If you're looking for me this week, I'm guest blogging the whole week on design*sponge--and writing more posts there than I have in the past three months combined I might add!

Also, I've gotten some inquiries on this: if you're wondering where to buy Craft Inc. because it's apparently sold out at Chronicle Books and Amazon, here are some other retailers that currently still have them in stock (for now): Reform School and Fred Flare.

I also don't know when they are expecting to receive more books but I'm sure it will be soon!

We've been super busy preparing for the Modern Economy multi-designer sample sale coming up in less than two weeks in Portland, Oregon. If you live there or happening to be visiting, please come to the sale. (Prices will be marked down up to 75% off retail!) Here are the details:

Modern Economy Sample Sale
10:30am to 3pm
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel
403 SW 10th and Stark
Portland, OR

Also, here's an update on some of the new designers and stores that will be participating this sale.

Danish-designed patterns and designs for your wall from Ferm Living.

Clothpony's hip, adorable girl's clothing.

Olio United, a local Portland shop, will be bringing a variety of clothes and home accessories.

Gorgeous cards and notebooks from Nantaka Joy.

Tina Frey's home accesories and jewelry made of resin.

Well-designed, eco goods from Josh Jakus.

Nature-inspired notebooks from Jill Bliss.

Unique pottery for plants from Portland store, Life + Limb.

Emma Gardner's luxurious wool throws.

Plant and sea life-inspired wall art from Jefdesigns.

Personally I know that I would like to have in my apartment a wall that looks like a stone wall, but how this is not possible you can still have this idea by using a wallpaper that looks like a stone wall. For those of you who like this idea, and are already thinking on how their apartment will look with this stone wallpaper you can buy the stone wall from Target.

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Wallpaper that Looks like a Stone Wall

If you've got time to spare and want to hear me babble (on and on) about how I got started with my business(es) and what I've been doing over the past 9 years, I recently did a podcast with Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood of CraftSanity. I have to say that I actually enjoyed doing this podcast because it felt more like a conversation with friend than a press interview.

I also did a podcast several months ago with Chronicle Books. I was kinda nervous when I did that interview. Okay, why couldn't I remember what I covered in my book?! Seriously. There were some definite deer-in-the-headlights, crickets-a-chirping moments during that interview. Thank goodness it wasn't live. Thank goodness is wasn't filmed. And thank goodness for the magic of editing so that I seem like a competent book author. Um, really, I am!

I'm still getting used to doing these broadcast interviews and I tend to get all self-critical when I listen to myself speak, so I haven't actually listened to either podcast yet. But trust me, you should--you'll either walk away with some quasi-interesting information about me or maybe even some laughs at my expense. Either way, it's good times.

Talk about bending over backwards to please someone! This hybrid flexible kitchen faucet from Paini is all about pleasing you with its futuristic design, ergonomic shape and utility that makes it simply delightful. This irresistible kitchen faucet is flexible enough to make all your tasks easy and simple and ensuring that you can reach wherever you want with it. The design is elegant, modern and perfect for that “space-age kitchen”. Adding to the whole coolness, it sports LED indicators that illuminate to signify water temperature. The faucet is available in black, white and gray. - via HomeDosh

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Futuristic hybrid Faucet from Paini: Bendy and Trendy!

Benji Lanyado, the darling columnist of The Guardian's fab Travel Blog  has tagged me. My task is to reveal a hidden secret in my very favorite city.........Marrakech. (This blog isn't called My Machu Picchu, after all.)

Now of course Marrakech conjures up images of fortune tellers and snake charmers, but sometimes a bit more subtle Moroccan-ness is called for.....And the way to this girl's heart (besides jewels of course) is........ahem, pottery. (I believe the British call it, crockery.   I swear, they really do speak an entirely different language.)

Now if you are pooh-poohing the thought....that is simply  because you haven't visited Tatchibana.  It's located in Marrakech's very own Kasbah.  A tiny little boutique tucked into a most delicious little restaurant.   (Do come for dinner, so you can conveniently test drive the dishes before purchase.)

All Moroccan workmanship with sleek Asian flair, in the most charming colors and patterns.  Sold only here.........Let me just say, I am saving my pennies (err...pence)......

Tatchibana

38 Bab Ksiba,  Kasbah, Marrakech

Tel : +212 24 38 71 71

And now for more fun, I am tagging fave Manhattan dweller (and former Marrakech denizen) Elizabeth so we can find out her little New York secret, too.  But if you have a city secret that you would like to share, do play along and leave a comment.....

Posted by Bluelines

While the biggest music release of the season will be Coldplay's Viva La Vida, it's not exactly the kind of album that will prompt non-stop dancing and fun at your summer party.

For that, you will want something that moves and sways. Chuck Brown is a perfect good-time starter.

Known as the "Godfather of Go-Go" (a musical mix of funk, R&B, and hip-hop), Chuck is over 70 and still pumping out exuberant, swaggering songs.

You won't regret picking up a classic like "Do You Know What Time It Is" along with extra ice and bug candles.

What gets your party started?