Social Stationary with Sapling Press

These are really great!

Sapling Press: "Smart letterpress for you and yours."  Owned and operated by Lisa Krowinski in Pittsburgh, PA.

Images courtesy of Esty

LEAF Video: Avocado, Shrimp & Endive Salad

LEAF: Living, Eating & Fashion

Avocado, Shrimp & Endive Salad from LEAFtv on Vimeo.

This is by far one of the most fabulous how-to cooking videos online!  Launched by blogger Geri Hirsch from Because I'm Addicted, up and coming LEAF website will showcase authentic videos on, you guessed it, Living, Eating & Fashion. I'm very excited to see what's next!

Best Of: Resort 2012 - Jonathan Saunders

 I'm voting Jonathan Saunders, most cohesive print exploration.

I have mixed feelings about this collection.  On one hand, I wish it had a more pronouns pre-spring “feeling“ with brighter colors and looser silhouettes.  On the other hand, I’m attracted to Saunder’s extreme focus and exploratory journey into kaleidoscope prints.  

Images courtesy of Style.com 

Future Starts Slow by The Kills

Late August Blogger Styles Around the World

From Hong Kong to LA, these girls know how to pull

together looks during the transition of late summer

to early fall.

1. Jenny O.  Le Mont St. Michel Knit Top, Forever 21 Blouse, Kasil Pants, Soda Sandels, & Shangri-La Necklace.
2. Paulina R. from My Styleee Blog
3. Mellow Mayo Romwe Vest, Yes Style Jacket, Chicwish Skirt, & Kari Ang Shoes
4. Anna-Lena L.  Primark Bag, Esprit Blouse & Nelly Shoes
5. Sugar & Fluff  Urban Outfitters
6. Devon S.  Marshall's Blouse, Goodwill Shorts, Sofia's White Ring, St. Augustine Shell Ring, & Marshall's Boots
7.  Margaret J.  SH Shirt & Pull&Bull Shorts
8. Andy T  Mango Bag
9. Kryz U. Wagw Sweater, Topshop Tank, Bubbles Necklace, Cole Vintage Bangles, Coexist Shorts, & So Fab Shoes

Images courtesy of  LOOKBOOK.nu

Moshun: Animated Typeface Video

An inventive approach to typography.

Moshun from Jeroen Krielaars on Vimeo.

Meet Poster Artist: Jay Ryan

From The Bird Machine Studio's

outside of Chicago. 

I first started admiring Jay Ryan’s poster work during my first silk screening class in 2006. I was awed by the clarity of his colors, quirky creatures and imaginative comic depictions. To this day, Ryan remains one of the founding fathers that spured the trendy interest of underground gig posters. To see more of Ryan’s work, click here. 

Images and quotes courtesy of: 100 Posters 134 Squirrels, Published by Punk Planet, Books/Asashic Books, © Jay Ryan

Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection Video

Very inspiring...who knew something as mundane as a
peice of octopus stuck to the bottom of a bowl could lead 
to the success of a giant corporation.

Origami In the Pursuit of Perfection from MABONA ORIGAMI on Vimeo.

This video is so inspirational! Ideas to take away:

1. Follow your intuition.

2. Creating a sound mind will help lead to a sound body.

3.  Always be in pursuit of improvement.

The Boho Braid Tutorial

From the gals at The Beauty Department.

Best Of: Resort 2012 - Carven

I have two words for this collection: Naïve Chic. It's also 

my favorite 2012 Resort collection!

Carven’s Resort 2012 collection is undeniably amusing from its map print dress, peter pan collars and models pouting expressions.  It truly speaks to the fashionably-moody-adolescent in us all. They stuck with a childlike color pallet as well, composed of soothing pastels intermixed with saturated pop colors like bright salmon, poppy, and mustard.  Even their bow studded shoes are reminiscent of a time between naiveté and sophistication.

Images courtesy of Style.com

D.I.Y: Glitter Tipped Nails

Keep calm and glitter on!

This is quite a fun and easy D.I.Y! I used the Sally Hansen Salon Effects: Real Nail Polish in 260 Glitz Blitz for $10. They're basically vinyl stickers that stick to your nails but last longer than real nail polish (and no mess or waiting to dry). I kept seeing the little boxes in different colors pop up around the city and wanted to give them a try. Not to mention, they should last for up to 10 days. So far, I've had mine on for five days, and they've hardly chipped. Also, if you cut the polish strips in half, you can get at least 2 manicures out of one box! On a side note, you can make your stencil out of any paper (I choose the paper instructions from the box) and you can be creative on the shape as well.

I'll be happy to answer any questions if you have any D.I.Y nail dilemmas!

Images courtesy of KC And Co Blog

Holocene by Bon Iver

Here’s a new video from Bon Iver with a beautiful 

glimpse into Iceland.

BON IVER "Holocene" from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

This video is dedicated to those on the East Coast who freaked out yesterday during the “earthquake”. Yes, I too admit, for a second I thought the world was going to end. I mean an earthquake on the East Coast? Really? Ok, so I didn’t exactly feel the quake but some of the seamstresses and pattern makers on the other side of the office said that they saw the lights start to sway! I swear! This video is a melodic reminder that even in times of worry, the best thing we can do is keep calm and carry on.

Everlasting Light by The Black Keys

Oversized Knit Stools By Claire-Anne O'Brien

Getting down to the knitty gritty with textile

artist Claire-Anne O'Brien.

"Inspired by elements of the knitted stitch itself such as rings and loops, the structures are revealed and celebrated through exaggerated scale in bold and textured forms. Lambswool and Sheeps wool, in a mix of hand and machine knit stitches, are constructed into playful statement pieces"...I'll take one of each please.

Images and quote courtesy of Claire-Anne O'Brien
Spotted on Re-De-Sign Blog via Pinterest

Esquivel Video: The Making Of A Shoe

Who knew shoe making could be so...rhythmic?

Shot on location at Esquivel Shoes, California.

Esquivel from David Hubert on Vimeo.

Best Of: Resort 2012 - Brioni

I'm voting Bironi- best use of Spring trends. 

Below, I've listed the top ten trends in their 

Resort 2012 Collection.

Brioni had me at hello. They are so on trend for their Spring 2012 Resort show, it's not even funny.  Not to mention, their color pallet is to die for!  Brioni creates a youthful attitude by using a basic color pallet of khaki and soft pastels along with bright punches of neon. Essentially, this collection is exactly what I’m looking for in an ideal Resort show: simple wearable silhouettes, an exciting color pallet and all the while, precisely on trend.

 Images courtesy of Style.com

Apache Animation Short

Ever feel like you're walking in circles? If so, 

hopefully the journey is worth the struggle.

Apache from oneedo on Vimeo.

New Paul Frank Sunglasses

No monkeying around here...

Remember Paul Frank? Well now he's back with a slightly more sophisicated concept.  These sunglasses are ultra cool with a modern edge for those who are still young at heart. Averaging around $120-$200, these shades are surly the key to achieving endless summer bliss.


Spotted on Refinery 29. Images courtesy of Eye Society.

Meet Illustrationist: Jules Julien

I’m a sucker for great Illustrator based drawings, so

needless to say Julien caught my eye.

While killing time in Barnes and Noble, waiting to see the last Harry Potter movie, I ran across a great book called Illustration Now! Portraits by Julius Wiedemann. In it, I discovered artist like Jules Julien, David Despau, and Jo Ciardiello (whom I’ll touch on later posts). I appreciate Julien's delicate approach in the Aimer/Marie series. So many times, it’s tempting to add stroke around everything and call it a day. Yet in this series, he creates a whisper-like aspect to his work.  Likewise, I’m also captivated by the patterns he used in the Cadavres Exquis series (click here to see the full series). The stripes in the left portrait are so realistic, they seem as if they’re about to come to life.

Images courtesy of http://www.julesjulien.com/.

Block After Block by Matt & Kim

A little something to start the weekend off right!

Collaborative Comsumption: What's Mine is Yours

Collaborative consumption...what are you sharing?

WHAT'S MINE IS YOURS from rachel botsman on Vimeo.

This is a very catchy video describing how today's communities are changing from hyper consumption to collaborative consumption.  Marked by new trust between strangers, communities are starting to share, lend a hand and promote the exchange of...just about everything.

Video courtesy of Fashion Snoops.

Window Shopping At H&M

Here's a sneak peak of H&M's Fall Collection.

Now that summer's nearing an end, it's time to think about unzipping our Space Bags to rediscover our winter wardrobe. I don't know about you, but just the thought of seeing my collection of compressed-like-they’ve-been-under-a-steam-roller-sweaters doesn’t make me the happiest person in the world.  On the other hand, with H&M’s new Fall Collection, I just might think about ditching last year’s sweaters and buying some new ones!

Meet Artist: Ed Ruscha

Here's a quick recap with some of my favorite work 
by Ruscha including his most notable word iconography 
paintings. Also, the video below recounts how Ruscha describes 
his process when starting a new project.

…Ok, unfortunately Ed Ruscha is a bit dull in person so here’s the moral of the story. 

1. In art, sometimes there are happy accidents that could lead you down a path to a whole other new and exciting path.

2. Often times in art, a photograph can’t be translated into a painting and vise versa, sometimes work  just needs to find its’ own identity.

3. It’s ok to start a project without any initiative. Most of the time, the focus will appear over time.

Best Of: Resort 2012 - Antonio Marras

I'm voting Antonio Marras, best use of florals in 

his Resort 2012 Collection. Go to Style.com 
to see his full collection.

In the next couple of weeks, I hope to give a review of my favorite Resort 2012 shows as a count down to the Spring 2012 runway shows.  Being a print designer, Marras in particular caught my eye with his large floral prints, not to mention, I love his delicate pleats too! I have to give him kudos for pulling off so many all-over floral ensembles without venturing over to the world of granny. But what do you think, was he successful or not?

Dance Dance Dance from Lykke Li ft. Bon Iver

Supposedly filmed somewhere in LA,
Bon Iver and Lykke Li TOGETHER...need I say more?

This song was great with just Lykke Li, now add Bon Iver...aww sweet sweet perfection.  

Knot Your Average Pony Tutorial

  From the gals at The Beauty Department.

 
The Beauty Department has fabulous how tos and why nots for nails, makeup, and hair. Creators Lauren Conrad, Kristin Ess, and Amy Nadine, say, "This is a site for anyone who’s ever had a beauty question or gotten into a fight with a hair brush and lost." This site is definitely one to bookmark, not to mention, they have the best hair tutorials around!

Sail by Awolnation

A Walk On The Contemporary Side with Ligne Roset

Here's 10 of my favorite pieces from Ligne Roset, 
along with their catchy advertising 

campaign that I just adore.

 Ligne Roset is a (very) contemporary French furniture company specializing in everything from rugs to massive scale bedding furniture for both the commercial and residential customer.  I ran across this company while scouring the interiors section on the trend website WGSN and was quickly drawn to their bold colors and quirky shapes. Not to mention, they have a great advertising campaign!  My next mission is to visit their Soho store located here to see if they’re as cool in person as they are on their website.

Modern Couture: Givenchy Fall 2011

True inspiration...