Thursday, November 26, 2009

Found another Piggy Bank!


How awesome is this one I found in the Cool Hunting Gift Guide. Th bank is by Touch, a company who partners with designers to create things handmade not mass-produced (great idea!) The Drop piggy bank is by a designer in Portugal and I am admiring the colors as I try to decide which one I will get someday. I'm leaning towards aqua or yellow...what do you think?

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

New Favorite Purchase.

Local boutique, Bunky Boutique (who we love and sells Perfect Dressipe products) has the best selection of hats. Most of them are by Brixton and today I purchased my first one. It is hands down my new favorite item, I already wore it this evening. It is last years Men's Combat Hat (pictured above) and it is not only cute but functional as it has an Elmer Fudd-esque knit flap that folds down to cover my ears! You should check out the rest of this years line (men and women). The other hat I am tempted to get...the Portman Felt Hat in Evergreen...isn't it just divine!?

Thanksgiving Food!

In the spirit of Turkey day I wanted to share a great easy recipe for delicious Parmesan Shortbread Rounds. They are truly addicting and you should try bringing them to any family gathering you are attending this weekend. Enjoy! A treat originally from Bon Appetit a few years ago. It can be found here on Epicurious (one of my favorite food websites) Happy Thanksgiving!

Ingredients:
  • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1/2 small garlic clove, minced
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) chilled unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix flour, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, garlic, and cayenne pepper in processor. Add butter and, using on/off turns, process until dough begins to come together. Gather dough into ball. Divide dough in half. Roll each half into 12-inch log, and cut each log into 1-inch pieces. Roll each piece into ball. Arrange dough balls on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1 1/2 inches apart. Press each ball into 2-inch-diameter round. Sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese over.

Bake shortbread rounds until tops are dry and bottoms are golden brown, about 20 minutes. Transfer shortbread rounds to rack and cool completely. DO AHEAD: Shortbread rounds can be made 1 week ahead. Store rounds in airtight container at room temperature, or freeze up to 1 month.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Perfect Dressipe on Lovely Clusters


Check out Perfect Dressipe on Lovely Clusters at http://www.lovelyclusters.com/index.html

Our Fly Away Tee and Gadget Pocket are featured this month. It is nice to get more exposure!

Blinging Grocery Bag

I LOVE this reusable bag. I think it is so simply fabulous and great for the holiday time. Washable, durable, and metallic! Get your own here from abitare.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Gocco Inspiration

As I was messing around and learning how to use my new toy (a Gocco printer) I came across Wonting NYC and I am truly inspired. A NYC illustrator/graphic designer/product designer who loves her Gocco printer and makes great prints, cards, felt ornaments and more.

Each is printed something like 3 times and you can buy them in her Etsy shop! Whew I can't wait to get the ink I am waiting for to make my holiday cards. And she inspired me to get the fluorescent pink because I think that is absolutely divine. The card and print shown are my favorites...do you have any inspiring gocco prints you want to share?

How sweet.

A cookbook of eight recipes each decorated with typography. By Woodward Design (hence all the w's) this is simply delightful and a perfect gift for any graphic designer.

You can see a preview of the book here, purchase here, and see the the original post on none other than Design*sponge here. It definitely gets me in the mood for xmas baking!

Saturday, November 21, 2009

New member to PHX DIY

We are really excited to welcome a new member to PHX DIY! Sea Lemon is a graphic designer in the Valley who enjoys taking rejected paper (or lemons!) and re-purposing them into beautiful handmade books. Check out her work here.

Friday, November 20, 2009

I'm so happy....

I stumbled upon Julia Rothman. Just looking though her stuff has made me so inspired this morning. First of all she is an illustrator, painter, and pattern designer from Brooklyn, New York.

Her work is really wonderful and makes me wish I could draw better. And today I discovered her blog, Book By It's Cover, which is basically where she shares all of the wonderful books she has seen over the years.

And lastly, in 2002 she helped start a design firm where she does the illustration, one partner the design, and another the animation. Sounds like a perfect partnership. Anyway their website is the best I have seen in a long time, so original and fun. The navigation, illustration, and simplicity is genius....and they do great work, you must check it out. Tell me you are not inspired?

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Greeting cards with 'tude.

Tired of those sappy greeting cards from all the stores? You should go check out Amy Smyth Made It. She concentrates on making things with design, affordability, and humor in mind. Sounds great! Check out some of her adorable cards below and make sure you check out her site for many more. Also visit the list of retailers to find where you can get your own.

Inside: Aged. Happy Birthday.

Inside: Happy Anniversary.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Lovely lamps!

Seen on Design*sponge a while ago these Bonne Nuit pendant lamps are to die for! All handmade from wood veneer. You can order them by email only.

Holiday event!

Our next event is going to be with the PHX DIY group at the Frances and Smeeks 3rd annual indie crafeteria. We are very excited about this upcoming event and think it's going to be a blast so put it on your calendars! The PHX DIY members plus more local artisans, live music, a sweets alley and more. We hope to see you there.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

JHill Design


Have you ever heard of JHill Design. A designer who loves to doodle (who doesn't) that bases a lot of drawings on travel and where she has not been...how interesting. She has a great collection of calendars, prints, cards and more. I am not only in love with the calendar above but also the animal prints I have shown below.


Next project!

Being Thanksgiving is a little over a week away I cannot wait to make these table decorations! I love the fall season and the different variations of pumpkins. So these pumpkins that last year after year are right up my alley. I saw them on Design*sponge today and the detailed directions are very easy to understand so all you first time crafters out there should have no problem. I am also going to try stuffing one with beans/sand/rice to get a more floppy look. I'll let you know how that works out.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Figs & Ginger

Figs & Ginger, a husband and wife jewelry making team out of North Carolina make the most beautiful things. Everything is handmade and "much of their work is inspired by the simple beauty found in forests, both imaginary & real." How adorable! And it is environmentally responsible as everything is made from at least 50% recycled sterling silver. Below is my favorite piece.

They sound like the most interesting couple..."Elijah & Rhonda Wyman have been working together on their art & music since their marriage back in 2004, the same year Rhonda graduated Rhode Island School of Design...Rhonda will make the more technical jewelry parts herself and Elijah is said to be the salesman of the pair." And Elijah makes music as well. I think I would love to meet them.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

In the Yard with Bunky Boutique and PHX DIY

Our In the Yard event was our best one yet. It was our first one organized by PHX DIY and we can't wait to do more. The weather was perfect, food delicious, music had a good beat, and Rachel at Bunky Boutique was truly the best.

We are so grateful to her for hosting us, we LOVED it. Please become a fan of Perfect Dressipe or PHX DIY to keep updated on our next events to get your holiday shopping done!

Indian School Block Party with PHX DIY


Last Sunday you could have found us at the Indian School Block Party. There was a great classic car show, music, food, and the heat. It's November and should no longer be 90 degrees but we were out there next to a few of the PHX DIY members which is always a good time. Check out more photos here.

First Friday November

Last Friday we participated in First Friday at Kitchen Sink Studios. Good food and wine, good people, darling music, a great space, and a successful evening!

We couldn't have asked for more. We hope they have us back again. For more photos go here.

New favorite necklace.

As I am a collector of A's it is no surprise that I just had to have one of these necklaces. They are simply lovely. I love their sparkle! It immediately caught my eye when I was last in Anthropologie and I am so happy with my purchase. It's a perfect length and goes with everything. I suggest you go get one.

Friday, November 13, 2009

It's here!

Tomorrow is our first In the Yard event with Bunky Boutique and PHX DIY. We are so excited. There will be music, hourly giveaways, local artisans from the PHX DIY group, treats, Roosevelt Tavern will be open for the first time during the day, and Bunky will have 20% the entire store! Make sure you came down and check it out along with the Downtown Phoenix Public Market and the Green Streets Festival. It will be a beautiful day (weather forecaster for 72 and sunny : ). It couldn't be more perfect so come own and get some of your holiday shopping out of the way!

Love this calendar

It's not new news that there are about a million calendars out there and even more designers taking calendars to a new level. I just found Three Square Design today, a design studio out of Boston. I think their 2010 calendar if one of my favorites I have seen. I love the combination of imagery and patterns. You can get your own copy here.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Alphabet posters

The Guest Blogger over at Design*sponge has done a post about Alphabet Posters. I love Alphabet posters and there are so many good ones out there. Above are my favorites from the guest blogger.



Above are a few more I found that I adore. The first is a silkscreen poster by PetitCollage in San Francisco. And the second is by Sycamore Street Press which I have been eyeing for awhile (and it comes in a variety of great colors!) What is your favorite alphabet poster?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Zella Day

At our last event at Kitchen Sink Studios, they had a girl come play some live music. Her name is Zella Day and she is ADORABLE. She sat up on a stool outside the studio with her vintage microphone and guitar. She sang original tunes and covered a few oldies with her cute, ear-catching voice. And the most amazing thing about her is she is only 14. Unbelievable.

Monday, November 9, 2009

In the Yard with Bunky Boutique and PHX DIY!

It's almost here....our first event partnering with Bunky Boutique. Come join Bunky Boutique, PHX DIY, and The Roosevelt Tavern on Saturday November 14th for music, refreshments, fresh air, hourly giveaways and talented artisans in the yard! Perfect Dressipe and many other local artisans will be there and The Roosevelt Tavern next door is opening during the day this one time only! If you are looking for more to do check out the Green Streets Festival also happening on Roosevelt Row.

**Bunky Boutique is also having 20% off the entire store**

Friday, November 6, 2009

My latest obsession

I am in love with these sunglasses. I think they are adorable, clever, and genius. I want simply want some. Shwood Shades based out of Portland, Oregon hand makes every single pair of shades. They have two styles and offers different types of wood...maple, wenge, and zebrawood. I have been thinking about them for quite some time which means it's time I order them.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

First Friday


Come check us out at First Friday this week at Kitchen Sink Studios downtown from 5:00 on. The address is 828 N. 3rd Street, on 3rd Street, south of Roosevelt. We will be there with other vendors. There will be wine and cheese and music! Also, check out Kitchen Sinks' website. Very cool! http://www.kitchensinkstudios.com/




Monday, November 2, 2009

Indian School Block Party


This Sunday you can find us at the PHX DIY crew at the Indian School Require the Prior Block Party. Indian School is closed off between 32nd and 38th Streets from 12-5pm. There will be lots of things going on including a car show, live music, food, local artists, kids play area, contests and more! It's a perfect time to start you holiday shopping and we hope to see you there.

Christmas is coming!

Christmas is the best time of the year and one of the things I look forward to the most is when Anthropologie puts out their ornaments. Check out some of my favorites.