Cake by Petunia

How amazingly chic are these bags from the Cake by Petunia collection of Petunia Pickle Bottom? They were featured yesterday on Bakerella, and I immediately fell in love! I would never have guessed they were actually diaper bags! This is a good thing, because when I'm a mother, I certainly don't want to have my personal style hindered by lugging around a giant vinyl diaper bag with teddy bears on it and bottles sticking out of both sides... 

{Images of 'Cake by Petunia' bag from Bakerella.com}

Motherhood can definitely be chic, and the Cake by Petunia collection certainly highlights that. Go to the website and check out all the different "flavors" of cake that the bags are named after. The ones I'm showing here are Red Velvet, but they also have Apple Tart, Buttercream, Chocolate Decadence, French Gooseberry, Juniper Berry Crumb, and Licorice Pudding cakes for the different colors the bags can be.  

Happy Shopping!

Retro PC

How delightful, and slightly nerdy this is! This designer modeled and molded this PC? It's amazing! It's called the Mini Media Centre, and it's kind of the T-bird of computers...I kind of wish I had one, if only I wasn't such a devoted Apple snob! The designer's name is Thomas Thomassen, and he now lives in London. Here is a link to his website.

{Images from Mini Media Centre Website}

Milly by Michelle Smith

The photos on NYMag's website of this week's Milly show made me soo very happy. The reviews compared the looks to Blair Waldorf or a New York City Prep School student and they were absolutely right. I am so excited that bright tights aren't out of style yet. I love love love that the preppy look is in. Here are some highlights from the show!

{Photos from New York Magazine}

Alex Prager

After finding out about her work on The Hanson Family blog, I immediately fell in love with the retro style of Photographer Alex Prager. The colors, the scenes, and the over-abundance of black eyeliner? What could be better? Enjoy browsing!

{Photos by Alex Prager}

Quest for the Perfect Closet

I, like every other woman lucky enough to have HBO in the early 2000's, quickly became obsessed with the Carrie Bradshaw closet. I just loved the aqua-gray color of it, and that everything seemed to have it's own perfect place. The fact that it was filled with hundreds of thousands of dollars of designer shoes and clothes was another high point. Simply sublime.

I have to complain for a bit that I can not believe she lives in Manhattan and has this kind of closet space, when my own apartment is likely twice as large, and I have 1/8th this kind of glamorous storage. However, a girl can dream, right? Check out this collection of divine closets I've assembled and we can all pretend together!

{Photos: Momoy.com, Charlotte Magazine, Canadian House & Home}

My Foxy Valentines!

I know it's a day late, but I wish I could make all of you these treat bags and fill them with lovely goodies. Just wanted to say thanks for reading this little blog of mine, and whether you are single or coupled, I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day filled with many different kinds of love!

{Image from Paper Source}

For a how-to for this project, check out Paper Source! It will get you inspired for NEXT February!

Graphic Prints

I have been combing Etsy lately for some graphic prints for my new apartment next year, and I came across these by totworn. They measure 24x36, and are $60.00 each. They are a bit out of my current price range, since I'm still a poor college student and would love to own all four of these. Maybe next Autumn!

{images by totworn of Etsy}

Valentines for Kids

I am twenty-four, and ages away from being a mother, but this idea was so cute that I absolutely had to post it. It comes from Gabrielle Blair over at Design Mom, and she found it here. All you need is a bag of dumdums and a photo of your child making a fist, and you get these! The best part is that they are fairly easy to mass produce, since each class likely has over twenty children in it.

{Photos from Gabrielle Blair, Design Mom}

Americana Apartment

I love the preppy look of this tiny studio apartment. This designer certainly knows how to maximize space while maintaining style. Check out the article and more pictures here.

Images from The New York Times Home & Garden Section

Dining Etiquette according to Dr. Noel Mayo

Who says you don't learn real life skills in design school?

• Place the napkin in your lap immediately after the last person has been seated at your table. Unfold it, do not shake it open.
  
• NEVER place your handbag or any other items on the table!
• NEVER place your elbows or forearms on the table!
• Bread and rolls should be broken into small pieces. Butter only one or two bites at a time. 
• Butter should be taken directly from the butter dish to the bread plate, not directly on the bread.
• Begin eating only after everyone has been served.
• The European dining style is considered more sophisticated. This involves holding the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right. When you eat from the fork, you place it in your mouth with the tines facing downward.
• Always pass food to the right.
• It is okay to pass to your immediate left if the person specifically requests an item.
  
• Ask the person nearest to what you want to please pass the item after they themselves have used it.
  
• Always pass salt and pepper together, never independently.
• Taste before seasoning your food. This is done out of respect for the chef.
• Bring food to your mouth, not your mouth to the food.
  
• Chew with your mouth closed!
• Do not leave a spoon in the cup or bowl, use the saucer or plate instead.
  
• NEVER spit a piece of food into your napkin. Remove the food from your mouth using the same utensil it went in with. Place the offending piece of food on the edge of your plate. (Exceptions are a fish bone or seed, which you may remove with your fingers discretely)
  
• If the napkin is large, put the fold closest to your waist. 
• When you are finished, place the napkin to the left of your plate.

Pretty Pastels

Since it's so cold and snowy outside, I've been looking at pictures of these lovely pastel items all day and wishing for Spring. Enjoy!

{Photos top to bottom: Room Envy, Jordan Ferney, Snippet & Ink,

Delicious Magazine, Wendy Goodman, Clear Creek Navigator}

What I Did Today

Here is a little snippet of a Road Map inspired project I've been working on.

Keep it Movin'

I am a graphic designer, so saying that I love unique stationary is a given. However, upon seeing this in my google reader (blogged about by Courtney from Design Work Life) I literally shrieked with excitement to my fellow intern, Heather. It is quite possibly the most rad stationary system I've ever seen. I feel completely inspired, and hope that you will too!

{Images from Duel Purpose website}

This was designed by Duel Purpose, and you should absolutely check out their website. It will provide you hours of inspiration for the design conundrums in your everyday life. Guaranteed.

Awesomely Olive

I was very inspired by the Before/Afters on Design*Sponge today. Particularly this one! I love the accents of olive green in the decor, paired with salmons and oranges. It's such a modern take on a formerly pretty retro color palette. Not to mention the designer mixes patterns divinely, which is quite apparent in her curtain and pillow selections. It also has to be said that I am an extreme lover of symmetry, so the way she uses two couches flanking the fireplace makes me love it even more.

{images from Design*Sponge}

Map-tastic

I am in love with the map featured today on Design*Sponge. The ocean color does happen to be my favorite after all... So imagine my surprise when I found out that it was created right here in Columbus, Ohio! I expect to see a lot of amazing things from Jen & Omar of These are Things in the future. Check them out!

{images from These are Things website}

Note: Their maps are hand screened, and very limited release, so if you see availability, jump on it!

Nonpareil Magazine

There has been serious buzz about this online publication for a month now, at least! Mady from The Inspired Bride and Kristen from Papercrave, two of my favorite blogs to read, have teamed up to create this unbelievably great digital magazine. I highly recommend those of you who are planning a wedding, or those who simply love great design to check Nonpareil Magazine out now!

{images from Nonpareil Magazine website}

Seriously, though, Nonpareil Magazine is visually stunning, jam packed with beautiful tips, and even open to contributors! And who doesn't love the instant gratification of reading a magazine online?

RIP Nick Dewar

At the age of 37, this genius illustrator passed away today. He was responsible for tons of fantastic illustrations, and is probably best known for the book cover design of "The Devil Wears Prada." Please view more of his work at his website, and celebrate the life of this extraordinary artist. 

{Images from Nick Dewar's website}