October Oct 24
08:08 am CDT-
Bob Dylan + Google Instant
What do Bob Dylan and Google Instant have in common? Subterranean Homesick Blues. Very creative. I love it. Reaffirms my notion that Dylan was always ahead of the times.
filed under music, tech and tagged "bob dylan", demonstration, google, instant, music, search, subterranean homesick blues, video. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 22
08:46 am CDT-
Wes Anderson for Stella Artois
This is what you get when Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola team up to direct an ad for Stella Artois. J’adore!
filed under advertising and tagged "stella artois", beer, commerical, director, wes anderson. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 21
12:18 pm CDT-
MacBook Air
I want one! What Apple product don’t I want (or already have)? So thin and sleek! What a gorgeous piece of work. I was oohing and ahhing all through the keynote yesterday.

So sleek that it’s making me feel self-conscious about my own physique?! Got a good laugh this morning from those guys over at someecards.

filed under tech and tagged apple, fat, mac, macbook air, technology, thin. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 21
10:43 am CDT-
Structured Femininity
I adore this dress by AMYCLAIRE. I love the design aesthetic. The balance and play of soft versus strong creates a visually appealing dress that oozes in modernity.

filed under fashion and tagged AMYCLAIRE, apparel, dress, fashion, modernity. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 20
18:09 pm CDT-
If you personally know me…
…you would understand why this quote is so fitting considering what I have going on next week. For everyone else, it’s still a great one. No one wants to be putting out fires all the time — none of us get paid enough.
“There cannot be a crisis next week. My schedule is already full.” -Henry Kissinger
filed under quotes and tagged busy, crisis, quote, schedule. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 20
07:06 am CDT-
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 CDT-
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 18
11:43 am CDT-
Sweet Detail
Fresh. Modern. Timeless. What better way to “save the date” than to stitch it onto the inside of your wedding dress. Monograms have become so cliche as of late in wedding decor. If I see one more cake topper with initials, I might lose all remaining faith in people. Luckily, my faith is temporarily restored by this super sweet detail. I can’t help but love the incorporation of the ever-changing world of design into the deep-rooted traditions of the western wedding. My only minor tweak to this would be to model it after my (one and only) favorite calendar — the Stendig. Can we say the epitome of avant-garde chic?

filed under black & white, design, fashion and tagged black, black & white, calendar, date, memory, stendig, wedding. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 14
08:13 am CDT-
Photo Love

As a huge Jackie O fan, this one makes me smile more than any other.
filed under black & white, photography and tagged "jackie o", black, black & white, classic, photography. | | | No Comments »
October Oct 13
10:41 am CDT-
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