Lynne Curtin Designs

Any fans of Real Housewives of the OC out there? Did you catch last nights episode? Well, Lynne revealed that she is a jewelry designer and she has quite an impressive collection! Even Fred Segal's in CA picked her line up! Pictured above are a few of my favorites featured on Lynne's website. She's so talented, isn't she?!

Big City Loft Style

I think I will always love loft style decor such as these from my fav, CB2. Love the graphic nature of the prints as well as the tough, graffiti style pillow with soft sentiments. Check out the room views and other coordinating items here.

Julianne Moore

Julianne Moore is amazing! I think she is so beautiful, has such a unique look and just radiates natural sex appeal and glamour. Look at these fantastic new shots of her gracing the cover of Vogue Paris, photographed by Mario Testino. This definitely serves as inspiration for me, photographically speaking. The shoes, the jewelry, hair, makeup and colors are just perfect! (Hope the sheer top in the bottom photo doesn't offend any of you.)

{{via Huffington Post}}

Beautiful Design

Beautiful work (identity, custom typography, stationery & poster) by Ben Atkins for Highgate Bar & Kitchen in London.

Watercolor Inspiration

After seeing Leesa Leva's artwork I am completely inspired! It makes me want to try my hand with watercolors!

{{via Larissa Meeks}}

BAND ID

"BAND ID – The Ultimate Book of Band Logos" looks like one heck of a cool book!

Lindsay as Marilyn

I'm sure by now everyone has heard of Lindsay Lohan's recent photo-spread in New York Magazine. If you haven't already seen the images, yu can view them here. I think they are just incredible! Lindsay did a great job channeling her idol in these.

((via New York Magazine))

Gorgeous Space : DVF

Diane von Fürstenberg Studio’s headquarters are absolutely divine! Love all the white with the pop of the hot pink wall, not to mention the pop art!

((via The Cool Hunter))

Last one, I promise

One more Daniel Eatock tidbit. I thought his alarm dance videos were hilarious! Made me want to have a little more fun in my own life with the ordinary things I encounter daily.

Holley Project

Another cool find from the Daniel Eatock website is this cool self portrait project.

Daniel's instructions:

Write a short text about yourself (300 words min / 500 words max) include interests, likes, dislikes, future plans etc.

Using black ink make a careful print from your thumb. Enlarged your black and white thumb print to approximately the size of your face.

Using a clean sheet of A3 paper, handwrite your text following the contour lines from your thumb print (you can use tracing paper, or thin copy paper)

Final result: You should have a combination of your own words, in your handwriting, in the pattern of your finger print forming a personal self portrait.

Email your finished portrait to daniel (at) eatock (dot) com

Daniel Eatock

I'm crazy about this old (2002) billboard campaign Daniel Eatock created for Channel 4 in London, England. He essentially created an art exhibit around the city by displaying a differnt Warhol piece in different areas. A guide was sent out in newspapers as an insert listing the different locations with a stylized map.

I also enjoyed this video of Daniel speaking in 2003. Loved the balancing act in the beginning and the spotlight on the red chair throughout the lecture.

Bubble Gum Ad

This ad by Leo Burnett for Arcor makes me happy.

{{via The Cool Hunter}}

Inspired: Photo Display

I find this photo display absolutely delicious! What a great way to display photos of your loved ones and introduce powerful pops of color into your decor. I like the desk too!

{{via CB2}}

PRADA -Trembled Blossoms

Interesting video, Trembled Blossoms, for Prada by James Jean. An element of evil looms but beautiful nonetheless. At one point, it goes to show, all a woman really needs is one amazing pair of shoes!

Paul Rand

Paul Rand came up in conversation today at work and then I saw this cool video posted by the super amazing, always in the know, Kelly of Design Crush. Thanks Kelly!

Color of the Year

PANTONE® 18-3943 BLUE IRIS

I was looking through some of the Fall Collections from NY Fashion Week and noticed a heavy-handed trend of blues, greys and blacks. The blue was quite lovely and while contemplating it's hue, I remembered blue was Pantone's Color of the Year and realized it made its presence known in fashion this year, albeit, mostly in a more muted version.


Even Rachel Zoe got in on the blue action at Marc Jacobs.

***Update: On my new Mac with the kickass graphics card, the color of the year image swatch is showing a little more purple than it did on my other computer! Ooops! Maybe the color wasn't as hot this year in fashion as I previously thought it was. :) Wow..I feel as though I have been colorblind until now!

{{RZ image via Second City Style}}

Sex and Typography?!

Interesting combination! My interest has most definitely been picqued, only not by the title so much as the subject matter. The book, "Sex and Typography" is about the life and times of the creator of the James Bond title sequences, one of the early 'rockstar' designers, Robert Brownjohn.

Creative Show and Tell

Here are a few of the things my creative team found inspiring for one reason or another at our Creative Show and Tell last week...

DJ Mehdi (feat Chromeo) - 'I Am Somebody' (the video above)
Studio Output
Reform Revolution
Cultivator Advertising and Design
David Carson Design (Typography)
Barkley
Peter Sanitra
My selection was Think About It

We also had our field trip on Friday to the Las Vegas Art Museum, but they were unexpectantly CLOSED due to the installation of their next exhibit! We went out to eat at this cool little barbecue place across town instead.

Just call me an addict

I cannot for the life of me stop buying work related books!

Here is just one of the latest...
Inspirability: 40 Top Designers Speak Out About What Inspires (Hardcover)

I haven't read a word of it yet, but really admire its pretty green cover, which is a sort of velvet with a flourish design carved throughout exposing a glossy varnish.
http://www.amazon.com/Inspirability-Designers-Speak-About-Inspires/dp/1581805551

I also purchased ALL ACCESS: The Making of Thirty Extraordinary Graphic Designers.


http://www.amazon.com/Inspirability-Designers-Speak-About-Inspires/dp/1581805551

One of the things I have a love/hate relationship with, in my chosen field, is the constant quest for inspiration and learning opportunities. Reading many, many books and trade magazines is one of the ways I stay inspired, motivated and up-to-date. I have also found inspiration in photography, which can tie into my job as a designer, yet not always. And, my latest source is this very blog!

Ideas & Inspiration from Kate Spade

Love this section of her site!

Behind the curtains