repurposeful.com

Gloss Marks The Spot

I know there's some scientific process by which you hang art. Maybe there's a tape measure involved? A pencil? A leveler? I'm no handyman. However, I do have a new-found trick. Take your nail hook thing, dip the tip of the nail in some lip gloss. Then steadily hanging the frame directly on the hook, place it gently against the wall where you'd like to hang it. Touch the nail to the wall, and there you have your spot. Nailed it!!!!

Shoe Stow

Problem: Quick and easy shoe changes, sans the constant ungraceful process of retrieving the heels from the plastic bag.

Solution: A repurposed promotional tote bag is sturdy enough to withstand heel puncture and lays neatly (and quietly) inside your bag.

I often find that it's impossible (especially in the winter) to do quick shoe changes in New York. There's always a cumbersome situation--unwrapping a plastic bag, pulling out your heels, switching out the shoes and then shoving it back in your bag.All the while, stuff's flying out. 

So....since I had an old promotional tote bag lying around....

I cut down the two side seams, cut off one of the straps, and folded one side into itself. Leave one strap still attached, so you can easily grab it from the bag abyss, unflap the fold and gracefully grab your shoes out. The things we NY girls do.

President-Elect Talks Sense

In presidential style that we have come to know and love, Pres-Elect Obama delivered his plea to Congress today. He said he intends to "save and create" 3 million jobs in the near term. His first stop--"computerizing" all medical records, which will create jobs, but will also streamline the bureaucratic, costly healthcare rigmarole or as he puts it: save lives, money and jobs. I  remain optimistic and without any jadedness or cynicism.

Repurposeful in Buenos Aires, Part II: 20th C. Vintage

Buenos Aires is beyond charming. It's preserved in its nestled neighborhoods, Deco facades, fortress city of cemetery wonderland. It's weathered in its sidewalks. It has different incarnations throughout the day and night. And while I was there it also proved full of repurposeful discovery, not least of which was found in the markets and in every bar and restaurant around town. Here's a quick sampling below as well as a working photo album.

 

Vintage cash register becomes a focal point in the day-turns-to-night Bar Seddon in the San Telmo district.

      

Telephones, cutlery and leather handbags among glassware and other eclectic finds spilling from the sidewalks, streets, plazas and shops of San Telmo -these from the Sunday antique market.

Weathered Quilmes beer chair at Craft Hip Hotel (yes, that's its official name) in Palermo Viejo.

 

Pointing the way to the manually run elevators that ascend the gorgeous 1920s Palacio Barolo "high rise" on Avenida de Mayo.

Repurposeful in Buenos Aires, Part I: Gabriela Horvat

Over the holidays I took a trip to Buenos Aires. I knew it would be a great food trip, complete with perfect steak dinners and lazily-enjoyed glasses of Malbec. I also knew it would be fun to explore the various neighborhoods, overhear, yet only half comprehend, conversations in Spanish, and get into the pace of a new city for a while. Of course, part of the fun, was uncovering all the repurposeful gems along the way. Not a hard task in such an aesthetically and culturally rich place.

The design-forward, bohemian shop of Gabriela Horvat seemed to be one of several independent shops in Palermo Viejo (a.k.a. Soho) that included repurposed, everyday materials within their local design and artisan collections. In her case, tire rubber was on display in remarkable fashions.

Woven, decorative baskets courtesy of Gabriela Horvat.

Also in shop, reconstructed inner tube necklaces designed by Mercedes Castro Corbat (US$120.) who was also a featured designer in the recent Sustainable 08 Argentinian Green Design Festival (courtesy of Treehugger).

But the absolute gem?

A cuter than cute caballito, fashioned from imperfect tires otherwise discarded by a major tire company. The best part is that these little horse swings, made by an organization called Potencialidades, give back in more ways than one. The organization mass markets the swings in order to raise funds for their work--creating safe havens and fun, educational environments for children in poor, rural communities in Argentina. Gabriela was kind enough to hang up the horse swing outside her shop.