Posts from fav designers (264)

Whenever a new catalog from J.Crew arrives, I know that I'm bound to find multiple bits of inspiration... and not just fashion inspiration :: as a designer, I love browsing through anything that includes product styling, new & interesting color combinations, and page after page of well-used typefaces.

This time around, however, they went and kinda blew me away with an it's-so-obvious accessory trick :: wear two belts at the same time, idiot!

Now you can always layer on two, three, four belts at a time, but this involves actually buckling one belt to another... so, it really only works with two of the same style/make of belt. (Which J.Crew has for you in spades.) - I'm very happy to use my colorful leather skinnies, handmade by Studio Amiel.

I may have to stock up on even more just so that I can have more two-belts-at-once combinations!

I'm a huge fan of all of the jewelry from NY company, IMOOI (the name is derived from the Dutch word for "beautiful") - here's a grouping of the pieces I'm lucky enough to already own, followed by the (short) list of what I'd love to add to my collection ::

HAVE clockwise from top left :: Crescent Necklace in Green, $65.00 // Vine Earrings in White, $80.00 // Orbit Ring in Yellow, $55.00 // Pop Earrings in Red, $55.00 // Orbit Bracelet in Yellow, $90.00.

WANT clockwise from top left :: Swirl Earrings, $55.00 // Bullseye Earrings in Blue, $55.00 // Spectrum Necklace, $80.00 // Formula Bracelet in Cream, $85.00 // Vertigo Ring in Red, $55.00 // Safari Earrings in Green, $55.00.

Visit IMOOI.com now to make your own "want" list...

...is buying new stuff for the store!

I definitely anticipated that I would thoroughly enjoy my job as "Buyer" for the new shop half of OrangeBeautiful - but it's even more like Christmas than I could've realized.

Boxes of goodies show up nearly every week, and you get to pour over the most amazing items... and they're all things you picked out! What could be better? (hmmm... taking it all home, I guess ;)

Here's a little, tiny sneak peek at some new lines that we'll be carrying in the fall... Folded Felt Screen-Printed bowls from Meghan Burch (top image); absolutely stunning jewelry from Cursive Design (middle image); and delightful, hand-designed screen-printed cards + prints from Gold Teeth Brooklyn ::

I can't wait 'til it all arrives!

If I worked for the United States Postal Service and had any power to have their "look" changed, I'd be on the phone this morning with designer, Matt Chase...

His re-visualization of everything from packing tape to workers' uniforms to a paper, die-cut stamp dispenser (!) is nothing short of completely awesome...

via designworklife

After posting about these, I had the (very brief) thought that building furniture out of repurposed, mix-n-match drawers had the potential to get boring, or feel a little too clever after a while...

...but it turns out that every time I see another one of these types of drawer units, I just get more and more anxious about having a dresser like this in my home.

These particular pieces are made by German design studio, Entwurf-Direkt, breathing new life into old, discarded drawers and other furniture pieces ::

"Our wish is to revive the very beauty of those things, the life they have lived — in a manner that is both fresh and simple."

via Design Milk

The weather lately has got me feeling way too hot, and craving much cooler temperatures. Here are a few hot+color items to aggravate things further ;)

Yellow Fire Agate and Quartz Necklace, $55.00 and Aquamarine Ice on Silver Earrings, $26.00; both by Krista Peel.

Hot vs. Cold Print, $20.00 by gneural.

Prairie Campfire, $116.00 by Maandag.

Popsicle Print (8x10"), $12.00 by Mint Buttercup.

stainless steel bookmarks, $9.00/each; by pink tank ltd.

So, is it fall yet?

I'm completely in love with the type and illustration work of Philadelphia-based designer, Beth Shirrell... after catching a glimpse of her Kalakari Display Font (top image) over on NOTCOT, I browsed through her portfolio.

It's filled with charming illustrations, meticulous typography and wonderful package applications. Here are just a few of my favorites ::

Check out more of Beth's lovely work on her site.

As in, the Martha.

The reason I've kept quiet on the blog about my sister's February wedding in Palm Springs is that shortly beforehand, we learned the event would appear in the Summer 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings! Now that the issue is on newsstands, I'm so excited to share these images with you (by the amazing Justine Ungaro), and dish a little on the festivities.

The Moroccan-inspired hotel facade at the Parker Palm Springs welcomed you (along with K and JP) to the ultimate desert retreat.

The invitation suite, custom-designed for the couple by NEAPOLITAN - and assembled by Sandy Gordon (our mom), Jo Rettberg (our grandma!), and me.

Kristen and bridesmaids, left to right: Sara Cook, Jenima Hadjian, Laura Naples, and Kate Davis. Not pictured: the adorable Molly Naples. Kristen wore the Billie dress by Melissa Sweet. Bridesmaids wore silk taffeta Gracen and Clementine dresses by J.Crew in Barely Peach (color no longer available online). And by the way, I ended up with these shoes.

The wedding program, which carried on the marbelized paper theme from the invitations, held by ringbearer Michalle Giorgi.

The bride and groom kissed after the wedding at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Palm Springs.

The bride soaked in the desert sun on a chaise outside the Gene Autry house, which was the site of the evening's reception on the grounds of the Parker.

This same space was transformed for the evening by Artisan Events into a stylishly intimate dinner for 62. Tables showcased individual "trees" made of manzanita branches adorned with orchids and hanging votives. Each guest received a small favor card at their placesetting, which explained how a donation was made on behalf of all wedding guests to Atlanta Lab Rescue (along with silhouette portraits of the couple's two yellow labs, Halley and Lola).

The flowergirl - Catherine, me, and my little sister - the bride! Catherine and I wore matching fabric flowers in our hair.

More photos and descriptions of the event can be viewed online, or you can take a peek at the actual spread in the magazine - it's the Summer 2010 issue in the "Real Weddings" section.

A side note: I bought my first issue of Weddings when I was a senior in high school, and have collected issues ever since. The magazine had a tremendous impact on my decision to pursue design, and so for me, to see my family celebrating together in this issue is the ultimate thrill!

Congratulations again to Kristen and Jon Paul! Images by Justine Ungaro via Martha Stewart Weddings.

There are so many great things in the shop right now that I've decided to just pick individual items to post about... one at a time.

To whet your appetite for weekend shopping, here are some shots of the zipper pouches we're carrying, made by drikaB.

*And, for one more way to steer your shopping in the right direction, here's a coupon for you awesome SCOOP readers ::

CLICK HERE to print it out!

see you this weekend!

I first met my friend Susanne while coaching an all women's triathlon group in 2003. There was incredible synergy in this crew of talented and energetic women, and Susanne's sense of humor was invaluable on long training days. The end of season banquet was the best surprise, not only because we celebrated everyone's personal achievement, but because we found each other to clean up well, and not just be sweaty messes in ponytails! Susanne was wearing the most beautiful necklace and ring, and both were her own custom design. Clearly, I needed to see more.

Susanne's talent is multi-faceted (hee, a little jeweler humor). Her exotic travels find her picking out beautiful stones and gems, and then creating a one-of-a-kind piece that compliments both the gem and the wearer. I own several pieces, and will always receive a compliment when I wear them. They just capture your eye.

Carnelian Petal Drop Earrings $90.00

Lucky Bamboo Drop Earrings $90.00

Circle of Life Ring $620.00

It's been so exciting to see her business expand and grow over the years. She is nearing completion of her colored stone certification through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and shows regularly in local art shows and boutiques.

Her studio is one of over twenty artists hosting a May Open House tomorrow evening at The Cornelia Arts Building from 6-10pm.

images via Susanne Siegel