9.30.2007

friday flickr : illustration.

I'm a couple days late!



1. papergirls, 2. Autumn maker, 3. Untitled, 4. Unicorn Flowers Print, 5. Target Happy Acorns Giftcard, 6. i need you so bad, 7. lacey, 8. biker, 9. Violeta Lopiz: Portrait March Harer, 10. octopus, 11. í´ll always be by your side, 12. Self portrait, 13. Jonathan LeVine, 14. Retro Girls, 15. Lovely Love, 16. tijeras

frances castle.



Today's artist spotlight is on Frances Castle. Frances has been doing wonderful illustration in England for the past thirteen years and was one of the thirteen founding members of the Stuckists (made known by artist/musician/writer Billy Childish). Frances's clients have included Disney, The BBC, and Namco, just to name a few. There is something so sweet and original about her artwork- I adore it all.



amenity nursery.



Hoorah! The wonderful Amenity Design launched their nursery collection and it is beautiful. Every blanket, pillow, and print is made of organic and sustainable fibers and features gorgeous images of forest critters. I would be quite happy owning every single one of them.

olze & wilkens : cutting boards.

I apologize for the lack of updates! We are on vacation right now and my laptop has needed a new charger, but all should be up and running again. I have a lot to catch up on!



Aren't these cutting boards by Olze & Wilkens fabulous? Each one is made of Acacia wood and features a laser engraved illustration. They are new at Elsewares - a perfect kitchen gift!

9.19.2007

eleanor grosch.



Today's artist spotlight is on Eleanor Grosch of Pushmepullyou Design. Eleanor is a silkscreen artist based in Philadelphia. She began Pullmepullyou Design (named after Doctor Doolittle's two-headed llama) in 2003 so that she would be able to do what she loves for a living: creating screenprints and band posters. The focus of her artwork is usually on animals, which she has been drawing a whole lot of since she was a little girl. Eleanor's greatest influence is the great Charley Harper, which is reflected in her simple illustrations of beautiful birds. Her work can be seen on products all over the place, including Urban Outfitters, Skip Hop, and Ked's.

-Eleanor's blog can be viewed here.



modern mini : bobles.



New at Modern Mini: the bObles tumbling animal, brand new from Denmark. bObles are fun and colorful creatures made for sitting, stepping, rolling on and playing with. They encourage children to use their own bodies and can help young children with motor development. Plus, they are darn cute.

accessories.



1. striped flats pin from Nubby Twiglet, 2. bow belt from My Wardrobe, 3. cochran ring from Go Jane, 4. red heart glasses from Girl Props, 5. pink woven scarf from Forever 21, 6. folk art brooch from Cut + Paste, 7. bright tight set from Alloy, 8. turban head wrap from Shop Intuition, 9. crochet knit tights from Net-A-Porter, 10. cameo belt from Tarina Tarantino, 11. 70's wallpaper print scarf from Monsoon Accessorize, 12. vampire's kiss necklace from Fred Flare, 13. letter printed holdall from Topshop, 14. woodsy icon fingerless gloves from Urban Outfitters, 15. patent cuff with crystals from Browns, and 16. satin sash belt from Amici.

pinecone & chickadee.



Amy and Noah of Pinecone & Chickdee create super-cute notecards, t-shirts, journals, and tote bags with images of birds and adorable creatures. I love 'em!

9.17.2007

fifi lapin : gucci.



How cute can you get? Bunnies wearing the Spring/Summer Gucci collection, a print by Fifi Lapin.

jayson home & garden.



There are just certain online shops that I can spend hours exploring in the late hours of the evening- Jayson Home & Garden is one of them. So many rare finds and unique treasures, I really cannot get enough.

melissa moss.



Today's artist spotlight is on Melissa Moss. After switching from studying publishing to color psychology in 2002, Melissa discovered her deep passion for painting, something she is truly wonderful at. Her paintings of delicate plants, trees, and fantastical creatures are colored beautifully and have such a calming and fairy tale-like feel to them. Her paintings have been featured in a number of galleries and can be viewed in her own lovely little shop.

Links:
-An interview with her on Citizen LA.
-Podcast at Creative Thursday.
-A post on her greeting cards on Decor 8.



mykonos shop.



I've said it before and I'll say it again- I love plush food characters, and these ones from Mykonos are no exception! Handmade in Hong Kong, each sweet little character is one-of-a-kind and quite reasonably priced (ranging from $7-18).

9.16.2007

a little bit of bling!



1. diamond dome rings from Naughty Secretary Club, 2. cool jewels ice tray from Spoon Sisters, 3. sequin flats from Victoria's Secret, 4. "bite me" necklace from So Charmed, 5. plastic drops brooch from Madame Plastique, 6. diamond-print wallets from Fred Flare, 7. princess crown with "diamonds" from Rose & Radish, 8. acrylic diamond rings from Elsewares, 9. 'mod' hoodie from Nordstrom, 10. love-sick plate from Pop Ink, 11. engagement ring key chain from Satinbox, and 12. betseyville bling hobo from Fashion Flairs.

9.15.2007

lisa bengtsson.

Via MocoLoco:

Check out these amazing wallpaper designs by Swedish artist Lisa Bengtsson. So creative and unique!





9.14.2007

umbrella heaven.



I love these luxurious umbrellas from Umbrella Heaven. They are handmade and come in a variety of designs, perfect for dancing in the rain.

friday flickr favorites : lovely products.



1. Tea cusion cover nr1, 2. One Apple, 3. What? Lulu Wiggins?, 4. new giraffe, 5. Coffee break, 6. Oklahoma purse detail, 7. There they are again, 8. 365/15, 9. buttons, 10. Tea_3553small, 11. Vintage Yellow Dishware Set, 12. Tomato pincushions, 13. Untitled, 14. chandalier lamp shade, 15. Untitled, 16. cones, 17. bird:number pillows on bed, 18. Elephant with hearts., 19. cakes for lilimay, 20. Untitled

swedese : snow tables.




I was browsing through all the beautifully-designed furniture over at Swedese tonight and I came across these beautiful snow tables by Nendo. How very unique and modern... I would love to get ahold of one.

caryn drexl.



Today's artist spotlight: photographer Caryn Drexl. I just came across Caryn's work this afternoon through Etsy and fell completely in love with it. Her images are dreamy and haunting, as well as being quite breathtaking. Caryn has shown her work all over the country and has been featured in a number of print magazines and websites.

Prints of her work can be purchased in her Etsy shop.

9.12.2007

my new blog! : love to inspire.



I have a new advice/how-to blog! Check it out: love to inspire

koyla : works on paper.



These paper "sculptures" of cityscapes by Nickolya are so very beautiful and creative.

"Working entirely by hand, I seek to transform common materials such as paper and cardboard into delicate objects of intricate detail and unexpected beauty."

beautiful food #3 : chocolate almond cupcakes with coconut frosting.


photo by cafemama.


As far as I am concerned, cupcakes are some of the most beautiful things in the world. I have friends who make fun of me because of how many cupcake groups I am a member of online, but I just love looking at hundreds of pictures of them on a daily basis. They are, by far, my favorite sweets to bake.

This cupcake recipe comes from Epicurious and the frosting recipe is Ina Garten's. The two combined make a perfect and delicious cupcake.

Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
3/4 cup blanched almonds (or rounded 1/2 cup blanched slivered almonds)
1 1/2 cups sugar
6 cups sweetened shredded coconut (from two 14-ounce bags)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 (13 1/2-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk, stirred
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
For the frosting:
1 pound cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted
Shredded coconut, for sprinkling

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease muffin cups or line with paper liners.
In food processor, process almonds and 1/2 cup sugar until finely ground. Add 2 loosely packed cups shredded coconut and pulse twice to chop slightly. Transfer mixture to medium bowl and whisk in flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In metal bowl set over pan of barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat and set aside. Using electric mixer, beat butter and remaining 1 cup sugar at high speed until fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add melted chocolate and beat at moderate speed until incorporated. Add 1/2 of flour mixture and mix at low speed until nearly smooth. Add coconut milk and vanilla and mix at low speed until blended. Add remaining flour mixture and mix at low speed until smooth.
Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling almost to top. Bake until tester inserted in center of 1 cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool in pans on racks.

For the frosting: In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a mixing bowl with a handheld mixer, on low speed cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth. Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with shredded coconut.

9.10.2007

amanda visell.



Today's artist spotlight is on Amanda Visell. The best way I can think to describe Amanda's illustrations is absolutely adorable. Sleeping animals, superheroes, musical cats, toast-eating robots, and ice cream-licking unicorns... really, how can you not fall in love with it? Her illustrations are very reminiscent of 60's and 70's children's book and advertising art, which is always the artwork I tend to gravitate towards the most. Amanda has exhibited her work in galleries and museums throughout the nation and has an exclusive mechandise line at Disneyland USA. She even has her own book of artwork entitled Popping Through Pictures. Keep a lookout for more of her fabulous work!



brocade home : ruffle shelf.



I do not know how I never noticed this exquisite ruffle frame at Brocade Home before, but boy, do I love it. I envision it filled with macaroon candles, antique perfume bottles, and various beautiful and unique objects.

(And may I just say that the room they display the shelves in is perfection?)

christian lacroix : red dress.



This dress by the fabulous Christian Lacroix positively *beams* of Little Red Riding Hood. It is a whopping $1,975 at Net-A-Porter... I can dream, can't I?

frazier and wing.



Portland-based artist Heather Frazier of Frazier and Wing creates these incredible mobiles using carefully selected imagery from magazines. Each two sided element is hand cut and strung with monofilament, and four strands of elements hang from a thin plexiglass disc. They each take about eight hours of handcrafting to create! I find them to be quite a nice addition to any home.

9.09.2007

one good bumblebee : new prints.

New extremely lovely prints from One Good Bumblebee:

pink loves brown : new!



As always, Nicole Baich of Pink Loves Brown has created some new delightful stationery designs. I must say, she is a master at the art of perfectly lovely paper goods.

9.08.2007

inspired : a new york state of mind.



1. new york skyline gift tags from The Cutting Edge, 2. nyc subway map hoodie from fred flare, 3. my little new york wristlet from Aimee Reich, 4. the new yorker full coverage bib from Joey & Aleethea, 5. nyc classic decoupage photo album from Dolce Mia, 6. new york time zone wall clock from Wrapables, 7. new york dinner map placemat from Pedlar's, 8. new york, new york necklace from Urban Outfitters, and 9. new york skyline dinnerware from Fishs Eddy.

9.07.2007

imogene & dannie.



Annie and Steve of Imogene create some truly lovely jewelry pieces. With animal and plant themes, each piece reflects a certain amount of modern simplicity and playfulness. Check out their Etsy shop here to view all their gorgeous handmade products.

rod hunting.



Today's artist spotlight: Rod Hunting. Rod is a Chicago-based freelance designer who spends his time drawing old cameras & electronics and taking red-themed polaroid photographs (his "polareds" can be seen here). His artwork includes beautiful ink sketches, brightly-colored photography, and fabulous graphic design.

Another gallery featuring his photographs can be seen here.

the nespresso.

Talk about major Bling! The pink Essenza espresso machine by Nespresso is adorned with hundreds of Swarovski crystals and has a retail value of 1,000 big ones (which has been going to many different charities). Read more about it here.

nespresso.jpg

9.05.2007

lille.

Just a couple lovely items from Lille for the evening...



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