I am loving elements from the above fashion stylist, Sussie Sheffman's home in September's House & Home. In fact there are lots of goodies in this month's edition, my favorite issue yet. Get a load of the inspiring staircase and artwork from another feature in the magazine! Ooohh ... how lucky they are to have a mini museum in their home.
On the softer side of melodic tunes, have you heard Priscilla Ahn's angelic voice yet? Gorgeous.
Getting a classic Philly cheesesteak from Pat's King of Steaks or Geno's was recommended to us by many for a 'touristy stop' in Philadelphia. The two legendary 24-hour, 7 days a week competitors (Pat's and Geno's) sit kitty-corner and have been going at it for years about who dishes up the best 'wich.
As we sat and ate our sandwiches on the vintage outdoor tables that hot summer night, we felt like we were whisked back into time looking up at photographs of classic-era celebrity customers plastered all over, and brick painted walls of famous Italians, while listening to blaring tunes of convertibles driving by with their tops down.
Since there are various opinions on who cooks up the best cheese-whiz covered steak sandwich in town, we decided to try both joints, and Pat's King of Steaks won our vote with a bit more flavorful and textured sandwich. Although to be honest, I've had better non whiz sandwiches at other places.... the experience we had was worth the dark back alley searching trip.
Next time you are in Philadelphia and you want to order one up... make sure to read the posted 'order directions' correctly or I am afraid you will be treated like this.
For those who have been, tell me about your experiences.
I recently came across the Belgian clothing line called Essentiel. Their photography and styling is pretty much 'off the charts' kuhl, I am really digging it. I also like some of their grown-up girl looks.
If you haven't heard yet... she has added another "mart" to her name, Martha Stewart that is. You can now find DIY wedding and other paper crafts at the super accessible Walmart, and for great prices. I rarely go to W-mart but last night I had to grab something at the 24 hour super store and I surprisingly came across her goods and nabbed a few shots with my phone. Read more about it here. Thoughts?
I've talked about Grady's work here (and it seems like somewhere else). Lately I am intrigued by what he has been up to... it is gorgeous! Way back in the day, he totally inspired me when I asked him some artsy questions and he wrote me the kindest emails in return. I'll have to dig those up.
(Thanks Cartolina for the reminder.)
I need a vacation after my vacation! All I want to do now is zzzzz.... see you when I emerge... maybe later today.
(image from here)
What I've been up to, if you are wondering: traveling home with an extra 2.5 hours sitting on the runway tarmac because of bad weather while trying to quiet down our hyper toddler // unpacking // laundry // cleaning // grocery shopping // having company in town //entertaining // cooking // watching two busy toddlers fight over a baby stroller // giving Vienna her first 'time out' after a hit, push and whack to her cousin's head // working on a big project with a tight deadline all night // other random things ... I don't want to ramble too much //etc... etc...//
Hope you have a beautiful summer weekend! I will be back Monday
well... hopefully Tuesday.
Whimsical and bold describe the work of British designer Emily Forgot which I came across while doing one of my favorite activities of perusing design books. Check out her website and these funky 'Alice in Wonderland' like plates she sells in her shop.
I want to jump into this photo and invite you all to come.
(photo from Martha Stewart)
Okay, I cannot get enough of Project Runway... and I guess a lot of people can't either because it is back! The first show for season 5 aired back on July 16th (which I missed). Tell me your thoughts about the episode... are they getting too over the top yet? (via here)
ps. Am I a reality tv nerd if I watch this show and maybe an occasional design star or food network star clip?
Happy Monday! I am still away but I thought I would share with you this shot, it is lovely... lovely.
I heart this color explosion I've been seeing everywhere, and I also hope that you had a bright and colorful week! Have a great weekend too :)
1: This flickr
2: By Tony Fishlock via Oh Happy Day + It's Nice That
3: From here via Fly
4: Alberto Seveso's Portfolio via Graphic Exchange + .v
5: Apartment Therapy
Since today is Thursday, and I am currently away I thought I would let you in on a little secret. There is another online website where I have started to stash things that inspire me. It is a place where I bookmark things I love, sans words. Have you heard of tumblr? Well... check my new tumblr out!
One of the things you'll find on my tumblr is the above magazine wallpaper via door sixteen's flickr. Love it!
ps. to see source of each tumblr post click on the images.
Check out these gorgeous photos by Claire Wise that a reader shared with me. Claire, who lives in the greater Nashville area specializes in children's photography, and her work varies in styles between fun, bright and happy shots to more of an impressionist and muted style. Gorgeous!
I am off to Philadelphia + NYC... I am sooo excited and in need of a vacation. While I am away I decided it would be cool to try the new automated feature. Stay tuned...
The above photos are from my new customized moleskin travel book. I started out with a blank book and put my own maps of places I want to go, tips, photos of sites, and of course tidbits from the design sponge guides etc... hope it does the trick.
Yay... time to announce the letterpress giveaway winner! I used random.org and it landed on Megan Healey Taylor who said, "Me please!! I heart pretty letterpress!! :)" Megan email me your contact info. as soon as possible and I'll pass it on to Elise so she can get customizing this weekend. Thank you everyone for your comments... stay tuned for more future giveaways.
Be sure to stop by Elise's blog as well as peruse her etsy shop, which she is going to update this Friday with more goodies. Thanks Elise for such a fantastic giveaway!!
(images from Elise's etsy)
I want to let you know (if you didn't already) that D. sharp is having a giveaway for one of her special handmade Eiffel Tower Containers! I personally have one and have to say it is gorgeous, a work of art. Read more about the details of her giveaway here. She has also been added to my sponsor roll to the left... check all of the great sponsors out! (more sponsor highlights to come)
Jen Gotch is my pretty much my polaroid hero. Her work is stunning.. and her personality and witty playfulness through the emails we've shot back and forth have made me smile and even laugh out loud.
Yesterday, she emailed me to ask if any of you readers/designers would like to help her with an upcoming project. She is doing a shoot that is need of fall/winter accessories. Do you have any belts, shoes, hats, glasses, gloves, mittens, scarfs, leg warmers, etc... that you would like to share? It would be a great way to get your product or favorite gear in the limelight. Drop her a line if you are interested: hello@jengotch.com. I would highly recommend collaborating with her.
ps. Her website redesign is supa' dupa happenin'. Love.. love it.
(all images by Jen, last image from her website)
One of the new applications I am excited about on the iphone, which you can also get for your ipod touch is Pandora!! If you are unfamiliar with Pandora, it is a free online streaming radio experience in which you create your own stations with a band or song you love, and it will play similar music selections. I have found lots of great tunes this way. Go (re) acquaint yourself. It has recently improved.
(btw.. can you believe they sold 1 million 3g iphones the first weekend? crazy...eh )
I've never been to Coney Island but these fantastic photographs by Peter Granser make me want to take the trip out there next week just to take some shots. We'll see how things go... any thoughts, is it worth it?
(via Creative Soup + also seen at A cup of Jo)
This weekend, my mom shared with me these inspiring ideas on how to preserve travel memories. Today and tomorrow I am getting ready for our upcoming trip to Philadelphia + NYC + Upstate NY which makes me have travel on my brain. What are your favorite travel tips?
(images from Martha Stewart Living Jan 2006)
Have you seen the cool stuff they are up to in Beijing in preparation for the Olympics? {Thanks Dad.} (images from ArcSpace + Architecture List + here )
