Extreme Valentine’s Day Roundup

This roundup turned out to be a little haphazard. I’ve been bookmarking things here and there since early January and didn’t realize just how much I’d pulled together to share. So if you’re looking for the right gift for your sweetheart, a tasty cocktail or sweets recipe, free printables, or any number of other things… well, there are 80-some of them willing and waiting below!

 

Valentines-Day-1-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Instax Heart Glitter Frame // Beary Favor Bags DIY + Free Printables    ROW 2: Heart of Glass Mug // DIY Heart Drink Stirrers // Cherub’s Cup Cocktail    ROW 3: Custom Leather Banner Keychain // Valentine’s Day Cocktail // I Heart You Fill-In Books    ROW 4: Love Sux Conversation Heart Pin // Be Mine Heart // DIY Watercolour Heart Cookies

 

Valentines-Day-2-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Raspberry Mousse Meringue Hearts // Big Time Love // Many Moons Card    ROW 2: By Your Side Card // Bisous // Let’s French    ROW 3: Heart Sing // I Really Like You // DIY Confetti Treat Box and Printable    ROW 4: DIY Eucalyptus Heart Wreath // My Anchor // Always & Forever

 

Valentines-Day-3-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Forever Card // I Love You Card // Beautiful Smile Card    ROW 2: You Repulse Me the Least // Ombre Heart Blank Folding Card // Venn Diagram Love Card    ROW 3: You’re the One // Smitten Gold Foil Card // The Heart Cleansing Sponge    ROW 4: Printable Valentines // Bananas for Your Art Print // 5 Minute Paper Bag Valentines

 

Valentines-Day-4-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Lou Lou Heart Hipster // Readymade Be Mine Neon Sign // DIY Conversation Heart Cookies    ROW 2: DIY Love Tokens // DIY Flair Valentines // Heart Shaped Cookies    ROW 3: Printable Gift Wrap // DIY Colorful Paper Fortune Cookies // Tattly Heart Set    ROW 4: DIY Etched Heart Flair Pins // Heart Cake Knife // Big Love Ice Cream Bowl & Spoon

 

Valentines-Day-5-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Strawberry Heart Hand Pies // Red Velvet Melting Moments // DIY Heart Manicure    ROW 2: The Underpinning // DIY Envelope Liners // Red Velvet Sundaes    ROW 3: DIY Valentine’s Day Bath Bomb // I Love You Copper Foil Card // I Love You the Most Card    ROW 4: Crazy Love // Lucky for Us // Raspberry Chocolate Cups

 

Valentines-Day-6-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Heart Bun Tool Kit // DIY Hand Holding Hearts Pop Up Valentines // Red Velvet Popcorn    ROW 2: Heart Drink Stirrers // Sun Printed Heart Valentines // DIY XOXO Valentines Painted Planter    ROW 3: Printable Valentine’s Day Postcards // DIY Mini Bouquets // Love Card    ROW 4: DIY Breakfast in Bed Tray // DIY Square Lollipops // XO Valentine

 

Valentines-Day-7-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Beaming // DIY Envelope Wraps // DIY Gold Heart Garland    ROW 2: Single and Psyched Patch // The Pink Lady Cocktail // Crochet Heart Garland    ROW 3: Printable Rap Lyric Valentines Cards // H’Eye There Printable Valentines // Melted Chocolates with Edible Gold Foil    ROW 4: DIY Mini Eclairs // Printable Valentine’s Day Posters // Heart Eye Emoji Patterned Cake Roll

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Print Edition: February

Print-Edition-February-1-Design-Crush

May Day by Hayley Mitchell Art // Bath Time by Natalie Trovato // Composition Series 2: B by Kate Miss // Fleur Femme by Wayne Pate // Grace Coddington by Gray Day Studio

 

Print-Edition-February-2-Design-Crush

Houseplants by Hartland Brooklyn // It’s Okay by Matthew Taylor Wilson // Miko Sorry by Mathilde Aubier // Morning River by Lauren Adams // No Dancing Except on Tables by Planeta 444

 

Print-Edition-February-3-Design-Crush

Palmistry by Ms Matilda // Persistence is Fruitful by Anthony Burrill // Pillow Land by Clare Elsaesser // Pyrite Light No. 1 by Hamish Robertson // San Francisco is for Carnivores by Drywall

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42 Pressed

42 Pressed-1-Design Crush

 

It’s been awhile since a letterpress shop smacked me upside the head and left me reeling. (In a good way.) But that’s exactly what I happened when I first laid eyes on 42 Pressed a few months ago. The color, style, and sizing of every piece is spot on spectacular. Shop founder and creative director Jackie Hall Robinson fuses hand painting, patterns, typography, and letterpress to create something so good that I can’t help but gush.

 

42 Pressed-2-Design Crush

42 Pressed-3-Design Crush

42 Pressed-4-Design Crush

42 Pressed-5-Design Crush

42 Pressed-6-Design Crush

2016 Die Cut Calendar // Charleston Print // Thanks // Well Done // Camp Fire // Sea Side

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Sideshow Press

Sideshow Press-1-Design Crush

 

Designer-owners Amy Pastre and Courtney Rowson are creating amazing things for desktop, tabletop, and travel. Within the past year or so I’ve become a massive fan of these ladies and what they’re doing over at Sideshow Press. Amy and Courtney believe in great design and craftsmanship for everyday products and are dedicated to working with remarkable materials and like-minded American manufacturers. All things I stand behind wholeheartedly. It doesn’t hurt that they know their way around a letterpress machine like a couple of bosses either.

 

Sideshow Press-2-Design Crush

Sideshow Press-3-Design Crush

Sideshow Press-4-Design Crush

Sideshow Press-5-Design Crush

Sideshow Press-6-Design Crush

Leatherette Postcard // Cocktail Tray // Note Pad // 5-Inch Drink Stirrer //
Lapel Pin // Napkin Coaster

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Print Edition: January

Print-Edition-January-1-Design-Crush

Antique Bird Illustration by The Black Vinyl // Banana Bread Recipe by Drunk Girl Designs // Create Something Today by Words Brand // Hanging Pink Moon by Fybur // I Don’t Believe in Magic by Jolie Marche

 

Print-Edition-January-2-Design-Crush

Make It With Your Hands by Half Hazard Press // Moonrise by Beth Hoeckel Collage & Design // Neighborhood Patterns City Maps by 42 Pressed // Torched by Kaydi Bishop // Virginia Woolf Dreams by Laurel Canyon Dreaming

 

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A Few of My Favorite Things in 2015

I always struggle when explaining just what I do for a living to others. You’d think after 8 1/2 years of Design Crush I’d have nailed down an elevator pitch, but nope. Usually I resort to saying something about the site being a reflection of my aesthetic yadda yadda yadda. That is until a few months ago when I came across this quote by Maira Kalman and it resonated like no other. I feel like this is the absolute perfect way to describe my day to day and if I could use it as the entirety of my bio I would.

 

Maira-Kalman-Design-Crush

 

I share things I love daily with you, but of course I don’t own all of them. Not even a fraction. One of my favorite posts each year is this one, where I get to share the things I use day in and day out that have stood the test of life. So in my best Oprah voice, herewith are my faaaavorite thiiiiiings for 2015!

 

2015-Favorite-Things-Design-Crush

1/Artifact Uprising’s Wood Cleat – This sleek reclaimed wood cleat has a magnetic closure system, making it super easy to swap out whatever art/photo/etc you want to display at any given moment.

2/Casper – You’ve surely heard about this startup that’s changing the mattress industry. I got mine back in March and haven’t woken up with a sore back or hips since. I really cannot recommend it enough! (Hit me up if you want a coupon!)

3/Cold Gold – This line of hand-crafted geometric and leather jewelry has become my go-to for daily wear and gifting. It doesn’t hurt that the owner is super sweet either!

4/Neoflam – Cast aluminum cookware that’s non-stick and seamless is perfect for making dinner every night. Because when something is this easy to clean up it’s way less likely to end up sitting in my sink for a week.

5/Urbanears Plattan ADV Wireless – I’ve worn this line for years, but they recently released the first Bluetooth headphones in their lineup and I’m completely hooked.

6/Parabo Press Risograph Prints – Really all of their personalized print goods, but especially the pink risographs are amazing. The app is also super easy to use which says a lot in this day and age.

7/Treat Collection – Since trying out this non-toxic line of nail polishes and remover I haven’t used anything else. Great coverage, no odor – what else could be better?

8/Nest – I first plugged my new learning thermostat in this past spring. Not only is it interesting to see it learn your habits, it’s also fantastic seeing the difference in your bills.

9/Canary – Quite simply the easiest all-in-one home security system that’s ever been. You control it all from your phone and there’s zero setup.

10/Frederick’s & Mae Playing Cards – Some of the most eye-catching I’ve ever come across, they even make solitaire that much better!

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Print Edition: December

Print-Edition-December-1-Design-Crush

Bayleaves Watercolor Canvas by The Savvy Heart // Bowl of Ferns by Stellaire Studio // F + V by Young American Creatives // Frame Two Flat by ALSO // Good Day by Moon Rabbit Press

 

Print-Edition-December-2-Design-Crush

Good Vibes by Cat Coquillette // Indigo Lines by Sycamore Street Press // Inspirational Quote by Easy, Tiger // New York Rooftop by Idlewild Co. // Orange Sun by Honey & Bloom

 

Print-Edition-December-3-Design-Crush

Rose Poster by Fine Little Day // Subtle Horizon by Georgia Paraschiv // This Print Wished You Would… by Laure Prouvost // Vintage Beer Photo by The Beer Book // We Are All Made of Stardust by Ban.do

home decor

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My Holiday Cards (+ an Artifact Uprising Giveaway)

Artifact Uprising-1-Design Crush

 

Every year I think I’m going to skip out on doing a photo card to send out for the holidays, but then I see a design that I just can’t stop thinking about and order them. This year was no different, thanks to Artifact Uprising‘s modern looks and beautiful sayings.

 

Artifact Uprising-2-Design Crush

 

After 8 1/2 years of Design Crush I figured now was a good time to do a card to send out to sponsors and PR folk who I work with on the regular. I really liked the idea of sharing a peek at my home and aesthetic for the photo, so you might recognize the shot on it from this month’s holiday mantle post.

 

Artifact Uprising-3-Design Crush

 

For my family and personal friends it was none other than my pup, Bebe, front and center! I snapped this photo of her last year before decorating, and paired with the sentiment it was a perfect match. (This is also the first year I’ve included my pets names on a card – the decision to makes me laugh!)

 

Artifact Uprising-4-Design Crush

 

I also toyed with the idea of New Year cards as I rushed to get the house decorated, gifts bought, and cards written out and in the mail. They’re such a great option for those of us who note December as the busiest month of the year both personally and work-wise. In fact, I’m already half planning on it for holiday season!

Now it’s your turn to win $150 to spend at Artifact Uprising! They have amazing cards and lots of other good stuff to personalize, so think outside the box. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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