Vintage Bazaar

I just found out there is a vintage bazaar in Lincoln Square tomorrow! Hello old type, dusty bottles, vintage posters and real wood furniture! The entry is free and they have a cash bar for drinks (alcoholic or not) and snacks. Here's a little sneak peak!

Sunny Bachelorette Party Invites

Just posting some shots of the bachelorette invitations I just finished! I love how bright they came out!

Cover up an eyesore

Here in chicago, you are lucky if you can find a rental with modern air conditioning. So you will appreciate this post from apartment therapy showing you how to cover up the old unit! (when it is not in use) So much better!

Dreams of Summer

Bright Edition

I just found this spectacular exhibit of light fixtures from designer Pieke Bergmans! I have never seen any thing like it. Light shades folded over objects, pouring out of a stem or laying on tables. They are so unique. Enjoy!...

A series of unique crystal lamps by Pieke Bergmans, with Royal Leerdam Crystal and Solid Lighting. You may wonder: What is a light blub?? The answer is simple: it is a light bulb that has gone way out of line. Infected by the dreaded Design Virus, these Blubs have taken on all kinds of forms and sizes you wouldn't expect from such well behaving and reliable little products. Nevertheless, they seem to be enjoying their new free existences. They can be found shining across Milan during the Salone Del Mobile 2008. The Light Blubs are a series of crystal lamps, designed by Pieke Bergmans, in cooperation with Royal Crystal Leerdam. The lamps are all unique handcrafted crystal pieces, equipped with leds by Solid Lighting Design.

 

Quirky or Corky

This is brilliant: the Corky Mouse from designer Adele Peters is a kinetic energy-harvesting mouse that powers itself every time you click it or move it around your desk. Made from 100% recycled plastic components and recycled and biodegradable cork, it was one of 18 finalists in this year’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition. No more disposable batteries!

Inspiring Work

This invitation is so simple yet unique! The invites are printed on chip board and the envelope is a printed white bag folded over! The thank you is printed on chip board and can also be used as a bookmark. Very cool.

Designed by Swell Creative and printed by Smokeproof Press

On my plate

We are heading to Green Zebra for dinner tonight! I can't wait. I have only been there once, but have been trying to get back ever since. It is so amazing! My mouth is watering already. The food there is an "experience" to say the least. Check out their motto...


More and more, there is less delineation between work and home, with many people either working at home or working longer hours and spending less free structured time at home, with the pressures that come with those life styles. The current trend in food service is toward theme restaurants or restaurants with an emphasis on quickness, ease and convenience.

Although we recognize that quickness, ease and convenience are very attractive, we think dining could also be an almost sensuous experience. In fact, we would like to reintroduce dining as an experience that requires the use of all the senses; allowing people to take time to enjoy and revel in the experience. It should be, at it’s best, an experience that people miss in their daily lives. Above all, it should be fun, with freshness and surprises in the menu, with friendliness and knowledge in the service.

There is no doubt that with the uniqueness of our menu, expectations will be diverse as well as high. We at Green Zebra will focus simply on being a genuine restaurant devoted to the celebration of seasonality, freshness and flavor. In an era of “high-tech”, we will be “high-touch”, with the emphasis on customer recognition, providing personalized service, rewarding customer loyalty, and giving our guests an experience that’s worthy and will make us proud.

Stylish.org

Stylish organization that is! West Elm is having a sale on their amazing storage pieces! If you are anything like me, you have dreams of everything you own having a "place", and nightmares thinking about the ikea parts you have sitting on a plate in your office closet because there is nowhere to put them! Isn't everyone like that? I know, i know- my husband thinks i'm crazy every time I throw something out because I don't want it sitting around, but it's something I need to keep me sane. West Elm is helping me sleep at night with their 20% off sale on office storage. These would be perfect for the leaning shelves in our living room!

I saw this woven storage when I was in the store the other day- the pictures do not do it justice. It's textured grass cloth!

This chunky basket line adds a modern flare to basket weave. I love this series- a braided flexible textured jute. Magazine bins are such a savior for me because this is the

one thing I never want to throw away!

Busy...

I thought since I'm too busy to post something detailed, I would post what I'm working on! This is a wood grain done in photoshop- it's amazing what this program can do! You can find tutorials online to accomplish pretty much anything you want to render!

Enlighten Your Crafty Side!

Since my husband sells light bulbs online, I'm thinking it will be easy to find some laying around for this project! Vases can be expensive- this one uses an old incandescent light bulb and 2 feet of 3/32-inch aluminum welding rod to create a modern looking bud vase that is light on the wallet and high on design. The project requires a few simple tools, small needle-nose pliers, 1/4-inch Allen wrench, a small hammer, leather work gloves, and safety glasses. The estimated total cost of the materials for this project is only $5! Find the directions at ready made! (another great site I peruse)

Close to Spring

It's getting close to Spring and Anthropologie is reflecting the season with their new window displays! I saw for myself last Sunday and was amazed at (again) how cool it looked. Bike tires w/ the gears left on were hung from the ceiling with BUNCHES of flowers intertwined through the spokes. Little did I know that those flowers were actually painted plastic bottles! Check it out...

It's amazing what you can do to a useless object to make it look pretty!

Just some things I am admiring...

Just checking out Anthropologie's amazing furniture collection...
Perch Barstool

Lever & Lumber Table

Illusorio Console

Ordinal Dresser

White Wednesday

White has a huge impact when used right. Here the white walls in the dining room contrast against a rustic reclaimed wood table.

In this case, it highlights the dark wood floors and creates a clean backdrop for the see-thru cabinets.

White used all over is nothing but clean like shown here in a bedroom/office.

Letterpress amazement

I am truly amazed by this letterpress invitation by Burning House , a web design, graphic and illustration studio in San Fransisco. I can imagine everyone that received that invite still has it on their fridge. So impressive!

Greet Design on Press

I had some requests for stationary and finally had some time on Sunday to get to the studio to do some personal stuff and I think they turned out great! On a sad note: it's my last letterpress class tonight. I am going to finish my project.. stay tuned for photos!

I'm also busy printing the gift basket tags, programs, itinerary, thank you cards and favor tags for Carly & Josh's Wedding!

West Elm Trends

I found this "trend" area on the West Elm website discussing the current styles they are selling and it's getting me more and more excited to attend their grand opening event on February 3rd. There are some great images for inspiration. Can't get enough of that! The new location is right down the street from my office, so I will be there to admire all the design savvy items.

The 2 x 2 collection

Small Space Solutions

Everyday Essentials
(I would kill if the underside of my bed looked like this-empty!)

West Elm Green