A new use for cardboard

I first went to a MUJI store in London and it was amazing. Their philosophy is a good one - they use mostly recycled items and infuse them with simple Japanese design. I am glad that the MOMA offers many of their products. Check out these cardboard speakers, they fold up for easy transport. Pretty snazzy.

Babycakes

This is for my sister-in-law Rachel, who just found out she has some food allergies. At Baby cakes you can still get desserts that are delicious without sugar, dairy, gluten, and wheat! They were even so nice as to share this recipe so you can make some scrumptious brownies yourself!

Makes about 5 dozen mini brownies

• 1/2 cup canola oil, plus more for pans
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons garbanzo and fava bean flour
• 1/4 cup potato starch
• 2 tablespoons arrowroot
• 1 cup unrefined sugar or 10 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons agave nectar
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup store-bought unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup brewed coffee or hot water
• 2 cups vegan gluten-free chocolate chips, such as Tropical Source

Snap, Crackle, Rock

Mat Daly creates little masterpieces of color. He is a wonderful printmaker/painter. If I had a band, I would commission him to make my posters.

Remind me

Thought this was cool by Royksopp

Brand New School

Brand new school is so incredibly talented. I was able to see some of their reels and hear them lecture a few years ago, they are one of my favorite motion graphic firms. Back then, I remember hearing them say, that a lot of their stuff was still to modern and fresh for the US, but other countries in the east were digging it. Are we there yet? I'm sure you've seen the great shuffle commercial they did. Check out their other goodies.

wanderlust

"Travel encompasses more than arriving in a new place -- it's about the view through an airplane window, the colors of the phone booths, the conversations with strangers, and the unique mementos collected along the way." cb

I'm sure many of you have seen the great Wanderlust series of postcards, journals and etc. But have you seen the genius behind the various series, Troy Litten's website? It is uber kuhl! Check out the cultural awareness programs. You can click on a variety of places, and topics and presto! there will be a great series of photographs that give you a flavor of each subject. Sure gives me the travelbug.

Lucky 7

Seven months of everyday entertainment + excitement.

Lighting the way

James Turrell is amazing. He is such a master of light. Through his ability to use light, he is able to evoke an emotion that can rarely be done in any other way. Skyspace at UW has been one of my favorite exhibits. It is an installation art piece where the one who enters becomes part of the statement. It is a peaceful experience.



His high endeavors are an inward light
That makes the path before him always bright.
~William Wordsworth

Every office should have one

Ever since he sat in one recently, Mac has been talking about this Herman Miller Aeron chair. Sure looks + feels like a great way to sit and enjoy the comforts of life. Definitely on our wish list.

Fun + creative toys

Eames house of cards: designed with such cleverness + beauty to help you or your child explore all things creative. They carry them at a variety of places including here, here and here.



What a great memory game + a little flare! To look a little close go here.

Saul Bass inspired

There are a few sequences that you may have seen, which are definitely inspired by Saul Bass' style. When the movie, Catch me if you can came out, I just watched the opening credits over and over again. I have never seen the movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, the opening credits are very similar to this one.

One of the best

I'm a big Saul Bass fan. I think that he has been one of the most influential graphic designers of our time. If you haven't see his (academy award winning 1970 ) short film, "Why Man Creates" you're missing out. It is excellent + inspiring! It is a little hard to get a hold of, but do your best to find + watch it! He is known best for his posters and clever movie titling sequences. Go here to see a great compilation.

Time to print

Kolo books are simple + have impeccable quality + are just lovely. I ordered a pink one for Vienna today. I love how they have ink jet pages, so you can design + print in one shot.

Points are starting to add up

I was looking through all of my different frequent flyer programs to see if I had a free flight coming my way and I thought to myself, ... why isn't there a place where you can put them all together, combine them, cash them in, or swap them out for other rewards? Well, I guess the universe read my mind, because I found points.com which does just that for different airlines, credit cards, and award programs. Here's to using up those points for a flight or something else good!

Speaking of Kate Spade

I have always been a fan of Kate Spade ads. They are always so colorful, fresh and thematic. These are from their Spring '06 campaign.




this dinosaur one is for becca (she loves dinos)

Not quite part of the philatelic society, but close.

While flipping through my ks planner (my, how time flies - summer is so near) I saw this lovely June photo. I love to collect stamps because they are like tiny little posters and cultural icons that represent the country they are from. I like to use them in collages or different things I create. I'll have to post some of my favs. later.

A picture is worth a thousand words

Dan-ah Kim is amazing, I came across her etsy shop and loved it. The way she simply tells a story in her illustrations, is so captivating and intriguing.

Start 'em young

These children books, Art up Close and Master Pieces up Close look really great. I want to start my little one young, learning the artistic masters and paintings so she won't have to take as many art history courses as I did. (although they were very interesting)

Hummingbird Bakery

Delightful little shop on Portabello road - Hummingbird Bakery is such a cupcake lover's fantasy. Don't they look scrumdiddlyumptious.

bikes + cakes

Love these from small square design.

Paul + Joe

I came across paul & joe through the purchase of this stylish emery board. Their website is well thought out and tres magnifique!




I love these french chic looks - maybe its the glasses and scarf? Oh so movie star mysterious..

Trying something new

I have tried lots of different skin care regimens / beauty products in my days. I just got this Daily Face Care kit to try. Has anyone tried Dr. hauschka products?

Great advice

"Happiness cannot come from without. It must come from within. It is not what we see and touch or that which others do for us which makes us happy; it is that which we think and feel and do, first for the other fellow and then for ourselves."
- Helen Keller

Vintage photos + rock n roll

My brother owns a very cool new york vibe music venue + recording studio called Muse Music. They just recently got an old fashioned photo booth. Needless to say, I hope to take lots more photos in it. I've always wanted to compile a photo book like on the movie Amelie. To find an old fashioned photo booth near you, go here.

I like this one

I grew up driving around with my family looking at houses for hours and hours. We looked at various architectural structures, what elements worked and which did not. (Maybe we did this because my dad is an architect/builder). So, I have started to compile 2 folders, houses I like, and the ugliest houses ever. I saw this one the other day, and liked it. It is simple, craftsman, and it screams the pacific northwest where I am from.

pin away

I was inspired by this on Design Sponge last month and I thought it would look great in my kitchen area. I love the dark cork tiles and it is quite reasonable too - got mine here. Since I don't like to clutter up my fridge, thought this was a great alternative.

Letter it up

Anyone who knows the designer side of me, knows that I love hand lettering. This book by mike perry looks right up my alley. (via poppy)