Basic Shapes Growth Chart.

It seems like every time the seasons change I have another friend popping out an addition to their family. There are lots of great baby gifts out there, but clothing only lasts a few months and toys a little longer. I like the idea of giving something that’s going to have a little more staying power.

Check out this growth chart that’s home to a family of animal characters created exclusively by combining the square, circle and triangle. It’s so well designed and better than the doorframe I had, that’s for sure. Available in blue, yellow, orange and green and printed on recycled paper using vegetable inks.

:: via Simple Lovely

0

Happy Weekend.

I didn’t get to post as much as I would have liked this week with being sick Monday and being swamped at work most of the week. (Damn the Man!) That really just means that next week’s posts are going to be totally awesome and rad. Seriously.

This Weekend:
• hopefully unpack the last few boxes (NOTE: this does not mean I’m done moving in any, way, shape or form!)
• laundry, baby
• J’s farewell party
• A’s Screw Being 30 Bash
• house decorating
• maybe some shopping tossed into the mix somewhere if I can swing it!

:: photo via ffffound

1

Hang On Outlet.

Thanks to designer Paula Oh we can all rid ourselves of Power Vampires. You know, those appliances and whatnot that suck electricity even when you’re not actually using them. Her Hang On Outlet encourage you to unplug the little money suckers when not in use by incorporating a notch to hook the plug onto. Gotta love that smart design!

:: via geeksugar

3

Dog Days of Summer.

Oklahoma gets freakin’ H-O-T in the summer.

Example #1
When I moved here in 1998 to attend college we had 100º days well into October. Back in Pennsylvania where’d I’d moved from it was already jacket weather. Talk about a shock to the system…

Example #2
OK usually hits its temperature peak from mid-July through mid-September. To affirm this, the mercury has popped up into the triple-digits for the past two days and is predicted to hit 102º this weekend. Fan-freakin-tastic. (RE: I hate it) It’s literally too hot to be outside.

:: photo via ffffound

6

The Daily Eat: Crab Dip.

I like the chef’s idea of pairing this easy crab dip with a bottle of wine and a baguette on a sunny afternoon. Preferably one involving a cool breeze, not 100º temperatures which makes today less than ideal.

:: photo and recipe via Lazy Susin

3

Askinosie Chocolate.

What happens when a criminal defense lawyer is a chocoholic baker on the side? Askinosie Chocolate of course. In May 2005, Shawn Askinosie quit his day job and pursued chocolate making. (His story is a lot more interesting that that, but you’ll have to check it out for yourself!)

I love chocolate. But if it’s possible, I may love good packaging more. And this here is some very good packaging design. The earthy palette and materials feel very true to what Askinosie was originally out to accomplish – honest to goodness chocolate. Not something that been processed to there and back. Everything feels just rustic enough – like it came to you directly from the source.

Oh, and I bet the chocolate is pretty yummy!





0

Furniturea.

Furniturea (fur-ni-chur-ah) designs, manufactures and sells contemporary wood furniture out of their Portland, Maine workshop. I love the clean lines and great palette options. Choose a style. Select one of their 22 standard colors. Or challenge them with a custom request.




2

Essential 1800.

1800 Tequila is currently featuring artwork by those they deem “essential artists.” Those creating the world’s most vital work at this very moment. The featured works are as diverse as the artists themselves, hailing from the world over and creating work which reflects not only their personalities, but their backgrounds as well. The art hasn’t been restricted to canvases either. Try pixels and street corners as well. On that same note, the artists’ creations will not only be shown in outdoor exhibitions, but also on limited edition 1800 bottles and custom-designed shoes. How’s that for thinking outside the box?





2