Products I Love Archives - Satori Design for Living

Online Shopping Meets Pinterest at Spark Studio

May

2013

Recently, I was asked by Walmart Labs to try out a fun new way to shop online called Spark Studio. Like many of you, we have a very busy household around here, and anything that makes everyday life a little easier (and allows me to stay in my pj’s a little longer) is always worth checking out. Add in the Pinterest factor, and I’m there!

So what exactly is Spark Studio? I was just as curious as you, but it didn’t take me long to figure out how it all works. Think of it as a place where you can view great, creative products that have been “crowd-sourced” by Pinterest users. Let’s just say it’s an innovative shopping experience that gives you the opportunity to shop how you want.

I was immediately impressed by how easy Spark Studio is to navigate. You can browse and shop products by:

Inspirations- Items by Walmart shoppers on Pinterest

Fashion and Beauty- Discover must-haves from Walmart shoppers

For the home- Solutions and ideas from Walmart fans

Babies- Search the top picks from Pinterest moms

Pets- Find everything you will need for your pet

Playtime- A collection of items to entertain the whole family

I’m always on the hunt for beautiful decor and clever organizing products, so I clicked the arrows on the main banner until I landed on For the home. I simply clicked the banner, and photos of popular home and garden products popped up.

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Filed Under: Fab Finds, Life Tagged With: Blog Sponsorship, Products I Love

What Can’t You Live Without?

Jul

2012

4 Comments

How is your summer going? We just got back from spending a few gorgeous days at the lake with our friends. Even though we’re all exhausted from the sunshine, boating and late nights, it’s always fun to get away and experience a change of scenery and enjoy a break from the everyday. Laughter is such good medicine!

One thing I was finally able to do over the extended weekend is read through a few of the magazines I’ve had sitting on my nightstand for a while now. I usually keep up with reading magazines as they arrive, but as I’ve added more blogs to my regular reading list, as well as few great online magazines, I’ve gotten away from reading very many in print.

One magazine I do subscribe to is Chatelaine. I like the variety of topics it covers, such as health, beauty, fashion, decor, gardening and more. Because it’s Canadian, I can usually find what they’re talking about, whether it’s a grocery item or a particular pair of shoes.

A favorite series of mine is It’s In the Air (What We’re Excited About This Month), where women are celebrated for their style and substance. I love reading about each woman’s journey to success and how great living out your dream really is- so inspirational! At the end, each woman is asked to list “5 Things (She) Can’t Live Without,” which is fun to think about.

So…If you were asked that question (I guess on a superficial level), what would your answer be? I thought about it and this would most likely be my answer…

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Filed Under: Fab Finds, Life Tagged With: Chatelaine Magazine, Inspirational People, Products I Love

Where I Shop for Home Decor Deals

Apr

2012

10 Comments

Over the past few years, I’ve seen the accessibility of designer furniture and accessories increase to the general public. This is especially true for online shopping, which seems to be more popular than ever. Since I introduced E-Design to my list of services starting this past September, I’ve discovered a whole new list of amazing web-based shopping resources.

I still like to get out of my office and shop local stores on a regular basis. I love seeing the unique and interesting ways retailers put displays together and nothing beats being able to see a color in its true form or being able to feel the texture of an item with my own hands. I also like being able to interact with shop associates who can give me the low down on products and upcoming trends, and allow me to bounce ideas off them for projects. However, the flip side is that goods at many retail stores are pricier, can be expensive to ship and require more time to find. As a result, many of the items I use in designs end up coming from an online shop.

I typically reserve my list of resources for clients, but after receiving emails from readers asking where I find my decorative items, I thought I’d share a few of my favorites. Let’s face it, most of us have a budget, but we don’t want to sacrifice quality and design. These online shops are a great balance.

Joss & Main is a daily collection of unique items including wallpaper, area rugs, storage solutions, pillows and so much more at discounted prices.

I love their ‘Curator’s Collection’ where they ask designers and bloggers to select a grouping to display for sale.

To shop Joss & Main, it’s as simple as signing up for a free membership. If you’re not already a member, here’s a link to a personal invitation from me to get in on the deals.

Beverly Hills, Inventori and a Book Launch

Apr

2012

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Although I only took a little more than a week off, I can’t believe the amount of catching up I have to do. I decided before I left on my trip to California that I was going to be present in the moment and really enjoy my time away. I only checked my email a couple times, did one blog post about taking a break, and barely touched social media. It’s not that I was feeling the need to leave it all behind, but I’ve found in the past that a little hiatus allows me to come back with a fresh perspective, new insights and renewed energy. As a result, whatever I’m faced with when I return is well worth it.

Starting three years ago, I heard about choosing a word of the year instead of making resolutions. This year I chose chances and it pushes me to try new things in the face of fear. Because of it, I’ve started skiing again, I’ve made some changes to my business and I’m about to embark on my first major home renovation. Best of all, I’m willing to step out and experience a whole lot more. It isn’t always pretty- take bumper to bumper Los Angeles traffic. But, getting to see wide streets lined in gorgeous mature trees with character homes and beautifully landscaped yards in Beverly Hills is the gain. Saying “why not” takes you to that store you’ve always wanted to check out on Ventura Boulevard.

Have you been to Tori Spelling’s antique and home décor store in Sherman Oaks called Inventori? It’s a cute space split into two sides with a center courtyard in between. The hand-picked furniture pieces by Tori are exquisite, as are the candles, bath products, kitchen wares, art work and more. The idea for the store came when Tori’s love of collecting became too much for her own space, but she couldn’t bare the thought of stopping.

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Filed Under: Fab Finds, Life Tagged With: Books, Inventori, Products I Love, Tori Spelling, Vacation

Welcome Home eBook Giveaway

Feb

2012

19 Comments

Whenever I come across a fantastic resource written by someone who has not only talked the talk, but also walked the walk, I feel the need to share it with you. Do you remember Shannon of {aka}|design? She was part of my Designer Challenge series a few months ago, where she put together an amazing mood board for a study.

Since then, Shannon has finished writing her first book titled Welcome Home. Having read this book cover to cover, I can say that it gave me the inspiration to get back on track with decorating and organizing my own home. I’m finally working on some projects that I’ve had in the back of my mind for months!

Shannon contacted me earlier this month and asked if I’d be interested in sharing the book with all of you and my immediate response was, “Of course!” She then asked if it would be okay to give away two copies. Um, well, let’s see…I think everyone would be in favor of that!

I always like to know the background of a book, so I asked Shannon to introduce Welcome Home from her perspective. Why exactly did she write the book? What is it about? What influenced the content…

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Filed Under: Contests & Giveaways, Fab Finds Tagged With: Aka Design, Books, Inspirational People, Products I Love

Lauren Lane Decor {q & a} + Giveaway

Jan

2012

50 Comments

Several months ago I was looking for a painted sideboard for one of my clients and I came across an amazing website called Lauren Lane Decor. I was immediately drawn to their unique furniture pieces and knew I had to find out more. How lucky was I to find out that they were opening a studio only a short drive away in Calgary!

{CoCo Sideboard}

Tara Jamieson, the studio founder, and I have since become friends and I thought it would be fun to do a Q & A. Not only was Tara up for it, but she’s also throwing something in for one of you to win! What a sweetie! (Keep reading to find out the A-ma-zing details…)

What is Lauren Lane Décor?

Lauren Lane Decor is my studio in Calgary that offers custom furniture refinishing, an array of refinishing classes and Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It’s also the love of my life!

How did you decide on the name for your business?

I get asked this all the time! Lauren is my middle name and Lane is my grandmothers!

You just recently opened your studio and made this your full time career, leaving behind the accounting world. Can you tell us about your journey?

My journey has been short. In the past year I have gone from spending all my time in the garage to opening a studio and now presenting at the Calgary Home Show. They say if you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work! So I did and I have no regrets!

What characteristics do you look for when sourcing furniture pieces?

Good lines, sturdy and pretty details! Everything looks better with a coat of paint!

Life Is Balance {An Etsy Feature} + Giveaway

Jan

2012

18 Comments

I’m excited to introduce the next shop in our Etsy feature series- Life Is Balance. Whether you’ve set the intention to live a healthier lifestyle or you’ve been active for years, I’m certain you’ll love these meaningful t-shirts and jewelry pieces.

{Star of David Symbol Necklace}

I came across Life Is Balance a few months ago when I joined Martha Stewart’s Dreamers Into Doers, a community that celebrates creative women who turn their dreams into careers they love. I was immediately inspired by the symbolic clothing and jewelry and knew I had to find out more about this business and the visionary behind it.

Who’s Behind Life Is Balance?

Sheryl grew up in the Bronx, in a middle class family. Her dad was a millinery salesman (that’s hats) and her mom worked in marketing for a bank. Her mom (who turned 94 on January 9th!) was also an artist, painting in her free time- most likely where Sheryl’s artistic genes come from. She graduated from the High School of Music & Art in NYC (the school made famous in the movie, FAME) and went on to get her BA in Psychology from Cornell University. She started out a biology major until she learned that almost all the other bio majors were aiming at Med School – not something she wanted to go up against! After trying out a variety of majors, she ended up going back to her artistic roots and combined psychology with design to create a major in the Psychology of Advertising. She then went on to Pratt Institute for graduate studies in Communications Design, which led to a career in Graphic Design, first working for a large Public Relations Company. In 1992, Sheryl started her own company, Checkman Design Inc., specializing in corporate communications, branding and web design.

Skiing? She loves it. Swimming? Can’t get her out of the water. Scuba diving? A fanatic. Yoga, bike riding, photography…these are other hobbies that make her smile. Sheryl may be a graphic designer, but she’s also an avid sportswoman. All the activities she does—work and play—together make her who she is. They create a balance.

One day, Sheryl had an idea for a design that represented the scuba diver in her. She was looking at the simple symmetry of a yin yang symbol and she saw a scuba design. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (heaven and earth) represent two opposing yet complementary forces, or energies, that are said to be found in nature. One cannot exist without the other. They create balance. In each curved half of the symbol, she saw the shape of a fish… really! She added a diagonal white stripe representing the universal symbol for a dive flag, and her first Life is Balance^® design was born!

Getting to Know Zinc Door

Dec

2011

1 Comment

Are you ready to obsess over new home decor?

Layla Grayce has launched a fabulous new website Zinc Door which features modern yet livable decor perfect for any space. To celebrate, they’re giving away a $10,000 bedroom makeover inspired by a fashion forward haven featured in the March/April issue of Lonny Magazine.

{via Lonny Magazine}

As soon as I saw this room, I was in love. I thought about how fabulous it would be to win the entire ensemble, but then I discovered the contest is only open to residents of the US. (Sending good luck to all my Southern readers!)

Zinc Door is considered to be the mod alter ego of Layla Grayce. It’s a curated collection of furnishings and decor inspired by and evolved from iconic 20th century classic designs; a touch of vintage mid-century modern, a little 30′s art deco, early industrial styling plus streamlined classics that stand the test of time. Can you say oh la la!

Although I encourage you to check out Zinc Door for yourself, here are some of my favorite items:

{Trina Turk Shanghai Links Pillow}