Say, "Cheese"

I came across the work of German photographer Daniel Weisser on Flickr and I fell in love. The way he edits the colors to create a certain tone in his pictures is brilliant. One day, when I have my own line, I'll call him up to shoot the layout... To check out his work, go to:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielweisser/

Bartender, How 'bout another round?

If you have been to Holland, then you are familiar with genever, a dutch drink that is often sipped along side your beer.
The Bols family was one of the first to produce real high-quality genevers and liqueurs. The company was founded in 1575 and is still world-famous for its range. You might recognize their brand from the stone bottle or "genever kruik". Recently opened in Amsterdam's Museum District is The House of Bols, where visitors can enjoy a 'Hall of Taste', a 'World of Cocktails' lounge, a 'Mirrorbar' and even a 'Bartending Academy'. Since 95% of your taste is determined by what you smell and the environment you're in, House of Bols is meant to re-energize the brand and deliver a modern experience to the power of tasting their genevers and liqueurs.

Ooo La La

Hermes has come out with four different patterned 'Silky Pop Bags'. The bags zip in and out of a little leather pouch and are perfect for summer. However, the one problem is the price tag...at 700 euros a piece, lets just say I'm not rushing out anytime soon to purchase one. I'll just have to appreciate them via the cute skethces they have on their website:
http://france.hermes.com

Avant Gaurde

Dior celebrated its 60th birthday by putting on a very theatrical runway show last week in Paris.
John Galliano's collection for Dior is being hailed as "romantic, historical and dramatic".

Ribbit

I went to the Museum of Natural History this week to check out a special exhibit they are running called 'Frogs'. The exhibit had over 200 species of exotic frogs from all over the world. Some of my favorites were the colorful poisoness varieties that I thought had a grafiti/camo/in-your-face vibe. If you get the chance, check it out for yourself....

Here, Piggy, Piggy

Over generations, children have learned to save by dropping their hard-earned coins into ceramic piggy banks. One theory suggests that in the Middle Ages people tucked money away into cheap clay pots called pygg jars and over the centuries the name took on a different meaning/spelling. Well, some people are still trying to instill their childern with the value of saving money by using the piggy bank. If you fit into this category, perhaps you'd consider a more stylish alternative. The Amigos Piggy is made in Argentina from reconstituted leather and holds coins in its belly. If you release the flap beneath its tail, it emptys the money. Check it out at:
www.momastore.org

Blog

2modern Design Talk is a blog that posts on a wide range of contemporary design topics. The blog contributors are a group of designers, artists, editors, retailers, architects, and as of recent...apparel designers. Yes, that's right! Beginning today I have become a guest contributor and will try to share my take on modern design as it relates to the fashion industry. To check out my first post, called "Mobile Art", and much more, visit:
http://2modern.blogs.com/

Be Seen

SweetskinZ makes rubber tires where the entire tire is reflective at night. Their graffiti inspired patterns are cool and have great names like 'Scorch', 'Rattleback', 'Nightwing' and 'Hazarea'. To check them out viist:
www.sweetskinz.com/

You Light up my Life

Have you ever been in Art Bar in NYC, where the bathroom is coed and the stalls are glass? The first time you experience this you can't figure out what to do but those who dare enter the stalls quickly figure out that the glass turns opaque after entering and switches to clear upon exiting. Well, the same makers of "switch glass" have recently developed "magic tape" and "lighting stripes". They are an extremely thin, flexible film emitting light. They come in five different colors, can be seen from up to 130 meters (426ft) at night and are also dimmable. To check out the product range of the Elshine company, visit:
www.elshine.it/inglese/chi.htm

Mood Board Contest Vote

It's voting time for the Decor 8/ Amy Butler, Mood Board Contest. Select your four favorite finalists. My entry is #11, Book Inspired Teresa O'Neill. You have until noon on Friday, June 22nd to vote. Visit the below website to vote and view the 30 finalist's entries.
http://decor8.blogspot.com/

Oh, Sandra, Oh, Sandra

British graphic designer Sandra Isaksson, has created her own studio named ISAK. ISAK sells patterned textiles, wallpaper, cards, prints and home accessories. You just can't help but smile when you see her work! To check out more, visit:
www.isak.co.uk/index.php

Not the Hospital

St. Jude is a British company that works with artists to produce and sell their prints on fabric. One of the artist/printmakers they are currently working with is Angie Lewin. As stated on the St. Jude website, "Her limited edition linocut and wood engraved prints are inspired by the skeletal plantforms seen against the sea and sky of North Norfolk." To check out more, visit:
www.st-judes.co.uk/index.htm

Paint by Numbers

As a kid I remember receiving 'Paint by Numbers' kits as gifts. The picture was usually some sort of nature scene (ie: two horses running through a field with a barn in the backgound). Anyway, the paint by numbers kits I came across recently on Weego Home have a different type of aesthetic. Above is Kyoto Bloom, Prism and Gardenia. To view more designs and colorways, visit:
www.weegohome.com

Twist and Shout

Schleeh Design has 'Morph' pads that can be twisted and shaped into a desktop sculpture. They even do custom work so that you can use your own colors or artwork.
Website: http://www.schleehdesign.com/

Ciao Bella

Stina Persson, the Stockholm-based illustrator is showing 30 original pieces of art at the Gallery Hanahou in NYC. The images of spirited, Sicilian women are dramatic in their use of color and form. "Immacolata and her Friends" can be viewed until July 6th.

A Cut Above

Robert Sabuda and Matthew Reinhart create wonderful pop-up books. Their recent project was a pop-up trilogy, known as 'Encyclopedia Prehistorica'. Depictions of sharks and dinosaurs were constructed from scratch and mimic the movements the animals would have made in their natural habitats. These beautifully crafted creatures literally leap out at you. As for their next works...Reinhart is completing 'Star Wars', a pop-up book that celebrates the 30-year anniversary of the first 'Star Wars' film and Sabuda is working on his version of 'The Chronicles of Narnia'.....

Say what?

So, I entered a mood board contest on a blog called, 'Decor 8' and I was chosen as a contest finalist. To view the board and comments people have left for it, go to: http://decor8.blogspot.com/
Feel free to leave a comment yourself...I'd love the feedback.

Decor8 contest

I came across a contest on 'decor8' that Amy Butler was helping to sponsor. The idea was to design a mood board for a room you would love to live in...this is pretty close to my ideal livingroom...the layering of of old school, new school, sleek and organic...The contest recquired that the board be "hand done". (I hope that the photography is up to snuff) Most important, was when I was creating the "ideal mood board" that I incorporated Yankee Candle's , 'Willow Breeze', lots of texture layered upon texture, a memory of the love for my husband and the outdoors, and the haunting simpleness of colors that bleed into one another.

Decor8 contest

Scent of a Woman

I was looking for a new "summer" scent this weekend and I came across some perfumes that are newly on the market. One thing I couldn't help but notice was the common use of one-color botanical prints on the packaging. Above from left to right is: L'eau D'Issey Summer, Sake Fresh, Dior Addict Light Summer. Stella McCartney Sheer, Matthew Williamson Sheer.

Renegade Craft Fair

The Renegade Craft Fair, now in its third year, takes place in Chicago and Brooklyn. Over 150 crafting vendors from all over the country sell items such as jewlery, reconstructed clothing, stationery and comic books. This weekend the fair is coming to Brooklyn. To find out more visit:
www.renegadecraft.com