I find myself in a funny position for this one: When parents text.
I am, after all, a parent to 3 girls; the oldest--the teenager--has a cell phone that acts as her third arm--she's never without it. Since she's had one (for about 4 or 5 years now), we've become increasingly proficient in texting--it was a necessity if we were to continue to communicate with her.
On the other hand, I have parents. Parents who know better than to text--umm... because they don't know how to (either that, or they can't see the buttons on their phones. Probably a healthy mix of both).
Anywho. When parents text; sometimes funny, sometimes adorable. Just ask my teenager.
2.23.2011
Want:
Whoa.
A couple of years ago I stumbled upon a blog called Chair Whore, which A) I love, and B) describes me rather well--if only because when I see a chair I love (which happens often), I HAVE SUCH A REACTION. It's almost like shoes--except I have a closet for shoes. If I started buying chairs the way I buy shoes... well, let's just say that it would put a strain on my marriage.
But a girl can drool; and drool I did when I found this gorgeousness over on design*sponge yesterday:
The Farmhouse chair, from Bend is beautiful. First of all, it comes in orange (everything should come in orange). If an item is available in orange, I immediately stop and look anyway. But holy cow. WANT.
The Lucy and Ethel chairs are lovely, as well--but the other chair on the Bend site that made me stop in my tracks is the Bunny.
The great thing about these chairs is that they're versatile, and can be used indoors and out. Well, and they come in orange.
A couple of years ago I stumbled upon a blog called Chair Whore, which A) I love, and B) describes me rather well--if only because when I see a chair I love (which happens often), I HAVE SUCH A REACTION. It's almost like shoes--except I have a closet for shoes. If I started buying chairs the way I buy shoes... well, let's just say that it would put a strain on my marriage.
But a girl can drool; and drool I did when I found this gorgeousness over on design*sponge yesterday:
The Farmhouse chair, from Bend is beautiful. First of all, it comes in orange (everything should come in orange). If an item is available in orange, I immediately stop and look anyway. But holy cow. WANT.
The Lucy and Ethel chairs are lovely, as well--but the other chair on the Bend site that made me stop in my tracks is the Bunny.
The great thing about these chairs is that they're versatile, and can be used indoors and out. Well, and they come in orange.
2.22.2011
Sing:
How awesome is Adele?
Seriously, her voice is incredible. Rolling in the Deep has been on heavy rotation for me the past few weeks, and I'm happily listening to the entire album--released stateside today--over on npr now. I think Adele is the perfect way to ease back into the work week.
Seriously, her voice is incredible. Rolling in the Deep has been on heavy rotation for me the past few weeks, and I'm happily listening to the entire album--released stateside today--over on npr now. I think Adele is the perfect way to ease back into the work week.
2.16.2011
New work!
What happens when your phone rings, and the potential client on the other end tells you that they need a logo and website for a super delish sandwich shop they're opening up?
Well, if you're me, you squeal with excitement.
What happens then, when they tell you that the name of said sandwich shop is Melt?
If you're me, you're already squealing, so maybe some excited dancing is in order.
Seriously, Kristin and Bill, the geniuses behind Melt, couldn't make a better sandwich. I'm going to let you go to their just-launched website--meltsandwich.com--to see how it all works (look at that menu and tell me you're not drooling).
Oh yeah, that's right... I said just-launched website. Brand spankin' new. Fresh, just like their food (OK, OK, I'll stop now).
I'm telling you guys, if you are remotely close to the White Plains area, you best be stopping at Melt for some serious deliciousness (it's like, 40 minutes from me, and I have been known to stop there for lunch. It's worth it. Trust me). And if you can't make it, you better hope somebody comes up with some edible internet soon.
Well, if you're me, you squeal with excitement.
What happens then, when they tell you that the name of said sandwich shop is Melt?
If you're me, you're already squealing, so maybe some excited dancing is in order.
Seriously, Kristin and Bill, the geniuses behind Melt, couldn't make a better sandwich. I'm going to let you go to their just-launched website--meltsandwich.com--to see how it all works (look at that menu and tell me you're not drooling).
Oh yeah, that's right... I said just-launched website. Brand spankin' new. Fresh, just like their food (OK, OK, I'll stop now).
I'm telling you guys, if you are remotely close to the White Plains area, you best be stopping at Melt for some serious deliciousness (it's like, 40 minutes from me, and I have been known to stop there for lunch. It's worth it. Trust me). And if you can't make it, you better hope somebody comes up with some edible internet soon.
2.15.2011
To have and to HLD
Yummers.
Last week, twitter was all abuzz with anthropologie's new bridal shop: BHLDN, whose website was unveiled today. Did I mention yummers?
First of all, the shoes. MY GOD, the shoes:
I am aching for these yellow ones. My brother in law is getting married this fall, and I think I have found the perfect shoe for the wedding:
Then there's the dresses:
Gorgeous.
There's pretty hair accessories, to die for jewelry, belts, gloves, handbags... it's all stunning. Totally makes a girl want to get married all over again (to the same guy, of course!).
Last week, twitter was all abuzz with anthropologie's new bridal shop: BHLDN, whose website was unveiled today. Did I mention yummers?
First of all, the shoes. MY GOD, the shoes:
I am aching for these yellow ones. My brother in law is getting married this fall, and I think I have found the perfect shoe for the wedding:
Then there's the dresses:
Gorgeous.
There's pretty hair accessories, to die for jewelry, belts, gloves, handbags... it's all stunning. Totally makes a girl want to get married all over again (to the same guy, of course!).
2.14.2011
2.10.2011
Want:
These adorable neon-toed flats, from--where else?--the always awesome Kate Spade.
It's not quite Friday, it's still a little snowy, and it's fa-reezing out. I think a little neon-toed yumminess is needed to get through the day.
It's not quite Friday, it's still a little snowy, and it's fa-reezing out. I think a little neon-toed yumminess is needed to get through the day.
2.09.2011
New work (sort of)
Sometimes, jobs just don't work out. It could be any number of reasons; and really, 9 times out of 10, it's nobody's fault. Design is a finicky business--everyone has different tastes, and what I like may be vastly different than what you like.
Harvest Home was one of those projects. I completely and totally believe in what they're doing: bringing farmer's markets to low-income areas in the 5 boroughs of NYC. Harvest Home gives people who might not have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, well, easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables. They accept food stamps, and really give people another option besides the corner bodega.
Round one, I tried merging a city with a field:
and in later rounds, tried giving it less city, more farm:
I had so much fun playing with different fonts and shapes for this round 1 version:
I also really liked the double H pitchfork, seen here in a round 2 idea:
IN round 3, I played with different "home" shapes--I definitely prefer the above version over this one:
Finally, I'm a sucker for type that looks stamped. Can't you see this stenciled on the side of a crate of vegetables?
Unfortunately, the city has it's share of farmer's markets with an apple incorporated into it. Let's try a rooster, instead:
Unfortunately, the project never panned out. But I'll keep these in my back pocket, along with tons of other rejected logos--maybe one day I'll get some inspiration from them.
Harvest Home was one of those projects. I completely and totally believe in what they're doing: bringing farmer's markets to low-income areas in the 5 boroughs of NYC. Harvest Home gives people who might not have easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables, well, easier access to fresh fruits and vegetables. They accept food stamps, and really give people another option besides the corner bodega.
Round one, I tried merging a city with a field:
and in later rounds, tried giving it less city, more farm:
I had so much fun playing with different fonts and shapes for this round 1 version:
I also really liked the double H pitchfork, seen here in a round 2 idea:
IN round 3, I played with different "home" shapes--I definitely prefer the above version over this one:
Finally, I'm a sucker for type that looks stamped. Can't you see this stenciled on the side of a crate of vegetables?
Unfortunately, the city has it's share of farmer's markets with an apple incorporated into it. Let's try a rooster, instead:
Unfortunately, the project never panned out. But I'll keep these in my back pocket, along with tons of other rejected logos--maybe one day I'll get some inspiration from them.
2.08.2011
Films en langue adorable
How completely adorable are these short films made for EF Language Schools?
While they all feature the same soundtrack (and roughly the same storyline), the films--tied together with some gorgeous typography--are great fun. I think Paris is my favorite, but you can see them all here.
EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.
While they all feature the same soundtrack (and roughly the same storyline), the films--tied together with some gorgeous typography--are great fun. I think Paris is my favorite, but you can see them all here.
2.07.2011
Monday morning quarterbacking
So, as we all know, there was that big dumb football game yesterday, in which 2 teams in yellow pants played to see who was the best yellow pants team ever. But in between all the football, and yellow pants, was the most important part of the Super Bowl: no, not the Black Eyed Peas--although, huge props to them for A) actually singing; and B) being younger than a million years old. No, the best part of the Super Bowl is the ads!
OK, but not really this year.
Seriously, what up, ad agencies? This is it; your time to shine--these ads cost a bazillion dollars to air, and the best you can come up with is a kitchen remodel featuring Bud Light? Adrien Brody (Sidebar: yum) crooning for Stella Artois? People throwing Pepsi cans at each other? A guy sending flowers to his girlfriend, telling her in the card that he loves her enormous rack (but to be fair, it DID come from his heart)? A FACEBOOK-equipped car??? Disappointment, after disappointment, after disappointment.
The lone standout, in my opinion, was the VW commercial I posted on Friday. There were others that were clever: Audi's rich people in jail, Chevy's old folks home, Coke's border guards, and CarMax's flashback to the 50's, to name a few. But I was unimpressed with Eminem--both commercials--Diddy, Ozzy, Roseanne Barr... YAWN.
Did the yellow pants put you to sleep, like me? You can check out all you missed here at Brand Bowl 2011. Maybe next year, we'll have pants--and ads--with a little more variety.
OK, but not really this year.
Seriously, what up, ad agencies? This is it; your time to shine--these ads cost a bazillion dollars to air, and the best you can come up with is a kitchen remodel featuring Bud Light? Adrien Brody (Sidebar: yum) crooning for Stella Artois? People throwing Pepsi cans at each other? A guy sending flowers to his girlfriend, telling her in the card that he loves her enormous rack (but to be fair, it DID come from his heart)? A FACEBOOK-equipped car??? Disappointment, after disappointment, after disappointment.
The lone standout, in my opinion, was the VW commercial I posted on Friday. There were others that were clever: Audi's rich people in jail, Chevy's old folks home, Coke's border guards, and CarMax's flashback to the 50's, to name a few. But I was unimpressed with Eminem--both commercials--Diddy, Ozzy, Roseanne Barr... YAWN.
Did the yellow pants put you to sleep, like me? You can check out all you missed here at Brand Bowl 2011. Maybe next year, we'll have pants--and ads--with a little more variety.
2.04.2011
Friday LOLs: Awwwwww, edition
I have such a soft spot in my heart for VW. The first non-used, brand new, "grown up" car I bought was a Jetta (man, that car was fun to drive)--actually, my first 2 grown up cars were Jettas, before I graduated to the super-grown up Passat Wagon (still fun to drive, but not nearly as fun as the Jetta). Nowadays I'm just another soccer mom in an SUV, but man, I fantasize about the day when we don't need that third row, and I can downsize back to a Jetta.
But I digress. VW has always had great advertisements (Fahrvergnügen, anyone?) and this one is no exception:
May the force be with you, VW.
But I digress. VW has always had great advertisements (Fahrvergnügen, anyone?) and this one is no exception:
May the force be with you, VW.
2.03.2011
The charmed life
I discovered the impossibly adorable Matchbook Magazine last week:
An e-zine that has branded itself as a "field guide to a charmed life," this look book is the brainchild of Katie Armour and Jane Lilly Warren. Adorable illustrations and fantastic photography are just part of the magazine's charm; inside you'll find everything from editors' wish lists, to Warby Parker (a fantastic online optical shop that not only sells glasses for $95, but also donates a pair of glasses when one is purchased. Words cannot express my disappointment in the fact that they do not sell bifocals. Sigh), to letterpress (YUM), to cover girl Lela Rose.
I feel like Matchbook is the type of magazine poised to take that spot in my magazine archives that Blueprint left behind. I am completely smitten.
An e-zine that has branded itself as a "field guide to a charmed life," this look book is the brainchild of Katie Armour and Jane Lilly Warren. Adorable illustrations and fantastic photography are just part of the magazine's charm; inside you'll find everything from editors' wish lists, to Warby Parker (a fantastic online optical shop that not only sells glasses for $95, but also donates a pair of glasses when one is purchased. Words cannot express my disappointment in the fact that they do not sell bifocals. Sigh), to letterpress (YUM), to cover girl Lela Rose.
I feel like Matchbook is the type of magazine poised to take that spot in my magazine archives that Blueprint left behind. I am completely smitten.
2.02.2011
2.01.2011
Night & day
Last week I came across this pretty awesome photography challenge from Gizmodo: Using long exposures, users were asked to submit photos taken at night, that look like they were taken during the day.
In some of these shots, you can see the rotation of the earth in the stars... which I think adds to the cool factor. Sometimes, things aren't always what they seem.
In some of these shots, you can see the rotation of the earth in the stars... which I think adds to the cool factor. Sometimes, things aren't always what they seem.
1.28.2011
Friday LOLs
Although I haven't been a faithful viewer in recent years, I do still enjoy the Office on occasion. Last night I tuned in, and while the episode was not the funniest (not the least funny, either), the opening was... brilliant (yet a little bittersweet as well).
Michael Scott, meet David Brent:
True to form, both Michael and David are completely insulting, yet manage to crack themselves up. The part when David throws Michael a "that's what she said?" Gold.
You can see the full episode here.
Michael Scott, meet David Brent:
True to form, both Michael and David are completely insulting, yet manage to crack themselves up. The part when David throws Michael a "that's what she said?" Gold.
You can see the full episode here.
1.27.2011
Snow day!
If you live in CT, or really anywhere in the northeast, you'll know...
...it's a snow day!
This is like, the billionth snow storm we've had this winter--we've surpassed the record for the most snowfall in a winter already, and it's still January.
But I'm not complaining (although, I do believe a snowblower might be in our future)--I'm psyched to go skiing this weekend on more fresh powder, and, while it's not pretty to shovel, all this snow sure is pretty to look at. It is a marshmallow world, indeed.
So, fellow northeasterners, instead of complaining about more snow, let's embrace it. Let's pull up our snow pants, put on our waterproof boots, and play out in the snow. After all, isn't that what a snow day is all about?
...it's a snow day!
This is like, the billionth snow storm we've had this winter--we've surpassed the record for the most snowfall in a winter already, and it's still January.
But I'm not complaining (although, I do believe a snowblower might be in our future)--I'm psyched to go skiing this weekend on more fresh powder, and, while it's not pretty to shovel, all this snow sure is pretty to look at. It is a marshmallow world, indeed.
So, fellow northeasterners, instead of complaining about more snow, let's embrace it. Let's pull up our snow pants, put on our waterproof boots, and play out in the snow. After all, isn't that what a snow day is all about?
1.26.2011
New work!
More! New! Fun! Work!
A little background: When I was about 14 or 15, my family and I went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. As it's a popular family vacation destination, there were like, a million other families there as well. I met and hung out with some other kids my age, but this one girl stood out. That is how I met Michelle.
Michelle was from (and still lives in) Kentucky, and on that vacation, we had formed such a connection, that we decided right then and there that we would be friends for life. Now, it's easy to be "friends" with someone nowadays... you check into Facebook and see that all is right with the world, maybe send an email every now and again... but this, my friends, this was BEFORE THE MAGIC OF THE INTERNET. We wrote letters to each other. Letters that were decorated with lyrics to songs, and doodles in the margin, sometimes half a page, sometimes going on for 5 pages (front and back)--and man, we were faithful in sending them.
Over the years, we would fall in and out of touch, but the magic that is the internet brought us together again. We keep up with each other through Facebook and Twitter (we're both Twitter geeks--yay!), and if I'm lucky, Michelle might be headed up north this spring for a reunion (well, really for work--but we're not going to let the opportunity pass us by).
So, recently, when my friend asked me to design a logo for her Twitter meet-up, called Let Them Tweet Cake, how could I say no?
Let's go over all the awesome that was in this request:
1. Doing work for a friend
2. Who wants a logo about Twitter
3. And cake.
SOLD! From her initial email, I had so many ideas buzzing, I couldn't get them down on paper fast enough.
One of my early-on ideas was to do something that would look like a sticker from a bakery you might find on a cake box. Something a little retro-y, a little fun (OK, all of the logos are fun, but work with me here)...
How about some piped frosting on a cake?
Historically, Marie Antoinette never said "Let them eat cake" (fun fact I did not know. See, awesomeness #4: I learned something), however, a lot of people think she did say that--and plus I had so much fun working with this silhouette.
And finally, back to the bakery label. This time with some cupcake lovin'.
And the winner is...
Cupcake lovin'!
I know I just blabbed on and on last week about a project that was so much fun, and this too was no exception. Twitter, cake and, most importantly, friends... what more could you want?
A little background: When I was about 14 or 15, my family and I went on vacation to Myrtle Beach. As it's a popular family vacation destination, there were like, a million other families there as well. I met and hung out with some other kids my age, but this one girl stood out. That is how I met Michelle.
Michelle was from (and still lives in) Kentucky, and on that vacation, we had formed such a connection, that we decided right then and there that we would be friends for life. Now, it's easy to be "friends" with someone nowadays... you check into Facebook and see that all is right with the world, maybe send an email every now and again... but this, my friends, this was BEFORE THE MAGIC OF THE INTERNET. We wrote letters to each other. Letters that were decorated with lyrics to songs, and doodles in the margin, sometimes half a page, sometimes going on for 5 pages (front and back)--and man, we were faithful in sending them.
Over the years, we would fall in and out of touch, but the magic that is the internet brought us together again. We keep up with each other through Facebook and Twitter (we're both Twitter geeks--yay!), and if I'm lucky, Michelle might be headed up north this spring for a reunion (well, really for work--but we're not going to let the opportunity pass us by).
So, recently, when my friend asked me to design a logo for her Twitter meet-up, called Let Them Tweet Cake, how could I say no?
Let's go over all the awesome that was in this request:
1. Doing work for a friend
2. Who wants a logo about Twitter
3. And cake.
SOLD! From her initial email, I had so many ideas buzzing, I couldn't get them down on paper fast enough.
One of my early-on ideas was to do something that would look like a sticker from a bakery you might find on a cake box. Something a little retro-y, a little fun (OK, all of the logos are fun, but work with me here)...
How about some piped frosting on a cake?
Historically, Marie Antoinette never said "Let them eat cake" (fun fact I did not know. See, awesomeness #4: I learned something), however, a lot of people think she did say that--and plus I had so much fun working with this silhouette.
And finally, back to the bakery label. This time with some cupcake lovin'.
And the winner is...
Cupcake lovin'!
I know I just blabbed on and on last week about a project that was so much fun, and this too was no exception. Twitter, cake and, most importantly, friends... what more could you want?
1.25.2011
Cooking with color (literally!)
Late last week, Twitter was all a buzz with the sound of designers-slash-cookies-lovers (myself included) squealing with glee. Why? Pantone Cookies!
Um, yeah, that's right. Pantone chip cookies.
Designer/illustrator Kim Neil made these babies as a holiday gift for clients (complete with a rockin' Pantone tin). Says she:
Love. Her.
She includes the recipe in the post--I bet next year we're going to see a lot more of these babies (hopefully in person rather than via the interwebs).
(originally seen on design*sponge)
Um, yeah, that's right. Pantone chip cookies.
Designer/illustrator Kim Neil made these babies as a holiday gift for clients (complete with a rockin' Pantone tin). Says she:
Any good designer knows the way to a clients heart is through their stomach. So when deciding what kind of cookies to make for client gifts this year I thought, why make the usual chocolate chip cookies when I can make PANTONE CHIP cookies!
Love. Her.
She includes the recipe in the post--I bet next year we're going to see a lot more of these babies (hopefully in person rather than via the interwebs).
(originally seen on design*sponge)
1.24.2011
Adorbs!
I can't think of a better way to wash away the Monday blues with this:
kate spade + color = love!
kate spade + color = love!
1.21.2011
Friday LOLs
Ok, people. Let's talk about Shake Weight.
For men.
I first saw this commercial last week--and thought surely it's a parody. Right? Because, COME ON.
Dude, the guys is all breathy, and uttering complete nonsense: "Whoooo. That's it."
Or how about the uber-testosterone laden announcer? "Grrrrr. Manly-man. Grrrrr. KICK. YOUR. BUTT."
Or all those guys (the toughest guys they could find!), who upon trying it, are all breathlessly, "Oh, man, Whew!"
Or that it's Science Fact--not fiction.
There is so much ridiculous here (cue the Rocky music), it's got to be a parody, right?
No friends, I'm afraid it's for real. But to see a marginally SFW parody, check out this SNL commercial: the Shake Weight DVD.
Yup, right up there with Pajama Jeans, there is now Shake Weight.
For men.
I first saw this commercial last week--and thought surely it's a parody. Right? Because, COME ON.
Dude, the guys is all breathy, and uttering complete nonsense: "Whoooo. That's it."
Or how about the uber-testosterone laden announcer? "Grrrrr. Manly-man. Grrrrr. KICK. YOUR. BUTT."
Or all those guys (the toughest guys they could find!), who upon trying it, are all breathlessly, "Oh, man, Whew!"
Or that it's Science Fact--not fiction.
There is so much ridiculous here (cue the Rocky music), it's got to be a parody, right?
No friends, I'm afraid it's for real. But to see a marginally SFW parody, check out this SNL commercial: the Shake Weight DVD.
Yup, right up there with Pajama Jeans, there is now Shake Weight.
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