It's a mug's game

I've spent the last while researching a couple of feature projects for the likes of House & Home and the National Post and, while I was noodling down an internet back alley, I happened across these rather cool mugs. Okay, while I'm not much for funny mugs, these were inspired by the weird ones that get half forgotten and shoved to the back of the cupboard. They also have a rather nice bit of provenance too, since they were designed by Baptiste Ymonte and Vincent Jousseaume of Atelier Polyhedre and are from a limited edition line called Mug Shot. Now that's a nice way to enjoy your no-foam-half-sweet-lactose-free-vanilla-latte. Baroque and Flash are available online here from Paul Smith.

Of mugs, memories and spotty stoves

Ahhh, a loooong weekend. We were out and about walking Spot in the Beach, and sharing a cupcake from Life Is Sweet when I was stopped in my tracks by a mug in a shop window. Yes, a mug. It's from Emma Bridgewater and just feels so perfect for this time of year, no? Plus, I want to remind folks to treat themselves and buy a lovely mag at a news-stand. They cost as much as a primo coffee, but with way less guilt attached, and a much nicer kind of inspiring buzz too. Did you know that a magazine's cover price in no way reflects the real cost of what you're holding in your hands? Hmmm, well, that's another story entirely.

I have a total crush on Emma Bridgewater's gear. Her 'I had a really nice dream last night about Daniel Craig' tea towel is a fave prezzie of mine to give (but as we know I have a bit of a tea towel problem, lol). Emma has hooked up with Aga to produce a stove covered in her trademark spots, in celebration of the firm's 300th anniversary. Isn't it a stunner? My only Aga stove memory is from when I was a kid. I was invited over to a friend's house where we sat at the kitchen table and had hot buttered toast made on their Aga, served, very chic-ly I thought, on little wooden boards instead of plates.