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Inspired: Miriam Makeba's Vibrant Style
Afro-pop legend Miriam Makeba, also known as "Mama Africa," died on Sunday at the age of 76 in the south of Italy, following a concert appearance. This powerhouse songstress's long and varied life included marriage to Black Panther Stokely Carmichael, exile from her home country of South Africa, a starring role in the film Sarafina!, about the 1976 Soweto youth uprisings, and an appearance in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony.
Over her lifetime Makeba made dozens of records and was responsible for bringing the issue of apartheid to the forefront in Western countries, though she always identified herself first as a singer, not as a political activist.
Deck the Haus: Oil Drum Angel
Who would've thought that such an angelic figure could come from such a surprising source? When empty oil drums washed up on Haiti after World War II, local artisans reworked the "trash" into metal sculptures. And while this simple and sublime angel figure ($169) from VivaTerra wasn't in your tree topper roundup, I think it would've fit in nicely.
Mad Mats Recycled Rugs
Think this rug is made of wool? Think again.
Mad Mats ($36 for 4-x-6-ft.
Steal of the Day: Lemon Placemats
I always keep my eye open for cute placemats to spice up my table with on occasion, because it's boring to always use the same ones. These cute jute Lemon Placemants ($12) had me planning a tea party at first sight. Aside from being super adorable, they're fair trade and from a Bangladeshi producer group where Christians, Muslims, and Hindus work harmoniously together.
Other Search Results
Link Time!
- This beautiful house in progress looks perfect to me!— More Ways to Waste Time
- This minimalist mag rack makes the word go round.— 2Modern
- See the beauty of dried hydrangeas.— AT:LA
- Put a foot up on this ottoman made from recycled, fair-trade coffee bags.— Shelterrific
- Could you live in a converted church surrounded by gravestones?— Desire to Inspire
- Learn to prep your outdoor space for a party.— AT:SF
- Arm yourself with 101 green remodeling links.— Charles & Hudson
- Have some crocheted bouquets made for your wedding.— Craftzine
Casa Verde: RuMe Reusable Bags
The question "paper or plastic?" is nearly passé by now, since so many of us are using reusable shopping bags. One company that I've been particularly impressed with is Denver, CO-based RuMe, which was launched on Earth Day last year.
Inspired: On the Grid
This immense grid is actually a test picture on a large-scale, touch-sensitive projection display at the IBM stand at the CeBIT technology trade fair, which is running right now in Hanover, Germany. Inspired by the pleasing simplicity of the grid pattern, I thought I'd find some other grids that are less tech-oriented, starting with this CB2 Grid Pillow ($24.95). Check out my other grid finds below.
Etsy Find: Do the Dishes Tea Towel
Sometimes we all just need a straight talkin' to. That's especially true when the pots and pans are piling up. So beyond a bit of Palmolive and some elbow grease, perhaps the answer is the Show Pony Do the Dishes Tea Towel ($20), a fair trade organic cotton towel with the kitchen commandment spelled out in screen printed stacks of dirty plates.
Cool Idea: Ample Sample
Ample Sample challenges architects, interior designers, and home decorators alike to "Rethink. Reuse. Upcycle," and repurpose the carpet samples that they test for their homes and projects (and which are otherwise "destined for the dumpster") to make a design product from the carpet specimen.
Weekend Links: Events Not to be Missed!
- Casa readers in the MPLS should head down to Gallery 122 at Hang It for the phenomenal Ms. Amy Rice's first solo show in two years. Her work always leaves me buzzing with happiness.
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