Winter Wonderland

I'm completely drawn to Maria Yasko's exquisite interior design for Moominvalley, a family entertainment center. Designed from ceiling to floor, these magical monotone winter wonderlands are fantastic and functional.



:: Discovered via The Best Part

Cozy Website

I really like the new Orange Girl Photographs website by Uppercase. It's clean, simple, easy to use, and has textural touches that really bring the composition together. From the wooden backgroundto the paper texture, or the accents of orange and watercolor illustrations that appear as the page loads, it's a great example of how well contained design elements should be, but how the little details can really make a website.

Check out the work of Lesley Vance, it's organized chaos with fascinating colors.



:: Discovered via today and tomorrow

Browser PONG

No one particularly likes Mondays (especially Mondays after holidays), so you should definitely take 5 minutes to play PONG by Stewdio. It's the same as the original game of Pong, except you play with the browser windows! Challenging and easily hidden, this is the perfect way to look busy at work while having a little fun — consider this a belated Christmas present.


:: Discovered via It's Nice That

Kris Lewis' Modern Latvian Style

Inspired by Latvian heritage and its traditions, Kris Lewis' depictions of the human figure are a vector for hidden stories, delicate emotion, and universal truth. His paintings are timeless, yet modern, comforting and unnerving all at the same time, reflecting how fragile our minds are as we struggle to make sense of one another.


:: Discovered via BOOOOOOOM!

Happy Holidays to All

Have a great holiday everyone, keep in mind this charming illustration by Ocechou while you feel your stress melt away for at least one day.

Thirsty for Typography Thursday #14 – Shaz Madani

"Thirsty for Typography Thursday" proudly presents Shaz Madani. Graduate of London College of Communication, Shaz's skills will make anyone feel like they need to stay up all night staring at their monitor.





:: Discovered via ShareSomeCandy

Sculpted Photography

Inspired by Cubism, Szymon Roginski created a wonderful set of "sculpted photography" for the 2009 spring/summer collection of Ania Kuczynska titled “O MIA O.” Similarly to the cubist painters in the 20's, Roginski attempted the break the 2 dimensions of the space, while complimenting the composition of each photograph.




:: Discovered via today and tomorrow

Patterns, Published

I'm so proud to share Print & Pattern by Bowie Style (creator of the immensely popular Print & Pattern blog), a book that focuses on pattern design and application, illustrations, and printed products — in which my work is featured. Currently unreleased, pre-order your early Christmas gift to yourself today and get inspired by an amazing collection of work for 2010.

Curious Gifts

I love all the products from The Curiosity Shoppe, they're quirky and funny, yet tasteful. Below are my favorites.



Cubic Switchplate


One-Inch Necklace


Jabber-Jaw Talking Painting


Knitted Coffee Sleeve


Screen-Printed Horse Plaque

Tell Everyone, It Might Make a Difference

Richard O’Barry's shocking documentary called "The Cove" uncovers Japan's on-going illegal slaughter of dolphins. As Flipper's original trainer, O'Barry takes full responsibility for our obsession with dolphins, but instead of making and obscene amount of training these animals, he risks his life and freedom to protect them. Tis the season to give, do your part, spread the word, donate, do whatever it takes to make a difference. Do what's right, sign the petition.

15 Uses for Newsprint

The Pencil Factory sells a wonderful collection of art on newsprint by various artists for $10. There is a total of 15 prints, with suggested usage ranging from "Wrap a Fish" to "Pose for Design Blog."

Working, Made Pretty

Informative, fantastical, colorful, and precise, these beautiful illustrations were created by Lotta Nieminen.





:: Discovered via Design Dust

My Wish List

Although I want a lot of things for Christmas – mostly spending time with my family, reconnecting with my friends, and knitting all winter – I only wish for one tangible gift: a meringue ring.

12 Days of Christmas – Gift Idea #12

Last but not least, gifts with geometric shapes by PAWLING print studio. Christmas cards, tote bags, and calendars – shower your loved ones with overlapping circles and squares, creating elegant patterns in black in white, sure to please everyone.

BEST PART
Due to the lack of color, the recipient of your gift can customize it by adding color. You can help them, creating not only a unique product– one they are sure to love, but also building memories sure to outlast any generic gift.







:: Discovered Oh So Beautiful Paper

Temporary Monster Hands

For everyone on your list, the Monster Hand temporary tattoo set that transforms a child or adult paw into a wide-eye Monster, and it's under $10.

Thirsty for Typography Thursday #13 – Messages in A Bottle

Long overdue, another post for Thirsty for Typography Thursday, although somewhat deceiving since this post is to encourage everyone to get back to writing. I remember passing notes between friends instead of text messages, and talking on the phone instead of iChatting, and as connected as I constantly feel, I have to admit there is quite a void. Anthropologie sells this amazing little product that collects notes, encouraging us all to leave a paper trail.

12 Days of Christmas – Gift Idea #11

Although extremely one sided since I grew up on the Atlantic coast and have missed it tremendously for the past 15 years, I absolutely recommend prints of maritime paintings by Samantha French as a gift (plus you receive free shipping on any purchases til Christmas).





:: Discovered via