The Sum of All Parts

While we all love the 'pretty, pretty' inspirational posters, cards & broadsides, this print from Isle of Printing 'pretty' much sums it up for me. Clever + pretty = perfection on (archival) paper.

Image via Isle of Printing on Etsy.

By the Numbers

Had a major 'why didn't I think of that' moment when I came across these upc codes by design driven Vanity Barcodes. There is a beauty to simple lines, but there's also so much excitement in hidden design. Having had to deal with the 'necessary evil' that are upc codes as a brand manager in the past, I am truly loving the dual brand asset that pops up with these little lovelies.

Images via Vanity Barcodes

C'mon Now!

Could this guy get any cooler? I just couldn't help but share the love at first sight moment I had when I saw him, and figured it might pull me out of my posting drought. Featured on Etsy's Handpicked Friday selection, this is Jack. The perfect mix of rustic, mod and just the right kind of the hottest pink around. Take a peek at the rest of Amye123's shop while you're at it, featuring all sorts of cuteness in the form of updated colorful vintage finds. Here's to a weekend full of happy + color, it is almost the summer solstice afterall, get out and enjoy it!

Image via Amy123, Etsy

Honoring the Mama

A very Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! Especially these two, my mother and grandmother, who teach me to celebrate every chance I get!

Musing

Been pretty light on the blogging lately, with no great excuse or flourish - just plain old life getting in the way, leaving me not much time to report on all the little lovelies I come across on a daily basis. Have to change that.

The Mr. did manage to snap a few shots of a sweet little layer cake I whipped up earlier this summer for my grandmother's birthday. I was sure the Pink Lady Cake from favorite blog Smitten Kitchen was THE one when I was searching for the perfect celebration cake for this special day. Needless to say, we only got a few shots and none of the finished product. Have to get better about that too. In this case, we were way too busy sneaking every last bit of that ridiculously delicious cream cheese frosting. Oh. Yes.

And, speaking of Smitten Kitchen and my adoration for food blogs in general, it looks like a certain someone shares the same affinity. GOOP, the lifestyle newsletter from Gwenyth Paltrow released a who's who of food blogs, to which I wholeheartedly approve - and could go on and on adding to the list. SO much talent out there - with the movers and shakers attending this week's BlogHer Food conference in San Francisco.

I'm off to enjoy what's shaping up to be an absolutely heavenly weekend weather-wise. October picnic here we come - In my mind I'll look like this gorgeously crisp + romantic photo from photographer extrodinarie Roland Bello. Happy weekending!

Images via fine & lovely, Roland Bello

Right Now

Adoring the absolutely lusciously gorgeous work of food photographer extraordinaire Matt Armendariz. It's just so good I get hungry and swoon-ie at the same time. A longtime veteran of graphic design and styling in the food industry, Matt's work has been in countless publications and a few years ago he began Matt Bites, a blog about 'a man obsessed with food, drink & everything in between'. Love it. Add to that, he'll have a cookbook out in Spring 2011. Hope it has waterproof pages for all the drooling that will be going on over it.

Images via Matt Armendariz

Grows on Trees

While getting ready to pick peaches from our neighborhood peach tree this morning, I got to thinking about fruit trees. I dream about having avocado and lemon trees right outside the kitchen window (oh, I could use a kitchen window too, come to think of it). I would make Cafe Gitane inspired smashed avocado on toast and try my hand at homemade limoncello. For now I will dream big of lemons, mountains and sea air on the Amalfi Coast.

Images via Haas Gallery, TerraGalleria