It’s rare that we share photography, but I’m making a conscious effort to change that beginning with lauded German photographer Alexander Straulino. His stylistic perfection, aesthetic boldness, and saturated tones turn models into works of art with a click of the shutter. Straulino’s willingness to step out on a limb and experiment in the obscure is the definition of art.
It’s no secret that working from home can be a challenge some days. For every advantage (flexible schedule!) there’s a disadvantage (distractions!). As Design Crush has continued to grow as a business my approach has had to change, and the latest curve is one I can’t say I was expecting.
As a freelance or contract worker there’s always the fear that the current job I’m working on will be the last. It’s the nature of the beast, and in my case the anxiety – and I don’t like saying no because of it. In the past year I’ve said yes a few too many times, and found myself slogging through the last three months of 2015 with way too much on my shoulders. Namely, I was neglecting to make any time for myself.
I knew I had to change up my routine and focus on the times during the day when I felt most productive as for that hour or two that left me dragging. I used to end my day during chillier months with a cup of tea, and thought that maybe rescheduling what used to be my downtime as a time to refocus might help me out.
Then along came Pique Tea. Designed for excellence with every sip, Pique Tea has taken the tea world by storm with their new Tea Crystals. I love that even though my tea is ready in an instant the results aren’t compromised, the tea in my mug is pure and rich and tastes just as though I’d thoughtfully brewed it.
So just how does Pique Tea achieve this tea crystal sorcery? It’s relatively simple – they brew high quality organic loose tea leaves, then when the perfect brew is reached they distill it into pure tea crystals. Basically taking the guesswork out of making a great cup of tea, and helping me avoid over-brewing by walking out of the kitchen and letting my tea steep for too long. (So guilty.) The hope is that a great cup of tea made easy will cause a ripple effect of feeling well, doing well, and doing more.
But don’t take my word for it, try Pique Tea for yourself. Sign up for a free trial and receive all five flavors – Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Mint Sencha, Sencha, and Jasmine – to try on your own (that’s 14 sachets, or a week’s supply)! Now tell me, how do you make time for yourself during the weekdays?
This post sponsored by Pique Tea. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content!
Posted In behind the scenes, food, living, sponsored post
California-based artist Angela Schwer creates the most incredible sculptures – for your wall. Nature inspires the flower, fungi, and sea plant pieces that are both insanely detailed and beautifully monochromatic. Each of Angela’s artworks are created as a wall tile to be easily hung in your space. Check out her Etsy shop, Dilly Pad, to pick up a piece of your own.
(via Creative Boom)
Posted In create, sculpture
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.
2016 Die Cut Calendar // Charleston Print // Thanks // Well Done // Camp Fire // Sea Side
Posted In calendars, cards, create, paper goods, prints
Something about January makes me feel like I should be hunkered down embroidering next to a roaring fire. The problem is I haven’t done so much as cross-stitch since elementary school, so the end results would be nothing as spectacular as the work of Lorena Marañon. The Cuban-born artist is inspired by the landscapes of her youth – northeastern coastlines, rivers, and plants – and the colors that surrounded her. The result is a beautiful body of work that’s full of embroidery, patchwork, and jewelry.
Click on each image to go to the project.
All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
The works of Chuck Close, Egon Schiele, Paul Klee, and Richard Diebenkorn are obvious influences in Lui Ferreyra‘s work, but he also cites hi-tech imaging, such as satellite photography, medical CAT scans, and vector graphics as having impact. Whatever inspiration lies behind it, I love Lui’s web-like style that comes across as distinctly his own.
(via this isn’t happiness)
Posted In create, illustration
Mid-Century Stainless Tea Pot with Wood Handle
It’s been downright brutally cold here in the northeast this week, and I’ve been drinking at least three cups of tea a day. When I was a kid my Grandma drilled into my head that heating your water in a kettle rather than in the microwave just made the brew taste that much better, and I’ve lived by that rule. These days I take it a step further and brew in a pot rather than the mug itself, too.
Mayu Cast Iron Teapot // White Pebble Tea Set // Vintage Red and White Polka Dot Enamel Tea Pot
Helena Teapot & Coaster Set // Vintage Metal Tea Pot // Copper Teapot
Form Tea Pot // Vintage Mid-Century Tea Pot // Vintage Royal Holland Short Pewter Tea Pot
Vintage Rörstrand Ceramic Tea Pot // Chantal Copper Whistling Tea Kettle // OXO Classic Brushed Stainless Tea Kettle
Posted In house and home, kitchen, living, round up, series
Jonas Wood‘s paintings are wonderfully quirky, making them all the more slice of life. My favorite just might be the last one below, with its stack of pet carriers in the basement or garage. Now that one really hits close to home!
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.
Leatherette Postcard // Cocktail Tray // Note Pad // 5-Inch Drink Stirrer //
Lapel Pin // Napkin Coaster