decor8: because fashion isn't just about you

Most of our fashion trend tuesdays have been all about the latest clothing and accessories. I can't recall the last time we featured a site or brand focused on making your little world as fashionable as your little one (or you). So today I have an especially stylish treat for you, a blog dedicated to delicious decor aptly named decor8.

decor 8, a blog with "fresh finds for hip spaces," first launched three years ago. The site offers its readers everything from "decorating ideas, interiors and independent art and design to inspiration for "living a more fulfilling, creative life." decor8 is updated daily with product reviews, interviews, home tours, do-it-yourself projects and even reader discounts and contests. Who doesn't love a good contest almost as much as a great sofa?

The woman behind decor8 is Holly Becker, a writer and interior design consultant with one foot in New Hampshire and the other in Germany. By living in both places she is able to bring readers the latest finds (shows, shops and studios) from Europe to the U.S. Holly is a regular contributor to Real Simple, Domino, and the Boston Globe’s Style & Art section. You can also read Holly's ideas and insight on Real Simple’s Home & Organizing blog.

With a woman such as Holly behind decor8 you have a style mixed with some serious substance. In other words, she knows what she's talking about and when she talks about something called Big Cartel, you listen (see "Big Cartel Shop Roundup"). Why else do I love this site? Because decor8 reminds me of my good friend LeShan. With her eye fashion and style and talent for design she could write for the blog. Me? I am better off reading it. --Emily

Ponoko: make. share. sell. buy.

I have discovered--and ordered--many treasures on Etsy. It is one of my favorite places to shop for unique gifts and there's nothing like supporting the independent artist or budding mompreneur. That's why I'm anxious to try out Ponoko, an Etsy-like site that offers you more than a place to buy and sell unique handmade items.

With Ponoko you can "...shop for and make things that are completely original, and do this in the greenest way possible." I really can't do the site justice by trying to explain it myself--I'm just learning all about the Ponoko possibilities! But here's a little insight from Ponoko's About Us page:

Ponoko manages every detail for you to buy, make and sell stuff. This service includes a marketplace for shoppers to find the most original designer crafted goods, match making between shoppers and designers to get exactly what you want, a personal online factory for you to 'click to make' whatever you can draw, and a personal online shop to show, share or sell your stuff.

Whew! It sounds like Etsy on steroids...but really cool, really individualized steroids!

The buying side seems pretty straightforward. It's the making and selling that intrigues me. You can upload your own designs for products, choose the materials and Ponoko will provide you with an instant online price. Simply pay for your product and it's shipped to your door. How cool is that?!?! And the selling sides seems pretty nifty too (copyrighting, pricing, showrooms, oh my!) You can read more about the ins and outs on Ponoko's About Us page.

I do think they need a little better way to find products once you click on Shop. Though you can search by designer, by tag or by keyword, I would have liked a list of categories better than the few at the very bottom of the page. I was a bit overwhelmed with the randomness of the products as I browsed them page by page. It made me miss Etsy's nicely organized navigation.

Ponoko has already received quite a lot of buzz from some serious sources, including The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The New York Times, BusinessWeek and Wired.

Whether you're looking to buy something designed just for you or create your own artistic piece, Ponoko offers you an easy way to get (or make) just what you want. Oh, and did I mention Ponoko has no setup fees, monthly fees, listing or sales fees, no minimum orders and no inventory? "Simply click to design, make, sell and deliver your creativity to the world, at your own speed." Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? --Emily

excellent Etsy find: bexcaliber

Someday I will dust off my sewing machine, pull out the beautiful fabric I've purchased here and there and actually do something with it all...someday.... Until that day arrives I will look to Etsy shops like bexcaliber to fill my home with beautiful furnishings.

A throw pillow can change the entire look of a room and today's excellent Etsy find can make it change for the better. bexcaliber has some of the most beautiful pillow covers I have ever seen and her prices are very affordable. From the Red and Brown Chenille Floral cover to the seasonal and oh-so-fun Merry Christmas Tree cover. Some of my other favorites are the Black Embroidered Flowers on Grey Linen and Chocolate Lollipop.

When your living room is in need of a facelift, throw a couple pillows covered in a bexcaliber design on the couch and see what happens. I'm pretty sure you'll be happy with the result, and think of all the Etsy shopping you can do with the money you saved by not buying a whole new couch! --Emily

win a gorgeous lizzy anne quilt!

I am so glad there are talented (and beautiful) quilt makers out there because I will never be one, so it's up to these women to supple the rest of the world with gorgeous quilts and quilt designs. Daria at Boutique Cafe sent me the link to a quilt giveaway on Pigtails and Snails, a blog by Elizabeth Cranmer of Lizzy Anne quilt designs. The fabulous fall quilt she is giving away is titled "spring up" and is a Lizzy Anne original design.

The quilt is a raw-edge applique quilt, and though I don't know much about quilting, I do know this is one of my favorite techniques. It means the edges are frayed and usually already washed so they're soft. Measuring 70" x 100" the quilt is a generous twin size. You can read more about the quilt and the woman who quilted it by reading the original quilt giveaway post. She will also have 2nd and 3rd-place prizes, so you have three chances to win! You don't want to miss out on this gorgeous quilt giveaway, so enter before October 17th! Good luck! --Emily

Olive Kids character-free bedding

Because I'm especially exhausted tonight, today's that's hot! thursday is a teaser for the full Daily Dish review on Olive Kids children's bedding over at Boutique Cafe. My favorite thing about Olive Kids bedding and decor is the total lack of TV or movie characters. You won't find Spiderman on the sheets or Dora on the comforter, and for someone like me who only allows characters on underwear, it's very refreshing. Here's a little blurb from the full review:

Olive Kids was created to offer parents like me 'an affordable alternative to the character based entertainment licenses.' The company believes kids' rooms should inspire creativity and play and not serve as an advertisement for a TV show or movie. I couldn't agree more! Though my baby girl isn't old enough to realize it, she is now the proud owner of Olive Kids' Tea Party bedding set. My mom was in town when I opened the box and she and I could not stop oohing and aahing over every single piece. ...

Read the full review to learn more about why I love Olive Kids' children's bedding and decor. Don't miss the fabulous giveaway at the end of the review. Just comment on the post for your chance to win Olive Kids' awesome canvas growth chart! Good luck! --Emily

Zabitatz is THE online meeting place for homeowners

I am still getting used to this twitter thing. I almost gave up on it once or twice but am slowly getting the hang of it. Though I'm not a 24/7 twitterer I do enjoy reading what others have to say and sharing my own two cents now and then. Once in a while I even come across fun new sites and today's wonderful web wednesday is the result of such a tweet, so thank you, twitter!

If you're a homeowner in need of design advice or in need of a forum to share your fabulous design ideas, then Zabitatz is the site for you. Claiming to be "the fun, never-intimidating and always informative site where passionate members meet to share advice, insight and inspiration about everything home-related," Zabitatz is place where beginners and experts alike can ask questions and get answers on everything from painting a room to gardening to choosing the right appliance.

Collaboration is the key on Zabitatz. If you have a great idea about how to display family photos or have learned from a design mistake, share it. If you would like to know more about types of flooring or even managing finances, just ask. Members can post to forums, review products, share their favorite links, and even upload photos and videos.

Right now on Zabitatz you can enter the Wacky Tacky Home Design Disasters Contest. Just upload a photo of a crazy design distater (yours or someone else's) and if your photo wins by public vote, you could be mortgage free for a year! Zabby of Zabitatz is also highlighting her favorite pink products that support breast cancer reasearch and has opened a "pink" forum where members can discuss their favorite pink products and discuss the important topic of breast cancer.

I'm no design guru (that would be LeShan) and so this site is a great resource for the design-challenged like myself. But even if you're an ol' pro you'll still find a lot of "zabtastic" info on Zabitatz. --Emily