The Friday Five: Scenes from at Home

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For today’s Friday Five, I’m taking you inside my apartment.

1. I may one of the last people to own a land line. I know. But look how cool it is!

2. My milk glass collection never ends. The little one isn’t true milk glass but it’s cute.

3. These flowers, carved from wood, are from Easter Island. (Thanks Corie & Jeff.)

4. My ink blots. What do you see? (Apparently it’s a trend – look at what Christian from Maison 21 posted on Tumblr.)

5. Pussy willow branches are so pretty. I feel like it brings good luck too. These branches are from Easter but they’re still growing!

all photos by Jordana

Thanks for coming on this very mini house tour and thanks, as always, for dropping by White Cabana!

Have a wonderful weekend!

p.s. For the record, everything in the above photos is white – except for the ink blots (black) and pussy willow (brown) – but I liked how the photos turned out in black & white.

Spex Club Eyewear

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In need of affordable eyewear? Have you heard of Spex Club? This company offers a good selection of affordable prescription eyewear for men and women.

Although Spex carries a variety of colours, it probably does not surprise anyone that I’m most attracted to all the white frames. The Spex collection feels like it was made just for me!

Apprentice

Jesse

Ruby

Scout

Baxter

Bloomer

Jinx

All images courtesy of Spex Club.

Typography: Photocopied Hands

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I remember in my younger days how I used to get a kick out of photocopying my hands (and – gasp – face) whenever I encountered a photocopier. It was so cool to see all the lines of my palms and fingers. Who’s with me?

Although the novelty wore off for me, it hasn’t for one creative graphic designer in Germany. José Ernesto Rodriguez has taken this activity to a whole new level with his photocopied hands typography. Handschrift, as Rodriguez names it (rough translation is, I believe, hand font), is literally, handmade typography. Cool, right?

Handschrift by José Ernesto Rodriguez

The process did take some thought as Rodriguez demonstrates through his sketches.

Handschrift sketch by José Ernesto Rodriguez

I first came across Handschrift via Fast Company.

20 Below: Artistry Cards

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If you were lucky enough to attend the National Stationery Show in New York City last week then you may have come across Artistry Cards, a Canadian stationery company dedicated to producing eco-friendly notecards and journals. Pillows, pencils, and calendars complete the Artistry Cards product line.

Toronto-based Artistry Cards is special in that it prints all of its cards and notebooks on 100% recycled stock. Everything is packaged in clear, biodegradable sleeves. Not only that, because it prints to order at their card store/print shop, there’s virtually zero paper wastage in the production of its cards.

Artistry Cards’ newest collection is all about Canadiana. Graphic images in this collection include wildlife, woodland creatures as well as canoes, trees, and the very recognizable mountie hat. We’ve got some great things going on over here in “the North”, eh? Oh – and I must also mention that almost everything in the store is less than $20! Hip hip!

calendar, $12 {true colours: shades of red, white, green & brown}

Canadian Creatures cards, $4.50 each {true colours: shades of red, white, brown}

Woodland Creatures cards, $4.50 each

Woodland Creatures card collection, $4.50 each

O Canada cards, $4.50 each {true colours: shades of red, green, brown}

Finally, here’s a treat for you! Artistry Cards is offering White Cabana readers a 10% discount on all their products. Enter ARTIST (all caps) at checkout. Click here to start shopping.

All images courtesy of Artistry Cards. Many thanks to Faith at Artistry Cards for sending along a beautiful sample pack.

Obsessed with FIAT

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Well, if you’ve been following me on Twitter then you are already aware of my new found obsession with the FIAT 500. (Thanks to Caroline from Paloma’s Nest for getting this obsession going.)

Now, let’s be honest, I’m not really into cars. I don’t really like learning about them, I don’t remember makes/brands/model numbers and as far as car maintenance goes, well, let’s just say that I’ve got car washes under control.

I currently drive a Jeep and it’s the only car I’ve ever had. I really, really, really love it. But, now it’s getting old and it might just be time for me to invest in something smaller and more efficient.

In comes the FIAT 500.

FIAT 500 Pop

FIAT 500 Sport

FIAT 500 Lounge

The FIAT 500 made its début in North America just a few months ago. Founded in Torino, Italy, FIAT has been designing and manufacturing stylish and efficient cars since 1900. The concept behind FIAT was to design a car as beautiful as the hills, towns, and coasts it was built to explore. In 1957, the Nuova (new) 500 was marketed as a city car. Dante Giacosa, its designer, described it as a scooter with a roof. In 1972, the last model in the 500 series was made and production ended in 1975.

A vintage FIAT in Abruzzo, Italy; photo by Jordana

Now, after over 35 years since production of the original 500 ended, FIAT has brought a new and improved version to North America. Hip hip!

This zipity zip car just might work for me. The differences between the three models (Pop, Sport, & Lounge) don’t look to be much of a big deal (for my untrained eye, anyway) so I’d be happy with any of the three. I’ve rented Fiat cars on many occasions in Europe so I already know I like driving them. Not only that, it’s Italian. Need I say more?

FIAT rental cars in Italy and the Canary Islands (1. Panda, 2. Panda, 3. Punto; parallel parking is so easy!)

Me: The Happy Driver

If I do ever get a FIAT 500, I’d obviously have to get all the accessories to match! How perfect that this car company loves white just as much as I do! I think it might be a match made in car heaven.

First, I would get a tumbler for my latte. There are cup holders galore in this little car so maybe I’d have to get two – to treat my passengers to an authentic Italian beverage.

Ceramic tumbler, $18.95

I would use the FIAT pen to write down my grocery lists and driving directions.

FIAT Mokina ballpoint pen, $150.95

I’ll need this tote for my groceries. Wouldn’t my pasta, tomatoes and basil look good in it?

tote, $12.95

The super white FIAT watch (and the FIAT 500 car) would get me to meetings and appointments on time.

FIAT slap on watch, $24.95

Although I don’t need cuff links, I would have to get them just because they’re extra cute. I’d probably make some sort of DIY project out of them. Maybe.

FIAT 500 cuff links, $69.95

I’ll need the FIAT wallet for gas money. That’s just a given.

FIAT 500 wallet, $124.95

Now onto wardrobe. Well, first I would get some sort of cool driving gloves (but FIAT doesn’t make any). Then I would put some of the Fiat clothing into rotation – to make me feel like a hip Italian race car driver, of course.

FIAT Technical sweatshirt, $99.95

FIAT technical jacket, $174.95

And for my wee little nephews who will be passengers while I’m on babysitting duty, I would give them each one of these:

FIAT infant body suit, $12.95

So what’s stopping me? Well, it’s a major purchase. Major price tag. Major decision. Oh – and it still makes me sad to think about giving up my Jeep.

If you understand Italian, you might enjoy the videos and additional information provided on the FIAT Italy website.

In some countries (but not Canada), the 500 by Gucci is available for pre-order (if you can manage to get on the Priority List). It’s sleek and black. Click here to learn more.

For a review of the FIAT 500 from someone more experiences than me, click here.

Photos of FIAT Pop, Sport & Lounge, and FIAT merchandise courtesy of FIAT USA.