::junetwelve::

Pillow Talk

2010-01-27T12:12:00.008-05:00

Throw pillows in all their decorative splendor make me happy. I don't have to commit. They work for a season, require no huge budget constraints and I can do what most creative people do a lot of – change my mind. I swear the picture of the couch at the top of this post could be taken from my livingroom. It's not, but it could be. Can you tell by the wall coverings post and now by this, that I have commitment issues?

New Find: Extreme Party Mascara

2010-01-26T12:27:00.000-05:00

I had to share a new find... Bobbi Brown's Extreme Party Mascara. I love it. Lashes were elongated and there was little to no flaking or clumping. When you find something that works, you just have to share!

The Bobbi Brown website describes it as:

"Our boldest mascara ever. Unbelievable volume. Endless build. Exceptional separation. Pliable formula stays flexible even after it dries, so each coat goes on as fresh as the first – immediately or hours later – with zero dragging, clumping or flaking. Tapered brush grabs even the smallest, hard-to-reach lashes."

Type

2010-01-25T22:41:00.003-05:00

"Typography (Etymology: typos—type, graphos—written) is the art and technique of arranging type, type design, and modifying type glyphs. Type glyphs are created and modified using a variety of illustration techniques. The arrangement of type involves the selection of typefaces, point size, line length, leading (line spacing), adjusting the spaces between groups of letters (tracking) and adjusting the space between pairs of letters (kerning)."
-Wikepedia

Images 1+2 ©Happycentro; images 3-5 ©Winnie Tan; images 6-8 ©Business Penmanship

I was recently working on a project that required me to do some type research and I came across some great typography that I felt compelled to share. It made me think about a class I took in grad school called 1000 Words with the great Tibor Kalman (you design geeks know who he is). The class was all about pictures. I learned that a strong photo can say a million (or 1000) things before words are even added to the page. So, as I thought about what kind of fonts I wanted for my project, I started to think about the artistry behind creating the type.

Here are some great type creators, take a look and enjoy!
Hoefler & Frere-Jones
Marian Bantjes
Erik Spiekermann

Studs

2010-01-11T11:32:00.000-05:00

I love how fashion design and home design overlap. I want all of the above!

Wall Coverings

2010-01-06T23:24:00.011-05:00

I love that wallpaper has made a come back. An accent wall can give a room a bit of personality without much effort. I'm considering using some adhesive wall coverings in my home office soon. When I do, I'll be sure to provide a report (with photos of course).

Decorating with White

2010-01-06T18:41:00.002-05:00

Images from Country Living, myhomeideas.com

I am obsessed with muted colors when it comes to my home decor. Decorating with white appeals to the sense of calm that I like to have at home. Just a pop of color as an accent here and there and I'm oh so happy. Some call it sterile, I call it luxurious. Modern, Victorian? It can all be achieved in white. Who knows? Perhaps it's because I deal with design on so many levels all day professionally that I want a little simplicity in my personal life. Whatever the case, these photos allow me to exhale. If you saw my posts on bedrooms, you know how much I seek comfort and simplicity.

Happy New Year

2010-01-06T17:58:00.006-05:00

Illustrations by Kareem Iliya. Representated by The Art Department

Beautiful fashion illustrations = creative inspiration. Here's to a wonderful, inspired 2K10.

Where I Want to Be

2009-12-15T18:30:00.000-05:00

Yelapa, Mexico

St. John, Virgin Islands

Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

The Flat Turtle

2009-12-14T09:57:00.001-05:00

I don't know why, but when it comes to holiday shopping, I over-think everything. I don't make up my mind easily when it comes to getting gifts for anyone on my list. I mull it over... "is this gift exactly what they want?" I don't know why I do it. I always have.

When my friend Susan sent me an email about her boyfriend Laurent's new Etsy shop (www.TheFlatTurtle.Etsy.com), I thought that anyone else that has a hard time finding the perfect gift (especially for co-workers), may be as happy as I am to see such a cute gift for sale–and for a good price. One box includes 24 cookies with 4 different aromas:

6 Chocolate - Coriander cookies
6 Coconut - Curry cookies
6 Green Tea Matcha cookies
6 Lemon - Thyme cookies

Try a box... Try two 2 boxes. I'm placing my order now.

Sade: February 8th 2010

2009-12-09T15:08:00.001-05:00

I love Sade. She's back with an album in February 2010. February 8th to be exact. Check out sade.com for more information. I just had to share since she only records what seems like every 10 years.

Holiday Wear

2009-12-09T14:49:00.002-05:00

Images from top to bottom: topshop.com, net-a-porter.com, neimanmarcus.com

A little sparkle can go a long way (as I've mentioned in past posts). I'd like to think I'm a low fuss, easy breezy type of person. (Those who know me probably disagree.) However, I can only commit to things that make my life simple. For example, I go to the gym across the street from my home, my hair style must require little upkeep (my hair very grows fast and I do not like to spend hours at the salon), and I try not to wear clothes that are uncomfortable (I say this, but I love fashion). Hence, the shiny jackets above. All glitter, no fuss. The way I see it, if you want a little bling for holiday parties, you can have it. Pair a sequin jacket with jeans and instantly, you're chic!

Love These Boots

2009-12-08T11:56:00.000-05:00

I'm supposed to be doing my Christmas shopping. True to form, I found something for me. These beautiful boots are from Dolce Vita and they don't break the bank! (Well... sort of. There are other gifts to get.) Now, what to do?

Calendars

2009-12-07T10:34:00.005-05:00

I love calendars. There's something about printed calendars that makes looking at the days/weeks/months ahead clearer to me than checking the date on my iPhone or even a computer screen for that matter. I can't have just any calendar. I like monthly calendars that sit on an angle and make checking the date nothing more than a quick glance from my computer screen. It doesn't end there. The calendar design must be clean. The numbers must be big and type must be simple. I like what I like. These from Muji are right up my alley. For less than $5, how can I go wrong?

Holiday Decorating

2009-12-06T21:14:00.003-05:00

Looking for holiday decorations that are in the spirit of the holidays but don't scream green and red? Want something with a little sparkle? These decorations are from West Elm's website. They're David Stark Silver Bullion Ball Ornaments. Why do I keep thinking of freshly fallen snow?

Paul Rand

2009-11-20T13:52:00.002-05:00

OK, so I'll be a design geek for a few minutes and share the work of Paul Rand. If you're not a designer or not into graphic design, I'd bet money you're familiar with at least 2 of these logos. I'm not sure if knowing one person had such great success at design inspires me or makes me feel like a colossal failure. Jokes aside (only partly joking), his work is incredible.

Ah! Bedtime

2009-11-17T22:28:00.003-05:00

images: House Beautiful

Bedtime… I love it. Soft colors, great natural light and comfy decor are my mainstays.
On that note, I'm going to bed!

What is Luxury to You?

2009-11-17T21:40:00.005-05:00

There's an interesting interview in the December '09/January '10 issue of Dwell magazine by Aaron Britt that has also been published on dwell.com. Augustin Scott de Martinville, who heads the master’s program in luxury and design at the University of Art and Design in Lausanne, Switzerland (who knew there was such a program?) was interviewed about the future of luxury and what the term means in our current economic climate.

Working in media, I've found that sellers have had to shift their focus. The consumer's definition of luxury has changed. I know for myself, what I used to splurge on, I now think twice about. Luxury for me is now something elusive – like time. With high-end brands like Jimmy Choo doing lines for H&M, it's obvious that the paradigm has shifted.

What do you think?

Check out the interview here.

What Goes Around Comes Around

2009-11-17T20:37:00.002-05:00

A (High society necklace) + B (Sunset bracelet): Banana Republic

C (Panama hat) + D (Wool felt cloche): JCrew

I never thought I'd want pearls. I'm not a pearls kind of girl. I prefer chunky pieces that are a little on the funky side, but this fashion season, pearls are speaking to me.

I love anything vintage and the look of clustered, long-strand pearls with a brooch makes them cool with me. I can imagine them paired with any of the above. Love!

Who am I?

2009-11-17T14:38:00.001-05:00

Thanks for visiting the blog. I'm a Creative Director in publishing at a women's magazine and as you can tell by the picture, I love beautiful things. This blog is a visual journal of things that I love: graphic design, home decor, fashion, makeup, and music. Everything here is inspired by my life, work, family and friends.