DIY Banner

What's more fun than walking in the door after a long day to a colorful surprise? Well, let me tell you it's reeeaally fun, and it doesn't hurt if that colorful surprise is accompanied by a glass of champagne. I made this banner to celebrate R's brand-new full-time gig, and I think it came out pretty cute! All it took was some cardstock printed on my inkjet, some double-stick tape and my beloved baker's twine (which I purchased in big rolls here, so I now have a lifetime supply in several colors.)

In other celebratory news, the Fine Day Press etsy shop is a mere 2 sales away from our 100th sale! Huzzah!

Ha!

How cute is this cat Russian doll set, with a clever little fishbone as the innermost layer? Designed for Russian bank Poidjom by British design firm, NB Studio.

Cakes, and Cakes

I love, love, love the painting Cakes by Wayne Theibauld. Ever since I saw it in person in the National Gallery in D.C. about 10 years ago, I've been fascinated by it (and not just because I love cakes, but that could be part of it!). It's hard to describe the amazing bits of color, brushstroke, and texture that create each cakestand edge, each layer of frosting. I keep a print of it in my kitchen, but would love to see the original again because it's pretty mind-blowing.


So I was psyched to see the latest issue of Martha Stewart Weddings recreate the ENTIRE painting in real cakes, above. Created by the amazingly talented Caitlin Williams Freeman, it pretty much replicates every detail of the original painting. She also created the fascinating Mondrian cake, below, shown along with a page from her sketchbook. Read more about Caitlin Williams Freeman desserts here and here.



You can see the full Martha article, and all the other cakes, including ones inspired by Gustav Klimt and Damien Hirst, here.

So long, Summer! You will be missed.

Summer is my very favorite season, and I'm always a little sad to see it go. I know, some people don't like it because of the heat, and maybe it's because I grew up near the beach, but to me, summer is all about possibilities: endless opportunitites for fun, hanging with friends and being outside, long sunny days and warm breezy nights, swimming and relaxing.




If you are having a summer nostalgia moment like I am, go listen to this song by The Drums - It will instantly transport you to the land of surf, sand and boardwalk amusement parks. What are your favorite summer tunes?

See you next year, summer!

Silver Lining

I have been just beyond inundated with projects past few weeks, and my poor blog has been neglected! It's been kind of driving me crazy, but the silver lining is that some things are wrapping up and now I have just a bit of breathing room.

In other news, I spotted this adorable cloud cutting board from Snug over on Avie Design's blog and I couldn't resist re-posting it here! Also found this fun cutout flower version in their shop. Too cute. Happy chopping...

Here Comes the Bride

We are so thrilled to be featured in the Fall/Winter 2010 issue of Brides New York. That's our Ceylon invitation, bottom left, alongside invitations by Foxy & Winston, Regas and Thoughtful Day, in a feature about new stationery designers. Hot off the press, indeed!

Charmed, I'm Sure!

I love these watercolors by Vivienne Strauss. Somewhat reminiscent of 50s-era Andy Warhol (his cats-and-shoes period), she paints a world where quirky vintage heroines inhabit colorful patterned interiors, often with a cat or two thrown in the mix. She gives the works fetchingly long titles, like, Ever since Gerald and Sylvia spent that month in Madrid, they found that they no longer related to their friends in Totterdown, above. Ooh la la!

Rue La Logo Love

I'm fairly new to the world of Rue La La, but as an avid sales shopper I'm enjoying combing through their discount designer selections. Every time I log in to their site, the cheery, super-creative fuschia roller coaster logo gives me a smile. I just love it!

But thinking of all the photoshop time it took to create kinda gives me a pixel-headache, wowsa.

Lemon + Ricotta + Green Things from the Fridge

One of the benefits of occasionally working from home is making whatever I want for lunch. Granted, on busy days, which are frequent, I just grab what I can in the shortest time possible, but once in awhile a nice lunch comes together with the groceries I happen to find in the fridge. This one was inspired by a meal out at a favorite local Italian spot and is really simple. Fresh pasta is cooked in boiling salted water for about 2 minutes, then drizzled with a mix of lemon juice, lemon zest, a bit of parmesan and olive oil. Then I topped it with lightly sauteed asparagus and spinach, a dollop of fresh ricotta (the cheese lover in me couldn't resist) and a sprinkle of pine nuts. YUM!

Merchant & Mills

Gorgeous black-and-white packaging/identity design from Merchant & Mills. Spotted on What Makes Us Blog. Happy Friday!

Hot Cookies

Who doesn't love hot cookies?? Today, I'm inspired by this lovey oversize (19" x 25") Ombre Hot Cookies print by Hable Construction. Printed individually by hand, these signed and numbered prints are available on their website.

That time of year again

This time of year, we love visiting our local farmer's market on Saturdays and loading up on heirloom tomatoes. They come in such amazing many varieties of color, shape and flavor. Although they're delicious simply sliced up with some salt and pepper, as a cheese lover, one of my absolute favorite ways to enjoy them is with a heaping dollop of burrata cheese with a drizzle of balsamic and olive oil. If you have some arugula or crusty bread, all the better. If you've never had burrata, it looks like a gooey cross between mozzarella and ricotta - it's made from buffalo mozzarella and cream - and tastes like heaven, much more flavorful than regular mozzarella. You can find it in some Italian markets and specialty stores. Image below via jenblossom on flicker.