Black*Eiffel: 4/1/08

Bug

Me + 'lil babe caught some type of bug, so we've both hung up our shoes for the moment. Will be back before you know it. (image from here)

Anthropologie has some fun new beach collages. Check it. It inspires me to get out those snips to do my own clips. What about you... ready for another contest? How about a collage o-thon. Email me {blackeiffel@gmail.com} a collage that you have created with the subject of "spring". Include a description of what you like about spring, and your inspiration behind the piece. Get them to me by May 16th and we'll have readers vote on their favorites. Winner will receive a $50 gift card to Anthropologie. Happy collaging!

*UPDATE: I've gotten some emails/questions about this contest. Here are a few things to clarify, and if you have any more questions don't hesitate to email me or leave a comment here.

-the contest is open to everyone

-you can create your collage out of paper / scraps, scan it in and email it to me, you can create your collage and send it to me snail mail, or you can also create your collage on the computer. The options are open! (email me for snail mail address)

-images do not have to be from Anthropologie

-Be creative and have fun!

**UPDATE: I am going to extend the deadline until Monday May 19th at midnight!

Toast

The pure and elegant styles and catalogue pages of Toast have been wooing me for years, and can you ever go wrong with polka-dots? (Mentioned before here and here.)

City of Foam commercial

I meant to post this cool Sony commercial when I first saw it a few weeks ago. Wouldn't it be fun to frolic around in those bubbles? Yay and congrats for my bro. Jake who is graduating today and interning with them this summer in NYC.

Kitchen love

I dig this kitchen especially the little cookbook shelves, so quaint. (Seen in House & Home)

Hanging on a line

I have this special thing for anything hanging on a line. Garland, clothesline etc...
Images : 1 from smosch's flickr via emma's designblogg 2: The Fabulous Garlands via frolic 3: from Royal Buffet's etsy ($7) also via emma's designblogg.

My type of Barn House

How cool is this minimalist space? (from Wallpaper)

zzz.....

I worked on a project 'till the weeee hours-- so tired. Be back later, hopefully. (image from here)

Happy Earth Day

Daisies, grass and trees remind me of today, 'Earth Day'. Have a happy green day.
(image from my clippings - source unknown; if you know, tell me)

Travelers Ad

I was looking through some old paper ephemera and came across this vintage Travelers Insurance envelope that I liked. Then last night, I saw one of the most clever and uplifting commercials that I have seen in a long time for guess who... Travelers Insurance. Funny how things parallel sometimes. They have a few more great ads here.

Swim cap chic

Looks like I'm going for those feminine styles today. Don't you just love her vintage swim hat.. the cool floors.. pillows.. coach.. okay all of it?
(via Urban Grace Interiors + House & Life)

Wild Bunch & Company Juice

What a brilliant idea for packaging juice. Wild Bunch & Company in Singapore has a juice bar delivering up organic vegetables medleys in every shot. (from Wallpaper)

Small Magazine

Continually impressed by some of the looks, ideas, and photography from Small Magazine.

Delesie Wedding Photography

Considered to be one of the top wedding photographers around, Aaron Delesie's work captures those special moments in a most timeless and beautiful way. Peruse his portfolio here. (via soon lee + muse)

Lykke Li

At the very second... no lie, that I was purchasing this Lykke Li EP album on itunes, I got a comment on my last Lykke post (a few months ago) about how good the album is... how's that for timing? Hope to hear more of her soon... as I'm sure we will.

Polaroid mirrors

No mirrors, no problem. Well... at least until the film runs out :( Save it here.
(via Daisy Chain from photojojo)

Workout gadgets + powersongs

Since I talked about my recent Nike+ purchase a few weeks back, I've discovered some more gadgetry options and info. that will help further empower + enhance those workouts.

Word up: talks about Apple getting Nike+ to work with your iphone, yay!
RunAway ($9) is a clip-on gadget allowing you to use Nike+ with any kicks.
Nike+ Sportsband ($59) comes out today, for those who prefer no music.
Nike Amp+ Remote ($79) use wrist for feedback, & song switching.

What do you use to track your movin' bod? On a side note -- I've got some emails requesting good workout jams, and since my music situation is a little chaotic, please help me by sharing some of your favorite workout and cool down songs. Thanks.

Songs I recently jammed to:

Workout:
*Breathe - Telepopmusik
*Heartbeat - Annie
*Just Be - Tiesto & Kirsty Hawkshaw
*Light A Rainbow (Whippenberg Mix) - Tukan
*Move Along - the All-American Rejects
*Fighter - Christina Aguilera
*Beautiful Things (Gabriel & Dresden Radio Mix) - Andain

Cooldown:
*Breathe - Alexi Murdoch
*A Good Start - Maria Taylor
*Falling Slowly - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
*You Had Time - Ani DiFranco
*Colors - Amos Lee
*Breathe Me - Sia

{Still inspired by these clips}

UPDATE: Enter "RUNSHIP" at Nike.com for free shipping on all running gear.

the Office

Do the last two episodes of the Office, seem different to anyone else? Something is awry... Hopefully they will wrap up the end of the season with a bang. Jim is my favorite character, only because there are moments on the show when he reminds me of my husband, who also wears a suit to work everyday like the photos above. (images via A cup of Jo)

Linda & Harriett

I am digging Liz's inspiration for her booth at the Stationery Show. I love the colors, patterns and feel. Linda & Harriett would a great place to stop by at the show.

Danefae Onesies

Look how darling these Danefae onesies are.

Gray Interiors

I'm feeling gray today, love the look of these interiors.
1 - House and Home 2 - Claire Delmare (via Desire to Inspire)

Gorgeous flowers

Ez at Creature Comforts is taking some beautiful photographs. Check out her flickr. Update : Ez is now offering a free printable download of an above pink flower. What a great idea for a Mother's Day Card, thanks Ez!

Marshmallow Favors

Have you seen these cute marshmallow favors yet? Kitchen Retro, a blog all about vintage kitchen ephemera and fun ideas found these little marshmellow animal favors in "McCall's Family Style Cookbook" (1965) How cute are they? She even tells how to make them here. (via + image from Hostess with the Mostess.)

Puma Flats

I've got to say these Puma Sabadella flats that we picked up in SF are my most favorite everyday, run errands, run around the house, wear on the plane shoes. They are like wearing slippers all day long. I may even have to pick up another pair for backup with this 20% discount. (Thanks Mac, you always picks out winners)

*Take 20% off by April 18th (midnight) use the code at Puma.com : BESTBETS

American Eagle Headquarters

I've talked about the top-notch design Minneapolis based firm Duffy and Partners before, so I was pleased to hear about their new architectural design workspace for the new American Eagle Outfitters headquarters in Pittsburgh. Wouldn't you want to work in that fresh and well-designed space?

Duffy and Partners are experts at creating the ultimate brand experience, another one of my favorite branding revamps they did was for the Nordstrom In-House Cafe. Gorgeous. Well-designed spaces just make me want to visit again and again. Props to Duffy and Partners for their excellent work, and hooray for them in winning some more awards. Check out their work here. (Thanks Eric)

*You can also see more about this in the Mar/Apr issue of Communication Arts.

"The Letters You Keep" contest

I received an emailed about Crane's second annual " The Letters You Keep". To celebrate the tradition of letter writing, enter the contest by sharing letters you have received and kept. Winners will receive $500 and $250 Crane's stationery! Enter by May 1st. For more details visit here.

This contest made me think of a four page letter my mom received from a flattering admirer (stocker) in college. To this day, she still has no idea who it is was from. I've never read a more pleasantly descriptive letter from a stranger. Whoever wrote it must have been an English major.

(image 1 from Cranes, image 2 by Elvis Swift from here)

MARMAR

The creative force behind the previous post (Teitur video) is the collaborating duo called MARMAR. Wow, impressive.

Teitur

This video for Teitur is quite sensational, it made me smile, hopefully you will too. (via carpe + item)

First Aid Kit

I want it. (via SwissMiss)

Spring Cleaning 'itunes style'

My external hard-drive that had all of my music on it, started to get sick. Luckily, I noticed early on, and everything was taken off before it went on to suffer an ignominious death. May it R.I.P.

This couldn't have come at a better time, because of my current "Spring Cleaning" mood, time to spring clean my music . . . why not? With my eyes closed (thinking to myself what am I doing?) I deleted everything from itunes (keeping the files) and am now starting from scratch, adding back only the good stuff and deleting songs/artists that don't really jive with me anymore. It has been a very fascinating aural journey, exploring music I never knew that I had. I'm almost finished with letter 'B'.

Lovely readers... I'm curious, what are your top 5 most played songs (check your play counts)?