Found Objects: Bold & Noble

It's been a really tough week, and it's barely begun! We're in the process of moving our studio and getting organized again has been wearing on everyone. So, we took a mini break one afternoon and decided to cruise around on the internet for some great wall art for our new space. Great typography always perks us up, and we found it at Bold and Noble. I especially like the robot assembled from letterforms. These posters would work well anywhere from a kid's room to a home office.

(images from Bold and Noble)

Curiosities: Yummy Colors

Every year, during catalogue time, I'm faced with the daunting task of having to name product colors. It can be either a fun exercise or an agonizing process, and the funny thing is, I'm not quite sure if anyone really notices!  But, in my experience, stationery lovers tend to notice the little details, and I wouldn't feel quite right about sending off my creation into the world without a proper color assignation. If I think my task is challenging, I can't imagine what the creative teams for paint manufacturers must face during new color launches. I popped onto Behr and Valspar websites the other night, browsing for new wall paint and saw some really creative solutions centered around food.

Found Objects: Trash Ties for Your Hair

I think "Trash Ties" by designer Heather Bailey are an ingenious way to hold your hair in place. Available in different colors and lengths, they're a little edgier than ribbons and give you so many different styling options.  I'm still mulling over color choices here, but as soon as I make up my mind, I'll be sporting these little accessories!

(photo via trashties.com)

Gallery: The Art of Tea

I love autumn. It's my favorite season, and when the weather turns chill, you'll usually find my hands wrapped around a mug of tea. There's a beauty in the ritual of watching leaves unfurl in a steaming cup.
Now through November 29th, the Fowler Museum at UCLA is running an exhibit on the art of tea, featuring its medicinal origins in China to its key role in the development of the British Empire. And, of course, in the the midst of all that, you'll also get to see some beautiful patterns and dainty tea ware.

I'm sure after your tour, you'll probably have that itch to acquire some of your own tea ware. Check out these great options. I love the beautiful colors of the ceramic japanese teacup, the incredibly decorative moroccan tea glass, and the impressive tea-stain pattern cup (the pattern becomes more pronounced with use):

Prêt-à-Porter: Cozy Architecture for the Body

Fall's officially here, and it's almost time to break out all the cozy sweaters that we've put away since springtime! Feels sort of painful, though, to see the bright cheerful colors of summer replaced by drab greys, browns and blacks. Not only that, but it always seems like cool-weather clothing mopes about in the same basic shapes: you've got your crewneck, your turtleneck, your cardigan, your heavier cardigan, and on and on. If it weren't for one beacon of creativity in all this monotony, it'd be easy to sink into sweatery ubiquity. That beacon is Tom Scott. A knitter and crocheter since he was a small tyke, Scott invents the most interesting draped and architectural shapes in knitwear I've ever seen—and it's all extremely wearable (and uplifting). If you can imagine it, he's likely done it. The materials he uses are exquisitely soft and fine, so you'll pay a pretty penny. But if you're willing to save up for it, owning a beautiful and rare piece of knit artwear that you'll reach for time and again, and supporting the artistic efforts of independent-minded small designers, is worth the investment.

(photos via tomscottnyc.com)

Eatables: The Grateful Palate

For all you bacon lovers out there: yes, there is a bacon of the month club. Not only do you get bacon every month, but you also get a pig ballpoint pen and a rubber toy pig (that last one is a real draw for me). Check out the site for other porky finds like bacon popcorn and toilet paper (real mixed feelings on this one)!

(via gratefulpalate.com)

Gallery: The First Day of Autumn...

Artist: Ed Ruscha
(via New York Times, Op Ed)