Ugly Stuff I Love

I am in the businessof making people’s homes more beautiful, and I would love it if  every object couldlook fabulous.  Despite many moderndesigners like Phillippe Stark or Karim Rashid having created every-dayobjects, which are not only practical but also beautiful, there are still manystep children left out.  Among afew I can think of are:

Hot Water Bottle

It has been freezinglately; so I decided to get a new hot water bottle for my icicle feet.  Walgreens’ finest worked like a charmall night, but boy is it ugly. Even the shade of red itself screams grandma, and the stopper isoff-white.  How about a littlecoordination?  It is one thing tohave it hidden under the comforter, but actually having to look at it while itis drying in the bathroom now that is sheer torture.  So I started thinking that perhaps I was behind the timesand there are some attractive new options available  already.  Aftergoogling “hot water bottle” I came across a site called fashionhot.com http://www.fashionhot.com/ selling nothing but hot water bottles. Who knew?  The “ClassicCollection” comes ribbed or cross-hatched in either primary blue and red ortan.  A definite style-no on thecolours.  Primary is for children’stoys, and I don’t even agree with that. The “Transparent Classic” is not a bad option, the “Floating Hearts”version is not my deal, but the “Frolicking Goldfish” bottle might be an everso slight possibility.  They alsohave plush covers patterned in camouflage, orchids and even animal prints.  I love leopard print, but the 100%polyester made me shriek.  Plussince it is only a cover I would still have to look at the bottle while it isdrying.  So a firm no to thecovers.  The clear might be the wayto go.

Cozy Slippers

I love my heels, butat home it is strictly comfy slippers. Finding cute ones does seem hard at times, because is appears that thecomfier they are the more unattractive they get.  And comfort is a must in the slipper department!  The best looking ones are usually onthe delicate side, but it seems that the bigger slippers are the better theyfeel.  I am blessed with smallfeet, but big, cozy slippers on size 10 feet can be a bit much.  Now if you put that with the gold oldcomfy robe and flannel PJs then you really got an ensemble.  It also always makes me wonder whythese kinds of outfits never seem to be colour-coordinated.  That’s what makes the men in your liveswonder if it is possible for us to be the same person who can look sobewitching in heels and a slinky dress.

I usually try find ahappy medium by choosing subdued colours for lounge wear and wool flannel orcashmere for slippers.  My mostrecent pair is from Smart Dogs, which is on the more subtle side with twolittle flaps that tie on top.  Mypair has satin ties, which have a tendency to open, and I have tripped quite afew times.  Being clumsy by naturedoes not help.  But since I will begoing to Europe over Easter I am planning to visit my favourite slipper storein Verona.  It carries nothing butslippers, and I always find a few cute pairs.

Shaving Foam

I like the men’sversions for sensitive skin, but no matter what brand it always disturbs mybathroom décor.  Many things arehidden in the cupboards, but a few things I like to keep handy in theshower.  Shampoo, conditioner,shower gel, scrubs etc. can all be coordinated or transferred into differentcontainers, but shaving foam unfortunately cannot be removed from its ugly,pressurized vessel.  Lack-lustercolour combinations and way too much déclassé writing add to my despair.  Perhaps I need to research some ofthose old-fashioned British shaving creams.  But you need to lather up to get the same effect as in thepressurized can.  Just too muchwork.  I guess a cozy would notsolve the problem……