This is not Ikea (dot com)

A great recommendation from a friend lead me to thisisnotikea.com, an awesome website that is like IKEA but way, way better... almost like IKEA's older, more cultured step sister?!

Reasons why it rules:

First off, it's also a store in L.A., called Tini which I'm dying to shop at!
Secondly, it is a vast selection of home decor items that are gently used, retro, mid-century, eclectic, industrial, vintage, modern... basically all the best. What I really like is how user friendly the website is, with items categorized not only by department, but by color, room, and/or style.


Like any great thing, with success comes a higher demand, and therefore higher prices. Some of the bric-a-brac is listed as a higher ticket than what I would dish out for say, an ashtray, at the same time some of the larger pieces are reasonable considering their condition, for instance this set of pretty dressers for $195 each.

Or these cute danish chairs for $150 a pop

They also offer interior design services, at a pretty penny I am sure. Not to piggyback someone else's success, but I am glad I have found a resource that is much like the aesthetic I like to design with, and within the same vein as my interests as well. That being said, I am still down for small side jobs if anyone needs a little assistance, I offer a free one hour color consultation which includes a basic needs assessment for the room of your choice. Just email me and I'd be happy to help!

joyboe@hotmail.com

Lost & Found: February Shopping Guide

It's a new month, and a new opportunity to find something at Lost & Found. We have just filled the space with tons of great stuff, so stop on buy before it's all snatched up! Here's some of my favorites:

High back teak wood chair, with new green and teal cotton blend tweed upholstery
$40.00

Maple side table in great shape $40.00

Vintage Globe $30.00
Abe Bust $10.00
Glass ashtray $5.00
Wood stool $20.00

Bamboo shell table $20.00

Set of 4 wood Japanese bowls $20.00
White Airplane Lamp $10.00
Set of 2 Japanese Watermelon Mugs $6.00

Set of 2 High Back dining chairs with new olive green upholstery
$60.00

Shop with us, and go home happy!

Lost & Found is located directly inside Pat's Corner
3409 30th St
(between Upas St & Myrtle Ave)
San Diego, CA 92104

The Shadow of Vivian Maier

Vivian Maier's images conjure many feelings, from loneliness and isolation to delight in the small things seen everyday. Although not much is known about the woman who never claimed to be an artist, or a famous one at least, ingrained in her composition is the shadow of a person with deep understanding of human emotions. Within the busy city life of Chicago she managed to capture moments most people sweep past, with a sad elegance and almost thirst for warmth.


Looking through her photos is like floating through a crowd, her ghostly presence is mostly recognized by children who are also aching for attention, and is often lost to those who have bigger, more important things to tend to.



It is said she mostly wore men's clothing and preferred to keep to herself (even at the photo stores where she purchased film regularly) but her photograph's contain a consistent femininity and sense of interconnectivity, an attention to detail only an advocate for style could appreciate. But then again, it was the 60's and in my opinion everything looked aesthetically better back then!




She also flawlessly captured the changing political times of the mid-century through it's toll on the streets, whether through the remnant of graffiti and posters, or the faces of the homeless.




Vivian Maier stands out as real artist to me for many reasons. Her time on the streets successfully portray many important views of community and humanity in general, yet are timelessly well framed. Her lack of desire to be recognized for her work shows a natural talent that simply went unnoticed, like most of her life. It's sad to me that she disregarded her passion towards the end of her life, and that many rolls of film found in antique stores weren't even developed. There is some redemption that by chance they fell into the hands of someone who appreciates them, and has passed on her legacy to build the growing fan base that in jut a year has impacted so many people.

R.I.P. Miss Maier, February 1st 1926 - April 21, 2009.

The dawn of a new day for Sunset Magazine

Sunset's article: Decorating with family finds

Usually when I think of Sunset Magazine, I recall moments sitting in a doctors or dentist office with no other choices beyond Sports Illustrated and/or Women's Home Journal to pass the time. But something funny has happened, either I am aging (obviously getting closer to the 30's) or they have really spent some time with Cher from Clueless and completed a success make over. Either way, I kinda love them now!

Ever since I randomly started receiving them in the mail about 6 months ago, I have been surprised by the amount of articles and tips I have discovered, and their focus on Western living is saturated by local tidbits from San Diego and San Francisco all the way up to Portland and Seattle. They also give great idea's for Eco-friendly decorating, like this outdoor planter/bench.


In this month's issue, Pigment's new Plant Lab terrarium bar and the Pearl Hotel is mentioned, along with this awesome zero-waste home in Northern California.


I also love that they have recipes that even a working woman can keep up with, like this black bean soup with avocado and cucumber... plus, amazing seasonal cocktails for picnics and parties are always appreciated.


So, if you're burned out by Dwell (don't get me wrong I love them but they feel so inaccessible to the average person's budget) and/or if looking for a resource you can use for weekend trips, new restaurants up the coast, or decorating how-to's, I would give Sunset a try. You might find it's way cooler than it used to be!

Lost & Found

Now open inside Pat's in North Park, Lost & Found! We are the first storefront to the right of the entrance, about a 10 by ten area of great stuff.
A collection of vintage apparel, up-cycled furniture and unique art by local artists. We specialize in mid-century home decor and believe that a nest is best made by using things that are low-impact and re-usable. We have found charm in these items that were once discarded, yet aim to keep their cost affordable to the average person.

Sales are run through Pat's register, so please make sure you take the tag to the desk.

Also, if you are on the hunt for something specific, you can email me and I will personally shop for you. How' that for service?!

Airplane Lamp $5.00/ Feminist Books $1.00 each/ Vintage t.v. tray $10.00
One of a kind framed collages by Josh Bellfy $50.00
(he also does commissioned work if you have a specific piece you want)

Vintage pink ashtray and set of wood bowls, $10.00 each

Imitation Wasily Chair $30.00/ Green Tweed Pillow $7.00/ Vintage Backgammon set $10.00

Complete Picnic Set $40.00/ 50's Straw Hat $10.00/ Orange Japanese Teapot $8.00

Set of 2 Mid-century chairs $40.00/ Accent Table $50.00/ Leather Hat $10.00

Atlas $10.00/ Brass Lamp $25.00/ Set of 2 brass candle holders $15.00

An assortment of Women's and Men's clothing: ties, handbag's, cardigan's, hats and jeans.

Inventory is always changing so what is there one day may be gone the next! The possibilities are endless... so stop by today and see what you can find!

Waddie Welcome

In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. day this upcoming Monday, Life Works is hosting a community event at their new location on Adam's ave in Normal Heights. It's a southern style party so bring a dessert to share! From the Waddie Welcome website here is some background on the topic...

Born on the 4th of July, 1914 in Savannah, GA with a disability and placed in a nursing home far from his community, Waddie Welcome was an unlikely public figure. His deep desire for freedom drew many friends into his life in ways that not only liberated him from institutionalization but realized Dr King’s vision of the Beloved Community.

WADDIE WELCOME & THE BELOVED COMMUNITY tells the story of friendships that transcended divisions of disability, race, and income & created powerful new possibilities in a whole community. Reflecting on the story of Mr Welcome & his friends is an ideal part of the celebration of Martin Luther King day.

MLK Day World Wide Reading

Last year, Anne Mitchell & her friends discovered that the book that Tom Kohler & Susan Earl have written, which can be read in about 45 minutes, forms the foundation for a World Cafe Conversation, a powerful way for groups to have a conversation that matters about the meaning this story carries. Anne & Tom have joined with Inclusion Press to make it possible for you to host your friends, family, neighbors, association members, congregation members, book club members, classmates, & fellow citizens to read WADDIE WELCOME & THE BELOVED COMMUNITY and have a World Cafe Conversation about its meaning for you.

So, make your mama proud and come meet your neighbors!

Create and Relate

I'm openly biased (only in a way that could overtly encourage you) but Josh Bellfy, (my favorite local artist) has an opportunity to start something of his own production right here in San Diego. Edgeware Gallery in Kensington is allowing him use of the space (he basically built) to instruct weekly art classes on the weekends. Starting last Saturday actually, he is offering creative classes that are open to the public, integrated as far as inviting people of all walks of life and age range, and is quite affordable as well. Some of the project include mask making, collages, and learning how to draw to scale.

I'm plugging participation of this because I feel it's a great way to take the new year by it's grimy horns and do something "artistic" for fun. If you are a student and looking for some resources, or a local resident who wants to get out on the weekend, or a person with a disability who wants to meet people... Create Relate classes are a good start. If nothing else it provides a space for one on one instruction for your child/children while you get a mani/pedi. Plus, $25 for 3 hours with basic materials covered is a great deal!

The background of the project, and everything else you need to know, and more is on CreateRelate.org so check it out. Hope to see you there!

Examples of Bellfy's personal collages

Make your own (Joy) Boe's

For years women in Kenya have been recycling old magazines and newspapers into jewelry, like these paper necklaces from World Buyers. I love this for several reasons, their resourcefulness is not only Eco-friendly by cutting down on the amount of trash, but they make a living by being creative, often times becoming the breadwinner for their families.
I found a similar neat-o idea on Talk Crafty To Me for making your own gift wrap out of magazines this holiday season, or year 'round. All you need is some decorative paper materials like newspapers and/or magazines, old map's, or sheet music and double sided tape. You can also use fabric and substitute the tape for hot glue or colored staples.

Start by cutting a page lengthwise into nine 3/4-inch-thick strips of heights shown: Three at 11 inches, three at 10 inches, two at 9 inches, and one at 3 1/2 inches.

Twist each strip to form loops at both ends. Make a circle out of the smallest.

Secure the ends with a piece of double-sided tape.

Layer and stick, starting with the longest strips. End with the circle in the center and oh joy, you're done.