The Modern Materialist : Trend Watch

Trend Watch: That's How I Roll

Steph Auteri — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 16:20:00 GMT

The first time I saw a "how I roll" tee, I couldn't help but snicker at the cleverness. Not it seems I can't stumble around the Internet without seeing 10 new iterations.

I have to admit, though. They still make me giggle. After the jump, my favorite interpretations:

[$14.95, Buy Olympia]

[$16.95, NoiseBot and $24.99, KA Designs]

(I actually bought the one on the left for both my father and my brother, who bowl on a league together.)

[$22.15, Zazzle]

[$24.99, Gone Blue]

[$16.02, Manchester Co.]

Which clever versions would you create if you could?

Trend Watch: Inspired By Monet

Steph Auteri — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:28:00 GMT

In the past year, I've been trying on more and more skirts and dressed that seem directly inspired by Monet's poppies and water lilies. And I'm thrilled. This is the type of art I've always been into. Why not walk around in it? As my salsa instructor says, men are the frame, but women are the paintings. (My friend Paul responded by saying that he's seen some pretty nice frames; the entire class looked worried for a moment. But I digress.)

After the jump, some impressionist-style pieces you'll be dying to hang on your frame:

[$215, Etsy]

[$242, Revolve Clothing]

[$38, Urban Minx]

[$7.50, Aerie]

[$12,804, Unica Home]

Trend Watch: Rosettes

Steph Auteri — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:02:00 GMT

[$42, ASOS]

This one's for the ladies.

I've been feeling sorta...girly lately. Maybe it's the butterfly prints and florals I've been buying. Maybe it's my weekly salsa lessons. I think it has something to do with my red, rosette-neckline tank top from Ann Taylor Loft because, suddenly, I'm seeing rosettes everywhere. And I want them all.

Some pretty picks, after the jump:

[$160, hayden-harnett]

[$45, Etsy]

[$310, Burke Decor]

[$450, Zappos]

Trend Watch: The Nesting Instinct

Steph Auteri — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:54:00 GMT

[$24, Room Service Home]

We already know I'm obsessed with birds. Now, with spring on its way (or at least that's what I like to tell myself), I keep seeing nest-inspired items. And I want them.

I'm not allowed to spend any money right now, but I don't think one item would be too much to splurge on. Help me choose!

[$12.99, Target]

[$25.95, Bloomingdale's]

[$315, Astley Clarke]

[$39, Etsy]

[$115, Nest of Grand Traverse]

Related: Trend Watch: Birdies

Trend Watch: Everything's Coming Up Rainbows

Steph Auteri — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:37:00 GMT

[$14-16, Sur la Table]

Rainbows make me happy, and so do these whisks. After all, what better than a rainbow to inject color into your drab, oatmeal-colored condo?

After the jump, some additional rainbow-themed items designed to bring color back into your life. Plus, a bonus video clip from the Powerpuff Girls because, well...I don't feel I have to explain myself, okay!?

rainbow heart necklace, $12, Fred Flare
spectrum chandelier, $36, Urban Outfitters
Angela Adams rainbow print, $65, Angela Adams
rainbow stars necklace, 20 pounds, Punky Pins
rainbow cushioned knee-high crew socks, $6.99, Hot Topic
rainbow belt, $16, Shana Logic
rainbow hearts headband, $12, Shana Logic
rainbow heart names, $12, day-lab

I'd also like to give a hat tip to a craftster who must really love rainbows:

I would pay approximately a trillion dollars for this bag, if only it were for sale. See additional photos here.

And finally, the promised YouTube clip:

Trend Watch: Monkey Decor is a Barrel of Laughs

Steph Auteri — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:24:00 GMT

Is it weird that I still own (and love) that Barrel of Monkeys game? Is it a sign that I haven't matured in the past 23 years or so?

Give a nod to your more youthful side with these items inspired by the game:

[$16, giggle]

[$14, Broadway Paper]

[$6.99, Perpetual Kid]

[$99, Supermarket]

[$35, Etsy]

Trend Watch: Starry-Eyed Over These Star-Themed Products

Steph Auteri — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:01:00 GMT

[£45, All Saints]

So I was reading my latest issue of Glamour last night, and apparently, star-themed jewelry is the Next Big Thing. And I was all WTF!? because I thought star stuff was old news.

But apparently, I am Behind the Times.

And, I must admit, I've always liked stars.

[$49.99, Journeys]

[$8.50, Wet Seal]

(Glamour also told me that the Jonas Brothers love these scarves.)

[$7.99, GirlProps]

[bonluxat]

Related: Trend Watch: Unicorns

Trend Watch: Unicorns

Steph Auteri — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 14:32:00 GMT

Earlier this week, I posted about a unicorn-resembling vase and, a couple weeks earlier, Alex posted about this T-shirt.

We all sorta thought that the whole unicorn thing was over, but it seems as if unicorn-related objects are popping up all over the damn place!

After the jump, some unicorns worth reviving the trend for:

[$80, ShanaLogic]

I'm not much for hunting, or for mounted game, but this plush unicorn head has been popping up all over the Internet and, I must say, I'm sorrt of charmed by it. Perhaps because it's much more colorful than I've ever imagined a unicorn to be, even in death.

[$3.99, Perpetual Kid]

These enchanted unicorn bandages are way more fun than the skin-tone, fabric band-aids I have lying around the condo.

[$9.95, Archie McPhee]

This unicorn vs. narwhal play set also comes with four magical battle horns.

[$4.99, Amazon]

And who can forget that magical childhood movie, The Last Unicorn? For only $4.99, how could you not want this?? Unicorns are so back!

Trend Watch: Matryoshka Dolls

Wendy Atterberry — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 15:28:00 GMT

If you look very closely, you can almost make out my matryoshka doll earrings. The pair is one of my favorite and a gift from a few years ago, so I'd have a hard time making a replacement if I ever lost one. It turns out, though, that I wouldn't have a problem at all finding any other matryoshka item. Take a look:

[$14, Fred Flare]

[$25, Plasticland]

[$18, Velocity]

[$26, Golden Grail]

[$42, Russian Legacy]

Trend Watch: All That Glitters...

Steph Auteri — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:55:00 GMT

[$28, Urban Outfitters]

...is probably owned by me. Because I've always been somewhat partial to a bit of sparkle. After the jump, some super-cute pieces I'm itching to add to my collection.

[$6-$14, Sur la Table]

These spatulas come in pink as well!

[$4.99, Amazon]

Glitter bracelets!

[$220, Moss]

[$199, Just In Case]

Yes, this is bling for your condoms.

[$19.99, Amazon]

I have this one in purple. I keep my business cards in it. It is bee-yooooo-tiful.

Trend Watch: Your Thick Skull

Steph Auteri — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:01:00 GMT

[$14, Etsy]

I was relieved when the Jared Paul Stern-induced skull craze died down, and when Damien Hirst started doing up his diamond skulls, I wondered what all the hullabaloo was about.

But I'm planning a party for Dia de los Muertos, so skulls are on my mind. After the jump, signs that the skull trend is far from dead and gone.

[$12, Elsewares]

[$7.95, the Spoon Sisters]

[$4.99, Perpetual Kid]

[$40, Supermarket]

[$29.95, Etsy]

[$55, Barneys New York]

[$85, Barneys New York]

[$46, Zappos]

[$9.10, Sew, Mama, Sew!]

Trend Watch: 5 Antler Products That Look Sharp

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:31:00 GMT

Antlers are having a moment--they're popping up in fashion, accessories, and even home decor, and not in a creepy "I collect various wildlife carcasses in my home" way. After the jump, five antler items deer to my heart:

[$350, Etsy]

[$205, Etsy]

[$168, Free People]

[$5,750, Matter Matters]

Trend Watch: 5 Owl Products To Give a Hoot About

Steph Auteri — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:40:00 GMT

Back when I was a young'un, my parents had these sheets with owls on them that I absolutely loved! Actually, I still love them, and have tried to convince my parents that I should inherit them, but so far no dice.

Anyways. I was scanning through the Anthropologie catalog the other day, and it occurred to me that owls were still sort of a big deal (as they should be). So, for your benefit, I've pulled together five owl items you should give a hoot about.

[$28, Amazon]

[$40-$65, romp]

[$19.99, ThinkGeek]

[$198, Anthropologie]

[$15.75, Etsy]

(As far as this last one goes, there are a lot of Etsy sellers working with this awesome retro owl fabric; I'm also a fan of the bags over here.)

Trend Watch: I Am Not The Only Hoop Obsessive

Steph Auteri — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:00:00 GMT

Hula hooping is apparently not just for Burners anymore. Self magazine mentioned it in a list of ab burners, and now Gawker has mentioned a new trend whereby boyfriends post videos of their scantily clad girlfriends using the Nintendo Wii Hula Hoop game. The Nintendo Wii had a hula hoop game!!!

Plus, Wendy and I are going to make hooping the hip thing to do when people see our appearance in her bf's film.

We wore sequiny black minidresses for the film shoot, with high heels, but I've checked out Hoopnotica to see what hoopers are actually wearing. After the jump, a selection of hoopwear, and one of those Nintendo Wii videos (lord, she can really shake her booty).

[$9.95, Hoopnotica]

[$4.95, Hoopnotica]

[$14.95, Hoopnotica]

[$9.95, Hoopnotica]

Trend Watch: Cassettes

Steph Auteri — Fri, 30 May 2008 18:00:00 GMT

I posted just yesterday on the cassette tape that tells time and, in the past, I posted about this cassette-style mp3 player. And then I wondered why in heck we hadn't covered this trend yet.

After the jump, some more of my favorite cassette-centric items:

[$15, Etsy]

[15 EUR, DaWanda]

[$16, Fred Flare]

[$22, Fred Flare]

[$19.99, Perpetual Kid]

[$15, Honorable Mention]

[$43, DesignBoom]

Trend Watch: Retro Swimsuits

Wendy Atterberry — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:00:00 GMT

[$117, Victoria's Secret]

I hate to admit it, but I haven't bought a new swimsuit in about 4 years. Laziness, a tight budget, and absolutely hating the process of trying on swimsuits are the top reasons I've put off buying a new one, but now that retro suits are all the rage, I think I finally have enough incentive to brave the dressing rooms and find the perfect suit to hide my thighs, slim my tummy, and highlight my big boobs just in time for beack season. I think any of these awesome suits might fit the bill:

[$55, Pinup Girl Clothing]

[$112, Macy's]

[$33.50, Delia's]

[$59, Victoria's Secret]

[$115, Etsy]

Trend Watch: Origami

Wendy Atterberry — Thu, 15 May 2008 20:00:00 GMT

[$44, Supermarket HQ]

When I was a little girl living in Japan, there was a period when origami was basically my life. I'd go by the paper goods store on my way home from school about 3 or 4 times a week, checking and double-checking the new stocks of origami papers, choosing the prettiest among the piles. Then I'd rush home and spend hours folding and re-folding the paper, until I had creases so straight and sharp, you could shave with them. I made crane mobiles to hang from my bedroom ceiling and little boxes to store my trinkets, and on the playground and whenever we had a substitute teacher and could get away with being obnoxious, I entertained everyone with my origami fortune teller. And then I grew up and moved to the states and kind of forgot about origami for a long time. But lately, it seems I can't get away from it even if I wanted to — origami is everywhere. Just look:

[$25, Supermarket HQ]

[$55, Pluey's]

[$70, Janet Jewelry]

[$32 CAD, Up To You Toronto]

[$60, UncommonGoods]

Trend Watch: Food Jewelry

Wendy Atterberry — Tue, 13 May 2008 14:00:00 GMT

[$4.50, Etsy]

We are society obsessed with food! Whether we're over-fed, under-fed, dieting to squeeze into a wedding dress this summer, or stuffing our faces in post-break-up misery, the thing we seem to have most in common is munchies on our minds. Just look at all this food-centric jewelry for proof:

[$75.99, Johnny Cupcakes]

[$8, Etsy]

[$59.99, Perpetual Kid]

[$80, Supermarket HQ]

[$45, UncommonGoods]

[$300, Barneys]

[$59.99, Perpetual Kid]

Trend Watch: Robots

Wendy Atterberry — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 17:00:00 GMT

[$25, Shanalogic]

This Trend Watch post is dedicated to reader, Adam, who wrote saying he loved robots and included links to a couple of cool robot products. I did my own search and sure enough, robots are everywhere. Some links and photos after the jump.

[$9.50, Etsy]

[$7.25, Etsy]

[$15, ShanaLogic]

[$20, Etsy]

Hey, do you want to make a Trend Watch suggestion? Have some tips to share with us? Or maybe just write in to tell us, um, how much you love us? We'll take whatever we can get. Email us at Modernmaterialist@nerve.com. And thanks to Adam for writing in!

Trend Watch: Birdies

Steph Auteri — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:00:00 GMT

[$68, Room Service Home]

I've been noticing a pattern in my posting. The odd warm day has been leading to post stuff like this and this. Meanwhile, in a super-close vote, you guys have expressed the opinion that bird-centric decor is passe. But I'm just not willing to let go. I've been hearing birs singing outside my bedroom window and, while their presence makes my cat chatter menacingly, it only makes me feel more buoyant.

So you'll just have to bear with me here. There's a special treat if you can manage to make it to the end.

[$32, Room Service Home]

[$24.95, The Spoon Sisters]

[$85, The Spoon Sisters]

[£9.50, Rockett St. George]

[$72, Etsy]

Trend Watch: Tie Dye

Wendy Atterberry — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 17:00:00 GMT

[$17.99, Bluefly]

Tie dye isn't just for hippies anymore — it's popping up on designer racks all over the place. Check it:

[$14.99, Urban Outfitters]

[$38, Lucky Brand Jeans]

[$84, Nordstrom]

[$418, Revolve Clothing]

[$1,445, Saks]

[$349.99, Overstock.com]

Trend Watch: Eyelet

Wendy Atterberry — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 20:05:00 GMT

[$14.99, Target]

How many sit-ups do you think I'd have to do every day to get a stomach as flat as this model's? Nevermind. Let's focus on the bathing suit, shall we? It's eyelet, just like a whole lot of other items you'll be seeing in stores and on streets this spring and summer. It's not just for curtains, tablecloths, and baby's bonnets anymore. This year, eyelet is popping up all over the place:

[$72, Etsy]

[$28, Etsy]

[$1.95, CB2]

JCrew couldn't even keep this eyelet purse on their virtual shelves — it sold out immediately, but if you call them they may track it down in one of their stores.

[call for price, Jcrew]

Trend Watch: Ukuleles

Steph Auteri — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:00:00 GMT

When I first posted about the DIY ukulele kit, tipster Alison wrote to tell me all about the Ukelution t-shirts at her online shop.

[$26.50, biondetta]

She also informed me that there was a whole industry out there based on ukulele-love. Which shouldn't have surprised me. I mean, ukuleles are awesome.

And so, I found...

[$27, Fung & Blatt]

(These trivets are made from the pop-out leftovers used to make ukulele picks.)

[$19.95, Amazon]

[$12, Etsy]

(I swear, there's a whole market out there for art prints with animals playing ukuleles.)

[$9.99, Amazon]

(ukulele-shaped salad scoopers, oddly enough)

[$8.99, Amazon]

And, of course, the world of dashboard bobblers:

The collection over at TikiMaster.com is especially extensive, with bobblers ranging from $6.49-$8.99.

Trend Watch: Hand-Painted Furniture

Steph Auteri — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:00:00 GMT

[$325, Room Service Home]

Ever since my friend Nicole furnished her home with a collection of shabby chic, hand-painted pieces — which in turn made me feel as if I was living in a freshman dorm room by comparison — I've been wanting in on this style.

My first piece was from HomeGoods. It was a curvy off-white credenza with hand-painted flowers and green accents, and it was $150. When my husband and I first saw it, I wrapped my arms around it.

"I want," I said.

"No. Not happening," he replied.

"I can't leave without this," I wailed. "Especially when it's so cheap!"

"No. I'm putting my foot down," he said. And then he actually stamped his foot.

He walked off then, in the direction of the exit. I stayed behind and asked someone to carry the credenza up front to the register.

After we eventually had it positioned in a corner of our living room, he squinted and said, "You know, it does look good in here."

Duh. I know what I'm talking about.

Which is why you should pick up some pieces too:

[$499.99, Fortunoff]

[$925, Every Jewelry Box]

[$649, $1,204, Every Jewelry Box]

[$649, Every Jewelry Box]

[$1,299, Horchow]

[$3,299, Horchow]

Trend Watch: Flower Power

Wendy Atterberry — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 22:00:00 GMT

[$1,498, Anthropologie]

In honor of the first day of spring — HOORAY! Now if only it felt like it outside! — I'm featuring a trend that's huge this season. I'm talking about flowers and unless you're a blogger for a living and never get dressed or leave your apartment, chances are you've seen the trend blossoming all over the place, from clothing and accessories to home goods and stripper's pasties. Not that I would know — I'm just taking a wild guess here. A bunch of flowers after the jump.

[on sale for $70, Blend Creations]

[$158, Jcrew]

[$150, Urban Outfitters]

[$34.95, Crate and Barrel]

[$53, Etsy]

[$26, West Elm]

[$21.75, LoveMyShoes]

Trend Watch: Typography

Steph Auteri — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:00:00 GMT

[$26, Supermarket]

And by typography, I don't just mean that monogrammed crap that was all over the place a few years ago. I mean the old-school, typewriter-style, dictionary-reminiscent lettering popping up in everything from jewelry to fabrics. It became obvious to me when I read Wendy's post on this definition necklace, and then thought back on this post and this post.

And because — as I've stated in the past — I'm a word nerd, I took it upon myself to search for even more typographic lovelies.

[$16.95, Wrapables]

[$72, Three Potato Four]

[$55, Veer]

[$4.50, Etsy]

Trend Watch: Peacocks

Steph Auteri — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:00:00 GMT

[$220, Cog & Pearl]

I have this shirt from Urban Outfitters — purple and printed with a large peacock feather across the length of it, from top to bottom. I also have these earrings, the likes of which can be found all over the NYC SoHo streets, and which also borrow from the peacock motif. Getting dressed this morning, it occurred to me that this particular pattern has been popping up in designs everywhere. Because, yes, it's pretty. Here's a round-up of some of the prettiest pieces I've found:

[$39, West Elm]

[$30, Urban Outfitters]

[$299, Neiman Marcus]

[$125, Superdeluxe]

[$959, Neiman Marcus]

Trend Watch: Let's Cut to the Chase

Steph Auteri — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:00:00 GMT

[$136.87 USD, Domestic]

I've already posted a ton of laser-cut (mostly by Tord Boontje) and lace-cut pieces on this blog. Obviously, I'm obsessed.

Then it occurred to me.

There's a helluva lot of this stuff out there.

I think I'm becoming...trendy.

After the jump, a ton more pieces taking advantage of the world's present love affair with painstaking detailing:

[$24.95, $39.95, MoMA Store]

[$3,700, Design Public]

[$299, $599, $249, Brocade Home]

Trend Watch: Cherry Blossoms

Wendy Atterberry — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:30:00 GMT

[$25, Etsy]

Maybe it's because I was born in Japan and spent the first 13 years of my life in Asia where cherry blossoms represent hope, or maybe it's because they're just really pretty, but whatever the reason, I fucking love cherry blossoms, and this year I don't even have to wait til the end of the month for cherry blossom season:

[$15, The Sock Boutique]

[$8.95, Turtle Papers]

[$220, Flight001]

[$80, Amazon]

[$32, Little Flower Designs]

Trend Watch: Toile

Wendy Atterberry — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 18:00:00 GMT

[$39.99, Decorative Dishes]

I've seen more toile in the last year than I have since raiding my grandmother's attic back in 1984. Some design expert on the Today Show yesterday called it a part of the "Heirloom Chic" trend, which sounds suspiciously similar to "Shabby Chic," but whatever. I happen to like the toile trend, especially when it's mixed when bright colors like these green plates. More cool toile products after the jump.

[$12, Williams-Sonoma]

[$118, Amazon]

[$30, Flight001]

[$1,998, Anthropologie]