Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Leaving on a jet plane...

We're heading out tomorrow for a lovely trip to our homeland. Before we get there, we'll be hanging out for a few days in Chicago and I am totally stoked. I really want to see this and this, and my Chicago pal says they have concerts in the park, so it will be quite the cultural extravaganza.

Posting may be light, but if anyone has any fun Chicago ideas, send me a comment!
On an unrelated note, The Office countdown has officially begun. Let's hope this season makes up for the disappointment that was last season. 

Monday, July 28, 2008

Quite a few people need this...

{ $16.99 or 3 for $30 for a limited time. Right here. }

Friday, July 25, 2008

Groom's Night

The Bright Girls are at it again, this time declaring, "let's hear it for the boys!" Actually, it's Groom's Night, and all of the info can by found on the flyer I was asked to design (below). Hurry and book your spot, guys!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

CURE International

I found this in the newest issue of Domino:

"The design company Avalisa is partnering with CURE International, a nonprofit that helps fund surgeries for young people in developing countries, to beautify children's infirmaries worldwide. To contribute, go online to pick a stretched-canvas artwork –prices start as low as $44.25–and then match it to a hospital. "
What a fantastic idea! So here is my July pick for do-goodedness:
{ Starting at $44.25 right here. } 

Monday, July 21, 2008

I'd like a tall stylish latte...

Wear it as a bracelet until your coffee is ready. Genius.
{ $68 CAD right here. }

Friday, July 18, 2008

The best reason ever to cancel your diet...

Today I got to try one of these:
{ Image via the Sprinkles website }
And oh my, was it ever worth the wait! Thank you, Sandy and thank you Sprinkles! 

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

I want my wedding to look like this chair...

It seems patterned upholstery is all the rage right now, and I couldn't be more delighted. Lots of inspiration to be found. I think you could design an event around any of these fab chairs:

Monday, July 14, 2008

Martha's Set List

When Blueprint Magazine shut its doors (boo), it was announced that some of its content would be transferred over to Martha Stewart Weddings Magazine. I can only imagine that the "Songs You Won't Hear at Every Other Wedding" feature in the Summer '08 Weddings issue was a Blueprint-inspired piece. 

I wasn't able to find the list on the website, so I have their song recommendations listed here by category. I also went to iTunes to check out the tracks I wasn't familiar with, and I think the only song I couldn't find was Nikka Costa's cover of "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl". 
For the most part, I thought their selections were pretty good. But I'll admit, there were a few moments where I said,"really?" Here are their selections. My smart aleck commentary can be found below the lists. Enjoy!
{ I'm beginning to feel a bit like my dad when I say, covers are great, but most often the original is best. Such is the case with Tupelo Honey But Shelby Lynne's cover of You Don't Have to Say You Love Me is divine. }
{ I might have put Coltrane in this category instead. And I kind of think Beatles covers are pointless. Sorry, Rufus. }
{ Ella Fitzgerald is the only person who should ever sing Isn't it Romantic? Period. }
{ I love The Wind, but at 1:42, it's kind of short. }
{ I felt puzzled by a good portion of this list. Ring of Fire is great, but I'm not going to break out the running man or anything. Or maybe that's the point. I do love The Flamingos for a slow song, though. }
{ It's probably unfair for me to comment on after-party songs since I'm usually the first to fall asleep. But I thought it was really funny that a band called "Chungking" made it into Martha Stewart. }

Go West Young Man

West Elm is coming to Scottsdale and I am totally geeked. My husband and I were in Vegas in February and raided the Henderson location's after-holiday sale. It was totally awesome. 
The website says it opens Spring of '09. I'm thinking around the Waterfront somewhere, probably. If they were here now, I'd get these:
{ 3 for $79  (ouch - might just wait for a sale) right here.}

Friday, July 11, 2008

Stamp of approval

I often say that if it weren't for the post office, my job would be pure bliss. But I have to hand it to them, their stamp selections of late have vastly improved. Now if I could just get a straight answer as to why some places will hand cancel with no problem and others consider me a terrorist just for asking. But I digress...

For the mid century aficionado, check out this set inspired by Charles and Ray Eames:
If Frank Sinatra will be crooning the first song you dance to as man and wife, why not slap his grille on your invite envelopes as well?
If flowers aren't your thing, check out these fruity offerings:
And there's more. Go here to see them all. 

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Wish I Was Here...

Because summer in Arizona pretty much sucks.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Bay Area Baby

One of my favorite clients contacted me recently about designing some invitations for a baby shower she is co-hosting in San Francisco. 
She didn't have much direction on a color palate since the sex of the baby is going to be a surprise. So we settled on a deep brown with accents of white and a soft seafoam-y green. I am flipping out over this ribbon, it's so pretty in person! Here are the results of our collaboration:
{gatefold style invite with Japanese lace paper and silk dupioni ribbon}
{Interior detail}

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Traditional Arizona

Last night I attended the 2nd Annual Event Elements Competition with the Bright girls, and they won 2nd place for tablescape design in their category! Woo hoo, rock on, high five!
This is such a fun event to attend because you get to walk around and see what all the creative gurus in the Valley have come up with. Amazing table top designs and cakes were on display, divided into four styles - Retro, Contemporary, Traditional and Vintage. Obviously these styles are very broad in scope, so it was fun to see how each entrant interpreted their designated style. 
Bright fell under the "Traditional" category, so they created an homage to "Traditional Arizona" that was just super cool. I was asked to come up with the paper products to go along with their theme, so I used elements of copper, turquoise and natural fiber to complement the other table elements.
Here are some photos:
{the gorgeous table setting}
{menus made with natural fiber paper}
{layered table linens with cool beading}
{gorgeous centerpiece featuring various succulent varieties and pops of red}
Vendors involved in making "Traditional Arizona" included:
Moi