August 4, 2011
The Stud
Digging this studded 2GB USB drive that’s camouflaged as a keychain I could so easily clip to my purse.
Posted In technology
August 4, 2011
Door Porn
There’s not one thing wrong with the exterior of my house except for the sterile, under-ten-years-old feeling that I’d like to abolish. First on my list is adding some character to the front door. And while it’s not in the budget to buy a new one, I know a coat of fresh paint can do wonders. I’m torn between goldenrod and black at the moment, but anything has to be an improvement on the dull beige is currently is.
Clockwise from upper left: via inside the loop, Apartment Therapy, Marie-Hélène Cingal, via Layers of Meaning, Peden+Munk, via A Cottage in the Woods
August 3, 2011
xobruno
xobruno is Portland-based company that makes killer leather and canvas bags like the ones above. Really unique, handcrafted pieces that are sure to add a punch to your wardrobe and last the test of time. (Thanks, Michelle!) PS: Lovely story behind the company’s name, too!
Posted In bags, wear it
August 3, 2011
Even More S’mores
You people can’t get enough s’mores. Seriously. This post from last year is responsible for my highest stats ever, a year later and sites are still picking it up to repost. Complete insanity, but who am I to interfere with your summer s’mores fix? An enabler, that’s who. Here are twenty more recipes to give you your fix in a plethora of forms over the next twelve months. Enjoy and send me some in an envelope, please. [Click on the image to head to the recipe link]
All photos and recipes copyright of their respective source unless otherwise noted.
Posted In recipes
August 3, 2011
Wood Mantle Clocks
I have a mantle. I have no mantle clock. This one is modern perfection.
Posted In accessories, house and home
August 2, 2011
Tangerine Aura Ring
Over the weekend I acquired the latest piece of what I’m hoping is becoming a unique yet timeless jewelry collection. This tangerine Aura ring from Stone & Honey is going to be perfect with jeans or a cocktail dress and I’m smitten.
Posted In jewelry, wear it
August 2, 2011
DIY Modern Cement Planter
I always think about what I would pay for something I could make on my own. In the case of these cement planters? More than I even care to admit to myself.
Posted In grow it, make it
August 2, 2011
Shark Week!
DESIGN: Mattson Creative
You guys, the best week of the year is upon us! Are you properly attired? I’ve been watching Shark Week for as long as I can remember and this is its 20th year.
Posted In see it, wear it
August 1, 2011
Corduroy
Jen Ray is one of my favorite artists, honestly. Remember the honey badger mugs? Her prints kill me.
Posted In create, illustration, paper goods, prints
August 1, 2011
Design Crush + HP + Project Runway
One of my favorite parts of this community are the relationships that are built not only between bloggers and readers, but with brands. I had a chance to meet up and chat with some of the swell people behind HP just this past January when they showed me their latest line of products at Alt. One of those things was their rad TouchScreen technology that’s featured on the show Project Runway. A few weeks ago HP contacted me to see if I’d be interested in giving their TouchScreen 610 a test-run for a few months by sharing weekly posts created on it, keeping in line with the Project Runway theme for that week. Being not only a design nerd, but a tech geek I was all over it.
Having been a Mac girl for all but my freshman year of college, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the new TouchScreen when it showed up. At all. Was it going to be massive and bulky? Have lots of cords and extra stuff that I had no idea what to do with? No and no. In fact, the set up as far as components go really reminds me of my iMac at the office. Monitor and processor happily co-exist as one piece, then there’s a wireless mouse and keyboard. Really easy setup. And get this… the monitor flat-out pivots. It makes working in the drawing program loads easier, and more like drawing on a sketchbook. And I’d be remiss not to mention the incredible 23″ monitor.
First lesson learned, I am no fashion designer. I know what I like when I see it, but I don’t have that sort of design vision. Second lesson, using the TouchSmart is very different from my beloved Adobe Creative Suite programs. You can let your fingers do the work on the screen, but I opted for a stylus (from my ancient Palm Pilot!). It took me awhile to get the hang of things, including what command stands in for Control Z on a PC. After about an hour of messing around, this is what I came up with.
For the first week I thought I’d take things very literally and go right along with the challenge. The contestants were woken up in the middle of the night for this one. I sleep in a white Hanes tee most nights and my queen-sized sheets area always white – I totally lucked out. They have access to fabric dyes, so I “dyed” my sheet poppy red and created a floor length gown out of it with a plunging neckline, pockets, and a bit of bustle in the back. My shirt got dyed a goldenrod yellow and was fashioned into a fitted, bunched belt around the waist. Not the most daring of fashion ideas, but I’m pleased with it for a first go ’round.
What would you have created?
Starting today and carrying on through the next several Mondays, this is what you’ll be seeing here. I’m going to do my best not to stick to one “formatted” technique of my take on the weekly challenge, I really want to mix it up a little and keep things interesting. I’m also really looking forward to flexing my art and design muscles in an entirely different way than I’m used to!
(Watch the full episode if you’d like – Team Bert!)
Full Disclosure: HP provided me with a TouchSmart 610 for use. All content and opinions are mine. I have not been financially compensated by HP or Project Runway.
Posted In collaboration/project, my design, Project Runway/HP Challenge, wear it