July Jul 21
08:43 am EDT-
Dylan Lauren
I love Ralph Lauren. Love him even more after seeing the wedding dress he designed for his daughter, Dylan Lauren. Awesome.
filed under fashion and tagged design, dress, dylan lauren, fashion, gown, ralph lauren, wedding, white. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 20
07:06 am EDT-
Whimsical Mittens
I almost can’t stand how cute these mittens are. Whether you’re hailing a cab or directing traffic, these mittens just take the cake! I love product design and I’m always fascinated with ways to turn something ordinary into something extraordinary. They also have a really cute pair that says “Hi” on one hand and “5″ on the other. I’m giddy.
On a side note, recently, I’ve been very impressed by the direction of the Kate Spade empire. Bye bye nylon bags and hello to a completely revamped and chic lifestyle brand! I love their blend of colorful but classic styles this season. If you don’t have a ton of cash lying around, Kate Spade has affordable accessories to add that extra punch to your wardrobe.
filed under fashion, product design and tagged accessories, design, designer, fashion, mittens. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 19
08:33 am EDT-
English Tea Time
Tea time is a ritual I take part in every day. I love having a moment to myself to just relax and enjoy a break in the middle of a usually busy day. This eco-friendly reusable cup just brings a smile to my face. The pattern reminds me of all the blue delft I bought while in Amsterdam earlier this year. The cup also brings back memories of “high tea” from my visit to London last winter. I looked forward to warm tea, scones and resting those weary legs after a long day of sightseeing. So glad tea drinkers can accessorize (and be environmentally conscious) just like the coffee drinker next to them. Can’t wait to add this to my Christmas list.
filed under product design and tagged china, cup, design, tea. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 13
10:41 am EDT-
Postage Stamps
In a world of e-mails, texting and chat, the art of the handwritten letter faces near extinction. I write at least a couple of letters or cards or a week. There’s nothing better than to receive a lovely note in a pile of mail that usually consists of bills and junk mailers. I obsessively design and collect stationery. I have more pens, papers, card stock, and embossers than anyone I know. My shoe collection is jealous of my stationery collection — that’s saying a lot!
Besides practicing beautiful penmanship and modern calligraphy, the choice of postage stamp is the final detail that should never be overlooked. I have a collection of stamps that I keep on hand. There are times where you only need one single stamp. There are other occasions where an assortment of stamps related to one another (asymmetrically placed) are successful in adding that hint of vintage elegance. However, let me stress that there is NEVER a time for a U.S. flag stamp — that is, unless, it’s for a Fourth of July party. Here are some of my recent favorites:
Winslow Homer
Love him and his artwork. Beautiful choice for correspondence cards. Just recently released by the USPS — get them now before they sell out.
Baseball Theme
Great for party invitations and summer time bbq’s. Many vintage stamps are sold online. Always buy from a reputable source and make sure they are all uncanceled.
Floral Theme
Gorgeous Magnolia themed stamps. These would be beautiful for a southern wedding invitation suite. I love the craft envelopes. They add a casual handmade touch to the overall style.
Old Hollywood
I adore “Old Hollywood” — the glamor, the excess and the beautiful people that graced the silver screen. These Katharine Hebpurn stamps are a current USPS release. For bold stationery (black & white, chevrons, neutral letterpress), these stamps add a subtle punch without distracting from the overall design.
If the current USPS stamp selection doesn’t inspire you and vintage ones are too difficult to come by, may I suggest Zazzle? Yup, design or own custom stamps or choose from an assortment of user-submitted styles online. Too much fun.
Images via USPS and Elizabeth Anne Designs
filed under design, stationery and tagged design, handwriting, paper, postage, stamps, stationery, vintage. | | | 1 Comment »
October Oct 12
06:39 am EDT-
Pumpkins
I love decorating as most of you do know. With the weather changing and harvest season upon us, what better way to welcome autumn than with rich hues of yellow, red and orange. A simple and cost effective way to get into the spirit is to creatively decorate with pumpkins and gourds. Whether you just mix and match a few out on your front steps or decide to go all out creatively, you’ll definitely have some festive decor to carry you from Halloween through Thanksgiving. Here are some of my favorite pumpkin design ideas to date.
Toadstool Pumpkins
Darling Ribbon Wrapped Mini Pumpkins
Peek-a-boo Pumpkins
Gilded Pumpkins
Cutie Scarecrow Pumpkin
These are all too cute. Can’t wait to get my hands dirty and start on some of these. First up, gilded pumpkins!
Images via Martha Stewart and Good Housekeeping
filed under cool things, interior design and tagged autumn, carving, creative, design, fall, pumpkins. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 01
13:16 pm EDT-
Not so ordinary
New ways to look at ordinary objects. Case and point: pencil salt and pepper shakers. A tongue-in-cheek way to season your food.
Designed by Frank Kerdil
filed under black & white, product design and tagged black & white, design, objects, pencil, pepper, salt. | | | No Comments »
April Apr 16
07:04 am EDT-
Vintage Jane Austen
Just darling illustrations. I heart Jane Austen. I don’t care what anybody says.
Via Random House
filed under books, design and tagged "jane austen", books, classics, design, illustration, vintage. | | | No Comments »
February Feb 25
13:48 pm EST-
Lego Conference Table
I’m in love! The perfect table to help get those creative juices flowing!
filed under cool things, product design and tagged conference, creative, design, LEGO, table. | | | No Comments »
February Feb 12
13:03 pm EST-
My new love
Since Domino is done, dead, and gone forever, Lonny Magazine has taken over as my favorite interior decorating/design resource. Better yet, it’s free, online, and probably won’t be going anywhere for a very long time. Home decor. Eat your heart out.
filed under interior design, websites and tagged design, interior, magazine, online. | | | No Comments »
February Feb 02
13:38 pm EST-
We All Live in a Yellow (Tea) Submarine
I’ve seen a lot of creative tea infusers lately. I love that the focus on design (or redesign for that matter) is creeping into the ordinary things in life and making them prettier. I thought the shark infuser had beautiful clean lines but this tiny yellow submarine just makes me smile — just in time for the spring.
Via swissmiss
Laughing is so much fun.
