Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Eat, Pray, Love (The Movie)

I seriously can't wait for the movie Eat, Pray, Love to come out this summer. Based on the true story and best-selling book by Elizabeth Gilbert, this entertaining memoir turned major motion picture stars Julia Roberts who changes the course of her life by taking an amazing around-the-world journey. If this doesn't entice you enough to see the movie, then check out the trailer below. The trailer features one of my favorite songs by Florence + the Machine, "Dog Days are Over." If you do nothing else, download this song. Then eat, pray, & love.


Tuesday, April 27, 2010

oh, hello friend's Letterpress Giveaway

oh, hello friend is sponsoring a letterpress giveaway. Here are just a few of the fantastic links she's provided in honor of her week long letterpress event. Leave a comment on her blog after you check out some of these items on Etsy for a chance to win. And while you're perusing the artistic marketplace, visit oh, hello friend's Etsy shop. I recently bought a few necklaces and hair pins from her... they're definitely my favorite accessories of the moment.




oh, hello friend's Letterpress Week comes at a perfectly convenient time. My good friend and graphic designer, Kate Graves, just finished my new logo and business cards. So I'm actually searching for a good place to get them printed. So thank you Kate for the amazing logo. And thank you Danni for sharing your wonderful letterpress finds.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Peaches n' Cream

If I had to choose one favorite color, just one, it would be cream. A little strange I know. Too plain? Too boring? Too vanilla? Maybe. But I don't care. It's so natural and compliments almost every other color so well. I absolutely love it - from clothes to design to home interiors. So I thought I'd highlight cream today. With a hint of peach.


Trici Garcia - Graphic Designer

One of my best friends/old roommate just finished her design portfolio. It's really terrific. I'm very proud of her because I know the talent she possesses (as well as the many hours she put in). Take a look. It's one of the best design books I've seen in a while. Oh, and while you're at it... check out her blog too - Barrettes and Bows.


isn't she so cute? Love you Tri!

Friday, April 23, 2010

What always happens. Life.

A great quote from one of my favorite movies, 500 Days of Summer.
Sad. But often so true.

via TUMBLR

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Rabbit & The Duck

I've had this on-going crush on the use of recycled paper for any type of design project. I've been trying to incorporate some of the natural elements and textures you find in things like a paper bag or a burlap sack into different collateral pieces that I'm doing. So while I was perusing the Internet for inspiration, I stumbled upon Rabbit & The Duck. Take a look at some of the delicate, naturally inspired crafts by Shannon. Also, check out her Etsy shop.

RiverRun International Film Festival

This past week I saw some really terrific films at the RiverRun International Film Festival. Among the ones I saw, I decided to highlight a few of my favorites. Some are new, some old, one I had seen before but really just wanted to see it on the big screen. Check out the trailers and information below!

French Foreign Film
Director: Emmanuel Mouret

Documentary
Director: Tamra Davis

Mexican Foreign Film (1992)
Director: Alfonso Arau

Comedy
Director: Rob Stephaniuk

Mexican Foreign Film (2001)
Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Monday, April 19, 2010

Find Your Burt dot com

Two very talented creatives I know just created this really cool microsite for Burt's Bees called FindYourBurt.com. In addition to celebrating Earth Day, you can Find Your Inner Burt by customizing your own Burt picture (complete with a hat and fuzzy facial hair) and send it to your friends celebrating the natural roots and simplicity that is Burt's Bees.

I've been Burtified
Designer: Oscar Zabala
Copywriter: Lisa Shimotakahara
Agency: Baldwin&

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Lemnos, Greece

One of my co-workers sent me these pictures last week. His family is from Lemnos, one of the many breathtakingly gorgeous Greek Isles. How amazing are these pictures? Umm... plane ticket please. Now, I just need to find my friggin' passport. (inside joke)

Photos thanks to Dino Tzouroutis

Friday, April 16, 2010

Ugh, Tax Day

So yesterday was the infamous April 15th - tax day. In years past, with school loans and part time jobs, I usually look forward to a nice little tax return check around this time of year. However, last year I taught Pilates classes at a gym in Atlanta as an independent contractor. I thoroughly enjoyed my paychecks (sans tax deductions) from last year... that is until I found out how much I had to PAY in taxes this year. I won't name the sum, but let's just say I didn't really "save" the extra cash that I should have. Lesson learned. No shopping for me for the next few weeks. Good thing I can peruse the Internet for pretty things and share them with you here.

Please enjoy some Internet window shopping.

Lovely Blue Dace Dress


Peach Lace Skirt by Ouma


Thursday, April 15, 2010

I'll miss you, McWhorter!

One of my great new friends is leaving me for the big northern city of Boston to work at Arnold. I'm starting to tear up (Kleenex, please?) as I write this post, because she's a really great person and I will miss her dearly. But I'm excited to hear about all of her new experiences/live the big city life vicariously through her.
Dear Bostonians, please make her feel welcome. And any friends that live in Boston, let me know so she can meet some cool folks. She enjoys live music of any kind, Sprite, Shih Tzus, Mexican Food, cute boys in plaid (preferably Nathan Followill), oh, and long walks on the beach (but who doesn't?).

I'll miss you Laura McWhorter!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

My List of the Greatest Cover Songs

Every so often I compile a list of music I'm listening to at the moment. And while I have a bunch of great new tracks to share with you, I thought I'd switch it up for this blog post. I've been listening to some really great cover songs lately so I thought it was only appropriate to create a master list (in no particular order) of my all time favorite covers. It's long, but well worth the read. Download some of these when you get a chance.

A.C. Newman - Take on Me (a-Ha)
The Kooks - Kids (MGMT)
Flaming Lips - Borderline (Madonna)
M. Ward - Let's Dance (David Bowie)
Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen)
Paramore - Use Somebody (Kings of Leon)
Guns n' Roses - Knockin' on Heaven's Door (Bob Dylan)
Jose González - Heartbeats (The Knife)
Cat Power - How Can I Tell You (Cat Stevens)
The Gaslight Anthem - The Weight (The Band)
Florence + the Machine - Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
MGMT - This Must Be The Place (Talking Heads)
Grizzly Bear - He Hit Me (The Crystals)
Jimi Hendricks - All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (Oasis)
The Ataris - Boys of Summer (Don Henley)
Vampire Weekend - Everywhere (Fleetwood Mac)
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground (Stevie Wonder)
White Stripes - Jolene (Dolly Parton)
Ray LaMontagne - Crazy (Gnarles Barkley)
She & Him - I Should Have Known Better (The Beatles)
Pete Yorn - Suspicious Minds (Elvis Presley)
Talking Heads - Take Me To The River (Al Green)
The Shins - We Will Become Silhouettes (Postal Service)
Beck - Love (John Lennon)
Patti Smith - Gloria (Van Morrison)
Jay Z - Forever Young (Alphaville)
The Clash - I Fought the Law (Bobby Fuller Four)
Van Halen - Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
Rogue Wave - Everyday (Buddy Holly)
Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee (Kris Kristofferson)
Iron & Wine - Such Great Heights (Postal Service)
Elton John - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (The Beatles)
Mary Lou Lord - Lights are Changing (Bevis Frond)
The Bobs - White Room (Cream)
Fleet Foxes - It Ain't Me Babe (Bob Dylan)
Gnarles Barkley - Gone Daddy Gone (Violent Femmes)

Mongrel

Every town has one. And if they don't, they should. I'm talking about a great card and paper stock store. I've lived in several cities and I've found that each has this same store that strikingly resembles one I've visited in a previous city. However, when it comes down to it, I think my favorite has to be Mongrel in Richmond, VA. I could spend hours, maybe days, in this store and still not see everything. If you've never been, check it out the next time you're passing through central Virginia.

And if you live in any of the following cities, here are some similar stores:
Athens, GA - Helix
Atlanta, GA - Paper Source & Sam Flax
Boulder, CO - Bliss
NYC, New York - Kate's Paperie & Paper XOXO
San Francisco, CA - Little Otsu & Maido

*please don't hesitate to suggest any paper stores to add to my list, thanks!

Here are some pics from Mongrel, enjoy!

isn't this Birdcage doormat adorable?

Lipstick Personality Test

Angelle and I saw this chart in a women's restroom the other night.
It's a personality test based on the shape of your lipstick.
What's even more frightening than its horrible 80s style art direction,
is that this chart is pretty accurate.

My lipsticks have a rounded, smooth shape, which is almost dead on to my personality.
What does yours say about you?
(This applies to the lady followers, but maybe some guys too?)

image via Eye-dyllic

Fed Ex Ads (DDB Brazil)

I really like these ads for FedEx done by DDB Brazil. They're simple yet so visually appealing!

Advertising Agency: DDB, Brazil
Client: Fedex Express
Creative Directors: Rodrigo Almeida, Renata Florio, Sergio Valente
Art Director: Max Geraldo
Copywriter: Aricio Fortes
Account Supervisor: Suzana Poli, Andrea Lang, Carolina Porto
Photographer: Manolo Moran
ArtBuyer: Carolina Galastri, Clariana da Costa
Advertiser Supervisor: Guilherme Gatti


OK Go's This Too Shall Pass

Speaking of amazing videos...

I am in love with OK Go's This Too Shall Pass music video that debuted last month.
(You might remember their sensational choreographed treadmill dance in Here It Goes Again.)
Their newest video features one of the all time best Rube Goldberg machines.
Remember those? Mouse Trap anyone? That famous fence opening contraption in the Goonies?
Anyway, take a look. And check out the behind the scenes making of the video here. I heard it took over 96 takes. Yikes!


This video was directed by James Frost of Zoo Films, who has also directed videos for Norah Jones, Coldplay, & Radiohead to name a few.
Now, I just have to write a commercial that he could direct. That, or one that features a Rube Goldberg.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Cool Collaboration Video

Alyson Fox Illustrations + Candy Store Collective clothing + Coloring Book Studio animation + instrumental music by Weisse Geist =

Inspiring Interior

These beautiful images of an English country home are so inspiring, yet so simple. I love the blend of shabby chic fabrics and the juxtaposition of rustic furniture against clean white walls. It feels vintage, yet modern at the same time.

Images found on 1st Opinion via Finely Inc.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Vintage Key Tattoo?

So I'm thinking about getting another tattoo. I really like the idea of an old vintage key. No particular meaning behind it other than I love old vintage things. However I can't, for the life of me, decide which type of skeleton key I like (or where to put it for that matter).

Any in particular catching your eye?

Hello Ladies!

Oh hi Alex Turner!

Arctic Monkeys show in Raleigh 4/6/10
Photo care of: Laura McWhorter