(500) Days of Summer

I saw this movie over the weekend with my boyfriend, while he was in town. He has since flown back to Atlanta, but I am left thinking of how much I loved this movie. 

The cast was amazing, and I left completely jealous of Zooey Deschanel's look. She is like some kind of 60's mod siren. Everything about her is stunning. I want her haircut, her retro wardrobe...everything. 

As far as the plot is concerned, it was poignant, artistic, and certainly had lines that will resonate with me for a while. One of the most biting moments was at the end, and I won't give anything away...but it involves the words "What I was never sure of with you..." Partcularly harsh. 

The tagline: This is not a love story. This is a story about love. 

And it is certainly good that they presented us with that detail up front. The unfurling of this story was full of joy and heartache. And I can't wait until it comes out on DVD so I can watch it repetitively. 

Before & After!

My coworkers know I am absolutely obsessed with Design*Sponge Before & Afters. I just love seeing the potential in something plain, simple, or often outdated and transforming it into something beautiful and functional. 

And this home Before/After was absolutely incredible! Thank goodness someone with exceptional taste moved in! Check it out: 

I am usually a fan of color, but something about how stark and white these are is very sophisticated. 

A Bit-o-Luv for You!

It's another morning highlighting packaging design, and this was just too cute to pass up. I saw this a week or two ago on The Dieline, but when I saw it again today, I couldn't resist sharing it.  Though I'm not a pet owner, nor do I fancy myself a true animal lover, but any cold-hearted person out there would melt when faced with Bit-o-Luv dog treats. 

They are just so adorable, and I love the colors. Plus, it's genius the way you can see the treats from within their mouths! My favorite is the girl dog with the bow. 

Another Reason Why I Love Hatch

I seriously can't get enough of Hatch in San Francisco. They are by far one of my favorite design firms, and their work is just so clean and fun. They have created the look for Charles Chocolates, and I just wanted to post some of the images here for you to check out. Here are some examples of their identity design, branding, packaging, and even a shot of their webpage. 

Plus who doesn't love the intersection between good design and good candy?

Daily Dose of Dieline!

I absolutely flipped for this packaging design I saw on The Dieline, a while ago. And not surprisingly, it has made their top ten list! for a line of French juices called Jean-Louis Bissardon. It was designed by the French based firm Caracas and their site is definitely worth checking out as well, even if you don't have a passing familiarity of the language. 

What is fantastic about this packaging is that it lets the vibrancy of the juice stand alone, and then the label compliments it beautifully. The colors go fabulously together. And in my opinion, package design that lets the product really shine through is the way to go! 

Forever 21 Jewelry

I am taking a much needed shopping trip tonight to buy work appropriate jewelry and other sophisticated items. I want to dress it up a little, and I will definitely be able to do that after I visit Forever 21.

They are selling some of the most gorgeous jewelry items right now! I absolutely insist they you go check some of these out at the store or buy them online! They look much more expensive than they actually are, and I don't think any of these are over $25. 

Here are some of my favorites:

The Rachel Zoe Project

I am so completely excited that the new season of The Rachel Zoe Project is back on Bravo. 

Total gorgeousness and some fabulously charming catchphrases, and what else do you really need? 

Tune in to Bravo, Mondays at 10pm!

Ohio State's Welcome Week Theme

Click to see the larger image

Piper Heidsieck

I live for this moment...where fantastic package design for a wine company reminds me of one of my favorite classic movies! 

I was getting my daily dose of The Dieline when I came across a design for the Piper Heidsieck Rosé Sauvage. It was the winner of the 2008 Diamond Pentaward Best of Show. 

I love the upside-down factor of this design. The bottle, is obviously the main event here...but I also love the attention to detail they've included by adding the upside-down functional ice bucket, as well as the upside-down wine/champagne glass. 

Here is a closer look at just the bottle, as well. I'd love to see it opened, so I can figure out exactly how that cork works...

And now, the movie it reminds me of: Every Girl Should Be Married starring Carey Grant and Betsy Drake. Piper Heidsieck is their favorite wine, particularly from the year 1933. Though, Betsy's character always pronounces it "peeper" Heidsieck by accident. 

The movie is a black & white story of a shopgirl, Miss Anabel Sims, who uses subterfuge and scientific research to try to entangle Dr. Madison Brown, a pediatrician. It's quite a zany comedy considering she tries to convince the doctor that she is actually dating her boss, a millionaire, but that he won't get marriage on the mind until he's convinced he has a rival. Well, in actuality, she is doing that very thing to the Dr. Brown as well. 

It's quite a sweet little movie, and really kind of a progressive idea for 1948, when it was made. 

The theme of it is, Why should women have to sit and wait around for the men to ask them out? Betsy Drake is just too perfect for words, and Carey Grant is as handsome as ever. 

I will definitely be letting you know when this movie is on the TCM schedule! 

J.R. Watkins

Yesterday I had a silly designer moment. And we've all been there before, okay. 

I was shopping for something completely mundane: all-purpose cleaner at Target. I passed the 409, the Clorox, and then suddenly I saw something with a label so pretty that I got excited and a bit panicky! 

What if it costs a lot more than 409? Am I only buying this because it will look good in my kitchen? Is this fashion over function: the number one no-no in the design world? 

Well, I was delightfully surprised by the answers to these questions! No, it was the same price, if not cheaper than 409. $3.99 to be exact. No, I need all-purpose cleaner anyway, and this one is made from natural ingredients and is better for the environment! And no, this cleaner seemed to be absolute perfection with a delicious lemony fresh scent! SOLD, ladies and gentlemen. 

Check it out here and be sure to consider purchasing the hand soap, dish soap, or laundry soap while you're at it. And get a look at these beauties below: 

The Most Delicious and Easy Salad

I have recently been obsessed with 

Double Nickel Salad Dressing: 

1 tbsp kosher salt
1/4 c white vinegar
2 c corn oil
2 tbsps mustard powder
1 tbsp pureed garlic
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 c white sugar
1/2 c water

It is like this deliciously sweet version of an Italian dressing with a kick, and it complements a salad just beautifully. (I would recommend cutting this recipe down to 1/2, unless you are making it for a large party, or plan to use it for several weeks) 

And for a fabulous and easy salad for company, or even just dinner for one: 

I start with Romaine lettuce, though adding a little spinach can be delicious as well. Then I add sliced apples, chopped walnuts, slices of red onion, and bleu cheese crumbles. For an entree, rather than a starter, add chicken. It is so delectable with the Double Nickel Dressing, you will want to make it every week! 

The Little Retro Kitchen of My Dreams

I die for this kitchen. It is just amazing. There is so much storage, even for the 1950's. I can't even imagine having all of that space. Apartment living means I have about 1/8th that counter space and 1/16th that cabinet space. 

The entirely monochromatic color palette is maybe a bit much, I will admit. But check out that fridge!! It can be yours if you visit Big Chill.

In my opinion, a kitchen should always have clean lines like this, and minimal knick knacks because isn't it really hard enough to keep your kitchen looking neat and tidy anyway? 

Project Runway Faves

I am obviously a huge fan of Project Runway, and last night the new season (on Lifetime, this time around) premiered. And I truly have to say that there are some talented designers on this season! I can't remember liking as many of the first episode outfits as much as I did last night!

Here are some of my favorite looks from Episode 1. The challenge was looks for the red carpet of any awards show from the Emmys to the Oscars to the MTV VMAs. 

And finally, this look was the winner of this week's challenge...

I will try to blog more about my opinions on the designers later on throughout the season, but for now I'm in a rush. I'm heading out of town to go to Cleveland to visit Sarah! 

Au Revoir!

Made this today

I whipped this up for the inside back cover of the TBDBITL Media Guide, aka "The Project That Would Never End"

But it turned out to be pretty sweet. 

Give Great Service, Earn Great Stuff

Below are images from the Give Great Service, Earn Great Stuff Campaign for employees of Harrah's Casinos and resorts by Hatch Design in San Francisco. 

Aren't they fantastic? I, of course, love the retro aesthetic but I also love the idea of the employee characters in the same positions at work and at play, but surrounded by and using different objects. Great work, Hatch. Enjoy these goodies from their website below, and check out some of their other projects and case studies. I go there regularly for a dose of inspiration!

 

My favorite is the girl on the scooter!