Lonny Anniversary!

Happy Monday y'all! 

The newest edition of online mag Lonny hit my inbox yesterday:

As always, Lonny featured some beautifully styled photos and design inspiration.  I love the Gift Guide, which includes some really unique Etsy finds (like hand painted silk skull scarves and a gorgeous purple leather lace iPhone case).

Another favorite was the peek into the LA home of designer Lulu deKwiatkowski (of the textile company Lulu DK).  Check out these shots from her at-home studio:

Check out the full issue of Lonny here.

PS: You can check out another shot of Lulu's workspace, along with a great post on her process, on her blog.

The Handkermap

Graphic design often involves long hours sitting at a computer, and while that can produce some awesome stuff, my favorite designs almost always include handmade elements (thankfully, a trend that has been growing in recent years). 

My new favorite: "The Handkermap"! 

The "Handkermap" (I love that name) invite was designed for wedding of Youngna and by Jacob, along with the uber-talented designer Kelli Anderson.  I was most fascinated by the intricate design process - making and photographing stitched roads! layouts of landmarks from Google maps! fabric printed at Spoonflower! - which you can read all about here. You can also see some beautifully styled pics on Kelli's website.

(via Design*Sponge)

Kristen Doran

I have never been much of a sewer (although it's next on my list of things to learn!), but I've always been a sucker for a gorgeous fabric.  With my obsession with prints and patterns, how could I not?  I just discovered Australian textile designer Kristen Doran, and already I am a huge fan of her brightly, clean prints.  Not only does Kristen screenprint fabric, she also turns them into crafy goodness by making dolls (like robots and "kokeshi dolls"), and embroidery projects.  Check out a sampling of her work:

Be sure to check out Kristen's blog and shop! 

Ork Map Prints

I love these city neighborhood posters by Ork Inc.  I'd love to hang in a hallway... sort of a gallery of the places we have lived and traveled:

Check out their newest "Brain" poster, too:

All the posters come in several color choices.  You can purchase all the posters above - and more! - at the Ork Posters website here.





Ikea Baking Love

Happy Monday all! Did you miss me Friday? My son received an award at school so I was away from my computer being a proud mama. :)

One of my favorite things to do in my spare time is bake.  Preferably while Glee is on!  These images from the new Ikea Baking book by Carl Kleiner and styled by Evalina Bratell are ingenious.  I love how they went for a deconstructed look; it really set it apart from all those other baking/cookbooks out there.  The bold colors they use for some of the backgrounds just scream "Ikea! to me. 

What do you think?  Can you tell what recipe each photo is illustrating?

Images courtesy of Carl Reiner (via Amy Atlas)

Rae Dunn

Rae Dunn is a California native who now resides in San Francisco (a local)!  After getting her degree in Industrial Design, working in graphics and fashion design, she finally turned to clay as a potter and artist.

One glance through her thriving Etsy business makes me crave more pottery in my life.

Rae's work has an unfinished, earthy aesthetic, but her designs are simple enough to look sophisticated in even the most elegant home.  In her website bio, Rae says, "I don't strive for perfection in line and form in my work, because for me the balance I'm trying to achieve can't be represented that way. The incompleteness and imperfection of my work is part of the story."

For more info on Rae Dunn, you can visit her website here.

I Love...Handwritten Branding

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Animal and Monster Hand (Temporary) Tattoos

As an adult, I often get so wrapped up in life that I forget how to be a kid (don't we all?). So I cherish those moments when I just let go and have a gigglefest, and act like I'm 5 again. 

I think these temporary tattoos would fit the bill, don't you?

There are several places to bring these whimsical critters home, but the cheapest I've found is at Pop Deluxe. (Only $6.99! For that price you could bring both home).

Now you just have to wrestle the kids for your favorite.

via Lost in E Minor

An Oldie but Goodie...Ruben Toledo

So my post from yesterday on Fifi Lapin made me crave some Ruben Toledo.  If you have never seen Ruben Toledo's whimsical, bold, graphic illustrations, you must take a peek.
Here are some samples from his 2008 collaboration with Nordstrom:

(Source: NotCot)

Yeeeaaah.... don't you just lose yourself in these images?

The above pictures are probably Toledo's best known work for Nordstrom, but they are celebrating a ten year collaboration this fall!  Nordstrom has a wonderful video with insights into their collaboration here.  I HIGHLY recommend it.

Notable quotes: I especially love when Ruben Toledo says that one artist influences the other and it's an "endless dialogue".  Also, loving the mystery man that says "Fashion really walks a tighrope between commerce and art, and when it's done really well, you can't tell the difference." AND... I love love love that ruffled Valentino coat!  I want.  (Just watch the video, ok?)

Here is some more eye candy from the Fall 2010 Nordstrom Designer Catalog:

 

 



  

 

Hello, coat.

AND... some pics of Ruben Toledo's studio:

Images from The Selby

Last but not least, Ruben is married to fashion designer Isabel Toledo (lead designer at Anne Klein, Michelle Obama's favorite designer, a shoe collection at Payless... this could be a whole other post)!  And their house. is. amazing. Check it out at this Harper's Bazaar story.  I want to have them over for dinner.  There would be "endless dialogue".

Side note: Isabel uses Ruben discarded sketches as her personal stationary!  Isn't that sweet?

Art of the Day: Deanna Stoffo

It's been awhile, but I couldn't help but post this portrait of Sofia Coppola by illustrator Deanna Stoffo:

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Don't you love her style?  You can see more of Deanna's work on her website, and also on her blog, Mischief + Madness. 



Who is Fifi Lapin?

Have you heard of Fifi Lapin, "the world's most stylish bunny"?  Fifi is certainly the most fashionable animal - illustrated animal, nonetheless - that I have ever seen.  Take a look:

Fifi Lapin (lapin = "rabbit", for all you non-Frenchies) has been around for a couple years, with a blog and Etsy shop where you can buy print of the oh-so-chic bunny.  But with a new book about to be published, appearances in Vogue, AND even the main star of the Topshop show in Tokyo, Fifi is now very, very big:

(Literally).

I am so entranced by Fifi, because it's such a fun idea.  Fashion illustration used to style, rather than as a concept for my design, is my favorite. (Ruben Toledo for Nordstrom is another amazing example!)

Most intriguing of all... who IS Fifi Lapin?  Nobody knows. Well, maybe Vogue and Topshop do, but in the general public, the blogosphere... nothing. 

I kind of love it. 

Images courtesy of Fifi Lapin