Thursday, October 29, 2009

Oink Oink

While I'm still on my piggy bank kick here is another great one. Designed by Morphorm of Berlin and Lee Kmji of Busan, Theosaurus (from the Latin term thesaurus meaning treasure) is a delightful porcelain piggy bank. And here's a little fun fact about them "The shoes of the standing Theo are made from actual cork, a premium natural product, and are produced by the oldest cork specialist in Germany"

They have a variety of styles which you can see here and go here to order. Can I please have one now?

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Favorite Boot

I think today was the first day it really felt like fall in Phoenix. It was chilly enough to wear tall boots and a light jacket. I wanted to share with you about my growing love for a pair of patent leather boots I bought last season. Every time I wear them I grow more fond of them, they go with everything, and are comfortable enough to wear when you are on your feet a lot. Made by BCBGirls and the style is called Petler. Now there are a few colors and styles, but you can find my pair here. Happy fall!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Penguin Blog

Ever wanting to know of a cool blog to follow to pass your time? You should check out The Penguin Blog. They post about new covers, book series, shops, just a wide variety of great things.

Something I just found is this new book being released of 100 postcards from past book covers. I love it! Happy reading.

Friday, October 23, 2009

This little piggy

I think the construction of this is fabulous and so so clever. Designed by Looksur, a collection of South American designers, this piggy bank is made from 100% recycled leather. It comes in a variety of vibrant colors and it empties in the most unusual way--"When your Piggy is full you can empty him through the back by pressing the rear flap inwards and then down until the leather hook unlatches below the tail. He will then be ready to fill up once again." I think pricing is available upon request but does anyone know where I can get one in the states?

House Industries

For all of you graphic designers out there I am sure you have heard of House Industries, a type foundry based out of Delaware. If you haven't you should, they do great work (they are responsible for Neutaface...a personal favorite of mine)

They have a small staff that spends anywhere from 18 to 24 months developed a font. Sounds fun and tedious at the same time. Can you imagine spending that long long developing type? I don't think I could do it. They also develop some awesome prints, shirts, accessories and books.

Don't you just love these baby blocks? I am keeping my eye on them for when I have a little one that needs them. Or maybe I'll just get them for myself.

And I want this iron ampersand. I have no idea what I would do with it, but it's fabulous. Make sure you check out the rest of their products as there are a lot of fun things.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Anthropologie-esque Jewelry

How wonderful is Raquel Castillo's Etsy Shop! Her pieces are truly beautiful. She has a great combination of simple and ornate, sparkle and color, vintage and new. I am loving it.

Everything is constructed of vintage bits and pieces. It is amazing how someone take a bunch of things apart and create something that is theirs and one-of-a-kind.

I am coveting this necklace called "My First Tricycle II", I hope I can have it someday.

DIY Ideas

Some of the newest DIY ideas that appeared on Design*sponge are wonderful and I cannot wait to do them for our new house!

First of all check out this pure genius. Recycling old jars, vases, and tins and redoing to make them look like milk glass. All you need is puffy paint and spray paint. Who doesn't love a project with puffy paint?

Next up a curtain/fabric screen made up of felt circles. I have always wanted to make an adorable curtain but somehow everytime I try they just end of looking like a sheet on a wall. I hope this one turns out better for me!

And lastly do you have a bunch of books lying around that you cannot part with. Check out this great idea for upcycling them into a side table. All of the books create such a great pattern and intersting visual. Happy diy-ing!

Art that kills

Check out the work of Judith Seng seen on MoCo Design. I love the glossy, smooth surface on top in combination with the raw wood texture. And such great colors!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

More great piggy banks


Or elephant bank. Have you seen this Jonathan Adler ceramic animal piggy bank. To die for! Beautiful lines, bold geometric patterns, and clean colors. If you do not know about Jonathan Adler..."Jonathan Adler pottery begins its life in our Soho studio, where Jonathan and his team design and sculpt every prototype. The product you are viewing is produced by skilled artisans at our main workshop in Peru. They make molds from our prototypes and then hand craft each piece from high-fired stoneware or porcelain. Our Peruvian workshop was found through Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization that connects designers in America with artisans in developing countries to promote fair trade." You should check out some of his other pieces too. He has a very distinct style that is one of a kind.

Artecnica again

Artecnica has some beautiful products. They are all about taking the everyday and transforming its design into something that is uniquely art and leaves you wondering how did they do that? They have a program called Design w/ Conscience, founded in 2002, "to manufacture and produce products in accordance with humanitarian and environmentally friendly principles"

One of the products coming out of this program is tranSglass. This recycled line definately gives a sleek, modern and truly beautiful to recycled pieces. Each piece is a unique, one-of-a-kind. I cannot wait to order my own someday.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Awesome bag

How awesome is this bag by Artecnica? Described on the site...."Made from 100% colorful advertising campaign billboards, a clever die cut, no glue, no stitch shoulder bag is Inspired by the strength and symmetry found in nature. The minimal 2-D design stretches into 3-D to form the biggest bag with the smallest amount of waste. Stretch Bag can support up to 33lbs. It's available in different colors of recycled billboard or in natural brown leather."

It sounds wonderfully clever. Also check out this video showing various colors and how it works. It looks like you cannot buy it straight from them yet, anyone know where I can get one?

Getting in the mood for cooking

This book, seen on Design*Sponge is definatley making me want to cook. How adorable is "I know how to cook" by Ginette Mathiot.

Phaidon recreated this french classic with illustrator blexbolex. And not only are the illustrations great but there are 1400 recipes! Sounds like I need to order this one for my collection.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

In Love...with a piggy bank

Oh my land! I have to have this piggy bank. You can find it here at Orange and Pear (such a cute name) and for only $22! As a graphic designer, it comes with the territory that I would love anything having to do with typography and how cute are piggy banks. There are so many cool ones out there. Maybe I should collect them? Do you know of any good ones?

Baby Vivian

Vivian is getting so big! But check her out in her custom Perfect Dressipe Onesies. Her mom wanted a couple for Vivian's necknames: Berry Bear and Little Miss Serious, can you get any more adorable?

Next Event

Our next event is THIS Saturday, October 17th from 5-10pm. We will be at Urban Yoga's One Year Anniversary event. There studio is located on Central just south of Osborn. Come check us out along with some other member from PHX DIY: a handmade collective.

Monday, October 12, 2009

First Friday


First Friday on October 2nd was great! It was one of our first events with PHX DIY: a handmade collective.

The weather was great, the zombies scary and entertaining, Gina got to have her picture taken with Ghostbusters and a load of our friends came down to support us. We want to thank all those that came out. And to all of those that just learned of us that evening we hope you stay in touch and keep coming to see us.


Remember to put on your calendars our next event at Urban Yoga on Saturday, October 17th.

Friday, October 2, 2009

First Friday!

First Friday is today!!!! This is our first event as a member of PHX DIY. Perfect Dressipe will be with the PHX DIY crew at a booth on Garfield St. between 5th and 6th St. from 6-11pm.

First Friday is organized by Roosevelt Row in Downtown Phoenix. The celebration of local businesses and artists happens every month and we are very excited to participate today. It is a great time to check out some of the cities best restaurants, music, and artists.

And this evening will be the event's first Zombie Lurch! I am so excited and cannot wait to see this. It will start on 5th Street and Garfield right next to our booth at 6:30 pm. They are collecting non-perishable food items and cash donation for St. Mary's Food Bank for the holiday season. What a great cause! This evening should be a blast so come and check it out!

Announcing...PHX DIY!

Today we have a very special announcement. I introduce you to PHX DIY: a handmade collective.

What are we? PHX DIY is a small group of independent business owners and artisans looking to share resources and gain exposure in the Valley. Each member comes to the group with unique handcrafted items to form this collective. We have banded together to help fuel the diy movement and share our creations with you and the local community.

Our members include:
* Against the Grain
* Ghosticorn Apparel
* Kenzie Noelle
* Perfect Dressipe
* Space Cadet Jewelry
* Spoonful of Chocolate
* Yardley December

Stay continued for information on our first event. For more information check us out at www.phxdiy.com.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

See Jane Work

I love to organize. It makes me feel like things are in order and I like knowing where everything is. Have you ever visited See Jane Work? This site will make anyone want to organize. They have great stylish office, school and organizational supplies.

How cute are these "I'll be back soon" sticky notes. It kind of makes me want to leave my desk but that probably would not be a good thing.

And these business card holders? Or the stylish thesaurus below? If I had that book with me I'd look up words all the time.

Seesaw Design

There is a great Phoenix-based design studio called Seesaw. I first saw there business card awhile ago in a smoothie shop and they were delightful...clean stock and light blue zig-zag stitched with a machine on one end. Letterpress and sewing! You can't go wrong. Every now and then I see them pop back up somewhere and felt the need to share their story and work.

I am in love with their new wall calendar and these adorable tangelo letterpressed cards. I think I need to get the calendar for my house!

I wonder what it would be like to work there. Being able to do graphic design and make cards all day, I think that would be perfect.