short story design

it's a cuppie! + Hester Street Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:05:00 +0000

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I've been out of town for just about every weekend for the past month and a half, so while most people are gearing up to flee, I'm looking forward to spending some quality time with my city...

The Hester Street fair is my first stop on my mental list of "fun things to do this summer." The fair occupies a small, but well-curated corner on the edge of Chinatown, featuring a rotating cast of quality food, jewlery, and clothing vendors. Did I mention food? My friend, Melissa, is making her street festival debut this Saturday with her sweet cupcake business, it's a cuppie. I designed Melissa's logo this past year, and I'm so excited to see it blown up on her booth's banner! And what's a cuppie, you may be wondering? It's a cupcake with a cookie inside! Yum.

The fair is located at the intersection of Essex and Hester streets and goes from 10-6pm. See you there?

Clay Beads

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 03 May 2012 03:25:00 +0000

Two takes on colorful clay bead necklaces. Pretty photo styling, too.

(watercolor backgrounds: Emily Green, chalkboard backgrounds: notTuesday)

Flower Constructions

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 03:06:00 +0000

Anne Ten Donkelaar manipulates a mixture of real pressed flowers and cut paper images to create these gorgeous floral collages. I especially love the cast shadows created by the three-dimensional display. Stunning.

(via SF Girl by Bay)

Modern Keith Haring

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:58:00 +0000

I went through a major Keith Haring phase in high school. I mean major. In art class, I painted a ladder back chair in the style of Haring's iconic black and white patterns (the chair is still out and about at my parent's house). I even wrote my first ever research paper on him.

Perhaps prompted by the current exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum (see subway ad above), I've been noticing a resurgence of Keith Haring products that are more 2012 than 1982...

Clockwise: Ligne Blanche candle, Colors Tokyo iphone case, tote bag, Blik wall tiles, Case Scenario iphone case

A couple of other recent Keith Haring sightings...

Architectural Digest's March cover featured Brooke Shield's NYC apartment. Showcased above her mantle is an original Keith Haring painting given to her by Haring himself (apparently the two were personal friends).

After a 3 year, 70 million dollar renovation, The New York Historical Society reopened in November to reveal the original ceiling from Haring's Soho Pop Shop installed in its lobby. Amazing! I'm getting all nostalgic now. I remember visiting the Pop Shop on a trip into "the city" way back when with my best friend (hey, Ali! Remember how cool we were? Ha).

(top photo by me, middle photo: Architectural Digest, bottom photo: NY Historical Society/Glenn Castellano)

Snazzy Sacks

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:20:00 +0000

Made of laminated polyester, waterproof, flexible storage sacks by Finnish-based Varpunen seriously put my laundry basket to shame... Who knew?

Mellow Yellow

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:57:00 +0000

There were daffodils blooming in the flower beds around Gramercy Park today. Yellow is my happy color of the moment (yes, that's me in my yellow DVF/Gap dress!).

Clockwise: lemon illustration by Christine Wisnieski, photo of me by LB, recipe cards by Rifle Paper Co., Coin Purse, lemon placecard (via Heather), un citron print by Sycamore Street Press

DVF hearts GAP KIDS

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 04:41:00 +0000

So I discovered a new advantage of being 5 foot 0 and 100 pounds... When Diane von Furstenberg does a kids only collaboration with Gap Kids, I can actually fit into a size XL. Score! The collection launched yesterday and is full of super adorable prints in bright colors. It's selling out quickly, so be sure to check out your local store soon!

Happy Pi(e) Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 04:33:00 +0000

Clockwise: Mouse Pad, Sticky Notes, Hvass&Hannibal Kemistry Gallery Poster, Stickers, Chocolate

**If you're an email or RSS subscriber, be sure to click over to the blog today to check out the new design!**

Baggu Leather: COLORS!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I'm a big fan of BAGGU's fun and functional line of bags. I already own 2, but I'm digging their just released leather totes and pouches in refreshing spring hues.

Chocolate Packaging

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:22:00 +0000

Over the past few months, I've been working closely with my sister-to-be on designing her wedding (okay, my brother's wedding, too). The planning process is so close to complete, but one of the last details we've been brainstorming is favors. Edible options are the most appealing to us, which has led me to research chocolate packaging. There are so many beautiful designs out there! I'm particularly into these sets of patterned bars by Chocolate Editions (left) and JJAAK Design (right).

Oh hey, 27...

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Filling in 27 candles today... Looking forward to some Chelsea gallery hopping with my girls tonight. Happy March!

(card from W+K Studio)

Uniqlo + Orla Kiely

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:33:00 +0000

...A match made in heaven. Sheer scarves in Orla's signature pattern only $12.90! See the full line here. You can't buy online, so New Yorkers, get 'em while they're hot! (yes, I already got myself the yellow/green colorway).

Handmade Valentine

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:14:00 +0000

Last Tuesday I crossed the river to DUMBO for Etsy Lab's reformatted monthly craft gathering, Hands-On Etsy.

Given that it is February love month, the evening was a valentine making fest, featuring vintage typewriters...

and a letterpress all set up to print some pretty coasters for that special someone...

How about you? Do you make your own valentines? Happy love day! xoxo

(photos by me)

Heading South...

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 15:54:00 +0000

I'll be in sunny Florida for the next seven days. Have a great week!

(Good Day, Sunshine poster by Caroline Royce, Flamenco print by Aneesh Vini)

Fiber Futures

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:54:00 +0000

I love all things Japan, but somehow I never made it over to the Japan Society until very recently. The interior is lovely complete with a soothing Japanese style garden in the lobby. I went to check out the Fibers Future exhibit in their gallery space, and it was definitely worth the trip. Photography was not allowed, but these are some shots from the Japan Society website.

Unfortunately I caught the last weekend of the fibers exhibit, and it is no longer open, but the video below features a lot of the pieces and gives a good sense of the space. Enjoy!

There is also a Deco Japan exhibit coming in March that looks intriguing. If you've got most of the major NYC museums covered, I suggest adding the Japan Society to your list (also free Friday nights!).

(Pictured pieces by Yuh Okano, Kiyomi Iwata, Hitomi Nagai, and Akio Hamatani)

String Type

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 00:13:00 +0000

String art or pin and thread art may evoke images of 1960's psychedelic-style geometrics, but recently I've noticed a modern resurfacing of the technique in various forms of imaginative typography. Above pieces by Debbie Smyth.

Signage system created at the eikon EMF (Vocational School of Technology and Art in Fribourg, Switzerland).

Even the folks at the Gap picked up on the trend. They incorporated the technique into their holiday marketing campaign, including in store installations (they're still up right now around Manhattan. Go check them out!)

Typographic experiments by Matthew Croft.

Dominique Falla's submission for the Positive Posters competition.

Have you ever tried this technique out? I'm definitely inspired.

Here's to good things in 2012....

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:22:00 +0000

I'm a planner. I can't remember a year without a physical planner since middle school. I attempted to give it up and join the digital world when I first got my iphone last year, but I totally reverted back. I get a strange sense of satisfaction turning the page and seeing my week on paper. Or skimming back over the past month. Or jotting down something I'm really looking forward to...

Every year I search for the perfect solution. My planner is something I take with me everywhere, so it needs to be compact, sturdy, and of course aesthetically pleasing. For 2012, I discovered this so-called "Perfect Mini Planner" by Korean stationery company, Millimeter Milligram. It is available in the US from Poketo (I went for the lemon/pink diagonal split). How about you? Do you use a paper or digital planner?

Wishing everyone the best in the coming year. I'm looking forward to putting on a party dress and ringing in the new year with some of my most favorite people... Adieu 2011, Bienvenue 2012. xoxoxo.

Happy Chaunkah!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:41:00 +0000

A couple of quirky menorahs for the festival of lights... (Jonathan Adler Dachshund Menorah, Glow Stick Menorah, Wine Cork Menorah)

Driftwood Xmas Tree

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:11:00 +0000

I promise a Chanukah post soon to make up for two Christmas ones in a row, but how cool is this painted driftwood tree, inspired by the work of Ginette Lapalme?

(tree by Leslie, via decor8)

Happy Shopping

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:06:00 +0000

Despite not celebrating Christmas personally, one thing I look forward to every holiday season is the influx of handmade, craft, and independent design markets. I'm hoping to hit up a handful this weekend, including the Bust Craftacular, 3rd Ward Handmade Holiday, and the Holiday Craft Sale at Divine Studio. See you there?

(DIY paperbag wreath via bloesem kids)

Color Jolt!

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:56:00 +0000

It's like a shot of espresso in visual form. (Painting by Jen Ramos, via Leif)

There's no place like...

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:17:00 +0000

...home.

Clockwise: Page Markers sticky notes, Donna Wilson cushion, Kidsonroof Collectors House, Tulp Kids desk, Kast van een Huis cabinets, Mudpuppy Playspace, Ben Light "Mobile Home" avail @ the Swissmiss Shop, Ladies & Gentlemen candlesticks via poppytalk

Just Your Average Day At The Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 01:29:00 +0000

Patterned elevator banks and a mirrored carousel...

Headgear that literally turns the world upside down...

A larger than life mushroom patch...

And a twisty slide that cuts through two floors!

My favorite redhead and I spent a super fun afternoon at the Carsten Höller exhibit at the New Museum. Words of caution: be prepared to wait in lines. Be prepared to get silly. Be prepared to accidentally sneak a peek of a naked museum-goer as they exit the Giant Psycho Tank... (oops).

(photos by me + my cutie friend, Veronica)

Tea + Sushi

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Clockwise: Miss Capricho Kanazawa print, Marimekko teapot, ITUTU wood tumblers, HanaBlomst chopsticks, Greeting Life herbal tea card

Wolf & Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Emily) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Affordable necklaces by Wolf & Moon. UK designer, Hannah, laser cuts perspex and pieces them back together to create these geometric pieces. Thanks for sharing, Hannah!