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For those of you not yet in the know, that was not a curse. It is a toy. Or is it "they" are a toy?
Rolling Stone magazine calls them "Toy of the Year". Maxim calls them "Modern Art". But its Entertainment's take on them that makes me smile..."Payment for addiction therapy not included".
Buckyballs are 216 rare earth magnetic balls (in a set) which you will not be able to put down after you pick them up. They stick together and snap apart. String them, shape them, squash them together like a stress ball, pull them apart or try to make one of the myriad of Buckyball thingies from a YouTube instructional video. These magnets aren't just for sticking stuff to your fridge!
We have a demo set open in the store and many a customer has whiled away more than a few minutes playing with them (as have I). From now until this Saturday we will be offering a 10% discount on in store purchases (sorry this offer's not available on the webstore)... Come in and play awhile!
Pssst...
Hey! It's me!
I'm never sure how to begin after a long time away from the blog. I've found myself, in past, yammering excuses and apologies and trying to segue into a topic from there. This time... I'll just say it... I've been lazy and distracted. There.
Spring has finally arrived and we're loving it! The streets of the Exchange are busy again with winter weary people seeking fresh air and sunshine. More new businesses have opened including a small grocer and the Free Press Cafe (and I heard the food is terrific). I finally got a chance to grab dinner at Deseo and it was out of this world amazing! Stock is rolling in from our last visit to the International gift show in New York. There is plenty to be excited about - both in the happenings in the Exchange and in the boxes we're breaking open!
Now that that's out of the way....
Thank you, Koos Dekker, for a really terrific little animation.
Now, get yourself outside for a walk and soak up some vitamin D! And... if you happen to be walking in the Exchange, do drop in to say hello.
Mmmm, Noodles.
There's a delicious little corner in the Exchange which is home to a restaurant called The Line Up. They serve a number of different yummy things, but my favourite is Noodles by the Box. Scrumptious stir fry with a variety of tempting selections to choose from, it is all prepped fresh when ordered and served up in a sweet little takeout box. I can't say for sure if it will make the noodles taste any better, but if you 'eat with your eyes' chances are good that the Canadian designed and manufactured Ramen Noodle Bowl will enhance the experience!
If you're going to be in the neighbourhood I'd recommend coming with an appetite and giving The Line Up a try. I'm not playing favourites, as there are many great places to nosh in the area, I'm just sharing them as I discover them!
Atomic Tom
I love finding great new music. I especially love finding innovative musicians with a great sound. Count yourselves in early on a video about to go viral (30,000 views this morning, well over 200,000 as of posting) and a band well worth spending a few bucks on at iTunes.
ChiChi Kids
In my experience with tykes and toddlers I've learned that they have far more interest in the wrapping, bags and boxes their gifts come in than they do the gift itself. Which is precisely why I thought the Tooko Cardboard House by Jansen + Co was genius! It is...
1. Easily assembled (you don't need a degree in engineering to open the box or put it together!).
2. Perfectly scaled for the pint sized homeowner.
3. Encourages the artist/designer in a child as they can decorate it themselves.
I was just saying the other day how so many toys have taken the imagination out of play. It is refreshing to see something so brilliantly simple which stimulates a kid's imagination and creativity!
We also love...
Food Face
and...
Souper
It's a Colourful Life!
Since recently redecorating the moppet's room I've been craving a change in my bedroom. I'm yearning for something with rich warmth and a bit of drama (as if I don't have enough drama with a little girl who's hormones seem to be kicking in early). Whilst perusing the interwebs - or consulting the big brain, as my brother would say - I happened across Behr's Colour Trend guide for 2011. From palettes called "Boudoir Goth" to "Tokyo Pop" they present a wide range of gorgeous selections.
My eyes keep roaming to "Strike a Pose". With a creamy white trim and window coverings, and accents in black or a near black, I think it would be fabulous! There is nothing like a fresh coat of paint and a few decor changes in a room to elevate one's spirits (and their motivation to keep things tidy!).
Once done, I think it will make my bed seem all that more inviting since I've determined that the only colour bedding that really works in my home is pristine white. You cannot, after all, bleach a Kool-aid stain out of a steel blue duvet cover. Some day, movie nights in mom's bed will come to an end. Until then, there's Javex.
Behr, for those unfamiliar, has a terrific website for playing with colour. You can create your own palettes and save your projects with a log in.
To visit, simply click HERE.
The Last Dust Bunny
Alas, as things will sometimes happen when we take them for granted, his numbers began to dwindle. The bunnies were no longer multiplying. Were they stricken by a dust mite virus rendering them barren? No. Sadly, they had simply "had their run".
If you have a Dust Bunny embrace him and care well for him as there will be no others to replace him.
If you do not have a Dust Bunny, well, we have a singular one in our possession. We want to be sure he goes to a good home. And he wants his existence to have meaning beyond being an efficient eater of dust. What to do?
To fulfill Dust Bunny's wish, and to ensure he goes to a really great home, he has agreed to submit himself to auction. The proceeds from the auction will be donated, in the winning bidder's name, to a charity of their choosing. For full details please see our Dust Bunny Auction page or click HERE
Goodbye, Dust Bunny. You will be missed.
Special Effects...
Meet Bobo. He's a collectible Zuny animal produced in limited edition.
But this post isn't about Bobo. He's simply modelling for us today so we can show you what we think will be the hot stocking stuffer this year ~ Jelly Lens. A tiny little sticky camera lens/charm to elevate your cellphoneto a special effects camera.
Here, we get a close up shot of Bobo that would otherwise be impossible to take with a cell phone camera.
Here's Bobo using the Kaleidoscope lens.
Bobo with the Sparkle effect lens.
And, every woman my age will love this one, Soft Focus.
A terrific little something for under $10!
Thanks, Bobo, for not being a diva during the shoot.
It's Official!
We are...
Stop by to see us at 246 McDermot. Hours are under consideration (more of 'em) but stand as follows for now...
Monday to Friday: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Saturday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
We're delighted with our new home in the Exchange District and look forward to seeing you soon!
Autumn....
...is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.
~ Albert Camus
There is something about the gentle days of fall, when the weather is warm and the breeze is mild. Watching a leaf caught in an air current, sway and whirl as it makes its descent, makes me want to wrap myself in something cozy and lay in a hammock. Feel the sun on my face. Take in the sweet incense of the demise of summer. There is something nostalgic in it. And... as much as I loathe winter, I wouldn't swap these dog days of fall for anything.
I don't have a hammock, but I do have something cozy. A Pleece Throw from Design House Stockholm.
New to the Menu Lineup
The Selection Aerating Pourer and Vacuum Stopper.
We're almost there....
Well, we are there. We're just not quite ready for you.
After many of the unexpected delays one should know to expect by now, we're almost ready to open the doors. I SO want to post a date but, being the oh so slightly superstitious soul that I am, I'm afraid that doing so will cause the mother of all delays.
We will be sending out an email to those on our list and posting an opening date here by mid-week.
All I can say for now is that we're really close. We're really psyched about the new space. And we're really excited about seeing you... and you... and all of you, back in the store again. We've missed you.
In a Word... Menu
Our love of Scandinavian design is no secret. I've been known to get weak in the knees over vintage Danish teak furniture. On a memorable visit to Denmark last fall I found myself yearning to live inside Illums Bolighus - the quintessential source for extraordinarily designed goods.
I have also been known to embarrass shopping companions when I pause to overtly stroke a sleek object of desire. Such as just a few of my favourites by Menu of Denmark...
All items shown above (and more by Menu) are available in house ( select items available in our online store... www.chichihome.com )
New York, New York
Many things in the works....
~ New Space! Watch for us in the Exchange District at 246 McDermot. Mid to late September.
~ New Look! Sad to say goodbye to the 'theme' rooms in the old house. Tres excited about the new look in the new space!
~ New Stuff! Off to New York for the really big shew!
And Now for a Public Service Announcement...
Live! From...
Okay, so that's not some grand opera house in Manhatten. But it is on Broadway. Just not the Broadway.So - it seems I never got around to posting from New York. My intentions were good. Honestly. But the show was huge and time was short.
Today's teaser...
It Isn't A Sale!
George Nelson Clocks
Make room.
Design Trends - 2010
Charity Rocks!
We have a winna!
Happy Holidays!
We, at ChiChi, would like to take a moment to thank you for your support and referrals this year and to say happy holidays.
