This past weekend I attended a fantastic event called Made in the 216, which was created to celebrate and showcase the talents of designers in Northeast Ohio (area code 216).

The brainchild of Danielle DeBoe, owner of home goods boutique Room Service, the show felt more like a party than a shopping trip, with live music, plenty of PBR, and masses of design-savvy souls.

At the event, I was introduced to the beautiful, diminuitively-scaled jewelry of Modern Pixie and even had a chance to speak with the the line's designer, Judy Crighton, who couldn't have been sweeter. Her work is all about the details - many pieces include teeny tiny "pixie-ish" elements. The earrings I bought feature a tiny silver leaf/feather swinging from a skinny, bright yellow glass bead - I think they would look so striking with pale, muted clothing in shades of pink or apricot.

Other standout goods included pillows from Baseline (above) and stationery and prints by Grey Cardigan (below), among many, many others.

I spotted these excellent business cards (below) printed en masse on a ticket roll and later found they were designed by my good friend Charity Ewanko of Chartreuse (who also shared some of her event pics with me for this post).

Finally, I had to share a better view of the enormous canopy of crepe paper "poufs" created by Danielle DeBoe - truly a gorgeous element that exemplified the exuberant atmosphere of the show. I can't wait for the next one.

Second and sixth images courtesy of Chartreuse. All other images by me.


Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 03:47PM

Friends in design, our prayers for periodicals are finally being answered!

Lonny is an online decorating and lifestyle magazine soon-to-be-launched by Rubie Green designer Michelle Adams and her business partner, photographer Patrick Cline.

Uncontrollable burst of excitement out of the way, I now have to calmly wait until September for the premiere issue, and in the meantime start my subscription to Uppercase magazine (as recommended by Emily). But with this talented duo at the helm of Lonny, I am confident it will be well worth the wait!

Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 07:30AM

My first glimpse of this Nap Sack/Shoulder Bag by Maine-based Etsy seller, MIMS, was in a recent Etsy Finds newsletter (sign up for those here)... I think the pattern of this particular Summer Birds fabric was what initially caught my eye, but then, upon closer inspection, I realized that the construction & "format" of the bag is pure genius...


The straps can either be doubled together to carry by hand or on a shoulder, or, with just the pull of a couple of lovely leather cuffs, the straps can be spread apart to allow you to carry your handbag as a backpack! Perfect!

There are numerous fabrics available for this bag and many other lovely bag styles to choose from. Check out the entire MIMS shop on Etsy!

Wednesday, July 01, 2009 at 01:20PM

I know I'm not the only one who thinks CROCS are just plain ugly.

When they first came out, I felt a bit, um... offended. I felt like a little bit of the fashion world died with every pair sold. Despite numerous people telling me that they're really comfortable, I still can't get over how orthopedic they look; they're far to chunky on the foot; and, to me, they seem a bit clown-ish...

Then CROCS started making what I call "CROCS Without Shame" - the company made a genius move taking many of the most positive features of the original clogs and adapting them into a wider, more fashionable range of styles. In short, I bought a pair.

Super-styling CROCS above, clockwise from left :: Celeste Canvas Flats (in Chocolate/Sienna), $49.99; Cleo Sandals (in Navy/Sea Foam), $29.99; Malindi Leopard Flats (in Gold/Black Leopard), $34.99.


Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 05:00PM

Even though spending the whole day with Jw was really present enough, I was really excited that part of my celebratory day off on Friday was a long-overdue visit to adorable gift shop (and OrangeBeautiful stockist), KOMODA.

KOMODA :: located at 2559 W. Chicago Avenue in the Ukranian Village


I've been dying for months and months to make it down to this shop, and I gotta tell you, if I lived closer, I'd be there all the time - There's so much great stuff :: greeting cards & stationery; wallets & bags; awesome things for kids; perfumes, lotions & soaps - just everything you'd want to browse around in, give as gifts, and take home with you!

If you're in Chicago - or making a trip here soon - definitely head to the SE corner of Chicago & Rockwell... just seeing the amazing fixtures and drawer units* is worth the visit!

*Sherri, the owner, told me that "komoda" is Polish for "chest of drawers"!

images c/o Apartment Therapy


Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 02:50PM

As part of his course work, grad student Alex Cornell created an amazingly authentic-looking design package for a hypothetical Wes Anderson Film Festival.

Each piece seems to perfectly capture the W.A. aesthetic, and the copy he created is such fun to read. I can't even imagine how many hours went into this - but the end results are fascinating.

Check out the full suite of promotional items, including posters, DVD covers and packaging, advertisements, schedules, tickets - even iPod and iPhone skins - and best of all, marvel at the trailer he created for the project (this is, after all, a "film festival").

Images from Alex Cornell, via Room Service blog.


Monday, June 29, 2009 at 03:07PM

I'm crazy about this delicious pink dress, the red double-belt & matching handbag and Marion's silver heels... super-stylish and a great color palette to boot! ::

via go fug yourself.

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 01:45PM

I'm already a big Seychelles/BC Footwear fan (check out this post on my lovely yellow sandals) - so, seeing several new styles on sale over at Piperlime made me a little giddy...

Turnaround Heels (in Orange), SALE $64.99 at Piperlime.


Perfect Gentleman Maryjanes (in Vintage White), SALE $54.99 Piperlime.


Lola Wedges (in Blue Patent), SALE $59.99 Piperlime.

Those Turnaround Heels are gorgeous, but I just can't see myself actually wearing them. The Perfect Gentleman Maryjanes would be much more suited to Laura and her classic-yet-modern style.
But the Lola Wedges are to. die. for. - I've been wanting a pair of wedges forever, and the color of these would be perfect with all the orange things in my wardrobe ;)

See all the Seychelles styles on sale at Piperlime, right here.

Monday, June 29, 2009 at 07:50AM

Busy pattern can sometimes overwhelm a room, but the examples here show how it can be tempered with the right balance of large-scale furnishings and color to create an elegant effect.

In the two images above, pattern framed between and within massive bookshelves has a sophisticated feel.

As shown above and below, large-scale pattern is nicely offset by a wash of bold color - this gives the pattern room to breathe, and provides an impactful element to balance the busy-ness. (I'm always tempted to try wallpaper and these examples demonstrate how it might fit well into my more streamlined aesthetic!)

First and third images from Pappas Miron; second and fourth images from Sara Story Design.

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 11:30AM

...I was born. Nothing especially momentous about the big "3-1" but I guess I don't make too big a deal out of any of my birthdays...

I will, however, be taking the day off of work today for some pirates, a little paper and a plate of pommes frites.

And, apparently, there are a few gifts on the way, but I was given this awesome Birthday Eve gift last night!!!

Thanks, Jw! I love you!

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 04:51AM

Happy Birthday Emily!

Since my gift will be arriving slightly on the late side (sorry!), I thought I'd send a little immediate birthday cheer your way - have a fabulous day!

This image is a sneak peek at a project I've been developing - more pics to come next week.

Friday, June 26, 2009 at 01:59AM

As a creator of my own 12-notebook set (tol be re-released later this year!)... I'm feeling a special affinity for this concept from designers, Burak Kaynak and cem has :: the Sliced Bread/Notebook.

Information & photos of this design project (and many others) are a part of The Behance Network - "a platform for creative portfolios, projects, and collaborations"... somewhat similar to notcot in its layout & content, this site is much more of a professional network for designers; a way for them to show off their work and yet-to-be-actualized ideas.

I'm hoping that these 'bread books' make it to the production line... I think they'd sell like hotcakes!

via designvagabond

Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 12:15PM

It's no secret that I'm obsessed with color... in my clothes, in my home, in my work. So when new OB client, Tess, came to me about some business cards (she's a web designer) and requested "an 80's Punk Rock feel," well, you can just imagine that my mind immediately started putting together color palettes.

The key I think will be coming up with a color combination that isn't absurd, but still has that pop that 80's style is known for. My thoughts early on are to combine a base neutral (like grey) with a rich & vivid pink and a shocking neon green.

These pics of Lady Gaga from the latest issue of FLAUNT Magazine are a good start to get the ball rolling in the right direction... I'll keep you posted as our business card project progresses!

photos by Gitte Meldgaard c/o FLAUNT

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 01:15PM

More images at TeenVogue.com.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 03:45PM

Forever 21 (especially its more sophisticated brand, Love 21) has been a source of great finds lately, including these simple, flowy tanks paired with some slightly gaudy standout jewelry.

Clockwise from top left: Antique beaded drop necklace; Coral woven pocket tank; Chain link hoop earrings; Speckled knit top.

Images from Forever 21.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 12:00PM

I categorized this post under fav designers, but Tim Burton is so much a designer as a visionary genius - I don't think I've really ever met a Tim Burton movie that I didn't like (okay, except Cabin Boy ;)

And even though I still love the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory over Burton's 2005 adaptation Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I'm really, really excited for next year's release of Alice In Wonderland.

If these images don't get your mouth watering, then I don't what will ::

Anne Hathaway as the White Queen.


Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter.


Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts.

Oh, and for the record, I will be seeing this movie in a non-3D theatre...

Why, oh why does the movie industry think it's the early 80s again?

pics via The Huffington Post

Tuesday, June 23, 2009 at 07:50AM

This might sound a little weird, but I have to share this association I'm having lately with my summer pecicure polish color, OPI's You Don't Know Jacques.

The deep taupe - which feels like a lighter, fresher take on the dark aubergine that I usually wear in the fall/winter - totally reminds me of Heath Ceramics' earthy-toned vessels. Pictured top: Summer Budvases; bottom: Modern Cups in "birch".

Images from Nest Living and Drugstore.com.

Monday, June 22, 2009 at 03:30PM

I've been meaning to post about paper goods company, Girl Of All Work ever since I saw their "People" Business Card Holder (below) on See Jane Work. Visiting wordshop. while in Denver and seeing some GOAW products there was a nice reminder...

"People Business Card Holder, $11.95 from Girl Of All Work.


Magnetic Origami Bookmarks, $6.50 (5/pk) from Girl Of All Work.


Desert Notations notepads, $5.95/each in Canyon (left) and Desert Rose (right).


Ona Page Flags, $4.50 (375/pk) from Girl Of All Work.


Chapter Books (Set of 3), $26.50 from Girl Of All Work.


There's really far too many fabulous things at Girl Of All Work for me to post about all of my favorites here. Just get over to the GOAW site and see (shop) for yourself!

images c/o GOAW

Monday, June 22, 2009 at 12:10PM

As promised, here's a peek into a stationery boutique in Denver, CO that - if I lived there year-round - would be a constant shopping destination for me :: wordshop.

Not only does wordshop. carry OrangeBeautiful products ;) but its super-adorable to boot. I love the homey-yet-modern feel to the shop, and the two times I've met Jill (the owner) - once at NSS 2008, and then last week, at the store - she's looked so stylish!...

above :: goods from Girl of All Work and thomaspaul


Jw and I picked up goods from a couple different companies, but far-and-away, my new favorite finds were cards from Maginating with great illustrations and typesetting - and letterpress, of course!

If you live in the Denver area, or are traveling there any time soon, definitely give wordshop. a visit - and tell 'em that Emily from OrangeBeautiful (and the SCOOP) sent you!

images by Jw

Friday, June 19, 2009 at 03:45PM

Just when I thought no one was ever going to make a magazine for me ::

design-obsessed, style-conscious, craft-loving, business-minded, etc...

Janine Vangool of the already-awesome UPPERCASE Gallery in Calgary, Alberta, Canada (you Canadians are SO fabulous!) begins publishing UPPERCASE Magazine ::



I'll admit I held out on subscribing for a little while, but then I found myself obsessively looking at pics of the magazine online. Then I heard that the first issue contains interviews with Julie & Kathryn of perfectbound and the husband & wife team from enormouschampion... not to mention music reviews, how-tos, and fashion spreads - well, how could I not have that mailed to my house four times a year?!

If you're feeling a space needing to be filled where your Blueprint or Domino used to be and you, like me, love ReadyMade and Craft... UPPERCASE is a blissful combination of all of those, with just a dash of HOW and a mix of your favorite design blogs - all in a beautifully-printed package.

In short, what I'm saying is that I feel completely reinvigorated by the inception of this publication. I had all but given up home on a magazine being something I really got excited about; something that I felt would both inspire and inform - and look good doing it.

Well done, Janine. I sincerely cannot wait to receive Issue No.2!

Browse through Issue No.1 here, check out this blog post of Janine hard at work on Issue No.1's layout, and then immediately order your subscription here.

p.s. that opening image was created with Ed Nacional's "Tie-pography," also featured in UPPERCASE Issue No.1


Friday, June 19, 2009 at 12:50PM
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