Friday, December 21, 2007

Happy, Happy Christmas!


God bless you and keep you and your family safe during the Christmas and New Year's holidays!

missing the sunny days



Considering it is so gray and melty right now, I'm really missing days like this... (Chris (in my favorite type of outfit- cutoff shorts and flip flops) and Ralph at Urban Playground, and the South Shore Farmer's Market)

Thursday, December 20, 2007

diy invites





Athough I doubt everybody could diy these invites, they are quite lovely. I love when weddings have well coordinated stationary, favors, and assorted other fun surprises. I know not all of the guests notice - but the ones that do? They make it all worthwhile.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

A little something beautfiul


I love these colors and the creative idea of utilizing someplace so simple for firewood storage. This is almost like looking at a still-life. I wish I needed to store firewood! Still dreaming of a wood-burning fireplace. Someday...

sometimes...


you stumble upon something and it brings someone to mind immediately. I know just who I'll be purchasing this sweet little dish for - a dear friend who needs a little laughter in her life right now. Wouldn't it be perfect for your dresser or bathroom sink - a nice little location to drop your daily rings or earrings in?

Sunday, December 16, 2007

I'm really loving...




this beautiful new store in Oakland, California - called Atomic Garden. I read a quote saying they are a green store, but they don't "shout about" being green. They want their customers to come in and enjoy the store for it's beauty, and buy things because they really love them (and if they just so happen to be helping the planet,well then - bonus!) I love that philosophy. Just BE more green - don't advertise it as the main reason people should come in. I'm already really tired of hearing eco-this, and sustainable-that - not that these messages aren't vitally important. It's phenomenal the way greening our lives has become so - trendy. It's just all over every magazine cover, commercial, product, etc. Let's just do it, and stop saying so much about it!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Monday, December 10, 2007

Art vs. Craft this past weekend


On Saturday, Chris and I attended the Art vs. Craft show on Van Buren at the Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center. It was my first time attending the show - don't ask me HOW I did not know about it before, but it was so so so wonderful! All of the vendors were friendly, helpful and super talented. The quality of the goods really made an impression on me - the quality was so high, so well-made and all were unique and fun to browse! I get really spazzy when I am surrounded by lots of good selection. Chris is my witness - I almost fell down the stairs right when we walked in I was so excited. If I could scoop up all of the great artists and crafters that were there, and drop them right into my store, I certainly would! I collected lots of business cards (and some goodies for Christmas presents as well) - and am putting that into my stock-pile of potential vendors for Flora + Fauna! (sorry for the crappy photo - the lighting and my camera were not getting along).

Friday, December 7, 2007

Happy Friday Lunch (Jenny)!


I wanted to put a picture of you rocking out last weekend but they are already on my computer at home, so this will have to do. Just wanted to give you a shout out during your lunch break today (if you happen to be reading this!). Wanna go bowling tomorrow night? :)

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Hand Lettering

I am really enjoying this logo - I can't tell if it is hand-lettered or not - these days it could be a typeface. But isn't it sweet? I contacted a woman a few months back to ask her if she would be interested in collaborating on a logo project for Flora and Fauna. She was so sweet and agreed to work with me. I absolutely love her style - check out her website for samples. It is so unique and amazing.

Great Idea


I love love love this creative idea from Burnham Design. She creates concept boards for her clients, and it looks like (although it's hard to tell from the press pictures) - she either files for herself and gives to them these amazing boxes filled with swatches, mood boards, etc. What a neat idea for a wedding stationary set for a bride. I'll have to file this into the wedding section of my brain.

Packaging Idea


More packaging talk. I love package design - It is an area of design that so many people neglect - for budget reasons, or lack of interest, or whatever - it is so important and can be so expressive! I believe this image is actually individual adhesive wall decals (sorry - I don't know where I found it so I can't give you a link) but I love the idea of pattern within pattern - across bags, gift boxes, you name it. Isn't it lovely?

Speaking of pink...


I already purchased this to hang somewhere near the register. (The future - register, that is). I can honestly see this store of mine in my mind already. I don't know when it's going to happen - five months - five years? But I know it will. I love the vague expression here - "For Like Ever". I saw this in Domino magazine and had to find it! Now it's rolled up in a poster tube in my closet, waiting for a frame and a new home!

Display idea?


I'm going to need to start a collection of just display ideas for products - window designs, styling of displays throughout the store, etc. I love this for a fall concept - the criss-crossing ribbons with lovely little notes tucked throughout. So sweet! Weddings are such collections of inspiration for me. There are some many creative ideas out there!

Image from michelleragoltd.com.

Chair Love


Chris and I love chairs. We would fill our home with nothing but chairs if we could. Modern, antique, retro, classic - you name it. If it is even remotely interesting, we will be drawn to it. I'm not sure where this love of chairs stems from, all I know is that I am into this one right now. Although I'm sure Chris would appreciate it, it might be a little too girly for him. Perfect for my store though, right? If I had to name it, it would be called Love. I have a feeling this future store of mine is going to be an explosion of femininity, just so I will be able to get all of the pink out of my system.

Pieces


There used to be a really cool store here in Milwaukee called Pieces, which closed right before my wedding last summer. Lucky for me everything in the store was hugely discounted and I profited from their loss. (Hmmm...saying that makes me feel a little bad...) Anyway! There is another store named Pieces in the Atlanta area (I wonder if there is any connection?) and think the styling of the store is so wonderful, and I absolutely love that the owner describes herself as an"editor" when selecting pieces to sell. That's a good thing to keep in mind when selecting product - to edit your choices and stick to your audience, similar to the way a magazine would. And, I love her packaging. So simple and chic! (And probably cheap!)