Sweet Lindsay's Wedding (+ a change in location)

Oooooh it's an exciting day! My darling friend Ms. Lindsay had her wedding featured on the Style Me Pretty blog. I knew this day was coming and was hoping to be a bit more prepared with my Etsy presence but things don't always work out that way. But the exciting part of that statement is that I'm starting an Etsy page! Yay! I thought I'd try to streamline things a bit more though, which means you need to pack up your cup of coffee, wrap that sweater around your shoulders and make the trek to my new blog: Hello My Dear (which is also the name of my Etsy storefront). Luckily it's an easy move. I've decided to stop updating this blog as of today so you can find me exclusively here. I'll be keeping you posted through the HMD blog, but if you'd like an email letting you know that the Etsy page is stocked, email me at hellomydearinfo@gmail.com and I'll be in touch. I'm loving updating this blog and am so honored that you and your commentary have decided to go on this journey with me! See you soon!

Living with Beci Orpin

Beci Orpin is a Melbourne, Australia based illustrator/artist/designer/inspiration. I became familiar with her work after exploring the Australia-based design blog, The Design Files and must admit that I became obsessed with her house before her work. Although they really are one in the same.—the inclusion of a design studio and the fact that she decorates with a lot of her own work result in a space that could actually double as a gallery. All of it is so fun and happy. Let's start with her house:


I love that she not only uses her own art to decorate her walls, but she uses her children's. They go together really well!
Speaking of her work, here is some of my favorite stuff of hers:


I especially love the wooden, die-cut brooches. I'd wear the heck out of that fox brooch.
Images of her home are from the Design Files. Beci is represented by the amazing Jacky Winter Group and you should definitely check out Beci's website (where you can also get to her blog and online shoppe).

Paris vs. New York

Vahram Muratyan (ooooh! so French!) is a Parisian graphic designer in NYC. Not too long ago he decided to create comparison prints between Paris and New York and the results are charming and witty and (at least in an iconic manner) honest. He's not selling them yet, but they've been very well received so I imagine it's only a matter of time. Visit his blog and site.







Ok, I got a little carried away with this one—I just love them all so much! There are even more (and he's adding often) so go visit the blog.
I'm obsessed with the idea of NYC. How could you not be really? So much history and glamour and personality in a tiny, tiny space. Taschen has published a new book "New York—Portrait of a City" that has some stunning photographs. As long as we're already in a New York State of mind, I thought I'd share some of those pictures as well.



Pick up your copy here.

The Finders Keepers Market

This past Friday I helped set up the Finders Keepers Market here in Brisbane. This means that I spent five hours fluffing tissue paper flowers, tying said flowers in clusters with fishing line and hanging (or at least watching as they were hung) said clusters from the ceiling of the Old Museum. The result was very rewarding and I consider the afternoon well spent indeed.
The Finders Keepers Market is a delightful display of 65 crafters peddling their creative wares. I saw everything from clothing to letterpress to jewelry and if I had a scrap of extra money I would've for sure spent it. My sister-in-law bought a fun ring and an amazing cloud necklace and I was excited that at least one of us was being supportive! Here are some pictures from the event:



The Old Museum and grounds made an unbelievable venue. Inside and along the side veranda were beautiful craft stalls, outside was a live music stage, food and coffee area. The talent was overwhelming. Speaking of: Brisbane-based illustrator Natalie did the gorgeous poster for the event. She has some stunning work on her site and her Flickr provided me with some of the photos from my collage. Visit her and say thank you. Other images are from the Finders Keepers site and from the Flickr tagged stream. Did you see the flower creations? Yep, pretty proud of myself. Of course it wouldn't have been possible without the dear Alischa of Bespoke Press (don't worry, more about her later) who was one of the ladies in charge of the event. It was a great weekend!

Spooky Prints

It's almost time for Halloween and although it's barely celebrated here in Australia, I couldn't resist a little post (or two) to get in the spooky spirit. Today's focus is on some goose-bump worthy art.
I've never actually seen the show Dexter, but I appreciate it's artistic approach and understand that a lot of people really love it. Including Ty Mattson, a California based designer (who's done lots of good things, check out his site). He created these prints, one for each season. They're fun to look at without any background but if you're a fan of Dexter I bet you'd be crazy for them!

I really love the color combination. Buy the posters here.
Now onto a fabulous mother-daughter Etsy seller, tag team tompkins. They do lovely victorian-inspired calligraphy and papercut prints. Some of which are quite spooky. In that Edward Gorey sort of way.


Get these (and some less spooky prints) at their Etsy shop.
To end, here's a few totally creepy but lovely prints from Sarah Harvey. Her illustrations are soft and warm but with floating balloon heads and monsters and slightly creepy little girls. They're wonderful! Visit her on Etsy.

Nina's Pretty Dishes

Nina Invorm combines two of my favorite things—sweet, vintage dishes with lovely hand-drawn elements. Her addition of birds or bunting or hearts to the already delightful ceramics result in a charming piece of art I'd love to showcase. Luckily you can purchase her art at her Etsy shop.


Ugh. So stinkin cute it makes me scrunch up my face.
While I was looking at some of her other work on her Flickr page I happened across some photographs of her darling house. The interior matches her creations so perfectly.



I love the random dresses and high heels and the fact that she has her own artwork splashed throughout the space. Did you see the nursery? What a fun place to be a child!
Visit Nina's website, her Etsy and her Flickr there's tons more to see!

Product Redesign

You know I'm a sucker for good package design (I'll buy anything if the bottle's pretty enough) so thedieline.com is one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon. People are just so darn clever and talented. Anyway, the site has a feature called "before and after" that I really enjoy. It's all about repackaging and occasionally entirely re-branding an existing design. Some are, well, not so great. But others make me want to rush out and put them in my Target shopping cart. See for yourself.




You're a smart cookie, but just in case you're having an off-day (it's ok, we all do) the "b" is before and the "a" is after. There are heaps more to peruse at thedieline so go visit.
Do you have any weekend before meets after projects planned for the weekend? Well, I hope they're enjoyable!

A Little Bit of Autumn

I love fall. I miss fall, but at least it's been a little cool here lately so I've been able to close my eyes on occasion and think about hot cider and scarves and the orchard. Soon enough it'll be steamy and hot and thoughts of cool autumn breezes will seem so far away. In the mean time, I thought I'd embrace it and put together a mood board to inspire you and remind me.



So many sources! Mikkel Vang // Scrapstudio // Elizabeth Anne Designs // Dandelion and Grey // Mary Ruffle // Bunny Victorious // Studio Choo Flowers // LL Bean Signature // Black Eiffel // You are my Fave // Mi Vida Bonita

Oh Amelie!

There's a sweet french movie called "Amelie" that you + I really love (or at least I do and you will). It's subtitled but a delight to watch and listen to and the soundtrack is gorgeous. As is the cinematography (how could it be anything but with Paris as it's backdrop?). Design*Sponge does a fun feature called "living in..." where they take screen captures of different films and then feature different housewares and fashion items that represent the film. They recently did one for "Amelie" you should definitely have a look.
Obviously the movie has inspired quite a few talented artists and in the June 2010 issue of Nonpareil magazine, a handful of creatives got together to create a party based on the movie. It turned out really nicely.



See a fun little video of the party here.
I've been waiting for the perfect post to incorporate these lovely designs from Emerson and I think they have that certain je ne sais quoi that goes quite well with this French party. They're really fantastic and Emerson herself (the blonde is her) is really quite funny. Go visit her.


Darling aren't they? I love the stripes with that big red flower! Perfect outfit for croissants wouldn't you say? Oui!

Etsy Labs

Etsy.com is such a fun place to spend an afternoon. You can find all manner of handmade goods that are not only awesome but support artists. A place this amazing would obviously have amazing headquarters. Of course based in Brooklyn.



Gosh. So amazing and inspiring. You can't help but be creative in such an environment! And don't you just adore the plush office from Zooguu? Love that Swingline stapler!
Images from Zooguu // Hangar Architecture // Unplggd // Etsy's Flickr Stream

Rifle Design

Rifle Design is graphic designer and artist Anna Bond from Florida. I've been in love with her stuff for years (well, at least more than a year) now. I love her funny paintings and wonderful typography. You'll surely agree.

Love is a Big Deal

If I got married tomorrow (ok, with the way I fall in love, let's say today just to be safe), I'd want it to be this. Nick and Surya got married on a mountain top. They had an awesome sign at their altar (that will be simply stunning in their house). They were married by the most beautiful man ever (that's him in the sunglasses below). The groom cried (my favorite). The guests were comfortable and taken care of (flip-flops and blankets were available). The flowers were gorgeous and unpretentious. The brides sister sang an enchanting song for their first dance. The bride sang Ingrid Michaelson's "You and I" during the ceremony. The bride and her ladies got ready in an Airstream trailer. Goodness me. Does it get more lovely?




So good.
Of course, a wedding (at least to those uninvited) is only as good as it's pictures and these photographers did an amazing job : Jonas Peterson (you can hear the brides sister singing the song she wrote for the couple on his site) and Poser Images. I also got pictures off of the couples wedding site (of course, amazing) and Once Wed.