Loving...

...the pop colors and petite, punchy graphics on crisp white paper of these limited edition prints by pancake&franks. Detail below.

Color Fields

A nice Kenneth Noland tribute in today's NY Times.

New Shop Banner

I added a spiffy new banner to my etsy shop today in anticipation of some changes happening in the year ahead. The aim was to give it a more fresh, clean, modern look. What do you think?

What's Old is New

It's a whole new year, so let's....look to the past? I wanted to share a few spreads from one of my favorite design books, Antique Packaging by Josep M. Garrofe. This yummy, tactile hardcover features Victorian-era graphics from products ranging from food to pharmaceutical to cosmetics...great inspiration! The cheeky Nestle packaging is a fave - quite different from the brand's look today.

Sparkle and Shine, Goodbye to '09

Last post before the new decade! I am looking forward to spending the evening with friends, sending 2009 out with a smile, and kicking off 2010 with a bang. Here are my picks for a festive night out: sequined dress spotted on {this is glamourous}, feather-and-chain necklace from Anthropologie, and to top it all off, these wild mirror mosaic boots by Thakoon. Of course, in reality, I will be digging out whatever shiny items I can find in my own closet, but a girl can dream... Wishing you all a happy and sparkly New Year's Eve!

Design, Simply Put

The winter holidays is my favorite time of year for curling up in a cozy spot with a good book and a hot cup of tea. This afternoon, I'm going to take a little time out to chip away at The Count of Monte Cristo (a small literary step up from last year's Twilight obsession, ahem) - I've just passed the halfway mark of the 1200-page volume. With the joys of reading in mind, I'm loving the simplicity of these book cover designs. The magnificent imperfection of hand-rendered design, above, and beautiful classic typography with colorful patterns, below, by Christina Ottolini for Mucca Design.

Holiday Spirit

Pajamas, the coziest slipper socks, homemade hot chocolate, movies, family and friends, and of course quite a bit of cooking and eating. Aaahhh... the holidays! While I am being productive and working today, I'm going about it in the most leisurely way possible. I've got lots and lots of projects coming up in the new year that I am excited to share with everyone soon, so this little window between the holidays is the perfect time to rest and rejuvenate, stoking the creative fires for the energy I will surely need in the weeks ahead.

Snowy pics, top, from Camilla Engman's beautiful blog, and bottom, Rocky Mount Studio.

Last Stop Before the Holidays

Last weekend, I visited the Brooklyn Lyceum Holiday Craft Market - a really good showing this year of fun housewares, art, and delicious food items. I got to meet one of my fave designers, Tara Hogan. I've been reading Tara's blog, INK+WIT, for ages so it was super to meet her in person and chat for a while.


Tara was kind enough to feature my yoga tees and prints on her blog recently, and I am now the proud owner of one of her lovely letterpress prints (below) which is now making my home office a cheerier place to work! If you haven't already checked out her blog or shop, get on over there!


A few other faves from the holiday market: (clockwise from top left) ceramics by jennifer fisher, artwork by Kristiana Parn, handmade plush toys by Zooguu, screenprinted moleskin journals by fisk and fern

Best. Cookies. Ever.

I know, it's a bold statement. But inside each of these slightly-flaky-on-the-outside, a-little-chewy-on-the-inside chocolate delights is a melty caramel Rollo candy. My husband's friend's Polish grandmother used to make these (although I don't know that Rollo cookies could be considered a traditional Polish recipe!) and not only was this his first attempt at making these particular cookies, it was his first time making cookies EVER. We brought the cookies to a holiday party, and they were a huge hit. These are the last three. You set the bar high, babe. Here's a link to the recipe.

Hey Mati

Came across these excellent collage/painting prints by Mati Rose over on PaperNStitch's site today. I love elephants and happen to have quite a few of them around the house, including a pink elephant watering can that I also turned into a painting, so of course these struck a cord with me. I visited Mati's website and learned that we share a love of artists Margaret Kilgallen and Louise Bourgeois. You can see lots more of Mati's work in her blog and etsy shop. Cheers!

Friday Cheer

Fun, modern, with just a touch of kitsch, these excellent compositions by photographer Zee Longenecker are getting me inspired this morning. I know, perhaps they're not seasonally appropriate - more spring-y than wintery - but sometimes on a frigid morning, a bit of brightness is exactly what you need. Plus, these prints would look great in my office! You can find them (and a ton of other gorgeous prints) in Zee's etsy shop, blissful colors. Happy Friday, everyone.

Doorstep Decor

Loving the festive front of Kein Cross' West Village home-slash-boutique, as featured in the New York Times. "To me, Christmas is silver and pink. I just like to have fun and enjoy it." Well said!