Thanksgiving Table

I can't believe Thanksgiving is this Thursday. I am still getting used to working full-time, and it feels like I blinked back in September and opened my eyes in November...it's crazy. With the holidays upon us, I haven't given much thought to beautiful Thanksgiving table settings yet. Have you selected your theme yet, readers? Do you go for classic, modern, eco-friendly? Either way, today I have been perusing the web for creative ideas, and I enjoyed some of these ideas from Greener Home Designs. Enjoy!

{Photos via Greener Home Designs}

Illustrator Feature: Esther Aarts

While I'm cruising on a love affair with illustration, I wanted to post about another one I adore! Esther Aarts is a designer and illustrator based out of the Netherlands and her work is bananas. I love it so very much. Go to her website, and blog, and flikr now!

{Photos via Esther Airns website}

Kind of Obsessed

I am coming off of a post-CSCA Creative Best awards high...Being in a room and sharing oxygen with that many of Columbus' truly outstanding creative minds is just exciting. Lots of fabulous work was featured, and I even snagged a little trophy of my own in the student category (more on that later!) But I completely fell in love with a project by Columbus designer and illustrator, Jeremy Slagle, and I wanted to show it to you guys...His work kind of left me drooling last night! The best part is, I never leave a CSCA event without feeling completely inspired to step up my game. 

{Photos via Jeremy Slagle's website}

Isn't this sort of "Zombie Prom" theme amazing? I want a giant poster of this to hang in my living room...actually, come to think of it, I want these too...

Vegetable Chic

This fruit and vegetable table from Amy Atlas Events is truly awe-inspiring. I have never seen anything so classically chic in my life.

{Photos via Amy Atlas Blog}

Are You The Best?

I know I am the WORST at blogging lately, but I am very excited to go out tonight to celebrate the best the Columbus design community has to offer at the CSCA, or Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, Creative Best awards tonight. It's a bit like the Oscars for the Columbus Graphic Designer, only you don't have to get too dressed up, and listen to the host make awkward jokes at the expense of the audience...hopefully.

{Images via the CSCA website}

Did I mention Jessica Hische was one of the judges? How much did the little design groupie inside me die when I knew that she actually viewed two of my projects? The answer would be...a lot.

Hipster Babies

How amazing is this nursery featured on Ohdeedoh? It belongs to the daughter of an Urban Outfitters Designer, so of course it should be cool...but this child doesn't even know that they are already living in a cooler space than most adults. Lucky lady.

{Photos via Ohdeedoh}

Love is Too Weak a Word...

...For how I feel about these Annie Hall-inspired prints by MikeOncley on Etsy.

Seriously, I want them all, but there are only 2 in stock right now...That La-Di-Da one is eventually coming to live with me, once it's back on the market, mark my words! Cate already ordered the "I lurve you, I loave you, I luff you" print and the classic "I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member" one as well.

Artwork via Mike Oncley

I only wish they made a print that says "We can walk to the curb from here!" I confess, that is probably my favorite line...

Fringe Division

Totally self-indulgent, but I got a new haircut. There's something about bangs that make you look completely different, and I have had bang-fails before, but a little voice inside my heart tells me that these are gonna work out just fine.

Babes in Mobland

How fun is this Vanity Fair shoot featuring the ladies from the new HBO Series Boardwalk Empire. I am so excited that period television series' are happening! And then to see one featuring Al Capone and the New Jersey Boardwalk in the 1920's excites me even more. I bet the clothes are absolutely incredible! Now if only I wasn't too cheap to spring for HBO...

{Photos via Vanity Fair}

ARROWED!

Oh my gosh, further proof that letterer and illustrator Jessica Hische and I are eerily similar (besides her whole amazing design career thing...) is this post she just did for Friends of Type. I love the Teen Girl Squad reference and smooth Lisa Frank-esque bubbly illustration. But seriously, after I heard her speak at OSU, I kind of had a friend crush on her...and now, well, she has become even more amazing to me.

{Image by Jessica Hische via Friends of Type}

Tricks or Treats?

The cookies featured this year on Martha Stewart's website are incredible. Take a look at some of my favorites? Would you make any of these scary sweets for your trick-or-treaters? 

 Brownie Bits Recipe       Candy-Corn Cookies Recipe

Almond Brownie Coffins      Halloween Blondies 

Halloween Frosted Brownies       Halloween Whoopie Pies

{All photos via Martha Stewart}

Blown Away

These cut-paper beauties were photographed by the wonderful Carl Kleiner. I've blogged about his photography before here, and once again he does not disappoint when providing endless color and creativity in what would normally be an uninspired Wednesday morning. Love these!

{Photos by Carl Kleiner}

Someone Stole My Wedding

Seriously! I know my own nuptials are farther away than even an Oracle can see, but if I were to get married, I'm fairly positive it would look like this wedding featured on Green Wedding Shoes. It would have these colors, use these flowers, and quite possible contain subtle references to what a board game freak I am...It's kind of eerie, to be honest, but I applaud their excellent taste!

{Photos via Green Wedding Shoes}

Ask Jenna Sais Quois: Accent Walls

Question: Do people still do "accent walls" where one wall in a space is painted differently? I'm a little worried it's going to come out too... icky for lack of a better word. IF you think this is a good idea, what do you think of me trying to replicate something like the pattern on the green and white chair that you recently posted in your blog? I have dark brown and green in my living room and the white walls bum me out :(

Jolene

My Thoughts: Jolene, to accent or not to accent is definitely a question of personal taste. I love color, and patterns, and making your space fun! You are in your early twenties, so my vote is that you can definitely handle an accent wall! Now that doesn't mean that people don't royally screw them up either...I have pulled a few of what I think are good examples of accent walls for you to check out. They range from subtle and soft, to patterned, to bold and colorful. I just wanted you to see that accent walls are indeed alive and well in the decorating world.

{Photos from here, here, here and here}

Note: Patterned walls are a bit more tricky. If you are confident in your painting skills and you select muted enough colors (highly saturated lime greens can look a little too neon. I recommend using greens similar to the two photos shown above) then I say go for it! Personally, if I wanted a patterned accent wall, I would look into wallpapering.

Sherwin-Williams makes a product called Easy-Change Wallpaper, which sticks up and comes down without paste, glue, etc. It's perfect for renters, and they have a ton of patterns to choose from. Just go to this link, select green, and browse through tons of great patterns like the swatches I've pulled below.

DIY Tip: If you have your heart set on painting, and don't trust your hand to complete an epic mural, check out this DIY project for a modern, patterned accent wall using good old fashioned paint and tape. The finished product could look like this!

{Image from here}

Help! A Tale of Two Seat-ies

Okay, I am just going all-out with the bad puns today... Please forgive me, and then help me choose between these two chairs from World Market for my living room! I like them both equally, both will work in the space, and they cost exactly the same. But which one do you like better, readers? The Orange Lattice pattern or the Green Floral one? Quite the quandary.

{Photos via World Market, assembled by Jenna Sais Quois}