cushion cover 2 Sunshine Yellow Omaggio Vase 3 Colour Rings Bowl 4 Mr. Bright Chair 5 Multi Weave Betty clutch 6 Twiggy floor lamp

Scottish Ceramics and the Festival

So far this festival, I haven't been able to soak up much in the way of festivities. One year, I promise I'm gonna post some great tips and must-sees but so far this year, I've done some wondering, seen one incredible play and taken my aunt to see this pottery. Hopefully we'll be able to get some comedy in by the end of the month...
From my limited festivities, my recommendation is the tiny studio and gallery in my part of Edinburgh, Adam Pottery. Its a must for any ceramic lover all year round with traditional and contemporary Scottish ceramicists, working on their collections in the studios on site. This festival, the space is an official Edinburgh Fringe venue showing and selling some beautiful pieces. My absolute favourite work there is by Lara Scobie. The colours, textures and shapes got me a little excited and let's just say; that amazing tall stripy jug; it's no longer available...if you know what I mean...

images are from Lara's facebook page 

La Maison D'Anna G.

It's time to polish up on your French as, Paris based, Scandinavian design lover, Anna, of the gorgeous blog 'La Maison D'Anna G', has opened an online shop with the same name. Stocked to the hilt with interior goodies from the likes of Hay, By Nord and Afroart, along with pieces by some awesome designers, the shop has a strong Scandinavian influence, as does Anna, having been born in Sweden. It's been difficult to choose but here are some of my favourite bits and pieces available....

Oh, AND she ships worldwide...so get your Euros out...!

clockwise from top left : fold unfold multicolour tablecloth | valentina multicolour cushion | 7 piece desktop boxes | black pipe wall lamp |  square oak tray | typography poster 'D' | dark oak bird | twinkle little bat box

Textured Ceramics

Two of my favourite things in one...texture and ceramics. Incredible work by Lenneke Wispelwey from The Netherlands. The pretty pastel colours are hard to resist and the chunky textured patterns make the pieces ultra tactile.

The new collection features this piece, titled, "for goodness sake" by Venderbosch & Wispelwey. A collaboration between Lenneke and Inge Venderbosch; an amazing Saké carafe with cups lined with gold...

Teatime Upcycle

UK illustrator, Esther Coombs, upcylcles charity shop tableware finds with her pretty architectural ink drawings. The cake stands are piled high with pretty vintage glassware and a teacup on top.

Elevenses anyone...?

Caroline Swift Breakables

I get my love for tableware and ceramics from my mum...who incidentally has a thing for spoons too. She has a little table of pretty spoons in the dining room and her collection of unusual ceramic crockery, mostly from degree shows by new designers, is growing nicely too.
Reading this back she sounds a bit like a crazy lady with weird ornaments everywhere but her taste is more akin to the work of former benetton knitwear designer, Caroline Swift's paper thin bone china bowls, pretty spoons and these amazing, intricate, stoneware flowers...i'd be afraid to hold those beautiful bowls too tight!

Made in England and available here...any guesses what mum's getting for Christmas??!

Ceramic throw-aways

...saving the planet, one reusable, ceramic, foil dish at a time...

by Lorena Barrezueta

Log Bowls

Love the contrast of the rough, natural edge and the smooth, shiny, hollowed out interior of these bowls from Loyal Loot ...funky colours too

via reubenmiller

Covetable Cutlery

Spanish designers Clara del Portillo and Alejandro Selma entered this beautiful cutlery into the designboom.com competition entitled 'Beyond Silver' last year

This was the brief for the competition...in brief:

we are looking for functional and prestigious silverware with a new twist.
innovative, must-have, high-value home accessories, tableware, utensils- made of silver.
you are invited to participate with new designs, timeless gifts, new material combinations as silver & wood, stone, leather, plastic,... new production methods and glamorous new applications.
(sorry, fashion and jewelry items excluded!)

The designers' explanation:

The silver cutlery is a symbol of elegance and it has been used in banquets and important tables for several years. The sense of fashion and aesthetics has changed and most of these cutleries have been saved. Natural gives a new air to silver cutlery making it current and modern without giving up elegance. It has been sought a mixture of two noble materials; its merger with wood brings a warm air to the set. Natural also takes into account the new global mergers in the kitchen and includes utensils from different cultures

Found via @r27

Cuppage

This illustrated tableware range from Finnish design company, Marimekko is called Oiva. I love the shapes of the pieces especially the shallow cups and the teapot. Illustrated, spotted or plain? I can't decide!