I want to do this!

I'm sorry - I don't remember where I found this, but I love it! It would take me forever to decide on a quote though - I'll have to start now. Definitely something sleep , rest or peace related I think.

Vintage Card Catalog

Wouldn't this be a cool way to store extra inventory? The display items could be on top and above it and the extras could be filed below (with other fun goodies stored in random drawers for little suprises and to encourage purchasing on a whim). I'll have to dig through some craigslist postings to see if I can find any of these!

A couple storefronts.

I always like to collect images of storefronts, just to see what other people are doing. I like the Opalia Flowers sign, and I like the layered textiles hanging in the window in the Kimera picture below. Lovely!

Neat Tags

Lines & Shapes is a new collaborative project from Lena Corwin and Maria Vettesse - definitely worth checking out. But what I really love are these linen tags on what looks to be a canvas tote bag. I have often thought that it would be really fun to have Flora & Fauna canvas totes - offering shoppers a discount with the purchase of one, and when they bring it in with them to shop on future occasions. Reusable and a fun project (and what essentially becomes free advertising!)

Chalkboard Paint

This is a fun idea (seen on More Ways to Waste Time, one of my favorite blogs) - chalkboard paint, which apparently you can get anywhere - Home Depot or any other store like that. I've been seeing it on a lot of DIY websites and in shelter magazines as well. I love the use of it in a hallway or entry way - it would be fun to leave notes to your roomates or in my case, husband - things not to forget, quotes, funny doodles or whatever. This would be neat to have in a store where people usually post flyers, etc. - just a fun little touch.

Ho-Ly crap.

I just found a mosaic maker from Big Huge Labs. It was driving me crazy trying to figure out how everyone in blogland makes these! I just couldn't imagine them creating each one in Photoshop but had no idea it would be called a mosaic. Expect more of these from me. Many more.

(This one is just a test compilation of some photos I enjoy for their color palettes, room design, or styling in general.)

Don't Forget

To vote in the Wisconsin Primaries today!

I'm sweatin'

...these huge standing mirrors. (I felt a little funny typing "I'm sweatin" - it definitely sounds better than it reads) - ha! anyway - I love them! Where can I find one that won't cost an arm and a leg? I'll take everything as pictured, please. Both rooms.

Ahh, creative minds.

One thing I really admire is how people "stage" their product photography. There are so many different ways to do so that can all be very attractive and effective. Here's one I love - the use of vintage type gives this example a level of interest that a straight photograph of the products might not normally have, and I love it! A great idea for any graphic designer shooting portfolio / design pieces. Now I just have to dig out the vintage type pieces Chris and I found in San Francisco...

currently loving...

...the "mix tape" feature on the kate spade website. just go to "in the studio" and it's over to the left. so far - really good tunes! this is a really fun website to poke around on if you have a few spare minutes (they have valentine's day ecards, too!) if you are like me and you sit at a desk all day, musical variety is of the utmost.

your lovely places

sometimes i just love how the internet can make the vastness connecting those of us online seem so small. i uploaded a photo to your lovely places and the same day, received an email back complimenting my photo, and telling me they'll let me know when it's up on their blog. your lovely places is such a fun blog - every day they feature different photos from anywhere and everywhere that visitors to their site can submit. it's sort of rewarding to see something of yours somewhere unexpected! mine's up today (a photo from our last trip to washington island), so check it out! yay!

Another lovely invitation

Something I never thought about but really love, is a beautiful script-only invitation (via Style Me Pretty) - top left image of this very "now" gray and canary yellow inspiration board. I love this - if the bride and groom, paper stock, print quality and envelope option are just right - this would be so elegant and expressive, and unique! I know traditionally wedding invitations were text only - a nice calligraphy-style script - with maybe a flourish or two. But what about with fonts like these (I typed the font name into the samples - from myfonts.com). It becomes so couture and modern, yet keeps a little bit of that tradition alive. And I think what is really working with the sample one are the thin and thick strokes of the letters - it gives the design some depth and texture.

Swooning over...

This lovely, sweet, romantic, perfect, girly, did I say perfect - table! Couldn't you see this at the entrance of a store, with some product displayed on it? Or as a client collaboration table? Or even the register area? (with a vintage register?) Sigh. The price isn't even all that bad! (And it comes in white, too!)

Some lovely invitations...

Just a little design eye-candy! These are lovely and inspiring for me when thinking about creating my own custom line of invitations and announcements eventually. Now - if only I could find some free time to get down to business!


Top photo: East Six
Bottom Photo: KenzieKate Invitations

Recently "Noted"

I just discovered the Google Notebook feature last week - it's such a convenient way to "store" all of my newly discovered links. What I like about it that is different (and better than) bookmarking, is that it saves an image with the link and you can write a note with the "clip". So clever! Google does it again. See above for some neat places I recently recorded in my newly minted notebook.

From top:
ReForm School - Love this print for a great Valentine's day gift!
Village - another good V-day idea
Flight 001 - an awesome store concept for any traveller
Paris J'Taime - okay, not a website but currently my favorite movie. Watch this!

Loving

I love how this company used a poloroid format to showcase their product (the wall decal) - so cute and cool and sort of a throwback. Take a peek at their website - it's really nice! This is a whole different take to decorating your walls. (Love the saturated fuschia, too).