idea paint

This post is completely selfish in focus.

I hope to be house hunting in the near future and I keep my eyes and ears open for interesting interior decor techniques/products at all times.   I was blown away by this product when I saw it and I plan to order some to test it out when the time comes.  It’s called idea paint and it is a paint that you can put on any surface (walls, tables etc) which turns the surface into one big dry erase white board.   In other words,  you can draw and erase anything you’d like  on the surface once the paint is rolled on and dry (7 days).  Think of all the fun you could have around the house in the kitchen jotting down recipes or a grocery list on the wall, in a home office to brainstorm, in the washroom….. I freakin love this idea.  The ultimate creative product for the neat freak who hates chalk dust.

Look at some of the applications:

via reliable remodler

via contract magazine

via once upon a venture

via out blush

Soapy Love

Very Cute.  A product from Debbie Chialtas’ glycerin soap design company, Soapy Love.  She got started in glycerin soap design while pregnant with her son and soon after opened a store on Etsy.  Each product is hand crafted in San Diego and is a great idea for a hostess gift or event favour. 

soapy love via lovely room

Chocolate Research Facility

This is by far the coolest chocolate store concept I have ever seen and I am sorry that on my last trip to Singapore, I missed this thing. 

Here are all the juicy facts about this fabulously designed chocolate store- it’s called Chocolate Research Facility and it is located in Singapore’s Millenia Walk.   Singapore based design agency owner Chris Lee of Asylum Creative  launched the concept.   It’s part cafe part retail and the interior design is laboratory-esque.  What caught my attention when I first read about the concept on blog, The Dieline, is packaging of the chocolate (makes sense for a hot find on The Dieline).  The Chocolate Research Facility boasts 100 flavours like strawberry yogurt, green apple with dried pear, champagne, espresso, irish cream, Sichuan pepper to name a few and all of the chocolate comes packaged in super savvy, sophisticated, modern wrapping (see below).   The package design is so sleek, it truly embodies the value that can be created in a business through great design. 

The store caters to chocolate neophytes and aficionados alike.  Just take a look at these pictures to see what kind of experience is provided.  I am ready to hop on a plane and get back to Singapore to check the Chocolate Research Facility first hand!

inside store via oh joy

store exterior via luxury insider

inside store via we heart stuff

chocolate wrapper via the lovely room

chocolate wrapper via ministry of type

chocolate wrappers via blabber, etcetera

A brunch in the works

I am getting ready to host a birthday brunch for a close friend this weekend and I am searching high and low for inspiration, themes and recipes from the blogsphere.  I am determined to put together the entire event using recipes from my favourite food bloggers. 

Today I tested a white chocolate chip and macadamia nut blondie recipe from Washington, DC food blogger, Baked Perfection.  The blondies turned out great and the smell in my house is to die for!  I ended up substituting half the white chocolate chips for a blend of butterscotch chips and peanut butter chips.  I think my friends will be delighted with the results. 

 Here is what a blondie looks like for those of you who are not familiar with this type of bar:

via baked perfection

My next task is to find a light, non-traditional birthday cake to make.  So far, I am thinking something lemon with a yogurt cream and raspberry drizzle. 

We’ll see what I come up with.

The next big thing: Whoopie Pies

There is a new trend brewing in desserts that will be making its way to bakeries, weddings and event tables this next year.  I’m calling it now, you heard it here first, i’m seeing these things pop up in magazines and blogs here and there and it’s just bound to erupt.  The next trend is whoopie pies.  That’s right, whoopie pies.  They look like mini macarons, yet they have the texture of cake with filling in the centre but they are called a pie.  Creative bakers can go to town on this delightful little treat playing around with filling and shell flavours.

If you don’t know what they are here is a look at the hot new trend, and check out some recipes here, here and here.

via the shopping vine

via the sweet escape

via one ordinary day

via raisin cake